US Marine Corps Knitting Club

[m4tt]

Watched a program on the discovery channel the other night called "parris island drill instructors" and was very surprised to see that their training only lasted 12 weeks but even more surprised to see that women can join!!! Can anyone explain this as I thought their policy was the same as ours?

[voodoo sprout]

I'd thought the same, are you sure the females in question weren't in the USMC support arms etc? They do have much greater organic support than we do, and considering the USMC train everyone as an infantryman to a higher degree than the other services I wouldn't be surprised if it was twelve weeks combat raining for the rear echelon people as well.

[El Prez]

Chaps, I really hesitate to say this, but,...............some of the girlies working for the USMC would make you fill your nappies. Don't deride what you don't know!
Our system is different, it's more tolerant, intelligent and the end result is top! But I didn't say that did I?

[Jon]

Because the US has the rangers, the green berets, and all the other special forces (which are almost as large as the entire British Army), I thought that thier Marines were the equivilent of our army.
Anyway the US relies too much on its Navy and on its Air Force, therefore their need to train Marines longer than 12 weeks is probably rare.
Anyone know why thier intructors always seem to shout? Its like of full metal Jacket "You could suck a golf ball through a garden hose". And why the Oddjob hats?

[cglees]

The USMC basic training is 12 weeks and this IS basic training, they are not equal to Royal,
The US equivillent of the Royal Marines are the Marine Expeditionary Unit's who undergo much more training after basics.

[lew]

I thought their rangers were the equivalent to our commando's, or at least that’s what I think I read in one of the other threads, can some one please shed some light...

thanks

lew

[rabby]

Uh oh, I hope this isn't turning into a "who's better" thread. This material has been covered before, over and over and over and over....

[lew]

No this isn’t turning into a who is better thread...we all know the answer to that already was just wondering, as I’ve heard the rangers compared the royals and paras that’s all

[Andy O'Pray]

The American Rangers were a colonial force raised by the British and they fought for the British, circa 1755. The modern day commando was raised using the tactics stemming from those used by the Rangers and the Boers', self relience, hit and run raids, etc:

I could not comment on the training of today's Rangers.

Aye - Andy.

[BenChug]

I believe there is something in the neighborhood of 130,000 US Marines, there are girls in all sorts of roles in many modern militarys. If you look at the recent Iraq conflict a few ladies such as 'Private Lynch' serve in the military, they still have to do the same basic recruit training. However; once they have completed recruit training they move onto a trade, such as mechanic, radio operator, medic. You aren't drawing a line of distinction and are basically saying that they are all Infantry "men," they are not. The 12 week period is the basic package of a US Marine, you learn drill, basic field craft and how to shoot.

Rangers, are the US Army's variation of Commandos they aren't naval assets however, they are in theory all jump qualified, and are 'elite.' Closer to the Para's than Royal Marines, as air is the method mainly used in insertion for them, or black cadillacs (boots for all you not actually done time in types.) But in my experience with them most of them barely were old enough to shave. The Ranger creed must be remebered by the rangers and it hasn't changed since the American Revolution.

Marine Expeditionary Units, they US Militarys naval infantry they are basically the same package as a Royal Marine but they aren't elite, they move by boat just like RMCs, except with so many of them I doubt they are the same quality of soldier that you will find in the British Military as a general rule. If there is one thing you can say about US Marines is they are motivated like you wouldn't believe, very driven as individuals and as a team. I hope that sheds some light on the conversation.

[Rotary Booty]

Sticky

Do we still have MAR-WRENS (Marine WRNS) in the Corps?

We used to have them in my day in the HQs, etc and they wore their normal WRNS hat with a Globe and Laurel cap badge.

[BigFatCivvy]

Hi guys, To join the US Rangers, you must first complete their basic army selection, which to the best of my knowledge is not too difficult. A recruit who has passed out is then asked which unit he'd like to serve in. For example, he might like to join the 1st US Infantry Div ( Big red 1). If this is the case, he goes to his chosen unit, and does all the required "further" training. If he wanted to join the airbourne (82nd, 101st etc) he must then go to airbourne school, and get his wings. If he manages this, he has an option to join an airbourne division, or go to ranger school, which to the best of my knowledge is very very selective, and is by no means easy to get in. The rangers in the form they are today, where formed in WW2 when US high command saw the need to have a flexible commando force, along the lines of our army commandos and royal marine commandos. When the 2nd Ranger battalion captured Point du hoc on 6th june 1944, a Royal Marines officer who had supervised there training in scotland was with them. I wouldn't like to judge who's better, I haven't the right to try, but the yanks are better than most would give them credit, and maybe not as good as they would have you believe. However, does not every unit worldwide think it's the best? It seems to be tradition, and is obviously a vital part of a units morale. One things for sure, no unit could do it's job without the help of all the others. Except the RMs, but that's because I'd like to be one Hope I haven't bored you all to death....

[Andy O'Pray]

It is one thing to think and say you are the best, it is another thing to demonstrate it.

Aye - Andy.