USMC_1983-89
02-05-04, 11:07 AM
The "old" and "new" Marine Corps...
There has been a considerable amount of speculation and lots of time spent attempting to determine exactly when the "Old Corps" ended and the "New Corps" began. I shall endeavor to end the speculations, innuendos and rumors for all time.
After extensive research, which included trips to the National Archives, the Marine Corps Historical Center at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, DC, and many hours spent on the website of the United States Marine Corps, History & Museums Division (a great site located at: http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Home_Page.htm), I finally discovered the answer.
No. It was most certainly not when “the crucible” began in boot camp. It was not when the Eagle, Globe & Anchor emblem switched from the double “banner” in the eagle’s beak to the one “banner” design of today. Nor was it when young Marines in Korea were being led by salty WW II vets. Alas, it also was not the switch from the M-1903 Springfield to the M-1 Garand nor even when officer's switched from the boarding cutlass to the Mameluke sword.
Here is the coveted answer:
In 1775, as you all know, the Marine Corps was formed at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia.
In the beginning they announced that any new recruit would get a free tankard of rum.
Unfortunately, they didn't get as many recruits as they wanted, so they announced that from now on, all recruits would get TWO tankards of rum.
A Marine in the back ranks yelled, "We didn't have it that good in the Old Corps!"
Semper Fi!
Forrest C.
Former L/Cpl of Marines
HQ, Btry., 14th Marines
1983-89
:banana:
There has been a considerable amount of speculation and lots of time spent attempting to determine exactly when the "Old Corps" ended and the "New Corps" began. I shall endeavor to end the speculations, innuendos and rumors for all time.
After extensive research, which included trips to the National Archives, the Marine Corps Historical Center at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, DC, and many hours spent on the website of the United States Marine Corps, History & Museums Division (a great site located at: http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Home_Page.htm), I finally discovered the answer.
No. It was most certainly not when “the crucible” began in boot camp. It was not when the Eagle, Globe & Anchor emblem switched from the double “banner” in the eagle’s beak to the one “banner” design of today. Nor was it when young Marines in Korea were being led by salty WW II vets. Alas, it also was not the switch from the M-1903 Springfield to the M-1 Garand nor even when officer's switched from the boarding cutlass to the Mameluke sword.
Here is the coveted answer:
In 1775, as you all know, the Marine Corps was formed at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia.
In the beginning they announced that any new recruit would get a free tankard of rum.
Unfortunately, they didn't get as many recruits as they wanted, so they announced that from now on, all recruits would get TWO tankards of rum.
A Marine in the back ranks yelled, "We didn't have it that good in the Old Corps!"
Semper Fi!
Forrest C.
Former L/Cpl of Marines
HQ, Btry., 14th Marines
1983-89
:banana: