The Marines usually attract those best suited for the military, those capable and willing, plus seen too many movies. Army gets the leftovers and people who need cash to go to college. SFTT.org has a interesting thing on "Porcelain Soldiers",I'd be worried.

Need to put that in perspective. Not every MOS has a long waiting list. Also add that it is the end of the fiscal year and we have to watch end strength numbers. Can't go above the authorized numbers, more Marines reenlisting, many extended, Don't know how many school seats can be purchased, how many quotas from other services. Lots of factors, to include the recruiter needing to string along a few qualified poolies for those lean months.

>>It seems to me that Marines are more effective and less costly than standard U.S. infantry. . . . If the Marines are more effective and are better able to attract recruits, they should be rewarded. Maybe it would encourage the U.S. Army to improve.<< You could even expand the Marines to, say, ten to twelve divisions, because they are "more effective" the Army infantry and then you know what you'd wind up with? An army that doesn't know how to properly roll its sleeves up. The marines maintain a high level of cohesion and esprit de corp by being a relatively small organization, which allows them to be more picky about who they take and who they keep than the Army which is . . . what? Four or five times the size of the Corps? Now, as to your assertion that USMC infantry is more effective than regular old Army infantry -- professional pride requires me to ask what, exactly, you base your assertion on. The USMC does have a lot going for it, but I'm wondering what your specific indicators are.

It always struck me that the Marines had a similar esprit to the 82nd and 101st divisions. And for many of the same kinds of reasons (small size, light weapons mix and large missions). It would be hard to get that same kind of esprit in an organization the size of the Army, however, the USMC had over 500,000 men in WWII and maintained its esprit very well, thank you very much. As for expanding the the USMC to take over the Army's roles, who would we steal supplies from?

Im joining the Marines soon and My Cadet CO enlisted a few months ago in DEP tried to join the INFANTRY! MOS 0311 and was refused as a basic rifleman All the slots are full so he ends up a Radioman I guess the Corps has all the riflemen it needs

Your buddy should have waited until 1 October and the beginning of the new fiscal year to hit MEPS for his enlistment. Late in the fiscal year, lots of specialties fill up (I'm suprised infantryman was one of them -- combat arms in the Army are always looking for warm bodies).

The Marine Recruitment office in my town sends the rejects to the army and mostly the army bribes them in with candy . On the other hand Im not sure if it is how it is in other towns but the marines turn down alot of the people that come in Recruitment is high now with most guys running 70 or 80 ASVAB scores stacked up for the next 2 years waiting to enlist when they turn of age . They also told my buddy he could change his MOS later on after the slots opened . The army really doesnt offer much here they are kinda dissapointing , The guy that enlisted early got a 100,000 $ for any school he wanted but he promised something like 7 years and OCS

OOh the Marine Recruiter strikes again.Hope your friend didn't sign anything.

its the 50,000 with a ROTC package i found out not a total 100,000 Ive read the docs on it

He needs to watch it. A non rec or a pg 11 entry will get all that washed away except for the 7 yr obligation.