Interservice Rivalries

Competition between branches of the military over resources and the role each plays in U.S. national security is quite fierce. Rivalry between service branches of the military is not a new development. Friendly competitions such as interservice boxing matches and the annual Army–Navy football game have long been a way for soldiers to build camaraderie and express pride in their particular services. However, since World War II, a more corrosive form of rivalry has arisen, with each branch of the service competing for limited reserves of money and human resources.

During World War II, U.S. Army and Navy commanders frequently struggled with one another for overall leadership of major joint military operations. After the war, such rivalries were one of the factors that pushed the U.S. ...