Posted on Dec 30, 2013
MSgt Visual Information Chief
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Should former marines who join another service give up the title
I first joined the Army and after my enlistment, I joined the Marine Corps.  I no longer call myself a Soldier, but a Marine.  Should former Marines give up the title of Marine once they join another branch of service?  It's analogous to a woman taking the name of her husband, then once the marriage has ended, she re-marries and takes her new husband's name. Me, I'm married to the Corps!
Posted in these groups: B04bb539 Marines
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Responses: 358
PO3 David Fries
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Should they give up the title? No. Should they use it as motivation to make themselves a better Soldier/ Airman/Sailor? Yes! Should they beat people over the head with it? Only if they are over compensating! Lol
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MSgt Daniel Armstrong
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I had troops who were former marines. And I had leaders over me that were former marines. Neither was ever referred too as marine.
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PO1 John Miller
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I had a guy who worked for me on the USS Nimitz, a PO2, who was a former Marine. He was always going on about "I'm a Marine!" or "When I was in the Corps..." Myself and other PO1's and above basically told him "You're a FORMER Marine. You are in the Navy now." His reply: "There's no such thing as a former Marine. Once a Marine always a Marine!"

Our reply: "What branch of the military are you currently in? The Navy. You are a Sailor who used to be a Marine. Nothing more."

Not that I'm taking away from his accomplishment in earning the title United States Marine, but I've never agreed with "There's no such thing as a former Marine" when it comes to those (former) Marines who join another branch.

I think they should say "I used to be a Marine but now I'm in the Navy/Army/Air Force."
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Sgt Tommy Johnson
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I've never heard of any "Former Marine" who, after joining a different service branch, still referred to himself (or herself) as a Marine. I have first hand knowledge of a few "Former Marines" who've joined the Navy to become Corpsmen or SEALs and have joined the Army to become Special Forces operators. None of these folks go around referring to themselves as Marines. While they all served honorably and with distinction, while they were Marines, they are appropriately proud of their accomplishments in their new roles as soldiers or sailors. So, this is pretty-much a no-brainer. Yes, they should relinquish the title of Marine and fully, enthusiastically embrace their new service with pride and 100% commitment.
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SSgt Ncoic, Admin And Dts
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They should take on the title of their service they are in, if they wanted to be regarded as a Marine they have a service for that. We all know they will always be a Marine. They will bring unique characteristics and skills that many in that service wont have and different perspectives! I can only see it as beneficial for everyone involved!
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PFC Military Police
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It doesn't matter if you've been a former marine that's fine but if you switch branches the title will be in your heart forever but in the end we are all soldiers who all took the same oath when we swore in the day we left MEPS so a marine is a marine but your also a soldier not just a marine...
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2LT Nathaniel Koch
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Sgt Nathaniel I Koch, 3381. I am who I am because of the Marine Corps, every new step, every adventure or misadventure molded me into who I am. If naught for my title then I would have no reasonable explanation, no reason to give my friends, my family, my acquaintances why I am the man I am. When someone sees a Marine, they know there's something a little off about them but when they hear Marine worldwide everyone understands (to some degree).
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MSgt Hq Usafe Afafrica Ig / Command Munitions  Inspector
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come and try to take it!!!
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SSG Paralegal
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I was a sailor who joined the army. I identify first as a sailor and second as a soldier. The first branch will always be home, otherwise they were training you wrong.
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Sgt Shane Lyon
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While I could not see myself joining any other service, Once a Marine.. Always a Marine.. the title was earned.
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