Should we unify and have one rank structure? Why or Why not?

In 2001 I was the SNCO of the USNSE in Pristina where I worked with all ranks of all branches. Yes I had to get use to a Navy Captain, learn the different Air Force ranks, but in the end, it's nothing but a thing. To combine ranks would take away the heritage of the Branch of Service. In the words of an old but good saying - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Nothing here to fix.

I'd love to say I support it, but I can't, and there's a few reasons.

First is the Constitutional reason. Congress has a Constitutional Obligation to MAINTAIN a Navy, but only a Requirement to RAISE an Army.

Despite our jokes about being the "Men's Department," the Marine Corps is a member of the Naval Services. Much like the Air Force has it's roots in the Army Air Corps.

That leads me to tradition. Each Service has tradition tied to their ranks. What would the Marines be without our "Gunny's," or the Navy & Air Force without their "Chiefs."

The officer ranks are very delineated, with 3 of the 7 uniformed services using "ground" ranks, while remaining 4 use "naval" ranks (and uniforms). The enlisted ranks are very similar as well, however the introduction of the E-8 & E-9 with the military pay act of 1958, that things became "skewed."

Personally, I do agree about Sergeant (E5), Staff Sergeant (E6), and Master Sergeant (E8) being the same however. That's just a personal preference though.

If we are going to do this, we may as well decide on a uniform to be worn by all branches too. Hell, for that matter, let's make it even easier and do away with the different branches too! We can just be one "unified armed force" . . . why not?