I would like to say that I went through Special Operations training as a Marine and served with a special operations unit in the gulf. I also served three years in the Army as Light Infantry.
Your basic Marine (not infantry) is equivalent to an Army Infantry soldier. Every non-infantry Marine must go through Marine Combat Training (MCT). This course in 4 weeks long. In the Army, every infantry soldier must go through Advanced Individual Training, for 2 weeks to become infantry trained. Therefore, every Marine who transfers to the Army is automatically classed as a 11b (Infantry). I know this for a fact. I was 11b and 12b in the Army.
An infantry Marine's training is (I think) 6 - 8 weeks. Since I was infantry and I have worked with Rangers directly, I can say with full confidence that a Marine right out of SOI (School of Infantry) is as well trained as a soldier right out of Ranger school.
Also, be certain that you understand there are Battalion Recon Marines and Force Recon Marines. Two different types.
Yeah, I did forget about Heartbreak Ridge.
I've also worked with Airborne and believe me, these guys are no where close to the abilities of Force Recon Marines.
I fully understand that macho guys don't want to be told others can do the same job as them. It's a big ego problem. I also realize that many people think they are the best, the toughest, the most trained etc.
Seals, in my opinion, are a waste of money and resources. The Navy was just upset because they didn't have a Special Operations capability, so they put one together. They aren't needed. Units from the Marines or the Army can accomplish any mission the Seals have. It's the same with the Air Force and their Para Rescue teams. They wanted a Special Operations capability too. Heck, in Vietnam, when a pilot went down, the Air Force just sent in a helo to pick them up. And remember, it was the Marines who rescued Scott O'Grady in Bosnia.
Finally, until recently, the Marines where never under SOCOM or where listed with SOCOM units.
Jesse