Should these branches exist?

LineInTheSand

USCGA 2006
10-Year Member
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Nov 25, 2007
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This has come up on multiple threads over the years, so let's go ahead and create a thread just for this conversation.

The Air Force has planes and so does the Navy. Why do we need both to fly?


The Army can do anything the Marine Corps can. Do we really need a Marine Corps?


The Navy has ships, guns and boarding teams. Why do we need a Coast Guard?


There ya go, start talking about it.
 
I spent a little time in Colombia. The Colombian navy has a coast guard. While it is distinct and "separate," it is technically part of the navy, and manned by navy sailors who rotate through the coast guard units. Yes, the Colombian navy is closer to the size of the U.S. Coast Guard, and has similar missions as well, but the distinct coast guard identity was interesting to see.


Most countries have armies, but no marine corps. Why do we need a Marine Corps? Why not just make it an amphibious branch of the Army?
 
The way I saw the Marine Corps was that it's like a mini-Armed Forces - they have Navy, Army and Air Force altogether. That's why they are so effective. And I think that the Marine Corps culture contributes to their esprit de corps. I don't know how different (doctrine, effectiveness etc) would it be to have a "Marine Corps" within the Army.
 
The way I saw the Marine Corps was that it's like a mini-Armed Forces - they have Navy, Army and Air Force altogether. That's why they are so effective. And I think that the Marine Corps culture contributes to their esprit de corps. I don't know how different (doctrine, effectiveness etc) would it be to have a "Marine Corps" within the Army.


Effective doing what? No unit is effective because they claim they are, they are effective based on their accomplishments and everyone has to contribute.

Yes all important esprit de corps, something we need and something that's good for us, but how do you measure it and how do you measure its effectiveness. A battalion commander wanted to do some high speed MOUT training to improve moral and build esprit de corps. His higher said no. Why, how does MOUT training support the battalion's overall readiness and mission readiness?
 
With the smell of reductions ripe in the air, I have to ask: do we really need 70+ nuclear capable bombers? Who would we drop one on?
 
Well, I sure hope we don't drop a bomber on anyone. Think of the damage to the poor bomber! :eek: Those things are expensive.

Your real argument also fails to realize that our nuclear capable bombers are also our conventional bombers, and have been used to impressive effects in Afghanistan and Iraq.
 
Impressive results? Really? I seriously doubt that we've dropped a single conventional bomb in the last 5 years from a B52. Cruise missiles perhaps but even that is questionable (or couldn't be done as or more effectively by other platforms). After all, we count the innocents of our drone strikes individually - how would we count them from 35,000 ft.

The real question is not if the strategic bombers are useful but, rather, are they the most cost effective way to accomplish our mission, now or in the foreseeable future. Now spread this analysis across the DoD and tell me we're not due for a re-evaluation of the force structure that exists.

I await your thoughtful answer.
 
Maybe its not about the branches. It may be about robots and drones in the future. I dont think they really care what insignia they are painted with. Less casualties and maybe less control. An interesting thought.
 
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