Why do Marines "look down" on the other branches?

[TacXD9er]

First and foremost, I hope everyone on this forum will answer in a respectful and adult manner. I do not want this locked by a moderator. I ask this question because a buddy's son (who I've known for years) stopped by the house to tell me he is going to Marine boot camp in April. I congratulated him and told him I was proud of his decision. He asked me what branch I served and I told him the Air Force (during the Vietnam war). Then he made a sour face and said, oh that's not the military. I've come across simular responses, snubs, and the cold shoulder from other former Marines, but not sailors, or soldiers. Why is it Marines seem to have a distain for the other service branches? Is this taught to them in boot camp? I for one, have always been proud and honored to have any service branch member serve this country. I always thought it was a "team" effort. Each branch having their assigned tasks/duties to perform for one common cause. Anyway, that is my question. Why do Marines appear so arrogant and "look down" on the other service branches? Again, please be respectful.

[LUVMYSIGP225]

You are very right. They do. It is part of the brainwashing that they receive in Parris Island. They not only look down on other services, but their riflemen look down on non-combat Marines. There is a thread on GlockTalk right now with Marines bashing R. Lee Ermey because he served in a Marine Corps Aviation Wing and was non-combat Purple Heart. They are also cracking on him for being an "Honorary Gunnery Sergeant", when in fact he earned only the rank of Staff Sergeant. Who gives a flying phuck. The guy served his country for 12 years, honorably, and was a drill sergeant that MADE Marines. How can you question that? I thought all Marines were a rifleman first?

It is very funny that you posted this post when you did.

I am ex-Army. I was out having a beer with my buddy from the gun shop. He is 29 years old just did three rounds in Afghanistan in the Marine Corps. He was a SAW gunner. Came home Purple Heart. He was an 0311. I think that is their MOS for Rifleman. He bashes me so bad for being ex-Army Tanker. We got to talking and I asked him about his bias against other services. His exact words "I don't hate other branches of the service. I am a Marine. I am the best of those branches. I have a lot of respect for SOME components of the Army after working with them in combat. I am indifferent about the Air Force. It cracks me up when people brag about being in the Air Force, and don't get me started on the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is nothing but a bunch of boat bound paramedics and cops." Unquote. I blasted him for it. He laughed it off.

He sure wouldn't make fun of the Air Force boys if his a$$ was pinned down, and needed some Air Support.

[ichy_trigger]

Alot of times the marines use their own air support but your right...
My wifes ex was a non combat marine, a crew chief in helicopters, my stepson told him he wanted to join the army, which is what I was in and he about blew a gasket...lol.

Hey sig, I was a 19K as well.

[aiformula]

I've always been pretty much of the opinion that the only branch that really puts it on the line all the time is the coast guard. Peace time or war time, they are utilizing their training and budgets every day, and I have more respect for those guys than any other branch. That being said, most of the marines I've come across w/ this kind of an attitude are enlisteds. Rarely do I find an officer with such a narrow mind. Yes, they are the bastard stepchildren of the military supply chain, doing more w/ less time and time again, but that's because they've proven they can make do and still maintain a high level of effectiveness. In fact they've done it so much, they wear that moniker as a badge of honor. They are trained to react fluidly more so than the average army enlistee, and they view anyone not rifleman qualified as a lesser person. There is also some jealousy due to benefits (pay/quarters/equipment) that some branches have over others. There are exceptions to every rule, but in general that's what I've seen.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Not real sure how to reply to this. I have respect for all the services my Mom and Dad both served in the US Army (my dad for 21 years).

Tell the guy that a real Marine said to STFU he's not a Marine yet and has no right to say anything to anyone about the military. He's not a Marine until he gets his Eagle, Globe, and Anchor at the end of Boot. He's still a civilian and he will be lower than a civilian when he is a recruit

Now onto the subject at hand we get lots of guy that are like that. We are constantly under the microscope when it comes to our personal appearance and uniform even when out in town no cammies out in town ect. We see some Army and Air Force in the area the Air Force trains on V22s on New River they just look "unkempt" walking around. We are taught that we are ALL riflemen first. Hell we're told we get as much training at Marine Combat Training as the Army does at their basic infantry school. Pretty sure that's not true my dad was Army Infantry for half of his 21 years in.

Honestly I believe that it's just what we get drilled into us from Boot Camp till the time we get out. I even see higher ranking enlisted and officer that has the same mind set. Trust me you won't see this from me as I've lived on the other side of the fence with my parents and know that everyone sacrifices.

I'm not making excuses for us lots of us are assholes.

[Ed Ely]

A Marine is a Marine is a Marine!

That's it, period.

Ed

[LUVMYSIGP225]

Originally Posted by ichy_trigger

Alot of times the marines use their own air support but your right...
My wifes ex was a non combat marine, a crew chief in helicopters, my stepson told him he wanted to join the army, which is what I was in and he about blew a gasket...lol.

Hey sig, I was a 19K as well.

That's right, Ichy. We have talked about that. The "E-Town Mob". LOL!

Incidentally, we trained a lot with Marines at Knox. Marines were never good enough for their own Armor Training Center, I guess. They had to learn from the best. Hey man. Did you guys still have Delta Company Marines when you were down there? I was in Alpha, 3rd Platoon. We shared the same barracks building, right by the parade field. We had the building with the Red Concrete Lion directly in front of it. One time, I was walking over to the company HQ, and I had a Marine Corps E2 tell me to keep in step with him because he outranked me. I told him to blow me. LOL!!!! God, those were the good old days.

Marines are great guys, just a little nuts.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Originally Posted by LUVMYSIGP225

That's right, Ichy. We have talked about that.
Marines were never good enough for their own Armor Training Center, I guess.

It's a money thing. No sense in trying to start our own school when we can just use yours for less money.

[pigfrmr]

Originally Posted by jeepinbanditrider

Not real sure how to reply to this. I have respect for all the services
Tell the guy that a real Marine said to STFU he's not a Marine yet and has no right to say anything to anyone about the military. He's not a Marine until he gets his Eagle, Globe, and Anchor at the end of Boot. He's still a civilian and he will be lower than a civilian when he is a recruit

Now onto the subject at hand we get lots of guy that are like that. We are constantly under the microscope when it comes to our personal appearance and uniform even when out in town no cammies out in town ect. We see some Army and Air Force in the area the Air Force trains on V22s on New River they just look "unkempt" walking around. We are taught that we are ALL riflemen first. Hell we're told we get as much training at Marine Combat Training as the Army does at their basic infantry school. Pretty sure that's not true my dad was Army Infantry for half of his 21 years in.

Honestly I believe that it's just what we get drilled into us from Boot Camp till the time we get out.
I'm not making excuses for us lots of us are assholes.

+1
That's pretty much how I see it as well. I've been out for almost 20 years and still comment when I see other service members out in public.

TacXD9er, I will say that the zoomies are the next best squared away when out in public!

[LUVMYSIGP225]

Originally Posted by jeepinbanditrider

It's a money thing. No sense in trying to start our own school when we can just use yours for less money.

I can believe that. Also, you ought to see Fort Knox Armor Training Center sometime. It would be a waste for them NOT to use it.

We worked with Marines, and they were all good guys. Definitely a friendly competiveness between us. But then again, when I was there, the Army had Abrams, and the Marines were still riding 60 A3 series. Not much to compete with. LOL!!!