Do you view any military branch above/below your branch?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 21:44:27 -0400

Many people argue about branches being "better" then other branches. What is your view on that? My opinion is that they all serve different purposes and one is not better then the rest.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 9:56 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 21:56:28 -0400

I don't think that better is the best choice. We all have our rolls. I would some of us play a more vital role. As much as I appreciate the post office clerk but that Cav Scout or Tanker are needed much more needed when you are about to kick in the front door of a country. The Army has always been and will always be focused around maneuver units. It is not saying that they are any more or above another branch but that is how you build an Army.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 21 at 2015 10:29 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 22:29:19 -0400

All branches are equal. Some seem to have more prestige such as the USMC but all branches serve an important function....

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 21 at 2015 10:47 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 22:47:02 -0400

An Army CWO & Marine Gunny were arguing about which branch of the Military was God's favorite outside the Pearly Gates as they awaited entrance into heaven.. But St Peter heard their argument and told them to knock it off and he would ask God which branch of the military he liked the most.
The next day St Peter returned and said "ok listen up you two; here's a letter from God that I will read to you:"

Dear Beloved Army CWO & Marine Gunny Sergeant,

I have observed both of your service branches in the US Military since their inception and am very pleased with both for their dedication and bravery in all of your nation's wars.
Sincerely,
God USMCret

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 10:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 22:55:12 -0400

Every branch serves it's purpose and none is inherently better than the other. There are simply things that one branch can do that another can't. Especially logistically. If it wasn't for the Air Force or Navy, Army units wouldn't be able to deploy unless we are invading Mexico or Canada.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Oct 22 at 2015 12:44 AM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 00:44:08 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Sgt Tom Cunnally GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad Capt Mark Strobl Well of course the Navy is the best! :)

Seriously though, I think most SM's will say theirs is the best, and that's as it should be. Fun story, though:

There was a Marine on my ship who I hated. Who hated me. We were constantly bickering, and sometimes outright fighting onboard. One time in Thailand, I had occasion to uh...disagree...with some of the locals who thought that perhaps I should be schooled in the ways of Thai Hospitality, and class ensued. I did my best, but there was more of them...and then some jarhead sticks his nose in my business. He'd decided that that the class's curriculum was...skewed...and that he should issue a correction.

Long story short, the Thais took off, and, for that night, that Marine and I, who ostensibly hated each other, drank ourselves silly....together. The following week, at sea, we were back at our bickering, but...we knew. We both knew. At Home is one thing. Out There...that's another thing entirely.

I think that probably goes for every service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 1:08 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 01:08:22 -0400

There's other branches besides Army?

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Oct 22 at 2015 2:59 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 02:59:17 -0400

Certain aspects of a branch can be seen as higher, for example I look at Army/Marine Infantry as being higher than Air Force weather in the sense that those guys are actually going out and putting rounds down range where as we generally stay back and just tell you if it's going to be raining or not.

In the grand scheme of things no branch is necessarily more important than another. One might be more useful in a given situation, such as the Air Force being more useful in the fight against ISIL right now by putting bombs on target without having to risk sending our infantry folks in to fight face to face. It just depends on the fights we are fighting at the moment.

Now of course there will always be our "sibling rivalry" in which case the Air Force is far superior to the rest obviously, followed closely by the Army because I have to admit we wouldn't exist had we not started with them.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Oct 22 at 2015 5:20 AM

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 05:20:34 -0400

No, those who choose or chose to serve are are equally the same in my eyes. "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers and sisters.." WS

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 22 at 2015 6:44 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 06:44:13 -0400

All the branches are important! And then there's the Air Force.... ;o)

Response by SGT John Rauch made Oct 22 at 2015 8:34 AM

SGT John Rauch — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:34:59 -0400

well, if I view any above, I wouldnt admit it, if any are below, its unprofessional to say so.......that being said, paratroopers lead the way

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 22 at 2015 9:48 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 09:48:20 -0400

Each Service has a very tailored mission. That said, when completing that mission, that Service will have a distinct advantage.

If you want to win a prolonged land war, you call the Army. The other Services cannot do that. They aren't designed to. The Army is just better at it.

The Navy is built for Naval Superiority. The Air Force can destroy countries. The USMC is designed for Littoral Combat. If you wanted the other Services to adopt these missions, beyond a complimentary level, they would have to evolve massively. They would stop being who they are, and become someone different. Neither better nor worse, just different.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 10:32 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 10:32:35 -0400

All branches are necessary and part of a greater whole. We may have strong opinions on specific value each brings...but in the end, when it matter, there's just "Us".

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Oct 22 at 2015 10:44 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 10:44:20 -0400

I have served in 3 different branches of service and as we all know each branch of service has their own mission. But as a total force we strengthen each branch of service, just as we strengthen this nation. The rivalries between branches of service will always be fun, as it should be!

Response by PO2 Gerry Tandberg made Oct 22 at 2015 10:48 AM

PO2 Gerry Tandberg — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 10:48:02 -0400

I agree. Each branch provides different assets, resources, talents, perspective, and people. We work together as a team doing what each branch does best. This has nothing to do with healthy inner service rivalry. If we are playing inner service baseball, I'll be on a Navy team. If we are competing against another country I want the best players drawn from all five branches on the team. That might mean I don't get to play.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 22 at 2015 11:24 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 11:24:01 -0400

Same question a while back, same answer. Depends on the field of battle.

Response by SGT Robert Zuniga made Oct 22 at 2015 11:29 AM

SGT Robert Zuniga — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 11:29:37 -0400

Of course I am going to be partial to my branch for crap talking purposes, but we all play an integral part in the grand scheme. My good friend and mentor was one of the first Ranger/soldier killed in OIF and my cousin was a Marine Recon soldier killed in OIF as well. Point is that anyone of us can give up our life but we are giving it for the same cause! I think it has humbled me as a civilian in some cases because I realize that when we go out to eat, the food on my plate had to come from somewhere. The waitress that brings it to my table is probably making less than minimum wage and may be supporting kids or paying for a college education on a crappy salary. Makes me even more greatful for what He has given me.