What purpose did the Marines serve in post-Invasion Iraq/Afghanistan? I understand their role in the initial invasion, their amphibious assault specialty, etc., but what did they do post-war?

The US Army is larger, with a bigger support element. The Marines are smaller, quicker, and are more combat orientated.

So, back to the question, what was the reason of their presence in post-war Iraq/Afghanistan? Couldn't the Army do without them?

The only purpose they have in life, is to piss the rest of us off!

The answer is pretty obvious, I think.
Primarily to maintain security in that **** hole of a country.

The Marines are a Corps of the United States Navy.
The Marines are the Land Fighting Force for the U.S. Navy.

The U.S. Army has many Corps, (used to have the Air Corps, before the Air Corps broke away to form the U.S. Air Force) The U.S. Army can get really small when need be, the U.S. Army is quick, and is combat orientated.


Could the Army have fought in OIF and OEF without the Marines?
Sure. The Army fought in Europe in World War II without the Marines.
The Marines were busy in the Pacific Theater, with the Army, Island hopping.

But why would the Army choose to fight without the Marines in the new wars?
The Marines do not have anything better to do, and are a valued and integral part of the United States Military.

They are a tremendous fighting force! They kick ass and take names. Why would you not want them there.

You better tell those Marines in A'stan that running combat patrols that it's "post-war" there General.

Originally Posted by 03USMC

You better tell those Marines in A'stan that running combat patrols that it's "post-war" there General.

Well, that is true, I overlooked that fact. So I guess this question goes more towards Iraq. Once the Iraqi military was defeated, couldn't the US Army take over?

Did the marines have a special purpose in Iraq 'post-war'?

Sorry for posting so late!

The US ground troops were in Iraq and are in Afghistan were chasing Al Queada out of these countries. The US does not want another Viet Nam type situation, where the USA supports one faction of the government but, another faction is not so friendly to the USA. The USA helps establish a new government and the USA does not want its another government to be toppled. The opposit of what happened in North Viet Nam where a peace treaty was signed and, within eighteen months the the US sponsored government had fallen and the North Viet Namese formed a new government!

everybody is an expert. lol

Originally Posted by Gator

The Marines are a Corps of the United States Navy.
The Marines are the Land Fighting Force for the U.S. Navy.

The U.S. Army has many Corps, (used to have the Air Corps, before the Air Corps broke away to form the U.S. Air Force) The U.S. Army can get really small when need be, the U.S. Army is quick, and is combat orientated.


Could the Army have fought in OIF and OEF without the Marines?
Sure. The Army fought in Europe in World War II without the Marines.
The Marines were busy in the Pacific Theater, with the Army, Island hopping.

But why would the Army choose to fight without the Marines in the new wars?
The Marines do not have anything better to do, and are a valued and integral part of the United States Military.

Or simply because the Navy wanted to contribute, and it's a tough task to relocate an entire Aircraft Carrier-group to Afghanistan without proper intel, so they sendt the Marines to do the recon..

Why shouldn't they be there as they are a fighting force