Nothing tougher than an American Marine

World Defense Review ^ | August 20, 2005 | W. Thomas Smith, Jr.

[Sailor6468]

Nothing tougher than an American Marine

By W. Thomas Smith Jr.

This is one of those rare moments when it might be better if I were not a former Marine. Don't misunderstand me, I'm incredibly proud of my prior service as one of America's "few good men." But I'm afraid I may now come across as being somewhat less-than objective when I attempt to blast Navy fawning James F. Dunnigan out of the water (no pun intended). Here's why:

Last month, Dunnigan, acclaimed author and the editor in chief of Strategy Page, wrote a piece, "Why the U.S. Navy Is Creating a New Marine Corps," in which he said, "the toughest troops in the Navy Department are not the Marines, but the sailors who belong to the SEALs."

[Sailor6468]

NOTHING CAN STOP THE NAVY MARINE TEAM.

[dalereed]

The Navy also has the best pilots in the world!

[highlymotivated]

But NO ONE, I mean NO ONE does it better as an ORGANIZATION of 175K strong, than the fighting US Leathernecks. You can ask the Brits, Spainiards, Germans (WW1 Belleau Woods), Japanese, North Koreans, North Vietnamese, Chinese, probably a few Russians in VN, Iraqis, Nicaraguans, Dominican Republicans, Cubans, etc. Indeed, during the Korean War, the NK Kommissars cautioned the troops to avoid the "yellow legs." The US Marines wearing Khaki leggings. Also, WHO IN THE WORLD could have turned a possible debacle at the Frozen Chosin Res into a stunning victory. The 1st Marine Division ANNIHILATED EIGHT, EIGHT CHINESE DIVISIONS!

[JoeGar]

The first thing they taught us boots at Parris Island was to never challenge a sailor to a speed-typing contest. Those guys are deadly with a keyboard.

[endthematrix]

Thanks for the link to WORLD DEFENSE REVIEW! I had read Smith's previous article (Marines, Navy SEALs forge new special operations team) and it tells alot regarding the question of defining tough. I'm not military and I revere both branches. However there is only ONE brand of tough...leatherneck tough. It can never be broken!

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

Also, WHO IN THE WORLD could have turned a possible debacle at the Frozen Chosin Res into a stunning victory. The 1st Marine Division ANNIHILATED EIGHT, EIGHT CHINESE DIVISIONS!

You forgot the other seven that were rendered "combat ineffective."

Semper Fi,

SIC

[Marine_Uncle]

"The Navy also has the best pilots in the world!"
Aviators...

[Marine_Uncle]

"The first thing they taught us boots at Parris Island was to never challenge a sailor to a speed-typing contest."

Semper Fi.

[bethelgrad]

I am a former Marine serving as a CHaplain aboard a Cruiser. Seems like my guys enjoy my Marine stories more than my preaching! The Corps' reputation is vast and wide even among the other branches.

[stylin19a]

The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen.

Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!

- Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945

Semper Fi

[depenzz]

Semper Fi

[Mountain Troll]

Are the Navy and Marines still on the same team? If I'm reading Dunnigan's article correctly, one of his points is that the Marines aren't interested in supporting the Navy anymore. Like the Army developing rotary wing aircraft after the Air Force virtualy abandoned close-air support in favor of air superiority missions (Quote from an F-16 pilot: "no one ever got laid driving an A-10"), the Navy is developing it's own units to do the security missions once handled by the Marines.

[JoeSixPack1]

In response to the above article

I KNEW DAT!!

Semper Fi

[RaceBannon]

Hey, somebody has to drive the boat for us.....

[Dark Wing]

Dunnigan seems to have lost a fan.

[Vineyard]

"No better friend, no worse enemy ... the US Marine."

The Marines are a Department of the Navy ... the Men's Department.

I have high respect for the Marines!!
Semper Fi to those who earned the Globe and Anchor, from a Navy guy (Submariner).

R/ Mike

[MarineBrat]

Comparing Marines and sailors? That's silly. The USMC is a small part of the Department of the Navy. And there are Marine guards on most Navy ships.

But everyone knows that's because virgins in white dresses require chaperons on the high seas! :)

[sergeantdave]

Until the Navy SEALS can find another Joe Rosenthal to snap a picture on some God-forsaken volcanic rock of SEALS hoisting a flag on the high ground, after taking thousands of casualties in 24 hours, Marines will hold the title of the best.

And I say that with all due respect to everyone who has served.

[TomasUSMC]

ALL our men and women in Iraq are doing an incredible job, and would be doing it better still if it weren't for the Vietnam Redux war fighting strategy our President saddles them with.

Allowing Syria and Iran to assist the terrorist that are killing and maiming our troops in Iraq is .... very close to treason or mental incapacity. Absolutely unconceivable. We need to support our troops, not with just patriotism but with all out war fighting, as we did in WW2.

[clintonh8r]

Actually there are very few Marine guards on Navy ships any more. Regardless........

SEMPER FI!!!