Some questions on Sailors, Marines, SEALs

[Lin]

What is the reason behind a separate Navy and Marine Corps? Sailors and Marines have worked together for hundreds of years and continue to work together today. Why, then, are the Marines a separate service as opposed to a subset of the Navy? I understand that much of our military setup, at least on the Naval side, was inherited from the British. So I guess my question is what was going on in England all those centuries ago that made the Marines separate from the Navy?

Now, since the Marines are skilled in amphibious warfare, why is it that the SEALs and their forefathers (UDT, NCDU, Scouts and Raiders, etc) are Naval units and not Marine units? In other words, when the Marines needed the beaches cleared in WWII why did they call on the Navy to form the UDT? Why did they not form their own UDT within the corps? It would seem like, as a service, the Marines know much more about weapons and explosives than the Navy. I guess it just seems weird that the Navy has elite infantry units when it doesn't have regular infantry.

By the way, I hope these questions don't offend anyone. I think the current setup is fine just the way it is but some of it just doesn't seem logical.

[stratmn5105571]

To answer your first question, I don't know why the Navy and Marine Corps are two different branches. When the United States formed its armed forces, the Marines were seperate from the Navy. But, I really don't know why. However, the British never seperated the Royal Marines from the Royal Navy. In fact, they are still part of the Royal Navy today. The Royal Marine Commandos also do the same type of stuff Navy SEALs do, as you said that the Marines would be better suited for that job, that's how they are used in th UK. So, the reason that the two services (Navy and Marine Corps) were split did not come from the British. There is only one real way to answer your question about why the SEALs are naval units instead of marine units. The main reason that the SEALs are naval units is because UDT and NCDU both originated from volunteers from the Naval Construction Battalion. If the Marine Corps were to create a UDT, they obviously wouldn't have as many men for the job that were already trained with explosives as the Navy. They had the demolition skills needed to clear the beach obstacles, so they were chosen for the job, and as you know, the SEALs evolved from there. Much of that would boil down to who is chosen for the job by the civilian leadership. It is like asking "Why aren't paratroopers part of the airforce?" (they are in some countries too.) The airforce also used to be part of the Army Aircorps. Then, they split-up after the war. These are just a couple examples of how things are setup by our government, or any government for that matter. There really doesn't have to be a good reason. Well I hope I answered your questions.

[Lin]

Thanks a lot strat! I didn't know that the British Royal Marines were part of the Royal Navy. I just assumed that they were set up the same way we were since so many of our naval traditions come from across the pond. But as the saying goes, never assume anything. And it also makes sense, now that you mention it, that the Marines wouldn't have had enough men to form a UDT. Thanks again.

[stratmn5105571]

You're welcome!

[EmbraceTheHate]

Just to help keep some of these facts straight, the Marine Corps is still in fact a part of the Navy, even here in the US. If you look at the Marine Corps Seal, it reads: " Department of the Navy, United States Marine Corps". Marines were formed when the Continental Congress ordered the formation of 2 battallions of Marines. Since the new Navy was designed using the same principles of the British, they formed Marines for use in the same role as the Royal Marines.

Obviously, time and the way warfare is conducted has changed the role's of Marines since their formation in1775. Notice that there are no Marine Corps medics or doctors. They are Navy Doctor's and Navy Corpsman that provide medical service to the Marine Corps. One of the primary missions of the Marines is to "seize and defend advanced naval bases". This mission is one that dates back to their formation over 200 years ago.

Unfortunately my USMC history facts have slacked off some since I got out, but hopefully this helps a little.

[mooks]

We all know that Kennedy started the SEALs as the clandestine unit they are today. He was a Naval officer before he ran for president...I'm sure this has something to do with the fact that the SEALs are part of the Navy.

[jimjr]

The Navy SEALs were formed at the insistance of President John F. Kennedy. He decided that each branch of the service would have an unconventional warfare unit. Both SEAL Teams ( 1 and 2 ) were commissioned in January 1962. SEAL Team 1 in San Diego, CA and SEAL Team2 in Little Creek, VA.

jimjr