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Difference Between Marines and Army

Marines vs Army
 

Although it is true that both Marines and Army carry out ground based operations, there is a difference between them when it comes to the parameters of their activity. It should be known that Marines are a wing of the Navy. Army, on the other hand, is not a wing of any other armed force. Army is, in fact, its own branch. Army often refers the entire military land forces of a country. Army is, of course, much larger in size than Marines as Marines are only a specialized branch of the Navy. However, the most important fact to remember is that both Marines and Army are doing a great job in providing military power to the United States of America.

What is Army?

Army often refers the entire military ground forces of a country. Army has a specific set of purposes and activities. The main purpose of the Army is to protect and defend the interests of a country by means of armor, artillery, ground troops, and helicopters. The choice of the use of nuclear weapons is also given to the Army. However, not only US Army but any other armies in the world are not planning on using a nuclear weapon in any kind of war since the devastating consequence can harm the whole world.

When it comes to leading, the Army is headed by Army Chief. The Army Chief has to report to the Secretary of the Army. It is also important to note that the Marines and the Army differ in their nature too. The Army is an occupational force. The Army fights on land as they are the ground military force of any country. This is the specialty of the Army.

What are Marines?

Marines are also known as the United States Marine Corps. Marines have a specific set of purposes and activities too. Marines are set up to conduct amphibious operations. Their activities include attack, capture, and control. They can attack near what are called beach heads. In all probability, the Marines act as the Navy’s infantry.

When it comes to their nature, the Marines are an assault force. Marines fight on the sea and land and hence their fight is termed as amphibious fight. Marines, however, cannot carry out fight in the air. When it comes to leading, Marines are headed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Commandant of the Marine Corps has to report to the Secretary of the Navy.

What is the difference between Marines and Army?

Definitions of Marines and Army:

Army: Army often refers to the entire military land forces of a country.

Marines: Marines are a wing of the Navy, set up to conduct amphibious operations.

Characteristics of Marines and Army:

Type of Military Power:

Army: Army is an occupational force.

Marines: The Marines are an assault force.

Main Purpose:

Army: The main purpose of the Army is to protect and defend the interests of a country by means of armor, artillery, ground troops, and helicopters.

Marines: Marines are set up to conduct amphibious operations. Their activities include attack, capture, and control.

Fighting Style:

Army: Army is specialized in fighting on the ground.

Marines: Marines follow the amphibious fighting style as they fight on both land and sea.

Commanding Officer:

Army: The Army is headed by Army Chief.

Marines: Marines are headed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Ranks:

Army: In Army, there are different ranks for the officers such as Lieutenant General, Major General, Brigadier General, Colonel, Major, etc.

Marines: In Marines, there are different ranks for the officers such as Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, etc.

The Maximum Age for Enlisting:

Army: The maximum age for enlisting in Army is 35 years.

Marines: The maximum age for enlisting in Marines is 28 years.

It is true that Army Commissioned Officers work hard to complete every mission with dedication. It is equally true that Marine Commissioned Officers too serve with dignity and dedication. So, though there is a difference in the tasks and the way they operate, at the end of the day, both Army and Marines are fighting to keep their country a safe and protected land.

 

Images Courtesy:

  1. US Army via Wikicommons (Public Domain)
  2. Marines by DVIDSHUB (CC BY 2.0)