Need for Marines

[Sgt_Tropo]

I agree that the Marines have not been used in the most effective manner during the past 20 or so years. Also, we have not had the need to storm any beaches (Kuwait excepted) since Korea. However, that does not mean we should scrap the Marine Corps.
The Marines operate under an entirely different set of rules than the Army and that is by design. When the President needs to send in an armed force in a rapid response scenerio, he uses the Marines. Why ? Because the Marines are tasked with being the immediate response and expeditionary force, available for deploymnet anywhere in the world on a 24 hour notice. The only other fighting forces capable of such a response are the SEALS and the DELTA force. However, these are very small teams that are not designed nor trained for major encounters with large enemy forces.
The SEALS and the DELTA forces are designed to work in 4 or 5 man teams, up to a 10 man squad-level force. Their main strength is in stealth, not direct engagement with the enemy. Although, I know I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of their encounter, no matter how many or few of them there are.
The Marines are designed to operate best in 10/11 man squads and up to the platoon size force, in most situations, with the occational company-sized force for major operations.
The Army, on the other hand, is designed around the altoon-sized force, as it's basic operational level. I know we operated in squads in many instances in Vietnam, but as a rule, the Army likies to use platoon and larger sized forces in virtually any and all operations. The reason is that the Army believes in over-powering the enemy with superior numbers. The Marines are taught tio use superior fire-power and manuverability.
You did bring up a true point in your post, however. That was the point that the Marines are not being used today in a manner that best suits their strong points. The Marines should not be used in defensive positions, but rather should be allowed to deploy and manuver in their squad/platoon level units to effect the most impact, both physcologically and militarily.
The Army Rangers and other specialty units MAY be able to accomplish most of the objectives of the Marines, but they will never have the world respect that the Marines have earned over the past 200 plus years. It's a fact that simply deploying a Marine unit results in serious second-thoughts on the part of the enemy. Why ? Becuse the world has come to know that the Marines will fight with a determination not found in any other fighting outfit in the world. Why ? Becuase that's what they have been trained to do! Every man in the Marines is first and foremost a highly trained infantryman. This includes the cooks, the clerks, the mechanics, etc. This is not the case in any other fighting unit, be they Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard.
Ron, you know I served with the Fighting 4th in Vietnam, but I have seen firsthand the difference between the Marines and the Army. I am proud of my Army background and my Army brothers, but I also know the Army could never fill the shoes of the Marines in a rapid deployment force.
The Marines ar ethe unit I would want to lead any initial deployment / contact with the enemy, but I also know that the Marines would be the first to acknowledge that they need the Army to provide long-term engagement and support.