Are the US Marines part of the US Navy?

Answer 1

They have been brushed by the Tar and served before the mast since their creation, but today the U.S. Marine Corps is not a branch of the U.S. Navy - it is a separate service branch within the Department of the Navy, the civilian branch of the Department of Defense tasked with overseeing the Navy and Marine Corps.

Since the Navy and Marines have historically been so closely associated (Marines are embarked on Naval vessels, and the two have always participated closely in joint operations for many years) the decision was made to bring the two under one authority.

Even so, the two branches have their own separate and distinct Chain of Command - the Secretary of the Navy oversees the two, but the Navy is headed by the Chief of Naval Operations, while the Marines are commanded by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Both officers are normally 4-star ranks.

Answer 2

Within the Department of Defense (the Pentagon), the Marines and the Navy both are separate entities under the Department of the Navy, each having its own Commanding Officer. The Navy has the Chief of Naval Operations, while the Marines have the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Both officers report directly to the Secretary of the Navy (a civilian leader), who in turn reports to the Secretary of Defense.

The Marine Corps is the amphibious and infantry contingent of the Navy, for lack of a better description. Originally, Marines were soldiers stationed on Naval vessels, trained to board and assault other sailing vessels during ship-ship battles. Later, they were used in amphibious operations, which ultimately became their specialty. Even today, Marines are embarked on Naval vessels all over the globe, and on larger ships like carriers, they also serve as a primary security force. Even though they have their own bases, personnel, and equipment, there are few operations where the Marines and the Navy aren't involved with each other at some level. Even Navy Corpsmen serve as Marine Medics, and Navy Seabees go through Marine Corps infantry training.

Today, they still act as the country's premier amphibious assault force, and they also have their own specialized equipment for doing their jobs. For example, Marines have their own pilots and aircraft for close air support, though Naval Aviators also cover them. The need for having their own equipment became apparent over the years as problems arose over differences in tactics and communications. Things are different today, as there is a marked improvement in interservice operations and communications. This comes as a result of a doctrine known as "lessons learned", which is the analysis of all things good and bad after a major conflict to determine how best to correct what's bad, and keep what's good. Many of the interservice improvements today come as a result of lessons learned from Grenada and the first Gulf War.

Over the decades, the Marines have been used for operations outside the scope of their original mission, but that's because of their unique training, which is different and more disciplined than the other services. For example, Marine Force Recon units are considered some of the military's best soldiers, but are most effective in small numbers operating as SpecOps forces do. However, at the request of the Area Commander, they were used to spearhead the invasion of Iraq.

Using specialty forces in a way contrary to their primary warfare focus by military leaders has led to disaster in the past. For example, Navy SEAL's work best as small units in unconventional warfare, but were used in force to attack a key airport during the 1989 Invasion of Panama (Operation Just Cause) to keep Manuel Noriega's escape jet from being flown. A SEAL sniper team could've taken out the plane, yet the Navy officer in charge of the mission refused to consider proper methods and tactics that are key to SEAL success. 4 SEAL's were killed, 8 seriously wounded. The job should've been given to Army Rangers, as this type of assault is their specialty.

Marines have also been used as diversionary forces - in the fist Gulf War, amphibious landing ships were stationed off of the coast of Kuwait to divert Saddam Hussein's forces' attention away from the main assault force moving through Saudi Arabia on Kuwait's left flank.

Answer 3

Yes - the U.S. Marine Corps is actually a service branch under the Department of the Navy, and have been since their creation. Though there is much rivalry between the two branches, both sailors and marines recognize their combined history together and know that one doesn't do well without the other.

Though a part of the Navy, the Marine Corps has its own separate command structure and leadership structure; It is similar to 2 divisions under one banner. The Chief of Naval Operations is the leader of the Navy, where the Commandant of the Marine Corps is responsible for the Marines. Both report directly to the Secretary of the Navy.

Marines typically serve as security aboard larger Naval ships, such as Carriers, or onshore at Naval Weapons facilities. Navy Corpsmen act as field medics for the Marines as well. Also, amphibious ships responsible for the deployment of Marines in landing craft or helicopters are operated by sailors. On board Carriers, Marine Corps aviators are stationed aboard in case there is a need for aerial support of Marine ground operations, though Naval aviators also support Marine units.

Both Navy and Marine Corps junior officers attend the Naval Academy as Midshipmen until the end of their 3rd year. At that time prior to the beginning of their Senior year, they decided which branch they will serve in.

Answer 4

The US Marine Corps is part of the US Department of the Navy which contains two separate services under civilian leadership. They also share a proud Naval traditon going back to 1775 as Continentals.

Answer 5

They are under the Department of the Navy. However they are their own branch of service. Once an officer attends the US Naval academy he can opt to join the Navy or the Marines. They are two services funded under the Department of the Navy.

Answer 6

The original purpose of the Marines was to provide security and protection onboard ships. They were essentially soldiers that used their weapons on a ship. As the duties evolved to include amphibious landings and projection of power on shore, the Marines evolved into a more autonomous unit. They continue to provide security for Navy installations and onboard larger Navy Vessels.

Answer 7

No, although in the US Armed Forces they are separate forces under the Secretary of the Navy.

Answer 8

The US Marine Corps is a branch of the US Military. It is a part of the Department of the Navy. The commandant serves on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Answer 9

The Marine Corps is under the auspices of the Naval Dept.