Hi guys,

I saw a thread on another forum and it prompted me to get curious on what the reality was when deployed...

Obviously it can be pretty difficult to get an "Average" opinion, let alone a consensus, everyone has their own views and opinions...

But I was wondering if you could let me know your views on Navy Corpsmen attached to Marine Rifle units? The thread I came across indicated they were held in some derision, as if they'd taken a "back door" to their place within a given subunit...

Not being intimately familiar with US Marines beyond what I've read in books, I thought I'd ask the question here and see if such a view could be considered typical or on the other hand anomalyous. I'm definitely not looking for a Service vs Service shitstorm here. Simply looking for frank and honest views. As I said, knowing about a particular service organisation's history through academic exposure and knowing about the same organisation through a more practical perspective are two different things.

Originally Posted by Botak

Hi guys,

I saw a thread on another forum and it prompted me to get curious on what the reality was when deployed...

Obviously it can be pretty difficult to get an "Average" opinion, let alone a consensus, everyone has their own views and opinions...

But I was wondering if you could let me know your views on Navy Corpsmen attached to Marine Rifle units? The thread I came across indicated they were held in some derision, as if they'd taken a "back door" to their place within a given subunit...

Not being intimately familiar with US Marines beyond what I've read in books, I thought I'd ask the question here and see if such a view could be considered typical or on the other hand anomalyous. I'm definitely not looking for a Service vs Service shitstorm here. Simply looking for frank and honest views. As I said, knowing about a particular service organisation's history through academic exposure and knowing about the same organisation through a more practical perspective are two different things.

I'm not speaking for all units or even speaking from MY experiences (I am not in the Marine Corps although my husband is). He has always held his "docs" in high esteem because they do everything the Marines do. The Marine Corps does not have an MOS for medical so the "docs" are responsible for in the health and well being of the Marines. Poems have even been written about "docs".

I'm the one called "Doc"
I shall not walk in your footsteps,
but I will walk by your side.
I shall not walk in your image,
I've earned my own title of pride.
We've answered the call together,
on sea and foreign land.
When the cry for help was given,
I've been there right at hand.
Whether I am on the ocean
or in the jungle wearing greens,
Giving aid to my fellow man,
be it Sailors or Marines.
So the next time you see a corpsman
and you think of calling him "squid,"
think of the job he's doing
as those before him did.
And if you ever have to go out there
and your life is on the block,
Look at the one right next to you...
I'm the one called "Doc."
Harry D. Penny, Jr. HMC(AC) USN

I hope I answered your question.

Indeed, and quite eloquently at that. Cheers.

Why the **** would you deride the bloke saving your life? Dumb arse question.

Originally Posted by Wallabies

Why the **** would you deride the bloke saving your life? Dumb arse question.

There is A LOT of branch rivalry.

How can branch rivalry be an issue when in a firefight and you get hit ???

When you're hit, and you see the medic/corpsman coming to help you, what the **** does it matter if he's navy, airforce, army, marine ???

I hold those blokes in the highest esteem - because I know if I get hit - they will be there...

There is A LOT of branch rivalry.

Not with Medics/Corpsmen.

Medics of any kind are liked. They are the ones who walk around and ask you how you are and if anything is wrong, you get the feeling they legitimately care. In my unit Medics are expected to cover down like Infantry and scouts. They arent going to be the first person through a door but they could likely be the last one in.

Correct me if I'm wrong... In terms of branch rivalry, smack-talking will always exist, but when all hell breaks loose, keeping the team intact comes before becoming the top player.

At least, that's my impression on the situation. No personal experience.

Originally Posted by Wolf

Correct me if I'm wrong... In terms of branch rivalry, smack-talking will always exist, but when all hell breaks loose, keeping the team intact comes before becoming the top player.

At least, that's my impression on the situation. No personal experience.

Yes of course but I think thats why he was asking because there is branch competitiveness.