The Marines: A Separate Branch or Part of the Navy?

I'm considering the military as a possible path after high school, and I'm particularly interested in the Marines. But I've received some conflicting information - some people say they're a separate branch, while others say they're a part of the Navy. Could someone clarify this for me?

The United States Marine Corps is, indeed, a separate branch of the U.S. military. It is one of the six branches, alongside the Air Force, Army, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Navy. However, it is closely connected to the Navy in many ways.

To explain, the Marine Corps and the Navy share many resources and often operate in coordination with each other. They both fall under the Department of the Navy, which is why some people might say the Marine Corps is part of the Navy. This allows close integration for expeditionary warfare- the use of military force in an overseas location. That is, the Marines can be quickly deployed by the Navy from its ships to any location in the world.

However, the Marine Corps maintains its own unique mission, values, and command structure separate from the Navy. The Marine Corps is typically known for their specialized skills such as expeditionary warfare, amphibious and aerial combat, and excellent close combat abilities. Marines can serve in air (aviation), land, and seaborne operations making their training versatile, rigorous, and quite unique from other branches.

Hence, while the Marine Corps operates closely with the Navy, it is indeed its own unique branch of the U.S. military. I hope this clarifies your query!