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From the NYT:
"The suggestion (by the commandant) was raised in a session last week convened by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and regional war-fighting commanders.
On its face, it makes sense. The Corps has always been in conflict with the other branches of the armed services, especially the Army. In the Pacific War against the Japanese, the Army would come in after the Marines had taken an island, suffered the casualties, etc. That is, done all the dirty work and the Army would follow up and get all the "glory". I can't imagine what the Marines think of what's going on in Iraq but I'd wager that a large part of it is based on the historical enmity (or rivalry to put a kinder spin on it) they have against the Army. At this point I have to wonder how much it really matters.
