That's interesting. I thought it was the Navy, sent to deal with the Barbary Coast pirates. Wiki says that all 3 branches were created in 1775, but months apart (Army, then Navy, then Marines.) I'll not post specifics because it would be second-hand from Wiki, and I'm not sure I trust them on this one.
My dad enlisted in the Navy early on during WW2, made it as far as the Great Lakes Training Center, and was sent home. Turns out he was a sleep walker, and having him on a ship was not a good idea. Navy did say the Army will take him, but they never did.
What is sort of odd, Hoot, is that there are those that join the Navy that never go on a ship/water. Then again, there are those that join the Air Force that never go in the air/fly. Just like the Army and Marines, there are those that never see combat and many are glad they didn't.
Thanks for your service Cody. Who started our Navy, I forgot, I know how the Marines came about fighting the Barbery Pirates, it's basically in their song, but not sure about Navy. My son was in the Navy in Iraq war, he said while in gulf mine sweeping one of the mine detecting dolphins were missing, but it came back. Most of us didn't agree with that 'war' in Iraq.
Many didn't agree with Vietnam either. Then, in 1975, when the United States pulled out of Saigon, the Army and Marine Corps stated "they didn't let us finish the job". After 10 years of American losses, North Vietnam took over the South.
I think that was the Marines, it is in their song. Marines Hymn. The Navy song is Anchors Away,I rhink
There are generals in the Pentagon who never got their uniforms dirty making decisions affecting those that do.
I'm very aware of that ,I had to defend many a troop from some parts of the anti-war people. The young men who fought had nothing to do with starting the war. After seeing some of them return injured, nobody cursed one in front of me without me strongly defending them, we all had family, friends go to war. I was against the war, but not the boys.
Everybody in the Navy is supposed to be able to serve aboard a ship though, just as every Marine is supposed to be able to handle a rifle.
My son was stationed aboard USS Ponce the whole 4 years. His wife didn't like it, it ended in divorce, they had 3 kids together. Only on board who could change the mast light, he was used to hanging off high buildings doing sign work before Navy. He almost went into The Navy Hall of Fame for all his achievements.