OT: different types of soldiers?

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37up

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Jun 16, 2002
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I've always wondered about this... what are the roles or differences between Rangers, SEALs, Marines...

I don't trust Hollywood's descriptions. Is there are regular army as well?

sorry, as a Cdn, not too familiar with the US fighting force!

-D
 
Dave, Rangers, and Seals along with the Special Forces, are considered "Special Warfare" soldiers. They do things that the regular Army troops (In the case of the Seals, we would be talking about sailors) only dream about. The Marines fall under the Dept. of the Navy. They are the ground troops of, and protectors of the Navy, in essence. The difference between the Rangers and the SF, is this: The Rangers go behind enemy lines and blow up, destroy, disrupt and otherwise screw with the enemy forces, and get out. The SF does the same thing, but stays and trains locals, that are against the enemy. The Marines are considered "frontline troops", as are the regular Army soldiers. However, the Marines usually, but not always, get sent in first.
 
Even though I'm american I never have paid a lot of attention to the differances between the various armed forces. This is how I understand it.
Marines and SEALs both under the navy.
Marines are sent in (usually? always?) from navy ships they are stationed at. They are basicly grunts who live on boats instead of in barracks.
SEALs are the special forces who work guirilla (SP?) warfare/demolition/recon missions.
Rangers are the 1337 army. They are like the SEALS but work under the army's unbrella.
I never thought much about special forces. I figured that was a general term for any stealthy units in either army or navy.
Army is your regular grunt. Besides all the front line infantry and armor they also have computer nerds, truck drivers, cooks and all the other "menial" positions that all the others have.
I retain the right to make a complete fool of myself for not being more knowledgeable about my own country.
 
Does the philosophy that every marine is a rifleman still hold? And that they consider themselves shock or assault troops?

Good questions asked. I'll enjoy hearing the answers.
 
Rusty said:
Does the philosophy that every marine is a rifleman still hold? And that they consider themselves shock or assault troops?

Good questions asked. I'll enjoy hearing the answers.
Click to expand...
Yes, yes, and we always capitalize "Marine".
Regards,
Greg
 
Rangers are "entry level" special ops soldiers. They are on higher states of readiness than typical Army units. They get lots of funding, and are the door kickers, the shock troops of the Army.

Special Forces primarily are teachers. They're smart, very smart, and you have to agree to a longer commitment and training time to be one. The exception to the rule (teachers) is the group often called Delta Force. They are the Army's Super-Go-Fast guys.

I don't know as much about SEALS, other than that they specialize in water. Ugh.

Force Recon are the gun-toting wonder kids of the Marines, who think that each Marine is the equivalent of a Special Unit soldier.

Air Force has Para Jumpers. They recover downed personnel, and I don't envy them. I've heard rumors of something called Phantom Flight, but I have no info.
 
Rusty said:
Does the philosophy that every marine is a rifleman still hold? And that they consider themselves shock or assault troops?

Good questions asked. I'll enjoy hearing the answers.
Click to expand...
Absolutely YES to both questions!

OOH-RAH !
 
Huh!

I thought that marines wore armour around the neck consisting of a medalion shaped metal piece directly under the chin, with leather in a collar shape around the back and sides to stop or deflect saber thrusts or slashes to the neck.

Maybe same reason for leather collars. Who knows.
 
Rusty said:
Huh!

I thought that marines wore armour around the neck consisting of a medalion shaped metal piece directly under the chin, with leather in a collar shape around the back and sides to stop or deflect saber thrusts or slashes to the neck.

Maybe same reason for leather collars. Who knows.
Click to expand...


I th ought that was the British marines, "Boot Necks"
 
Jarheads, Devil Dogs, Leathernecks, et al and I particularly like the latest appellation the Afghanis have applied: Death Walkers.
 
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