Why are american soldiers called marines? it doesn't make any sense?

J. S.

Are Marines, like the Royal Marines from England, not infantry that are deployed by sea? It makes sense to me. I really do not know enough about the Australian army, although I do know something about Breaker Morant and the South Australian Mounted Rifles in the Anglo-Boer War, and the tough lot of ANZACs who hit the beaches of Gallipoli. Your English/History teacher is doing a lot of diservice to the U.S. Marines, a subject I have read a lot about. See my source list for further reading on discipline and strategy. I have the feeling your teacher never read these books. I am not here to attack you, I am here to answer your question and help you learn. You stirred up a hornet's nest here, but you did the right thing. Cheers mate!

NAB

Well, we have the Army, typically referred to as soldiers. The Air Force, aka airmen. The Navy, our sailors and then there's Marines. The only branch of our Armed Forces, call by the same name. We also have our fine Coast Guards. But we also call the members of our Armed Forces, as a collective, soldiers. As long as they are defending our country as part of any of the military, they are also referred to as such.

Our Marines? Undisciplined and poor strategists? We, (the U.S.) beg to differ.

pblxgshman

Over all most of the answers given have been correct with one exception. There is not Department of the Marines, like there is a Department of the Navy, Army or Air Force. The Marines are in fact fall under the Department of the Navy. They are the land attack component of the Navy. As for what you history teacher said, of all the branches of the military, the Marines probably have the tightest discipline and esprit de corp of any. As for strategy, there is something to be said for being able to do what needs to be done regardless of the cost. Sometimes people seem to forget that sometimes soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines die to accomplish their missions. And that sometimes it is the only way to accomplish a mission.

stanyazfan

OK lets start like everyone else did...people in the army are referred to as solders while MARINES are a totally different branch... they are under the dept of the navy...MARINES are in the MARINE CORP...the smallest of the 4 fighting forces...the few the proud...the coast guard comes under the dept of treasury. and during war times are used to escort ships and protect the coast of the UNITED STATES...we{me being a MARINE} are far from being undisciplined...just the opposite...at least at work...now when we are on shore leave in Australia..we do get a bit wild drinking and bagging your women...that's probably what happened to your teacher..he lost his girl to a marine...marines have never lost a battle so how can there tactics be flawed?? the marines in the old days 1700's were carried aboard ships to fight the crews of other ships...and repel pirates from boarding....Australian army the most efficient?? no offense intended but not in this or any lifetime....

stolibabe2003

Your english teacher is just mad cause he was not accepted to be a marine.

That is why he is a english teacher....

icaruscatfish

The Marines are only one branch of the US Armed Forces. There is a US Army as well. The Marines were originally trained for landing from ships and are actually part of the US Navy. As to whether the Marines are undisciplined and lack strategy compared to the Aus Army? Good way to start an argument, but you must remember that the US has a huge Defence Force. Countries like Australia with a much smaller defence budget and army can spend a lot of time training their few soldiers. The cannot, however mount large operations like the US can.

jack w

First, not all American soldiers are called Marines. Just members of the United States Marine Corp. Members of the US Army are called soldiers and the US Air Force is generally referred to as airmen. US Navy members are called sailors.

Troops is a termed generally used when the specific organization isn't known.

Your teacher needs to spend more time reading history. The Marines have historically fought in some of the toughest battle campaigns in history. The flag on Iwo Jima was raised by Marines. Military organizations with poor discipline and strategy don't win campaigns. Not a description of the US Marines.

Mr. Agappae

Marines.... comes from "Marine" water

ever heard of marine wildlife?

those are fish....

Marines are called Marines because they are Amphibious warriors that will open up a can of woop a...

Marines are just one branch of the armed services. They go through the toughest training and get the hardest jobs. I would suggest that your history teacher try living in the shoes of a Marine. Other branches of the armed service are: army, navy, and air force. Of the 4, the Marines and the Air Force, traditionally, have taken the brightest recruits. The navy is hightly electronic.

chris B

Your history teacher is full of it. First of all the Army (soldiers) is different from The Marines. The Marines invented the concept of close air support and landing on a beach under fire, tactics which were implemented all through the Pacific in World War Two. Tell your history teacher to learn the difference between strategy and tactics before he goes making stupid statements. Discipline is also very important to Marines as it is to all branches of the military.

J T

I'll bet you wouldn't say that to a marine face to face, and your teacher wouldn't either.
.

Tony S

Sounds like your teacher needs to go back to school to understand the difference, before they pass on their "wisdom" to you

007

The Marines are part of the Navy, and the best fighting force on the planet, period.

tryingmybest79

Do your research before you go tooting your Aussie horn. I'm sure you've been set straight by many angry Americans by now. Just in case you don't get it, there is the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines, and the National Guard. Separate 'branches' working for the same goal. Army is often a generic term for anyone who is in the military.

Your teacher should also learn that a classroom is no place to impose opinions on students looking to him/her for knowledge. Opinion is not knowledge.

degy d

Not all american soldiers are marines. US Military is broken up into 4 primary forces: Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy. Marines are extreamly well disciplined and have some best trained soldiers in the world. As for the strategy, that is your teachers opinion, he/she is entitled to that. But I would strongly suggest that you read about them and form your own opinion. People like me provide them with the information to make the decisions, the Generals and other officers decide where to go from there. hope this helps.

canivieu

Solders are Army. Marines are jar heads.

johN p. aka-Hey you.

If you think that's true, I wouldn't advise saying that around any marines. They will probably, and rightly just, show you they're nothing what you describe. And if you think the Australian army is the best, you have every right to feel that way. You're wrong, but that's still your choice.

American soldiers are called soldiers. Marines are called Marines. Marines are usually the first in and take the brunt of the casualties. Being a bullet stopper takes a certain type of individual.

US Soldier

Bull **** its just a name that civilians call us. We call our-self's devil dogs. We fight to keep all free, and safe. We get Discipline in one day then most people get in there life. And strategy is depending on your commander. Ever heard of the quote " land of the free because of the free".

American soldiers are called soldiers. They are members of the US Army. American Marines are called Marines. They are members of the US Marine Corp. American sailors are called sailors. They are members of the US Navy. American airmen are called airmen. They are members of the US Air Force.
There are other sub branches of all services of course.

The US Marines are usually the first in. They are specially trained and equipped to take the battle to the enemy. I would never tell a US Marine to his or her face that they are undisciplined or poor strategists. To do so would dishonor the entire Corp and the US Marine in question would likely feel compelled to prove me wrong by protecting the honor of the Corp.

Respectfully, your teacher is misinformed.

Austrailia has an army?

speakeasy

Marines have a proven track record of success that speaks for itself.

Matt

Ok, first off, American soldiers are not called marines. American Soldier refers more to all American fighting men and women. Marines fall under the Department of the Navy and are just refered to as Marines, or Jar Heads if you want. The U.S. Army is the most effecient and disciplined fighting force in the world!!!

ayleyha

the marines is a separate group, different from the army. they are a specialized unit, just like air force, army, and navy are all different groups.

the marines are actually the most highly trained in our armed forces. you might want to take that tidbit of information about American culture to your English histiry teacher.

SEMPER FI!!!!! WHOOO-RA

Jim C

I think they are called Marines because the fight on the land and sea.

Garacaius

Marines fight on land and sea. There is the Air Force // Army // Navy // Marines // Coast Guard.

thejoker133123

American Soldiers are actually the Army. Marines are a totally different group. They are the most elite warriors on the planet, and they are very highly disciplined and have excellent strategies. And your history teacher must have a very biased view towards them.

Foss

only the marine unit are called marines

tonalc1

Whew, wait for it...

houston taylor

well the marines don't make up the strategy....so i dunno how they could have poor strategic abilities...? they just do as their ordered too by the gov't and/or congress. and undisicplined? i won't even argue that. i think the majority of people will think this question just shouldn't have been asked.

ALunaticFriend

The marines come form the word mariner. Because they used to be the ones who take over ships.
marines are usually the toughest in the military. they are first on the ground and last to leave.
The strategy they use is a strategy of their commanding officer. Whether smart or not.

anthony verrecchio

I see most of you know bits and pieces of our history and purpose. I am a Marine veteran and the only one who knows what it is to be a Marine is a Marine. We were started on November 10, 1775 where the continental congress ordered that two battalions of Marines be formed and were fashioned after the British Royal Marines. It is quite difficult to become a Marine first you have to meet high standards just to accepted to go to boot camp. Once in boot camp you go thru 3 phases of training at the end of each phase the Drill Instructors determine if you go to the from one phase to the next if you do not progress you are recycled basically left back if your your recycled several times and cannot progress you are discharged. for example when my platoon started training we started with 65 recruits and graduated boot camp with less than 50 and about half of that number were recycles as a result you end up with highly trained, disciplined, and motivated individuals, just look at some footage of us in battle there is only one thing all Marines fear and that is to let down their fellow Marines. We all joined for many different reasons but because of the training we endure together we all end up fighting for one reason that is each other Semper Fi

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