In reference to the comment about a SEAL vs. a Marine in a fight. I disagree, not just because I'm a Marine but if you take into account pound for pound, I think it's a 50/50 chance for either of them to beat the other. SEALs are trained with specific weapons and specific tasks and doping them while undetected. They are trained to get in and out and if encountered escape with their lives and to take lives if necessary. They will not go in as an aggressor in most cases. Back to my original response, pound for pound it's a wash and either could walk away the victor because fights are never scripted and even the best fighter in the world can be beat by the underdog, with niether the Marines or SEALs designated as the underdog. Again it's case by case, I would bet on that fight like I would a football bet. I'm a Marine and I would never want to fight a SEAL, not because I'm afraid but because we're on the same team. I'm not implying that's what the Ranger wanted, was Marines and SEALs fighting, because I've worked with a Ranger, Maj Rollings and that was one of the most motivated hard woking Army dogs I have ever met. He was definately Marine, SEAL, Ranger material. That's just a response to that, one more point to stress on the whole topic of SF vs. Marine Corps.
Just the fact that this discussion takes place should be enough for the Marine Corps to be considered a SF element. Not to mention the fact that when the Marines are considered it is usually in terms of, "should we send them in to initiate contact with the enemy and push inland 300 miles parallel to the Army to secure key cities and key LOC's," or should we, "send them in to extract personnel from an embassy about to be over run," or "should we have them floating near the next contingency because we can and the Marines will be able to secure key items for follow on forces." Now those are things that Marines on a whole do, on basic training (costs tax payers less), now SEALs go through specific training to do the same things (costs tax payers a hell of a lot more), but of course SEALs do a lot more clandestine operations that requires less of a presence, which is why we have them. They are very needed and I wouldn't trade the SEALs for as many more Marines. The Marines are effective because the SEALs take care of their business. I think I've said enough for you all to respond. Thanks for the ear and hopefully your responses.
Semper Fi