The US Marine Corps turns 247 today. On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution to create two battalions of marines. Since then, Marines have been “from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli” and many other places.
You probably know that the Marine Corps motto is Semper Fidelis, or Semper Fi for short. It means “always faithful” in Latin. It signifies a Marine’s loyalty to both the US Marine Corps and the United States of America. However, Semper Fi did not become the motto of the Marine Corps until 1883. Marines in the first century had a couple of unofficial mottos. These included “On the shores of Tripoli”, commemorating the marines’ service in the First Barbary War, Fortitudine (meaning “with courage”) and Per Mare, Per Terram (“by sea and land”), which the marines borrowed from the British Royal Marines.
No Marine has ever become president, but several have gone on to become politicians. Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis and former White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly were both generals in the US Marine Corps. U.S. Secretaries of State James A. Baker and George P. Shultz, Senator John Glenn (who first rose to fame as an astronaut) and legendary political consultant James Carville also served in the Navy. Several baseball celebrities are Marine Corps veterans, including Rod Carew, Roberto Clemente, Eddie Collins, Bill Veeck and Ted Williams. Marines who have made it to Hollywood include Adam Driver, Gene Hackman, Harvey Keitel, Lee Marvin, Ed McMahon, Steve McQueen and George C. Scott. Comedians Drew Carey and Rob Riggle were Marines, as was the late great Jonathan Winters. If you’re old enough to remember Captain Kangaroo (Bob Keeshan), he was a Marine. Several famous musicians served in the Marines, including country legend George Jones, hip-hop artist Shaggy and “The March King,” John Philip Sousa. Marines who have moved on in the business world include Tom Bell (Taco Bell), Tom Monaghan (Dominos), Bob Parsons (GoDaddy.com) and Fred Smith (FedEx).
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The Marine Corps is the smallest of the four U.S. armed forces of the U.S. Department of Defense, with more than 174,000 active duty personnel deployed or deployed worldwide. If you look at the size of the Marine Corps, the US Army is more than two and a half times larger at 465,000 soldiers. But compared to most of the world’s militaries, the Marines are giants. Countries with armies smaller than marines are France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Japan.
I asked Col. Alison J. Thompson, a Marine Corps officer who spent a year as a visiting military officer in CFR’s David Rockefeller Study Program, to recommend reading for those interested in learning more about the Marine Corps. Here are Colonel Thompson’s recommendations:
Colonel Thomas J. Gordon, USMC (ret.), Marine Maxims: Turning Leadership Principles into Practice (2021). Colonel Gordon was a visiting soldier at the CFR in 2016-2017. He writes that “Managing is easy. Being a leader is difficult,” the comment sets the tone for the book, in which he shares his successes and also his shortcomings. Marine Maxims uses 50 practical maxims that teach the art of enlightened and conscious leadership. The strength of the book is its simplicity and logic. Readers will find leadership dos and don’ts to facilitate learning and avoid the most common leadership pitfalls. Col. Gordon concludes each chapter with “Stored Rounds – Thoughts and Tips” and “Suggested Reading.” His genuine empathy and humility come through clearly. Although written with a very Marine Corps flavor and culture, the book is universally attractive and applicable.
Kyle Carpenter and Don Yaeger, You’re Worth It: Build a Life Worth Fighting For (2020). This national bestseller is written by and about the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient. General Mattis called it a memoir that “will inspire every reader.” You’re Worth It is the story of how one man willingly risked his life for his brother in arms in Afghanistan—and, equally, the story of how he fought back and created a new life of purpose despite the obstacles that stood in his way. As Carpenter’s Medal of Honor citation states, “This extraordinary leader reflected great credit on himself and honored the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Navy.”
Yellow Thompson also recommended one movie and two visits:
Rules of Engagement (2000). Colonel Terry Childers (Samuel L. Jackson) is a decorated thirty-year-old naval officer with combat experience in Vietnam, Beirut and Operation Desert Storm. However, he is court-martialed because his men kill civilians in Yemen during the evacuation of the embassy. Childers chooses a fellow fighter, Colonel Hays Hodges (Tommy Lee Jones), as his lawyer. The film emphasizes the fog of war and the tactical decisions with potential strategic consequences that military personnel are forced to make. It also highlights the spirit and leadership ethos of the Marine Corps.
National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia. The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a tribute to the United States Marine Corps – past, present and future. Located on 135 acres adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico and managed by the Marine Corps University, the museum’s soaring design evokes the image of the Iwo Jima flag raisers and draws visitors to its 120,000 square foot building. World-class interactive exhibits combine irreplaceable artifacts with innovative technology to immerse visitors in the sights and sounds of Marines. Opened on November 10, 2006, the National Museum of the Marine Corps is now one of Virginia’s top tourist attractions, drawing more than 500,000 people each year.
Evening Parade at Marine Corps Barracks, Washington, D.C. The evening parade, held every Friday night during the summer, has become a universal symbol of the professionalism, discipline and spirituality of the United States Marine Corps. Since its inception, the evening parade has become a unique patriotic tradition of the “Oldest Post in the Corps.” The parade’s heritage is intertwined with former military rituals such as tattooing, retreating and color-dropping ceremonies. The evening parade is only meant to express the dignity and pride that represents more than two centuries of heritage for all Americans. An evening parade that is always D.C. ranked among the top ten things to do makes you proud to be an American.
If you want to know what all Marines must read, the US Marine Corps has posted its reading list online. Marines.com also has a great timeline of Marine Corps history.
A tip of the hat to all the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Marine Corps.
Sinet Adous helped prepare this post.
What is a female Marine called?
But the "women marines" is a lip-smacking phrase. "She-Marines" (TIME, June 21) was also frowned upon. But the formation of some unofficial nicknames was certain. This may interest you : Air Traffic Control can’t handle summer travel, United Airlines says. Last week the Corps had it: BAMs. A leather collar that represents (roughly) wide-axle Marines.
Why is a female Marine called a BAM? Back then we were called Women Marines, WMs or BAMs. We told ourselves that BAM stood for Beautiful American Marine, but we knew better. I was assigned the Personnel Officer 0102 MOS (this is a military occupational specialty).
What is the nickname for female Marines?
From that time until the end of World War I, 305 women were drafted into the Marine Corps. On the same subject : Rethinking How the United States Trains Foreign Soldiers. They were often nicknamed “Marinettes” and assisted in the clerical duties of the Headquarters Marine Corps, so that men who normally worked in administrative duties were sent to France to fight in the war.
What are nicknames for Marines?
| United States Marine Corps | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | “Crushheads”, “Devil Dogs”, “Teufel Hunden”, “Leathernecks” |
| Motto(s) | Semper fidelis (“Always Faithful”) |
| Colors | Scarlet and Gold |
| in March | Play “Semper Fidelis” (help info) |
What is a Marine Bam?
BAM. A derogatory term for a female Marine, said to mean a Marine with a wide butt. Never used much in the presence of female marines for fear of bodily harm. In the 1960s, when it was most commonly used, female Marines were taught that the stars meant “beautiful American Marine.”
Do Marines have 2 birthdays?
The US Marine Corps may celebrate its birthday on November 10, but the actual birthday is in mid-July. It’s a fact most Marines probably don’t know about, but it’s a fact, according to the Department of Marine Corps History, which records the service’s official institutional and operational history.
What birthday year do Marines have?
Why is November 10th the Marine Corps birthday?
On November 10, 1775, the United States Marine Corps was organized under the Continental Congress.
How many birthdays do Marines have?
Marine Corps Birthday is a day for all Marines – once a Marine, always a Marine – to celebrate their shared service, history and heritage. Thursday, November 10, 2022 is the 246th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
