Hey folks, just tryna get some clarity here. My civics class is all about the US government and stuff but there's this one thing that's been bugging me: Are the Marines considered their own independent branch in the military, or do they fall under something else like the Navy? Thanks in advance!
Yes, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) is indeed its own branch of the U.S. military service. There are six total branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps, while it does operate under the Department of the Navy, is a distinct branch with its own unique mission, training programs, equipment, and chain of command. So despite this relationship with the Navy, the Marines maintain their independent status within the U.S. military structure. This arrangement has been in place since 1834, preserving the Marines' independence as a fighting force, while also allowing for shared resources and operational collaboration with the Navy when needed. The U.S. Marine Corps is known for its amphibious and expeditionary warfare capabilities, among other things.
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