What is the difference?

i know one is the sea and the other is Land i have researched a few things more information would be greatly appreciated -

EDIT: this is for a dukes of Hazzard fic.

Luke was in the Marines

Vance was in the Merchant Marines

Not exactly. You'll have to check specifics for the country and era you're interested in, but start with military vs. civilian first. Marines as in present-day US Marine Corps are elite military (a separate branch within the US Navy, as marines traditionally were soldiers assigned aboard ships). Merchant marine services are usually civilian-owned and operated fleets which act as auxiliaries to the military in time of war. Very different things, different focus and culture.

Eg., back in WW2 one of my uncles served in the Canadian merchant marine, as a sailor on a number of different convoy ships running goods from Canada to Britain (in two cases survived having his ships sunk) but aside from the conditions under which they were operating, he described it as doing mostly the same things he would have been doing as a civilian sailor in peacetime.

The Marines are what you usually think of when you hear the word, "Marine". The "Lether-Necks", "Devil-Dogs", they are MILITARY where as the Merchant Marine fleet is an outfit that is more like the Navy but falls under CIVILIAN laws and governing. Though they can be called upon during times of war. Merchant Marines, more accurately known as Mariners (As in the team from Seattle) are simply sailors rather than soldiers. The group is used to transport supplies around the world as well as extra men when needed.

During the events of 9/11, the Merchant Marine Academy assisted in the evacuation of civilians from the Lower Manhattan as well as the transportation of first responders and supplies to and from Ground Zero. Midshipman, faculty and staff from the academy, within hours of the attack, were using boats from the waterfront and sending them to the city. Members of the Merchant Marine Academy participated in the relief efforts for nine days.

Also, in the time frame that you'd be writing, some men did join the Merchant Marines in order to avoid the draft of the time. So long as their leaves on shore did not extend passed 30 days they would not have to fear the draft and the subsequent deployment to Vietnam. When applying to the Academy the person must not be younger than 17 and not older than 25.

Admission Standards for the Academy are below:

In addition to requiring strong GPA and SAT/ACT scores, to be eligible to enter the Academy a Candidate must:

• Be of good moral character.
• Be at least 17 years of age and must not have passed your 25th birthday before July 1 in the year of entrance.
• Be a citizen of the United States either by birth or naturalization, except for a limited number of international midshipmen specially authorized by Congress.
• Meet the physical*, security** and character requirements necessary for appointment as Midshipman in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
• Obtain a Congressional nomination to the Academy from a Member of Congress.
• Submit a completed application; and
• Qualify scholastically.

Medical/Physical Clearance - Candidates are required to pass a DoDMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) physical, and take the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) to asses physical fitness.

Security Clearance - In order to receive a commission at graduation as an officer in the U.S. Armed forces, Candidates are required to complete a security clearance upon enrollment at the Academy.

thanks

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