I prefer Marines, But without the navy, we wouldn't have marines. Back in the ancient times is when the Marine was created. The Romans are the ones who really started on it big though. In order to defeat the Carthaginians , who were better sailors and rammed their opponents, the Romans came up with the idea to put fully armed soldiers on board and then board the enemy ships with planks. Thus the Marine was born. What the United States has done is making them a seperate force on par and above the rest of the branches of the armed forces.
Yea, I know. I'm a history geek.