This is why the Marine Corps is different

There’s a reason why the world knows about the United States Marine Corps, even if its manpower levels are minuscule compared to the Army. America needs an Army, a Navy, and an Air Force, but America wants a Marine Corps.

The Marine Corps is distinct from the other three main military branches and this distinctiveness has allowed it to succeed and not have the same recruiting troubles the other branches are experiencing.

You’re a Marine

Every branch has its own version of esprit de corps.

In the Army, your pride might come from being a member of the 10th Mountain Division. If you’re a Sailor, your pride might be in your ship. In the Air Force, it’s your squadron. In the Marine Corps, you’re a Marine, and that’s it. Marines don’t wear patches to signify their unit on their everyday uniform because the name tag already says “U.S. Marines.”

There is a strong focus on your identity as a Marine – nothing more and nothing less.

The focus is on combat

Like all branches, the direct fighting portion of the Marine Corps is relatively small, but you wouldn’t know it by the way the Marine Corps advertises itself. The Marine Corps pushes a fighting mindset to both infantry and support personnel. This includes requiring all Marines to qualify at the rifle range yearly.

Marines outside of the infantry also attend Marine Combat Training between boot camp and their MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) school. This training imparts basic infantry skills to every Marine: it’s a course that provides fundamental combat knowledge to cooks, carpenters, and accountants alike.

Further, the Marine Corps’ martial arts program is the only combatives program in the military to teach members how to fight with weapons like knives and garrotes. It’s a testament to the Marine Corps’ focus on combat.

Leadership at the lowest level

“Why does this E4 act like he has a swinging #$%?” I’ll never forget an Army captain asking that of my corporal platoon sergeant when he attended a leader’s briefing. It sounds disrespectful, but he meant it humorously, as the meeting consisted primarily of officers and senior Staff NCOs. An E4 was a small fish, but held a leadership billet that earned him a seat at that table.

The Marine Corps pushes leadership down to the lowest level possible. If there are two Marines in a room, one of them is in charge of the other. Marines can be leaders at any rank, and it’s one of those things that’s enforced by the culture of the Marine Corps. I remember seeing privates lead squads – that private did get a non-judicial punishment, but his rank didn’t stop him from leading Marines.

Related: New Museum of the Marine Corps galleries engage multiple senses to simulate combat environments

It’s tribal

Another cliché old saying goes, “There are only two branches in the United States military: the Army and the Navy. The Air Force is a corporation, and the Marine Corps is a cult.” But I prefer to think of it as a tribe. Tribes tell stories, have legends, shared goals, and identity; the Marine Corps has the same. From boot camp on, we are reminded of our history, culture, and identity.

We have an internal culture that’s different and largely private compared to the rest of the world. We have guttural shouts and traditions that seem nonsensical from the outside looking in. The culture of the Marine Corps unites the Marines no differently than the culture of tribes at the dawn of man. Being part of a tribe means being part of something greater than yourself.

Being a Marine is the prize

In the other branches, there is a focus on what a potential recruit can get out of their respective service. This does makes sense; you should get something for your service, and no one can fault you for getting the most out of it.

In the Marine Corps, however, being a Marine is what you get out of the service. Tellingly, it’s rare to see big enlistment bonuses attached to the Marine Corps.

Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith once said, “Your bonus is that you get to call yourself a Marine. That’s your bonus. There’s no dollar amount that goes with that.”

The Marine Corps’ recruiting makes it very clear that being a Marine is an honor. You earn the honor, and then you have to uphold it.

The Marine Corps is a unique branch in the United States military. It’s been said and pitched more than once that you could roll up the Marine Corps and split its duties between the Army and the Navy, but we won’t see that happen. America wants its Marine Corps… because the Marines are different.

Feature Image: U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard Members from Marine Forces Reserve present the national colors at Winona Steamboat Days, Winona, Minnesota, June 12, 2025. The Color Guard presented the colors at the reviewing stand of the Winona Steamboat Days Grande Parade as Marine Forces Reserve Band performed the National Anthem. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Theodore McElwee)

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