A Reminder

[wrbones]

Just a few operations and a glance at our beginings




War of the American Revolution


Marines raise flag in Bahamas.
Waterhouse painting

American Revolution 1775-1783
President: George Washington
Commandant of the USMC:
Capt. Samuel Nicholas 1775-1781
Manning of the USMC: 131 officers, 2000 enlisted
USMC Causalities: Dead- 49, wounded-70
Weapons Used:
.75 cal. Brown Bess musket

In Congress, Resolve of 10 November 1775
"Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, Consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that special care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or inlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so aquatinted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required: that they be inlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of."

Campaigns and dates:

Raid on New Providence, Bahamas Mar. 2-3 1776
Alfred and Cabot vs. Brit ship Glasgow, Apr. 6 1776
Second Battle of Trenton Jan. 2 1777
Battle of Princeton, Jan. 3 1777
Reprisal vs Brit ship Swallow, Feb. 5 1777
Hancock vs. Brit ship Fox Jun. 27 1777
Raleigh vs. Brit ship Druid Sep. 4 1777
Randolph vs. Brit ship Yarmouth Mar. 7 1778
Boston vs. Brit ship Martha Mar. 11 1778
Raid on Whitehaven, England Apr. 22, 1778
Ranger vs. Brit Ship Drake Apr. 24, 1778
Penobscott Expedition Jul. 24 to Aug. 14 1779
Battle of Banks island Jul. 26 1779
Battle of Majarbiguyduce Peninsula Jul. 23 - Aug. 13 1779
Bonhomme Richard vs. Brit ship Serapis Sep. 23 1779
Trumbull vs. Brit ship Watt Jun. 2 1780
Alliance vs. Brit Ships Atlanta & Trepassy May 28-29 1781
Congress vs. Brit ship Savage Sep. 6 1781
Hyder Ally vs. Brit ship General Monk Apr. 8 1782
Alliance vs. Brit ship Sybylle Jan. 20 1783
Significant Events:

First USMC Amphibious landing
First time American Flag raised on a facility captured by the Marines
Captain S. Nicholas was the first officer of the Sea Services who's Commission was ratified by Congress
The mission of the Corps of that time was to provide Boarding Parties, Landing Forces and internal security aboard the ship.


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Jump to Battle: Select Battle War of the American Revolution 1775-1783 Quasi War with France, or the French Naval War 1798-1801 War with Tripoli / Barbary Pirates 1801-1805 War of 1812 Battle of Twelve Mile Swamp (Florida) 1812 Battle of Quallah Batto (Sumatra) 1812 Florida Indian War 1836-1842 Mexican War 1846-1847 Commadore Perry's Expedition Harper's Ferry (Virginia) 1859 U.S. Civil War 1861-1865 (Both US & CSA Marine Corps) USS Wyoming in Straits of Shimonoseki (Japan) 1863 Battle of Salee River Forts (Korea) 1871 War with Spain 1898 Philippine Insurrection 1898 Battle of Tagalii (Samoa) 1899 Boxer Rebellion or China Relief Expedition 1900 Panama 1902 1st Nicaraguan Campaign 1912 Invasion of Veracruz (Mexico) 1914 Occupation of the Dominican Republic 1916-1924 Occupation of Haiti 1915-1934 World War I 1917-1918 2nd Nicaraguan Campaign 1927-1933 World War II 1941-1945 Police Action / UN Korea 1953 Lebanon 1958 Thailand 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis 1962 Dominican Republic Intervention 1965 Vietnam War 1962-1973 (Officially closed 1995) Operation Eagle Pull, Cambodia 1975 Operation Frequent Wind, Fall of Saigon 1975 Mayaguez Rescue Operation, Cambodia 1975 Iranian Hostage Rescue attempt Iran 1980 Grenada 1983 Beirut, Lebanon 1984 Occupation of Panama, Operation Just Cause 1989 Operation Sharp Edge, Liberia 1990 South West Asia, Kuwait Liberation 1991 Somalia 1991 Haiti 1991 Yugoslavia Non-combat operations

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Marine Corps Leadership
The Marines have always been recognized at producing good leaders. Below are some of the things that Marines not only must know, but they must demonstrate if they want to be a leader of Marines. All of these can be applied to any leadership position, whether it be as a Fire Team Leader, Platoon Sergeant, a Battalion Commander, a Fortune-500 CEO, or parent.

Leadership Principles
Know yourself and seek self-improvement.

Be technically and tactically proficient.

Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates.

Make sound and timely decisions.

Set the example.

Know your Marines and look out for their welfare.

Keep your Marines informed.

Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.

Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.

Train your Marines as a team.

Employ your command in accordance with its capabilities.



Leadership Traits
Dependability - The certainty of proper performance of duty.

Bearing - Creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance and personal conduct at all times.

Courage - The mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but enables a man to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.

Decisiveness - Ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in clear, forceful manner.

Endurance - The mental and physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress and hardship.

Enthusiasm - The display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of duty.

Initiative - Taking action in the absence of orders.

Integrity - Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles; includes the qualities of truthfulness and honesty.

Judgment - The ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base sound decisions.

Justice - Giving reward and punishment according to merits of the case in question. The ability to administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially and consistently.

Knowledge - Understanding of a science or an art. The range of one's information, including professional knowledge and an understanding of your Marines.

Tact - The ability to deal with others without creating offense.

Unselfishness - Avoidance of providing for one's own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.

Loyalty - The quality of faithfulness to country, the Corps, the unit, to one's seniors, subordinates and peers.



Troop Leading Steps (BAMCIS)
Begin the planning - if you want to succeed at something you must plan

Arrange for reconnaissance - decide what things need to be researched to make your plan work

Make the reconnaissance - do the research

Complete the planning - make final modifications to your plan taking the information you gathered in the previous step into account

Issue Orders - delegate tasks and authority as needed (see SMEAC below)

Supervise - make sure that orders are understood and followed



5-Paragraph Order (SMEAC)
Situation - describe what the current situation is

Mission - describe what the current mission is

Execution - describe how the mission will be carried out

Administration and Logistics - describe how administrative duties and logistical support will be handled

Command and Signals - describe who the persons in authority are and any special signals that need to be recognized



Three Leadership Styles
Autocratic (Authoritarian)

Democratic (Persuasion)

Combination of both



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Creeds


My Rifle - The Creed of a United States Marine
by MGen William H. Rupertus, USMC Retired
(written following the attack on Pearl Harbor)
This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will...

My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit...

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will...

Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace!



NCO Creed
I am the backbone of the United States Marine Corps, I am a Marine Non-Commissioned Officer. I serve as part of the vital link between my commander (and all officers) and enlisted Marines. I will never forget who I am or what I represent. I will challenge myself to the limit and be ever attentive to duty. I am now, more than ever, committed to excellence in all that I do, so that I can set the proper example for other Marines. I will demand of myself all the energy, knowledge and skills I possess, so that I can instill confidence in those I teach. I will constantly strive to perfect my own skills and to become a good leader. Above all I will be truthful in all I say or do. My integrity shall be impeccable as my appearance. I will be honest with myself, with those under my charge and with my superiors. I pledge to do my best to incorporate all the leadership traits into my character. For such is the heritage I have received from that long, illustrious line of professionals who have worn the bloodstripe so proudly before me. I must give the very best I have for my Marines, my Corps and my Country for though today I instruct and supervise in peace, tomorrow, I may lead in war.



SNCO Creed
I am a Staff Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps. As such, I am a member of the most unique group of professional military practitioners in the world. I am bound by duty to God, Country and my fellow Marines to execute the demands of my position to and beyond what I believe to be the limits of my capabilities. I realize I am the mainstay of Marine Corps discipline, and I carry myself with military grace, unbowed by the weight of command, unflinching in the execution of lawful orders, and unswerving in my dedication to the most complete success of my assigned mission. Both my professional and personal demeanor shall be such that I may take pride if my juniors emulate me, and knowing perfection to lie beyond the grasp of any mortal hand, I shall yet strive to attain perfection that I may ever be aware of my needs and capabilities to improve myself. I shall be fair in my personal relations, just in the enforcement of discipline, true to myself and my fellow Marines, and equitable in my dealing with every man.



Drill Instructor's Creed
These recruits are entrusted to my care. I will train them to the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Marines, thoroughly indoctrinated in love of Corps and Country. I will demand of them, and demonstrate by my own example, the highest standards of personal conduct, morality, and professional skill.

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Commandant's Reading List

Pvt, PFC, LCpl
Rifleman Dodd by Forester
Starship Troopers by Heinlein
A Message to Garcia by Hubbard
The Bridge at Dong-Ha by Miller
U.S. Marines: 1775-1975 by Simmons
U.S. Constitution
Fields of Fire by Webb

Cpl, Sgt
The War of the Running Dogs: The Malayan Emergency, 1498-1962 by Barber
The Old Man's Trail by Campbell
Ender's Game by Card
Uncommon Men: Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps by Chapin
Red Badge of Courage by Crane
Marine!: The Life of LtGen Lewis B. (Chesty) Puller, USMC (Ret) by Davis
Fire in the Streets: The Battle for Hue, Tet, 1968 by Hammel
Strong Men Armed: The United States Marines Against Japan by Leckie
The Buffalo Soldiers: A Narrative of the Negro Calvary in the West by Leckie
Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation by Marshall
The Right Kind of War by McCormick
Battle Leadership by Von Schell
The Defense of Duffer's Drift by Swinton
Fix Bayonets! by Thomason
Battle Cry by Uris

SSgt, WO-1, CWO-2, CWO-3, 2ndLt, 1stLt
Band of Brothers: E Co., 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne: From Normandy to Hitler's Eagle Nest by Ambrose
Pegasus Bridge: June 6, 1944 by Ambrose
War in the Shadows: The Guerrilla in History by Asprey
Common Sense Training: A Working Philosophy for Leaders by Collins
On Infantry by English & Gudmundsson
Grant & Lee: A Study in Personality and Generalship by Fuller
How We Won the War by Giap
American Gunboat Diplomacy and the Old Navy, 1877-1889 by Hagan
Acts of War: The Behavior of Men in Battle by Holmes
Flights of Passage: Reflections of a World War II Aviator by Hynes
The Face of Battle by Keegan
Terrorism Reader: A Historical Anthology by Laquer & Alexander
Strategy Liddell by Hart
Maneuver Warfare Handbook by Lind
The Middle Parts of Fortune: Somme and Ancre, 1916 by Manning
We Were Soldiers Once and Young: Ia Drang, the Battle that Changed the War in Vietnam by Moore & Galloway
The U.S. Marine Corps Story by Moskin
The Military: More than Just a Job by Moskos
Operation Buffalo: USMC Fight for the DMZ by Nolan
Challenge of Command: A Reading for Military Excellence by Nye
Attacks by Rommel
Iwo Jima: Legacy of War by Ross
The Forgotten Soldier: The Classic WWII Autobiography by Sajer
Firepower in Limited War by Scales
The Killer Angels by Shaara
Tarawa: The Story of a Battle by Sherrod
Falls of Eagles by Sulzberg
Arts of War (Sun Tzu) by Sun Tzu
U.S. Constitution
Unaccustomed to Fear: A Biography of the Late General Roy S. Gieger, United States Marine Corps by Willock

GySgt, MSgt, 1stSgt, CWO-4, Capt
Battle Studies: Ancient and Modern Battle by Ardant du Picq
Guerrilla Strategies: A Historical Anthology from the Long March to Afghanistan by Chailand
The Breaking Point: Sedan and the Fall of France, 1940 by Doughty
Street Without Joy by Fall
Profession of Arms by Hackett
Battle for the Falklands by Hastings
Victory at High Tide: The Inchon Seoul Campaign by Heinl
The War of the American Independence: Military Attitudes, Policies, and Practice by Higginbotham
Once a Lengend: Red Mike Edson of the Marine Raiders by Hoffman
Maneuver Warfare: An Anthology by Hooker
Price of Glory: Verdun 1916 by Horne
Infantry in Battle (U.S.) Infantry by School
The U.S. Marines and Amphibious War: Its Theory, and its Practice in the Pacific by Isley & Crowl
The Price of Admiralty: The Evolution of Naval Warfare by Keegan
First to Fight: An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps by Krulak
The Dynamics of Doctrine: The Changes in German Tactical Doctrine During the First World War by Lupfer
Reminiscences by MacArthur
Company Commander by MacDonald
Mao Tse-Tung on Guerrilla Warfare by Mao Tse-Tung
Defense of Hill 781 by McDonough
Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by McPherson
Panzer Battles: A Study of the Employment of Armor in the Second World War by Mellenthin
Company Command: The Bottom Line by Meyer
Semper Fidelis: The History of the United States Marine Corps by Millett
For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States of America by Millett & Maslowski
Gallipoli by Moorehead
The Anatomy of Courage by Moran
Once an Eagle by Myer
Small Wars Manual by NAVMC 2890
Follow Me, Human Element in Leadership by Newman
No Victory, No Vanquished: Yom Kippur War by O'Ballance
History of U.S. Military Logistics, 1935-1985; A Brief Review by Peppers
Fortunate Son: The Autobiography of Lewis B. Puller, Jr. by Puller
Landscape Turned Red: The Battle of Antietam by Sears
With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa by Sledge
Douglas Southall Freeman on Leadership by Smith
On Strategy: A Critical Analysis of the Vietnam War by Summers
The Easter Offensive, Vietnam, 1972 by Turley
Airpower & Maneuver Warfare by Van Creveld

CWO-5, Maj
Morale: A Study of Men and Courage by Baynes
Grant Takes Command by Catton
On War by Clausewitz
Patton: A Genius for War by D'Este
Hell in a Very Small Place: The Seige of Dien Bien Phu by Fall
This Kind of War: A Study in Unpreparedness by Fehrenbach
Guadalcanal: The Definitive Account by Frank
Knight's Cross: A Life of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel by Fraser
Forward Into Battle: Fighting Tactics from Waterloo to Vietnam by Griffith
Che Guevara on Guerrilla Warfare by Guevara
Chosin: Heroic Ordeal of the Korean War by Hammel
George Washington & The American Military Tradition by Higginbotham
Reminiscences of a Marine by Lejeune
U.S. Marine Corps Aviation: 1912 to the Present by Mersky
Makers of Modern Strategy: From Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age by Paret
At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor by Prange
Dieppe: The Shame and the Glory by Robertson
It Doesn't Take A Hero by Schwarzkopf
History of Marine Corps Aviation in WWII by Sherrod
A People Numerous & Armed: Reflections on the Military Struggle for American Independence by Shy
Defeat Into Victory by Slim
Eagle Against The Sun: The American War With Japan by Spector
Command in War by Van Creveld
Supplying War: Logistics From Wallenstein to Patton by Van Creveld

MGySgt, SgtMaj, LtCol
One Hundered Years of Seapower: The U.S. Navy, 1890-1990 by Bear
Ultra in the West: The Normandy Campaign, 1944-1945 by Bennett
The Quiet Warrior: A Biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance by Buell
The Generals' War: The Inside Story of the Conflict in the Gulf by Gordon & Trainor
The Years of MacArthur by James
The U.S. Marine Corps and Defense Unification 1944-1947: The Politics of Survival by Keiser
Eagle and Sword: The Federalists and the Creation of the Military Establishment in America by Kohn
The Army in Vietnam by Krepinevich
Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Long
In Many a Strife: General Gerald C. Thomas and the U.S. Marines Corps, 1917-1956 by Millet
The Making of Strategy by Murray
Follow Me II: More on the Human Element in Leadership by Newman
Moving Mountains: Lessons in Leadership and Logistics from the Gulf War by Pagonis
How the War was Won by Travers
Take That Hill: Royal Marines in the Falklands War by Vaux
The Enlightened Soldier: Scharnhorst and the Militarische Gesellschaft in Berlin, 1801-1805 by White
100 Days: The Memoirs of the Falklands by Woodard

Col
The Supreme Commander: The War Years of General Dwight D. Eishenhower by Ambrose
Foundation of Moral Obligation: The Stockdale Course by Brennan
The Campaigns of Napoleon by Chandler
Military Misfortunes: The Anatomy of Failure in War by Cohen
General of the Army: George C. Marshall, Soldier and Statesman by Cray
Seeds of Disaster: The Development of French Army Doctrine, 1919-1939 by Doughty
Logistics in the National Defense by Eccles
War Secerts in the Ether: The Use of Signals Intelligence by the German Military in WWII by Flicke
The General by Forester
From Beirut to Jerusalem by Friedman
A Savage War of Peace: Algeria, 1954-1962 by Horne
To Lose a Battle: France, 1940 by Horne
The Rise and Fall of British Naval Mastery by Kennedy
Military Innovation in the Interwar Period by Millett & Murray
Luftwaffe by Murray
A Democracy at War: America's Fight at Home and Abroad in WWII by O'Neil
The 25-Year War: America's Military Role in Vietnam by Palmer
Nimitz by Potter
Korean War by Ridgeway
A Bridge Too Far by Ryan
The Marine Corps Search For a Mission 1880-1898 by Shulimson
Race to the Swift: Thoughts on Twenty First Century Warfare by Simpkin
Pershing, General of the Armies by Smythe
The Peloponnesian War by Thucydides
The Killing Ground: The Battle Army, The Western Front, & the Emergence of Modern Warfare by Travers
Our Great Spring Victory: An Account of the Liberation of South Vietnam by Van Tien Dung
Once a Marine: The Memoirs of General A. A. Vandergrift, USMC by Vandergrift
Eisenhower's Lieutenants: The Campaign of France and Germany, 1944-1945 by Weigly

BGen, MajGen, LtGen, Gen
Lejeune: A Marine's Life, 1867-1942 by Bartlett
Generalship, Its Diseases and Their Cure: A Study of the Personal Factor in Command by Fuller
The Best and the Brightest by Halberstam
On the Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace by Kagan
The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers: Economic Change and Military Conflict from 1500-2000 by Kennedy
Diplomacy by Kissenger
GIAP: The Victor in Vietnam by MacDonald
In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam by McNamara
A Woman at War: Storming Kuwait with the U.S. Marines by Moore
Airwar in the Persian Gulf by Murray
FOLLOW ME III: Lessons on the Art and Science of High Command by Newman
My American Journey by Powell
Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman by Royster
Maverick Marine: General Smedley Butler and the Contradictions of American Military History by Schmidt
A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam by Sheehan
The Nightingale's Song by Timberg
No Bended Knee by Twining

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Tun Tavern and the U.S. Marine Corps
On the 10th of November in 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution which said in part:
"...Resolved, that two battalions of Marines be raised, consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, two majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the Colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines..."

With that resolution the Continental Marines were officially born. November 10th is still celebrated today as the Marine Corps Birthday.

On November 28th, 1775, Samuel Nicholas was commissioned a captain in the Continental Marines, and was charged with raising a part of the body of Marines which Congress had specified. Captain Nicholas remained the senior Marine officer throughout the Revolution and so is traditionally considered to be the first Commandant. Another officer that was appointed was Robert Mullan who happened to be the proprietor of Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. Supposedly, his appointment came as a result of his success as a recruiter and the importance of Tun Tavern as a recruiting station. It is also thought that the resolution passed by the Continental Congress that established the Marines, was written in Tun Tavern because the second floor of the tavern was the meeting place of the Naval Committee of Congress. Therefore, Tun Tavern and the birth of the Marines are forever intertwined together.

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Marine Corps Mission


The Marine Corps, within the Department of the Navy, shall be so organized as to include not less than three combat divisions and three air wings, and such other land combat, aviation and other services as may be organic therein.

The Marines Corps shall be organized, trained, and equipped to provide fleet marine forces of combined arms, together with supporting air components, for service with the fleet in the seizure or defense of advanced naval bases and for the conduct of such land operations as may be essential to the prosecution of a naval campaign.

In addition, the Marine Corps shall provide detachments and organizations for service on armed vessels of the Navy, shall provide security detachments for the protection of naval property at naval stations and bases, and shall perform such other duties as the President may direct. However, these additional duties may not detract from or interfere with the operations for which the Marine Corps is primarily organized.

The Marine Corps shall develop, in coordination with the Army and the Air Force, those phases of amphibious operations that pertain to the tactics, techniques, and equipment used by landing forces.

The Marine Corps is responsible, in accordance with integrated joint mobilization plans, for the expansion of peacetime components of the Marine Corps to meet the needs of war.

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Marine Corps and other Military Quotes


Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don't have that problem.

Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America

I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!

General Douglas MacArthur, US Army

The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.

General George Patton, US Army

The battle of Iwo Jima has been won. Among the Americans who served on Iwo, uncommon valor was a common virtue.

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN

The man who will go where his colors will go, without asking, who will fight a phantom foe in a jungle and mountain range, without counting, and who will suffer and die in the midst of incredible hardship, without complaint, is still what he has always been, from Imperial Rome to sceptered Britain to Democratic America. He is the stuff of which legions are made. His pride is his colors and his regiment, his training hard and thorough and coldly realistic, to fit him for what he must face, and his obedience is to his orders. As a legionary, he held the gates of civilization for the classical world...he has been called United States Marine.

Lieutenant Colonel T.R. Fehrenbach, US Army in "This Kind of War"

Marines are about the most peculiar breed of human beings I have ever witnessed. They treat their service as if it was some kind of cult, plastering their emblem on almost everything they own, making themselves up to look like insane fanatics with haircuts to ungentlemanly lengths, worshipping their Commandant almost as if he was a god, and making weird animal noises like a band of savages. They'll fight like rabid dogs at the drop of a hat just for the sake of a little action, and are the cockiest SOB's I have ever known. Most have the foulest mouths and drink well beyond man's normal limits, but their high spirits and sense of brotherhood set them apart and , generally speaking, of the United States Marines I've come in contact with, are the most professional soldiers and the finest men I have had the pleasure to meet.

An Anonymous Canadian Citizen

Old breed? New breed? There's not a damn bit of difference so long as it's the Marine breed.

Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

George Orwell

The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle!

General Pershing, US Army

The more Marines I have around the better I like it!

General Mark Clark, US Army

You don't hurt 'em if you don't hit 'em.

Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC

Being ready is not what matters. What matters is winning after you get there.

Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak, USMC

I still need Marines who can shoot and salute. But I need Marines who can fix jet engines and man sophisticated radar sets, as well.

General Robert E. Cushman, Jr., USMC

The morale of soldiers comes from three things: a feeling that they have an important job to do, a feeling that they are trained to do it well, and a feeling that their good work is appreciated and recognized.

Unknown

Come on you bastards, do you want to live forever?

Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly, USMC

To ERR is human, to FORGIVE divine. HOWEVER, neither is Marine Corps Policy.

Unknown

The Marines have landed, and the situation is well in hand.

Richard Harding Davis, war correspondent (1885)

This will be the bloodiest fight in Marine Corps history. We'll catch seven kinds of hell on the beaches, and that will be just the beginning. The fighting will be fierce, and the casualties will be awful, but my Marines will take the damned island. (concerning the upcoming attack on Iwo Jima)

Lieutenant General Holland M. "Howlin' Mad" Smith, USMC

Victory was never in doubt. Its cost was...What was in doubt, in all our minds, was whether there would be any of us left to dedicate our cemetery at the end, or whether the last Marine would die knocking out the last Japanese gun and gunner. (In reference to the Battle of Iwo Jima)

Major General Graves B. Erskine, USMC

The raising of that flag means a Marine Corps for the next five hundred years. (concerning the flag raising at Mt. Suribachi)

James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy

A ship without Marines is like a garment without buttons.

Admiral David Porter, USN

Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency: we are winning!

Colonel David M. Shoup, USMC

I can never again see a United States Marine without experiencing a feeling of reverence.

General Johnson, US Army

We're not retreating, Hell! We're just attacking in different direction!

General Oliver Smith, USMC

We have two companies of Marines running all over this island and thousands of Army troops doing nothing!

General John Vessey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Retreat hell! We just got here!

Captain Lloyd Williams, USMC

The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. LORD, how they could fight!

Major General Frank Lowe, US Army

Panic sweeps my men when they are facing the American Marines.

A captured North Korean Major

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Marine Corps Slogans


Semper Fidelis
This is the OFFICIAL Marine Corps motto. It means, "Always Faithful". Marines have proven this motto to be true by the fact that there has never been a mutiny among U.S. Marines. It is also the motto of England's Devonshire Regiment. Prior to its adoption by the USMC around 1883, there were three other TRADITIONAL mottos.

Fortitudine
this was the first TRADITIONAL motto and it began usage around 1812. It means, "With Fortitude".

By Sea and by Land
this was the second TRADITIONAL motto. It is a direct translation of the Royal Marines motto, "Per Mare, Per Terram".

To the Shores of Tripoli
the third TRADITIONAL motto was used until 1848 to commemorate Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon's capture of Derne in 1805. In 1848, after the capture of Mexico City, this motto was changed to, "From the halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli".

Every Marine a Rifleman
In other words, every Marine, regardless of specialty, is fundamentally the same. All are forged from a common experience, share a common set of values, and are trained as a cohesive air-ground team from the moment they join the Corps.

First of Foot, and Right of the Line
On 9 August 1876, the Secretary of the Navy honored the Marine Corps by giving them the place of honor, at the head of column, or right of line in a naval formation.

Tell it to the Marines
In 1644, Charles II, King of England was told a story about "Fish that fly like birds" by a returning ship's master. The king replied, "I have my doubts!" Sir William Killigren, colonel of the new British Marine regiment that was just raised that year said, "Nay, Sire, it is true. I have myself seen flying fish many a time in southern waters. I vouch for the truth of this strange tale, your Majesty." The monarch then told his Secretary of Admiralty, "Mr. Pepys, no class of our subjects hath such knowledge of odd things on land and sea as our Marines. Hereafter, when we hear a yarn that lacketh likelihood, we will tell it to the Marines. If they believe it, then we shall know it is true."

Retreat Hell! We just got here.
On May 28th, 1918, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines of the 4th Marine Brigade were sent to help in the Belleau Wood sector. As they were approaching they were met by the French Commander of the troops that were already there who advised Marine Colonel Wendell C. Neville that the discreet thing to do was retreat. Neville's reply was a characteristic "Retreat Hell! We just got here!" They stayed and drove the numerically superior Germans out of Belleau Wood and other strong holds. It was here that the ferocious fighting that the Marines displayed caused the Germans to start referring to the Marines as "Teufelhunden", which means, "Devil Dogs".

First to Fight
This slogan started appearing on recruiting posters in World War I. Marines have been at the forefront of EVERY American war since their inception. On this historical record of readiness, this slogan constitutes the Marines' pride, responsibility and challenge.

Once a Marine, Always a Marine!
Once a person successfully completes their basic training, they have earned the title of United States Marine forever. Even after discharge or retirement they are still a Marine - still a part of the Band of Brothers.

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Band of Brothers


1. All Marines are entitled to dignity and respect as individuals, but must abide by common standards established by proper authority.

2. A Marine should never lie, cheat, or steal from a fellow Marine or fail to come to his aid in time of need.

3. All Marines should contribute 100% of their abilities to the unit’s mission. Any less effort by an individual passes the buck to someone else.

4. A unit, regardless of size, is a disciplined family structure, with similar relationships based on mutual respect among members.

5. It is essential that issues and problems which tend to lessen a unit’s effectiveness be addressed and resolved.

6. A blending of separate cultures, varying educational levels, and different social backgrounds is possible in an unselfish atmosphere of common goals, aspirations, and mutual understanding.

7. Being the best requires common effort, hard work, and teamwork. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.

8. Every Marine deserves job satisfaction, equal consideration and recognition of his accomplishments.

9. Knowing your fellow Marine well enables you to learn to look at things, through his eyes, as well as your own.

10. Issues detracting from the efficiency and sense of well being of an individual should be surfaced and weighed against the impact on the unit as a whole.

11. It must be recognized that a brotherhood concept depends on all members belonging-- being fully accepted by others within.

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Nicknames for U.S. Marines


Leatherneck
This name originates from the stiff leather stock that early Marines wore around their necks, probably to protect their jugular vein against saber blows

Devil Dog
The Germans after the battle at Belleau Wood in World War I called the Marines "Teufelhunden", which translates as Devil Dog, because of the fierce fighting that the Marines demonstrated

Jarhead
This was a slang term used by sailors in World War II because Marines in their Dress Blues with the stiff collar resembled Mason Jars

The President's Own
Used in reference to the Marine Band located in Washington, D.C., because they play at all the official White House ceremonies; it could easily refer to all Marines because the U.S. Marine Corps Mission states in part that the Marines "shall perform such other duties as the President may direct"

Gyrene
formed from the combination of G.I. and Marine

America's (The World's) 911 Force
The Marine Corps has earned this nickname by being the first forces called in a crisis. During the Cold War, Marines were called upon to protect our nation's interests on an average of once every 15 weeks. Since 1990, Marines have responded once every 5 weeks, an increase in taskings by a factor of three.

Faresta
"Sea Angels" - this name was given to Marines by the Bangladeshi flood victims in 1991

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Veterans


Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.

Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's alloy forged in the refinery of adversity.

Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem.

You can't tell a vet just by looking.

What is a Vet?

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She - or - he is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.

He is the carrier pilot landing on a rolling, pitching, heaving flight deck during a rain squall in the pitch-black night of the Tonkin Gulf.

He is the parade-riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the career quartermaster (Army Supply Corps) who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the Army Ranger who humps endless miles of burning sand for three days with no sleep or food and very little water to designate targets for laser guided bombs or swims through a disease infested swamp and crawls over poisonous snakes under the cover of darkness to conduct intelligence on a foreign government hostile to our own and our cherished way of life.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's unless deep.

He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.

Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".

See top 25 Marine Corps sites, USMC Homepage,

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A little history. Text of Revolutionary War recruiting poster.










GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT
AMERICAN REVOLUTION
What a Brilliant Prospect does this Event Present to every Lad of Spirit who is inclined to try his Fortune in this highly renowned Corps.
The Continental Marines
When every thing that swims the Seas must be a
PRIZE!
Thousands are at this moment endeavoring to get on Board Privateers where they will serve without pay or reward of any kind whatsoever, so certain does their chance appear of enriching themselves by PRIZE MONEY! What an enviable Station then must the CONTINENTAL MARINE hold,--- who with far superior advantages to these, has the additional benefit of liberal Pay, and plenty of the best Provisions, with a good and well appointed Ship under him, the Pride and Glory of the Continental Navy; surely every Man of Spirit must blush to remain at Home in Inactivity and Indolence when his Country needs his Assistance.

Where then can he have such a fair opportunity, reaping Glory and Riches in the Continental Marines, a Corps daily acquiring new Honors, and here, once embarked in American Fleet, he finds himself in the midst of Honor and Glory, surrounded by a set of fine fellows, Strangers to Fear, and who strike Terror through the Hearts of their Enemies wherever they go!

He has likewise the inspiring idea to know, that while he sails the Ocean to protect the Liberty of these states, that the Thanks and good Wishes of the whole American people shall send him forth on his mission and participate in his Glory. Lose no Time, then, my Fine Fellows, in embracing the glorious Opportunity that awaits you: YOU WILL RECEIVE
Seventeen Dollars Bounty.
And on your Arrival at Head Quarters be comfortably and genteely CLOTHED. And spirited young BOYS, of a promissing Appearance, who are Five Feet Six Inches High, will receive TEN DOLLARS, and equal Advantage of PROVISIONS and CLOTHING with the Men. And those who wish only to enlist for a limited Service, shall receive a Bounty of SEVEN DOLLARS, and Boys FIVE. In fact, the Advantages which the MARINE receives are too numerous to mention here, but among the many, it may not be amiss to state --- that if he has a WIFE or aged PARENT, he can make them an Allotment of half his PAY which will be regularly paid without any Trouble to them, or to whomever he may direct, that being well Fed and Clothed on Board Ship, the remainder of his PAY and PRIZE MONEY will be placed in Reserve for the Relief of his Family or his own private Purposes. The Single Young Man, on his Return to Port, finds himself compelled to cut a Dash on Shore, with his GIRL and his GLASS, that might be envied by a Nobleman. Take Courage then, seize the Fortune that awaits you, repair to the MARINE RENDEVOUS, where on a FLOWING BOWL of PUNCH, on Three Times Three, you shall drink.
Long Live the United States and Success to the Marines
The Daily Allowance of a Marine when embarked is One Pound of BEEF or PORK. One Pound of BREAD. Flour, Raisins, Butter, Cheese, Oatmeal, Molasses, Tea, Sugar, &c. &c. And a Pint of the best WINE, or half a Pint of the Best RUM or BRANDY, together with a Pint of LEMONADE. They make Liberty in warm countries, a plentiful Allowance of the choicest FRUIT. And what can be more handsome than the Marines' Proportion of PRIZE MONEY, when a Sergeant shares equal with the Fleet Class of Petty Officers, such as Midshipmen, Petty Officers, &c. which is five shares each; a Corporal with the Second Class, which Is Three Shares each; and the Private with the Able Seaman, one Share and a Half each.

Desiring Greater Particulars, and a more full account of the many Advantages of this Invaluable Corps, apply to CAPTAIN MULLAN at TUN TAVERN, where the bringer of a Recruit will receive THREE DOLLARS.

January, 1776


See scuttle butt and small chow

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Melville's look at Marines aboard ship. 1840's







U.S. frigate United States




Excerpts from
White Jacket, or Life Aboard a Man-of-War
In my reading, recently, I came across the following descriptions of Marines aboard a man-of-war in the 1840s. The writer is Herman Melville, and the passage is from his novel White Jacket; or The World in a Man-of-War. The novel, which is filled with accurate & closely-observed particulars, grew from his experiences aboard the US frigate United States, on which he shipped as an ordinary seaman in 1843. While fiction, White Jacket is, in fact, probably the single most comprehensive and accurate portrait we have of the daily life aboard a U.S. Navy frigate in the mid-19th-century. This accuracy applies not only to the details of ship and shipboard life, but to the individual sailors and Marines themselves. Rear Admiral S.R. Franklin, author of Memories of a Rear-Admiral Who Has Served for More Than Half a Century in the Navy of the United States, and who himself served aboard the United States on a Pacific cruise in 1842, vouched for the veracity of Melville's portraits, writing: "He (Melville) gives no names, but to any one who served in the Frigate United States it was easy to recognise the men by their sobriquets."

Although a novel, White Jacket was sufficiently respected as a piece of accurate reportage in its own day that advocates for the prohibition of flogging in the U.S. Navy placed a copy of the book on the desks of every member of Congress, among whom Melville's graphic descriptions of flogging proved so influential that they proceeded to restrict the practice in 1853 and then to prohibit it entirely in 1862.

The Marines' Mess

"And now, to do myself justice, I must add that, the next day, I was received with open arms by a glorious set of fellows~ Mess No. 1!~ numbering, among the rest, my noble Captain Jack Chase (a highly respected individual and Captain of the Maintop). This mess was principally composed of the headmost men of the gun-deck; and, out of a pardonable self-conceit, they called themselves the "Forty-two-pounder Club;" meaning that they were, one and all, fellows of large intellectual and coporeal calibre. Their mess-cloth was well located. On their starboard hand was Mess No. 2, embracing sundry rare jokers and high livers, who waxed gay and epicurean over their salt fare, and were known as the "Society for the Destruction of Beef and Pork." On the larboard hand was Mess No. 31, made up entirely of fore-top-men, a dashing, blaze-away set of men-of-war's-men, who called themselves the "Cape Horn Snorters and Neversink Invincibles." Opposite, was one of the marine messes, mustering the aristocracy of the marine corps~the two corporals, the drummer and fifer, and some six or eight rather gentlemanly privates, native-born Americans, who had served in the Seminole campaigns of Florida; and they now enlivened their salt fare with stories of wild ambushes in the Everglades; and one of them related a surprising tale of his hand-to-hand encounter with Osceola, the Indian chief, whom he fought one morning from daybreak till breakfast time. This slashing private also boasted that he could take a chip from between your teeth at twenty paces; he offered to bet any amount on it; and as he could get no one to hold the chip, his boast remained for ever good."


Corporal Colbrook Promenades at his Leisure

"Still another mode of passing time (while anchored in harbor), was arraying yourself in your best togs and promenading up and down the gundeck, admiring the shore scenery from the port-holes, which, in an amphitheatrical bay like Rio ~ belted about by the most varied and charming scenery of hill, dale, moss, meadow, court, castle, tower, grove, vine, vineyard, aqueduct, palace, square, island, fort ~ is very much like lounging round a circular cosmorama, and ever and anon lazily peeping through the glasses here and there. Oh! there is something worth living for, even in our man-of-war world; and one glimpse of a bower of grapes, though a cable's length off, is almost satisfaction for dining off a shank-bone salted down.

This promenading was chiefly patronised by the marines, and particularly by Colbrook, a remarkably handsome and very gentlemanly corporal among them. He was a complete lady's man; with fine black eyes, bright red cheeks, glossy jet whiskers, and a refined organisation of the whole man. He used to array himself in his regimentals, and saunter about like an officer of the Coldstream Guards, strolling down to his club in St. Jame's. Every time he passed me, he would heave a sentimental sigh, and hum to himself The girl I left behind me. This fine corporal afterward became a representative in the Legislature of the State of New Jersey; for I saw his name returned about a year after my return home.

But, after all, there was not much room, while in port, for promenading, at least on the gun-deck, for the whole larboard side is kept clear for the benefit of the officers, who appreciate the advantages of having a clear stroll fore and aft; and they well know that the sailors had much better be crowded together on the other side than that the set of their own coat-tails should be impaired by brushing against their tarry trowsers."


Corporal Colbrook's Gallant & Timely Intercession

Later in the tale, the narrator, "White Jacket", encounters this same Marine again, albeit under greatly changed circumstances. White Jacket has been arraigned at the mast under the grave charge of being absent at his station during a tacking of the ship. The fault, in fact, lies with the First Lieutenant, who has failed to inform him of his station but, in attempting to defend himself, White Jacket has managed to offend the ship's Captain who is now on the verge of ordering him flogged. Rather than submit to this degrading ordeal, White Jacket is actually about to lunge at the Captain and pitch the both of them overboard. It is at this critical juncture that the Marine makes his reappearance:

"'Captain Claret,' said a voice advancing from the crowd. I turned to see who this might be, that audaciously interposed at a juncture like this. It was the same remarkably handsome and gentlemanly corporal of marines , Colbrook, who has been previously alluded to, in the chapter describing killing time in a man-of-war.

'I know that man,' said Colbrook, touching his cap, and speaking in a mild, firm, but extremely deferential manner; 'and I know that he would not be found absent from his station, if he knew where it was.'

This speech was almost unprecedented. Seldom or never before had a marine dared to speak to the Captain of a frigate in behalf of a seaman at the mast. But there was something so unostentatiously commanding in the calm manner of the man, that the Captain, though astounded, did not in any way reprimand him. The very unusualness of his interference seemed Colbrook's protection.

Taking heart, perhaps, from Colbrook's example, Jack Chase (the highly respected Captain of the Maintop) interposed, and in a manly but carefully respectful manner, in substance repeated the corporal's remark, adding that he never found me wanting in the top.

The Captain looked from Chase to Colbrook, and from Colbrook to Chase ~ one the formost man among the seamen, the other the foremost man among the soldiers ~ then all round upon the packed and silent crew, and, as if a slave to Fate, though supreme Captain of a frigate, he turned to the First Lieutenant, made some indifferent remark, and saying to me you may go, sauntered aft into his cabin; while I, who, in the desperation of my soul, had just escaped being a murderer and a suicide, almost burst into tears of thanksgiving where I stood."

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~ General Instructions to Marine Guard ~
~ July 1st, 1878 (on board the USS Alliance) ~









General Instructions


Implicit obedience to all orders is strictly enjoined.

Non.com. officers must be treated with respect and their orders obeyed.

Should any member of the Guard feel himself possessed of any just cause of complaint, he will apply to the 1st Sergeant for permission to state his case to his superior officer ~ On the other hand, grumbling, insolence or insubordinate conduct in any shape, will meet with instant and severe punishment.

While it is enjoined upon the guard to be civil to the crew, skylarking, or intimacy of any kind with the sailors cannot be tolerated, as such conduct is prejudicial to the good order and discipline of the ship ~

It is the duty of any member of the guard when they see men fighting to immediately separate them, and assist the Master-at-arms and Non.Com. Officers of the guard in bringing them to the Mast.

No article of clothing will be altered or destroyed except by permission of the Comdg. Officer of the Guard.

Loaning, trading, selling, or exchanging articles of clothing is strictly prohibited unless by permission of the Comdg. Marine Officer.

Frequent inspections will be had of the Guards clothing, and the men will be held to account for all articles issued to them.

Members of the Guard wishing to see the Comdg. Off. of the guard, will notify the 1st Sergeant before morning inspection.

All request for liberty must pass through the 1st Sergt., and all liberty or visiting men must report their return to him immediately after their return on board ~

Any member of the guard desiring to see the Doctor must notify the 1st Sergt. By 8 am ~

All members of the guard are enjoined to yield on all occasions a willing, cheerful and prompt obedience to those placed over them; to avoid difficulties with each other or quarreling with sailors; to be always neat and tidy, and to contribute all in their power to promote harmony & order ~

At all assembly's of the guard every dutiable man must be on deck before the guard is formed ~

The arms will not be taken apart unless by permission of the Comdg. Marine Officer ~

Lost arms or accoutrements will be charged against the accounts of looser if caused by his neglect ~

All clothing will be marked with the owners name in full ~

Every member of the guard on reaching the quarter-deck either from a boat or below, or on leaving it to go over the side, will salute the deck ~

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another recruiting poster

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Some Marine Art

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Article I: I am an American, fighting in the armed forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
Article II: I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my people while they still have the means to resist.

Article III: If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV: If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep my faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V: When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and it's allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI: I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my action, and dedicated to the principles which make my country free. I will trust in my God and the United States of America.

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MY RIFLE

The Creed of a United States Marine
by
Major General W.H. Rupertus,USMC

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

My rifle, without me is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will...

My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit...

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights, and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will be part of each other. We will...

Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviorsof my life.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace!

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What'd we say?





Able target---The round bulls eye target
Aboard---on base
Alice pack---field pack worn by Marines.(all purpose,lightweight,individual,carrying,equipment)
All hands---everybody
As you were---resume activity
Aye,aye---Acknowledgement of an order.
BFA--- Blank Firing Apratas blocks the gas from the blank and uses it to cycle the bolt on the weapon.Without it the weapon would fire once and not cycle a new round into the chamber.
Blouse---jacket of the uniform.
Blues---Dress blue formal uniform.
Boondocks---Swamps,small towns,middle of nowhere(also called boonies)
Boot---Recruit,or new Marine.
Brass---officers.
Brig---jail,or prison.
Bulkhead---Wall
Bunk---Bed(also called "rack".)
Buttcan---Ashtray
Camies---camouflage uniform.
Carry on---same as "as you were".
CG---commanding General.
Cheese dick--- a Marine who whines,or (also see "no load,"****bird",or "taliban")
Chit---a small piece of paper,or recruit money.
Chow---Food
Chow down---to eat
Click--one notch of a rifle sight,or one kilometer.
CMC---Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Colors---American flag,also the ceremonies of raising the flag and lowering the flag.
Corpsman---Navy medic who serves with Marines, also called "doc".
Cover---Marine corps hat.
Deck---floor.
Deuce gear---782 gear,equipment carried by Marines.
D.I---Drill Instructor.
Ditty bag---a caring bag for misc.items,also called a war bag.
Dog and pony show---special drill,or something else if you happen to visit Korea!!
Double time---running.
Fart sack---a fixed sheet that goes on your rack.
Field day---cleanning the barracks.
Float---sea deployment.
FMF---Fleet Marine Force.
FTS---**** the suck,what Marines say when they are mad at the Corps.
Galley---kitchen
Gear---FT.
Grinder---parade deck.
Grunt---Marine Infantryman.
Gung ho---highly motivated(Chinese for pulling together).
Hatch---door.
Head---toilet,or ****ter.
High-and-Tight---standard marine haircut
Hooch--- a 2 man tent
Hump---march,or hike.
MCT---Marine Combat Training.
IG---Inspector General.
Jarhead---a Marine
Leatherneck---Another name for a Marine.
Leave---vacation.
Liberty---Authorized absence up to 96 hours.
M16A2---basic Marine weapon.
M60---belt fed automatic weapon.
Maggies drawers---means you missed the target at the rifle range!!
No load---a Marine that doesn't carry his weight,or a ****up(also see ****bird)
PFT---Physical fitness test
Pogey bait--- candy.
PX---post exchange,a store on base.
Quarters---living space.
Rack---bed(also see "bunk")
Rappel---to descend by rope.
Recon---reconnaissance.
Round---bullet,or shell.
Scuttlebutt---gossip,rumors,almost always bull****!!
Seabag---large canvas bag for hauling you gear.
Secure---to stop,lock up or put away.
Semper Fi--- short for Semper Fidelis,Latin for always faithful,the Marine Corps motto.
****bird---a Marine that does'nt care or is sloppy.(also see "no load")
Sick bay---medical center.
Skivvies---underwear.
Smoking lamp---if it is lit you can smoke,if it is out you cant smoke.
Snap in---Practice firing on the range.
SOP---standard operating procedure.
Sound off---shouting very loud!!
Squad bay---Large room where many marines live.
Squared away---neat,good Marine.
Squid--Navy person(also see "swabbie")
SRB---service record book
Swab--Mop
Swabbie---Navy person.(also see "squid")
T-day---B day.
Taliban--- Islamic extremist *******s,talk big but in fact are pussies!!(see also "cheese dick","no load",or look up coward on the Internet.)
Topside---upstairs.
UA---unauthorized absence.
Unk---unqualified on the rifle range.
Unsat---unsatisfactory.
War belt---cartridge belt used to carry equipment.
The word---confirmed info.

[wrbones]

Marine Corps General Orders for Sentries

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General Order 1

To take charge of this post and all government property in view.


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General Order 2

To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.


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General Order 3

To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.


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General Order 4

To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own. General Order 5 To quit my post only when properly relieved.


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General Order 6

To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.


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General Order 7

To talk to no one except in the line of duty.


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General Order 8

To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.


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General Order 9

To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.


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General Order 10

To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.


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General Order 11

To be especially watchful at night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.


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The Marine Prayer


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Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family.

Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer


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Parris Isalnd rifle range, WWI

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Recruiting duty, WWI

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Marine Corps art .WWI Marine

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WWI Marine Corps helmet

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For those who haven't seen these in awhile.

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Here's another one I like.

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Core values

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Marines train.

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Following the war with the Barbary Pirates in 1805, when Lieutenant Presely N. O'Bannon and his small force of Marines participated in the capture of Derne and hoisted the American flag for the first time over a fortress of the Old World, the Colors of the Corps was inscribed with the words: "To the Shores of Tripoli." After the Marines participated in the capture and occupation of Mexico City and the Castle of Chapultepec, otherwise known as the "Halls of Montezuma," the words on the Colors were changed to read: "From the Shores of Tripoli to the Halls of Montezuma." Following the close of the Mexican War came the first verse of the Marines' Hymn, written, according to tradition, by a Marine on duty in Mexico. For the sake of euphony, the unknown author transposed the phrases in the motto on the Colors so that the first two lines of the Hymn would read: "From the Halls of Montezuma, to the Shores of Tripoli."

A serious attempt to trace the tune of the Marines' Hymn to its source is revealed in correspondence between Colonel A.S. McLemore, USMC, and Walter F. Smith, second leader of the Marine Band. Colonel McLemore wrote: "Major Richard Wallach, USMC, says that in 1878, when he was in Paris, France, the aria to which the Marines' Hymn is now sung was a very popular one." The name of the opera and a part of the chorus was secured from Major Wallach and forwarded to Mr. Smith, who replied: "Major Wallach is to be congratulated upon a wonderfully accurate musical memory, for the aria of the Marine Hymn is certainly to be found in the opera, 'Genevieve de Brabant'. . .The melody is not in the exact form of the Marine Hymn, but is undoubtedly the aria from which it was taken. I am informed, however, by one of the members of the band, who has a Spanish wife, that the aria was one familiar to her childhood and it may, therefore, be a Spanish folk song."

In a letter to Major Harold F. Wirgman, USMC, dated 21 October 1936, John Philip Sousa says: "The melody of the 'Halls of Montezuma' is taken from Offenbach's comic opera, 'Genveieve de Brabant' and is sung by two gendarmes." Most people believe that the aria of the Marines' Hymn was, in fact, taken from "Genevieve de Brabant," an opera-bouffe (a farcical form of opera, generally termed musical comedy) composed by Jacques Offenbach, and presented at the Theatre de Bouffes Parisians, Paris, on 19 November 1859.

Offenbach was born in Cologne, Germany, 21 June 1819 and died 5 October 1880. He studied music from an early age and in 1838 entered the Paris Conservatoire as a student. In 1834, he was admitted as a violoncellist to the "Opera Comique" and soon attained much popularity with Parisian audiences. He became conductor of the Theatre Francais in 1847 and subsequently leased the Theatre Comte, which he reopened as the Bouffes-Parisians. Most of his operas are classified as comic (light and fanciful) and include numerous popular productions, many of which still hold a high place in European and American countries.

Every campaign the Marines have taken part in gives birth to an unofficial verse. For example, the following from Iceland:

"Again in nineteen forty-one
We sailed a north'ard course
And found beneath the midnight sun,
The Viking and the Norse.
The Iceland girls were slim and fair,
And fair the Iceland scenes,
And the Army found in landing there,
The United States Marines."

Copyright ownership of the Marines' Hymn was vested in the United States Marine Corps per certificate of registration dated 19 August 1891, but it is now in the public domain. In 1929, the Commandant of the Marine Corps authorized the following verses of the Marines' Hymn as the official version:

"From the Halls of Montezuma
to the Shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles
On the land as on the sea.
First to fight for right and freedom,
And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine.

"Our flag's unfurl'd to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job
The United States Marines.

"Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines."

On 21 November 1942, the Commandant of the Marine Corps approved a change in the words of the fourth line, first verse, to read, "In air, on land, and sea." Ex-Gunnery Sergeant H.L. Tallman, veteran observer in Marine Corps Aviation who participated in many combat missions with Marine Corps Aviation over the Western Front in World War I, first proposed the change at a meeting of the First Marine Aviation Force Veterans Association in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Many interesting stories have been associated with the Marines' Hymn. One of the best was published in the Stars and Stripes, the official newspaper of the American Expeditionary Force, under date of 16 August 1918.

"A wounded officer from among the gallant French lancers had just been carried into a Yankee field hospital to have his dressing changed. He was full of compliments and curiosity about the dashing contingent that fought at his regiment's left.

"A lot of them are mounted troops by this time, he explained, for when our men would be shot from their horses, these youngsters would give one running jump and gallop ahead as cavalry. I believe they are soldiers from Montezuma. At least, when they advanced this morning, they were all singing "From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli."

The Marines' Hymn has been sung and played wherever U.S. Marines have landed, and today is recognized as one of the foremost military service songs.

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On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia passed a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces with the fleet. This resolution, established the Continental Marines and marked the birth date of the United States Marine Corps. Serving on land and at sea, these first Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations, including their first amphibious raid into the Bahamas in March 1776, under the command of Captain (later Major) Samuel Nicholas. Nicholas, the first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines, remained the senior Marine officer throughout the American Revolution and is considered to be the first Marine Commandant. The Treaty of Paris in April 1783 brought an end to the Revolutionary War and as the last of the Navy's ships were sold, the Continental Navy and Marines went out of existence.

Following the Revolutionary War and the formal re-establishment of the Marine Corps on 11 July 1798, Marines saw action in the quasi-war with France, landed in Santo Domingo, and took part in many operations against the Barbary pirates along the "Shores of Tripoli". Marines participated in numerous naval operations during the War of 1812, as well as participating in the defense of Washington at Bladensburg, Maryland, and fought alongside Andrew Jackson in the defeat of the British at New Orleans. The decades following the War of 1812 saw the Marines protecting American interests around the world, in the Caribbean, at the Falkland Islands, Sumatra and off the coast of West Africa, and also close to home in the operations against the Seminole Indians in Florida.

During the Mexican War (1846-1848), Marines seized enemy seaports on both the Gulf and Pacific coasts. A battalion of Marines joined General Scott's army at Pueblo and fought all the way to the "Halls of Montezuma," Mexico City. Marines also served ashore and afloat in the Civil War (1861-1865). Although most service was with the Navy, a battalion fought at Bull Run and other units saw action with the blockading squadrons and at Cape Hatteras, New Orleans, Charleston, and Fort Fisher. The last third of the 19th century saw Marines making numerous landings throughout the world, especially in the Orient and in the Caribbean area.

Following the Spanish-American War (1898), in which Marines performed with valor in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, the Corps entered an era of expansion and professional development. It saw active service in the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902), the Boxer Rebellion in China (1900). and in numerous other nations, including Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba, Mexico, and Haiti.

In World War I the Marine Corps distinguished itself on the battlefields of France as the 4th Marine Brigade earned the title of "Devil Dogs" for heroic action during 1918 at Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Michiel, Blanc Mont, and in the final Meuse-Argonne offensive. Marine aviation, which dates from 1912, also played a part in the war effort, as Marine pilots flew day bomber missions over France and Belgium. More than 30,000 Marines had served in France and more than a third were killed or wounded in six months of intense fighting.

During the two decades before World War II, the Marine Corps began to develop in earnest the doctrine, equipment, and organization needed for amphibious warfare. The success of this effort was proven first on Guadalcanal, then on Bougainville, Tarawa, New Britain, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. By the end of the war in 1945, the Marine Corps had grown to include six divisions, five air wings, and supporting troops. Its strength in World War II peaked at 485,113. The war cost the Marines nearly 87,000 dead and wounded and 82 Marines had earned the Medal of Honor.

While Marine units took part in the post-war occupation of Japan and North China, studies were undertaken at Quantico, Virginia, which concentrated on attaining a "vertical envelopment" capability for the Corps through the use of helicopters. Landing at Inchon, Korea in September 1950, Marines proved that the doctrine of amphibious assault was still viable and necessary. After the recapture of Seoul, the Marines advanced to the Chosin Reservoir only to see the Chinese Communists enter the war. After years of offensives, counter-offensives, seemingly endless trench warfare, and occupation duty, the last Marine ground troops were withdrawn in March 1955. More than 25,000 Marines were killed or wounded during the Korean War.

In July 1958, a brigade-size force landed in Lebanon to restore order. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, a large amphibious force was marshaled but not landed. In April 1965, a brigade of Marines landed in the Dominican Republic to protect Americans and evacuate those who wished to leave.

The landing of the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade at Da Nang in 1965 marked the beginning of large-scale Marine involvement in Vietnam. By summer 1968, after the enemy's Tet Offensive, Marine Corps strength in Vietnam rose to a peak of approximately 85,000. The Marine withdrawal began in 1969 as the South Vietnamese began to assume a larger role in the fighting; the last ground forces were out of Vietnam by June 1971. The Vietnam War, longest in the history of the Marine Corps, exacted a high cost as well with over 13,000 Marines killed and more than 88,000 wounded. In the spring of 1975, Marines evacuated embassy staffs, American citizens, and refugees in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. Later, in May 1975, Marines played an integral role in the rescue of the crew of the SS Mayaguez captured off the coast of Cambodia.

The mid-1970s saw the Marine Corps assume an increasingly significant role in defending NATO's northern flank as amphibious units of the 2d Marine Division participated in exercises throughout northern Europe. The Marine Corps also played a key role in the development of the Rapid Deployment Force, a multi-service organization created to insure a flexible, timely military response around the world when needed. The Maritime Prepositioning Ships (MPS) concept was developed to enhance this capability by prestaging equipment needed for combat in the vicinity of the designated area of operations, and reduce response time as Marines travel by air to link up with MPS assets.

The 1980s brought an increasing number of terrorist attacks on U.S. embassies around the world. Marine Security Guards, under the direction of the State Department, continued to serve with distinction in the face of this challenge. In August 1982, Marine units landed at Beirut, Lebanon, as part of the multi-national peace-keeping force. For the next 19 months these units faced the hazards of their mission with courage and professionalism. In October 1983, Marines took part in the highly successful, short-notice intervention in Grenada. As the decade of the 1980s came to a close, Marines were summoned to respond to instability in Central America. Operation Just Cause was launched in Panama in December 1989 to protect American lives and restore the democratic process in that nation.

Less than a year later, in August 1990, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait set in motion events that would lead to the largest movement of Marine Corps forces since World War II. Between August 1990 and January 1991, some 24 infantry battalions, 40 squadrons, and more than 92,000 Marines deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Desert Shield. Operation Desert Storm was launched 16 January 1991, the day the air campaign began. The main attack came overland beginning 24 February when the 1st and 2d Marine Divisions breached the Iraqi defense lines and stormed into occupied Kuwait. By the morning of February 28, 100 hours after the ground war began, almost the entire Iraqi Army in the Kuwaiti theater of operations had been encircled with 4,000 tanks destroyed and 42 divisions destroyed or rendered ineffective.

Overshadowed by the events in the Persian Gulf during 1990-91, were a number of other significant Marine deployments demonstrating the Corps' flexible and rapid response. Included among these were non-combatant evacuation operations in Liberia and Somalia and humanitarian lifesaving operations in Bangladesh, the Philippines, and northern Iraq. In December 1992, Marines landed in Somalia marking the beginning of a two-year humanitarian relief operation in that famine-stricken and strife-torn nation. In another part of the world, Marine Corps aircraft supported Operation Deny Flight in the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. During April 1994, Marines once again demonstrated their ability to protect American citizens in remote parts of the world when a Marine task force evacuated U.S. citizens from Rwanda in response to civil unrest in that country. Closer to home, Marines went ashore in September 1994 in Haiti as part of the U.S. force participating in the restoration of democracy in that country. During this same period Marines were actively engaged in providing assistance to the Nation's counter-drug effort, assisting in battling wild fires in the western United States, and aiding in flood and hurricane relief operations.

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Battle Color of the Marine Corps

Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., holds the official Battle Colors of the Marine Corps. A duplicate is maintained in the office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps in the Pentagon. The Battle Colors bear the same fifty streamers authorized for the Marine Corps as a whole. These streamers represent U.S. and foreign unit awards as well as those periods of service, expeditions, and campaigns in which the Marine Corps has participated from the American Revolution to today.

During the Marine Corps' first 150 years, Marines in the field carried a variety of flags. It was not until 18 April 1925 that Marine Corps Order Number 4 designated gold and scarlet as the official colors of the U.S. Marine Corps. These colors, however, were not reflected in the official Marine Corps flag until 18 January 1939 when a new design incorporating the new colors was approved. This design was essentially that of today's Marine Corps standard, and was the result of a two-year study concerning the design of a standard Marine Corps flag, and the units to which such a flag should be issued.

The fifty colored streamers which adorn the Battle Colors represent the history and accomplishments of the Marine Corps. The newest streamer to be added to the Battle Colors is the Kosovo Campaign Streamer, awarded for service in various Kosovo operations beginning in 1999.

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Current Award, Campaige, Service, and Expeditionary Streamer Entitlement, to the Battle Colors of the Marine Corps

1. Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) Streamer with six silver and two bronze stars

2. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) Streamer with one silver oak leaf cluster

3. Joint Meritorious Unit Award

4. Navy Unit Commendation Streamer

5. Valorous Unit Award (Army) Streamer

6. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Navy-Marine Corps) Streamer

7. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) Streamer

8. Revolutionary War Streamer

9. Quasi-War with France Streamer

10. Barbary Wars Streamer

11. War of 1812 Streamer

12. African Slave Trade Streamer

13. Operations Against West Indian Pirates Streamer

14. Indian Wars Streamer

15. Mexican War Streamer

16. Civil War Streamer

17. Marine Corps Expeditionary Streamer with twelve silver stars, three bronze stars and one silver "W"

18. Spanish Campaign Streamer

19. Philippine Campaign Streamer

20. China Relief Expedition Streamer

21. Cuban Pacification Streamer

22. Nicaraguan Campaign Streamer

23. Mexican Service Streamer

24. Haitian Campaign Streamer with one bronze star

25. Dominican Campaign Streamer

26. World War I Victory Streamer with one silver and one bronze star, one Maltese Cross, and Siberia and West Indies Clasps

27. Army of Occupation of Germany Streamer

28. Second Nicaraguan Campaign Streamer

29. Yangtze Service Streamer

30. China Service Streamer with one bronze star

31. American Defense Service Streamer with one bronze star

32. American Campaign Streamer

33. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Streamer with one silver and four bronze stars

34. Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with eight silver and two bronze stars

35. World War II Victory Streamer

36. Navy Occupation Service Streamer with Europe and Asia Clasps

37. National Defense Service Streamer with two bronze stars

38. Korean Service Streamer with two silver stars

39. Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer with five silver and one bronze star

40. Vietnam Service Streamer with three silver and two bronze stars

41. Southwest Asia Service Streamer with three bronze stars

42. Kosovo Campaign Streamer with two bronze stars

43. Philippine Defense Streamer with one bronze star

44. Philippine Liberation Streamer with two bronze stars

45. Philippine Independence Streamer

46. French Croix De Guerre Streamer with two palms and one gilt star

47. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with two bronze stars

48. Korean Presidential Unit Citation Streamer

49. Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation of the Gallantry Cross with Palm

50. Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer with Palm

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History of the Marine Corps Flag

Very little information is available regarding the flags carried by early American Marines, although indications are that the Grand Union flag was carried ashore by the battalion led by Captain Samuel Nicholas on New Providence Island, 3 March 1776. It is quite possible that the Rattlesnake flag was also carried on this expedition.

The standard carried by the Marines during the 1830s and 1840s consisted of a white field with gold fringe, and bore an elaborate design of an anchor and eagle in the center. Prior to the Mexican War, this flag bore the legend "To the Shores of Tripoli" across the top. Shortly after the war, the legend was revised to read: "From Tripoli to the Halls of the Montezumas."

During the Mexican and Civil Wars, Marines in the field apparently carried a flag similar to the national flag, comprised of red and white stripes and a union. The union, however, contained an eagle perched on a shield of the United States and a half-wreath beneath the shield, with 29 stars encircling the entire design. Beginning in 1876, Marines carried the national colors (the Stars and Stripes) with "U.S. Marine Corps" embroidered in yellow on the middle red stripe.

At the time of the Vera Cruz landing in 1914, a more distinctive standard was carried by Marines. The design consisted of a blue field with a laurel wreath encircling the Marine Corps emblem in the center. A scarlet ribbon above the emblem carried the words "U.S. Marine Corps," while another scarlet ribbon below the emblem carried the motto "Semper Fidelis."

Orders were issued on 2 April 1921 which directed all national colors be manufactured without the yellow fringe and without the words "U.S. Marine Corps" embroidered on the red stripe. This was followed by an order dated 14 March 1922, retiring from use all national colors still in use with yellow fringe or wording on the flag. Following World War I, the Army practice of attaching silver bands carrying inscriptions enumerating specific decorations and battles was adopted. This practice was discontinued on 23 January 1961.

Marine Corps Order No. 4 of 18 April 1925 designated gold and scarlet as the official colors of the U.S. Marine Corps. These colors, however, were not reflected in the official Marine Corps standard until 18 January 1939, when a new design incorporating the new colors was approved. The design was essentially that of today's Marine Corps standard.

For a brief time following World War I, the inscribing of battle honors directly on the colors of a unit was in practice, but realization that a multiplicity of honors and the limited space on the colors made the system impractical, and the procedure was discontinued. On 29 July 1936, a Marine Corps Board recommended that the Army system of attaching streamers to the staff of the organizational colors be adopted. Such a system was finally authorized by Marine Corps Order No. 157, dated 3 November 1939, and is currently in practice.

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Military Salutes

A unique aspect of military courtesy is the salute. It is a gesture of respect and sign of comradeship among military service personnel. Accordingly, the salute is a uniform gesture; meaning that the highest man in rank returns the salute in the same form in which it is rendered to him. By saluting first, no officer implies that he is in any sense inferior to the senior whom he salutes.

The origins of saluting, like so many military customs and traditions, is shrouded in the past, but there are several possibilities concerning its beginnings. In the medieval days of chivalry, mounted knights in mail raised their visors to friends for the purpose of identification. Because of strict adherence to rank, the junior was required to make the first gesture.

Another possibility concerning the origins of saluting comes from an age when assassinations by dagger were not uncommon. It became the custom in such times for potential adversaries to approach each other with raised hand, palm to the front, showing that there was no concealed weapon.

It seems reasonable to assume, however, that the hand salute as now rendered in the military, evolved to some degree from the British navy. There is general agreement among scholars that the hand salute is actually the first part of "uncovering" in front of a senior. That practice gradually evolved over time into merely touching the cap, and became the present salute.

There are several types of military salutes - the hand salute, the rifle salute at order arms, a rifle salute at right shoulder, and still another rifle salute at present arms. "Eyes Right" is another type of military salute which is rendered by troops in rank when passing in review.

A unique type of salute is the respect that is rendered over a grave by a military honor guard. Originally, three rifle volleys were fired into the air over the grave of a fallen soldier. This custom may well have originated in a perceived need to scare away evil spirits "escaping" from the dead. As in ancient times, it was believed that the hearts of the recently deceased were ajar at such times, allowing the devil to enter! Today, the homage and respect displayed at military funerals is a visible final tribute to those individuals who have served their country.

The various forms of military hand and gun salutes are administered by an individual or group as a sign of respect. Originating in customs, traditions, and even superstitions from our distant past, the salute has evolved from ancient times to become an important part of military etiquette.

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We have our own language.



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Joint Publication 3-02
Joint Doctrine for Amphibious
Operations



Background:

Purpose. To provide an overview on the recently signed joint publication 3-02, Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations, dated 19 September 2001.

Key Points

The command authority options available to the establishing authority for an amphibious or MPF operation are as listed in the JP 0-2, Unified Action Armed Forces (UNAAF) as relationships of support, tactical control (TACON), and operational control (OPCON). Normally, a support relationship will be established between Navy and Marine forces.

CATF and CLF are no longer titles, but are descriptive doctrinal terms. The terms do not imply a command relationship and are used in doctrine solely to clarify the duties and responsibilities of these commanders.


Amphibious Force (AF): An Amphibious Task Force and a Landing Force together with supporting forces that are trained, organized, and equipped for amphibious operations.


Amphibious Task Force (ATF): A Navy task organization formed to conduct amphibious operations. Together with a Landing Force and supporting forces comprise the Amphibious Force.


Landing Force (LF): A Marine Corps or Army task organization formed to conduct amphibious operations. Together with the ATF and supporting forces comprise the Amphibious Force.


The MAGTF/Landing Force commander is the supported commander when he is responsible for the preponderance of the amphibious/MPF mission. The conditions for the shift of supported and supporting relationships between the Navy and Landing Force commanders are recommended by these two commanders to the establishing authority for approval. Normally, this shift is an event driven circumstance. The establishing authority resolves any differences between these two commanders.


Initiating an Amphibious Operation. An order issued by the commander with establishing authority to the amphibious force commanders. The order initiating the amphibious operation may come in the form of a warning order, an alert order, a planning order, or an operation order (OPORD). If a support relationship is established among designated commanders of the AF, an establishing directive may be used to specify the purpose of the support, the desired effect, and the scope of action to be taken. The establishing directive is used in addition to the order initiating the amphibious operation.


The amphibious planning process consists of the same steps as used in the six step Marine Corps planning process.


PERMA now replaces the traditional A for assault with A for action. The amphibious operation may be something other than an assault (e.g., NEO, or Humanitarian assistance).


Types of amphibious operations include assaults, withdrawals, demonstrations, raids, and other operations in a permissive, uncertain, or hostile environment.


The operational areas that may be assigned to an amphibious force are an amphibious objective area (AOA) or an area of operation (AO). Normally, a high density airspace control zone (HIDACZ) is used in conjunction with an AO. The HIDACZ has defined dimensions that usually coincide with geographical features or navigational aids. Access to a HIDACZ is normally controlled by the maneuver commander.


JP 3-02 was signed 19 September 2001. Refer to the information paper for a summary of significant changes in amphibious doctrine as a result of the new JP publication below.




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We have our own mechanics

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We have college educated enlisted personnel

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NCO's get to carry swords!

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We train, making sure the parachute will open!

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We train some more, ensuring that we WILL hit the target

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We have our own aiforce...and junior enlisted men have hands on responsiblity for the safety and operation of every peice of it.

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And we always remember....

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www.marines.com Ya gotta go take a look.

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CDTS/Universal Need Statement/MCLLS
Office of the Commanding General
Commanding General
Deputy Commanding General
MCCDC Chief of Staff
MCCDC Sergeant Major
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Training & Education Command
Marine Corps University
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MC Strategy 21
Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare






Mission : The mission of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command is to Develop Marine Corps warfighting concepts and to determine associated required capabilities in the areas of doctrine, organization, training and education, equipment, and support facilities to enable the Marine Corps to field combat-ready forces; and to participate in and support other major processes of the Combat Development System.

Maps and Directions to Marine Corps Combat Development Command

Commanding General's Statement on Equal Employment Opportunity/Equal Opportunity


Marine Corps Combat Development Command Outlook Web Access






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Their logo

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USMC

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Just because I'm a Winger

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CH-53E's incoming.

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one....

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or two for the fixed wing side of the house.

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We never forget.


Background Information on the Disabled American Veterans

Treaties are signed and the battles of nations end, but the personal battles of those disabled in war only begin when the guns fall silent. These men and women must struggle to regain health, reshape lives shattered by disability, learn new trades or professions, and rejoin the civilian world. At each step, they need help to help themselves. For three quarters of a century now, that aid has come from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a nonprofit organization of more than one million veterans disabled during time of war or armed conflict.

Formed in 1920 and chartered by Congress in 1932, the million-member DAV is the official voice of America's service-connected disabled veterans -- a strong, insistent voice that represents all of America's 2.1 million disabled veterans, their families and survivors. Its nationwide network of services -- free of charge to all veterans and members of their families -- is totally supported by membership dues and contributions from the American public. Not a government agency, the DAV's national organization receives no government funds.



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[wrbones]

Military / Patriotic.
The American Creed
"I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a Republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principls of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my Country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it againest all enemies."

by William Tyler Page


Historical Notes: The American's Creed was a result of a nationwide contest for writing a National Creed, which would be a brief summary of the American political faith founded upon things fundamental in American history and tradition. The contest was the idea of Henry Sterling Chapin, Commissioner of Education of New York State. Over three thousand entries were received, and William Tyler Page was declared to be the winner. James H. Preston, the mayor of Baltimore, presented an award to Page in the House of Representatives Office Building on April 3, 1918. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the commissioner of education of the state of New York accepted the Creed for the United States, and the proceedings relating to the award were printed in the Congressional Record of April 13, 1918. It was a time when patriotic sentiments were very much in vogue. The United States had been a participant in World War I only a little over a year at the time the Creed was adopted.

The author of the American's Creed, William Tyler Page, was a descendant of John Page, who had come to America in1650 and had settled in Williamsburg, Virginia. Another ancestor, Carter Braxton , had signed the Declaration of Independence.
Still another ancestor, John Tyler, was the tenth president of the United States. William Tyler Page had come to Washington at the age of thirteen to serve as a Capitol Page. Later he became an employee of the Capitol building and served in that capacity for almost sixty-one years. In 1919 he was elected clerk of the House. Thirteen years later, when the Democrats again became a majority party, they created for Page the office of minority clerk of the House of Representatives. He held this position for the remainder of his life.

Referring to the Creed, Page said: "It is the summary of the fundamental principles of the American political faith as set forth in its greatest documents, its worthiest traditions, and its greatest leaders." His wording of the Creed used passages and phrases from the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and Daniel Webster's reply to Robert Y. Hayne in the Senate in 1830.

[wrbones]

more Marine art...

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from tthe same artist

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again.

[wrbones]

( slightly re-arranged)



Murphy's Laws Of Combat Operations -Friendly fire - isn't.

Recoilless rifles - aren't.

Suppressive fires - won't.

You are not Superman; Marines and fighter pilots take note.

A sucking chest wound is Nature's way of telling you to slow down.

If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid.

Try to look unimportant; the enemy may be low on ammo and not want to waste a bullet on you.

If at first you don't succeed, call in an airstrike.

If you are forward of your position, your artillery will fall short.

Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than yourself.

Never go to bed with anyone crazier than yourself.

Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.

If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.

The enemy diversion you're ignoring is their main attack.

The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions: when they're ready. & when you're not.

No PLAN ever survives initial contact.

There is no such thing as a perfect plan.

Five second fuzes always burn three seconds.

There is no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole.

A retreating enemy is probably just falling back and regrouping.

The important things are always simple; the simple are always hard.

The easy way is always mined.

Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy other people to shoot at.

Don't look conspicuous; it draws fire. For this reason, it is not at all uncommon for aircraft carriers to be known as bomb magnets.

Never draw fire; it irritates everyone around you.

If you are short of everything but the enemy, you are in the combat zone.

When you have secured the area, make sure the enemy knows it too.

Incoming fire has the right of way.

No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection.

No inspection ready unit has ever passed combat.

If the enemy is within range, so are you.

The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is incoming friendly fire.

Things which must be shipped together as a set, aren't.

Things that must work together, can't be carried to the field that way.

Radios will fail as soon as you need fire support.

Radar tends to fail at night and in bad weather, and especially during both.

Anything you do can get you killed, including nothing.

Make it too tough for the enemy to get in, and you won't be able to get out.

Tracers work both ways.

If you take more than your fair share of objectives, you will get more than your fair share of objectives to take.

When both sides are convinced they're about to lose, they're both right.

Professional soldiers are predictable; the world is full of dangerous amateurs.

Military Intelligence is a contradiction.

Fortify your front; you'll get your rear shot up.

Weather ain't neutral.

If you can't remember, the Claymore is pointed towards you.

Air defense motto: shoot 'em down; sort 'em out on the ground.

'Flies high, it dies; low and slow, it'll go.

Napalm is an area support weapon.

Mines are equal opportunity weapons.

B-52s are the ultimate close support weapon.

Sniper's motto: reach out and touch someone.

Killing for peace is like screwing for virginity.

The one item you need is always in short supply.

Interchangeable parts aren't.

It's not the one with your name on it; it's the one addressed "to whom it may concern" you've got to think about.

When in doubt, empty your magazine.

The side with the simplest uniforms wins.

Combat will occur on the ground between two adjoining maps.

If you can keep your head while those around you are losing theirs, you may have misjudged the situation.


Anything you do can get you shot, including nothing.

Whenever you lose contact with the enemy, look behind you.

The most dangerous thing in the combat zone is an officer with a map.

The quartermaster has only two sizes, too large and too small.

If you really need an officer in a hurry, take a nap.

There is nothing more satisfying than having someone take a shot at you, and miss.

If your sergeant can see you, so can the enemy.

You'll only remember your hand grenades when the sound is too close to use them.

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Well .. It could be worse: It could be raining .. and we could be out in it.

So he said, "Cheer up: it could be worse!" So we cheered up. And it got worse.


The spare batteries for the PRC-whatever your troops have been carrying are either nearly dead or for the wrong radio.

The ping you heard was the antenna snapping off at 6 inches above the flexmount, while a fire mission was being called in on a battalion of hostiles who know your position.

Why is it the CO sticks his head in your radio hooch to see if anything has come down from DIV when you are listening to the VOA broadcasting the baseball games?

How come you are on one frequency when everyone else is on another?

Why does your 500-watt VRC-26 (real old) not make it across 200 miles while a ham with 50 watts on the same MARS frequency can be heard from Stateside?

Know why short RTOs have long whips on their radios? So someone can find them when they step in deep water.

The enemy "Alway's" times his attack, to the second you drop your pant's in the Latrine!!

The ammo you need "NOW"!! is on the "Next" airdrop!!









There is no such thing as a cloudy sky when your unit needs to infiltrate enemy territory.

Road conditions are always red when it's time to convoy home.

Motor pools are always