The United States Armed Forces are the top elite fighting forces of the world. Two hundred and twenty-six years in existence, the Marine Corps, a sister branch of the Department of the Navy, upholds the highest standards and traditions of America's military power. Being a Sergeant for the world's greatest fighting force, I have extreme opinions on how these two branches of service differ. It is clear to distinguish the differences by taking into consideration the following: history, traditions, and leadership of both branches of service. Although the Marine Corps is categorized as the Department of the Navy, there are very strong distinctions, which allows each branch of service to stand on its own.
             The Marine Corps was created on November 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at Tun Tavern by a resolution of the Continental Congress, which "raised two battalions of Marines" (Marine Battle Skills Training Handbook 1-2-3). In 1834, the Marines came under the Department of the Navy. Captain Samuel Nicholas, who is traditionally considered the first Commandant of the Marine Corps, took charge of these battalions. Marines have been notorious for winning battles ever since the Revolutionary War in 1776, up to the current offensive attacks in Afghanistan. One month earlier, the history of the United States Navy began.
             October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the outfitting of 10-gun warship "for intercepting such transports as may be laden with stores for the enemy," (Blue Jacket Manual 132) the start of the United States Navy. The United States Navy was created to protect the country's shoreline against pirates and other amphibious assaults. Currently the Navy is the second largest branch of the armed forces and is growing each day. Three hundred and sixty-five days out of the year, the Navy has seventy-five percent of its naval fleet afloat. Unlike the Navy, the Marin...