thedrifter
04-18-06, 01:00 PM
Watered down?
The drive to rename Navy Department to recognize Corps
Since its birth in 1775, the Marine Corps has operated under the Navy Department. Many a Marine has poked fun at the relationship, calling the Corps the "men's department" of the Navy.
A group of Marine veterans and advocates has put all kidding aside and launched an offensive to put the service on equal footing with the Navy.
A petition backing legislation to redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps is online at www.dnmc.us. As of April 13, it boasted 29,923 signatures.
The legislation, HR 34, would not affect daily operations for the Corps or the Navy, the site said. It would grant the Marine Corps equality in name with the other military branches.
"Unlike the Air Force, which completely separated its operations from the Army in September of 1947, the Marine Corps is not attempting to break away as a separate military department. … The Corps is seeking recognition that it is an equal member in the Pentagon."
Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., R-N.C., introduced the bill to the House. He has introduced similar bills twice before, which were rejected by the Senate.
The drive to rename Navy Department to recognize Corps
Since its birth in 1775, the Marine Corps has operated under the Navy Department. Many a Marine has poked fun at the relationship, calling the Corps the "men's department" of the Navy.
A group of Marine veterans and advocates has put all kidding aside and launched an offensive to put the service on equal footing with the Navy.
A petition backing legislation to redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps is online at www.dnmc.us. As of April 13, it boasted 29,923 signatures.
The legislation, HR 34, would not affect daily operations for the Corps or the Navy, the site said. It would grant the Marine Corps equality in name with the other military branches.
"Unlike the Air Force, which completely separated its operations from the Army in September of 1947, the Marine Corps is not attempting to break away as a separate military department. … The Corps is seeking recognition that it is an equal member in the Pentagon."
Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., R-N.C., introduced the bill to the House. He has introduced similar bills twice before, which were rejected by the Senate.