The doggies on BOTH sides never saw anything like that. We Marines turned the tide of that war, at Belleau wood. Right there. Imagine that. Millions dead. War stagnated. The few, the proud, the Marines- turned it our way. We gave a huge contribution to the concept of winning WW1 in that single battle. Some would say the Marines did it right there and then. The Germans had had enough. We created a tipping point, not Gen Pershing, (for example) That is history, boys and girls... It's the last time we were in Europe as a significant force. It was our only involvement. We serve the President.
You should see the modern-day-ones. The Infantry is highly trained. They can fight in a Nuclear, biological and chemical environment- whatever the nut-jobs dish out-
All the way to hand-to-hand combat, you and me, baby, best man survives the experience. Bring the knife, enemy, good luck with that.
Superior marksmanship at Belleau wood won the day, btw. We earned our title of "Devil Dogs" there, by the Germans, in case you did not know.
Semper fi
Ooh rah
We had a LOT of Army help at Belleau wood. The Army units were integrated into Marine units so they could habla the real leadership in a combat situation. (some editorialization, there, but it DID happen)
More doggies were at Belleau wood than Marines. They were all led by Marine NCO's. The doggies brought the beans, bullets and band-aids. We Marines did the killing of the Germans, because that is what we do. we close with and destroy our enemy, since 1775. We do not request a merit badge for it, but at least know the Marines tipped the 1st world war. (and pissed off Adolph Hitler, I'd imagine) As I write this, there are currently 7 MEU's protecting my words and your freedom operating around this planet. The pointy-end of America's stick. Day in, day out. That would be Marine Expeditionary Units. Not doggies. Not SEALS. Not wing-wipers. Marines. 30 minutes notice required. If we are late, it was your politicians, not us. The Navy does an EXCELLENT job of getting our arrogant asses off their boats-ships-whatever, lol
Again- we can hold nothing without our integrated services, but with them, a MEU is immovable, unless the alpha, beta, gamma and neutron-induced particles get dicey.
We swim, btw. Sailors don't swim. Marine swims for one hour with his field marching pack, water, MRE's and his gear for his MOS (varies between 80 to 100 lbs) in a pool (no ladders, no escape routes) for one hour or he is ineligible for promotion. They call that "s-2" qualified, the basic minimum. If you want to know why, google "Tarawa". The basic minimum for a sailor is to hit the drink and drop like a stone, lol To be fair, there is a reason for that , also. I'm out when the squids fuck up the ship. Many of them do not have that option, and will fight to save it.