Merging the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps: Another Crazy Idea or An Inevitable Fact

摘要

In many countries, the department of defense mandates the services to work more efficiently, resulting in pressure to reduce budgets. This mandate is driving services in many countries to work more jointly. In fact, several times in the past, suggestions have been made to merge the U.S. Marine Corps with the U.S. Army. In some countries, like the Netherlands, the subject is under investigation at this moment. However, in the corporate world such a merger would most likely be perceived as a hostile takeover by the smaller service. Indeed, corporate mergers provide some valuable lessons on the art of mergers and acquisitions, specifically that cultural compatibility is crucial.