The Noble Brotherhood of the Marine Corps

Although I'm retiring from the Army, I still consider myself a Marine at heart. I only spent eight years in the Corps, but those years had a great influence on me. Marines are a different breed, and if I may be so bold, are better warriors than most.

"Uncommon valor was a common virtue." - Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz said of the Marines

Why? I'll tell you: Discipline, tradition, and esprit de corps. Marines have a proud and significant history of fighting for our nation. The Marine Corps teaches its history to its recruits from the beginning, and requires that every Marine know it. Ask any Army Dog what the birthday of the Army is, and more than likely he'll give you that deer-in-the-headlights look. Ask any Marine what the birthday of the Marine Corps is and he'll tell you.

"The MARINES have landed and have the situation well in hand!" - Richard Harding Davis

Some facts every Marine knows are (now don't disappoint me Marines and not know when asked):

- What is the birthday of the Marine Corps? 10 November, 1775.
- Where is the birthplace of the Marine Corps? Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Who was the first Commandant of the Marine Corps? Samuel Nicholas (28 November 1775 - 25 August 1781)
- Where did Marines earn the nickname "Devil Dogs" ("Teufelhunden")? The Battle of Belleau Wood.
- Why did the Marines earn the nickname "Leatherneck"? From the leather collars they wore to protect them from enemy sabers as they fought aboard naval vessels.
- What is the fifth General Order for Sentries? To quit my post only when properly relieved.

And every Marine knows "Chesty" Puller.

"They're on our right, they're on our left, they're in front of us, they're behind us; they can't get away from us this time." - Chesty Puller, USMC, Chosin Reservoir, Korean War

Chesty kicked some ass. He also said no Marine was a "real Marine" until he had at least one non-judicial punishment under his belt. I wonder where leaders like Chesty are now in this zero-defect world we live in?
















Marine Corps bootcamp gives a Marine the first and most profound edge over his contemporaries in other services. There are no "cokes and smokes" or calling home to "mama" in bootcamp. There aren't any co-ed barracks to distract either the men or women recruits. The USMC relies on the use of close-order drill (marching) to reinforce an immediate response to orders given. The Marine Corps enforces attention to detail in everything they do, from the wear of a highly "squared-away" dress blue uniform to the cleanliness of an individual's weapon. And speaking of weapons, every Marine is trained to be a highly proficient marksman. Just ask Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock (if you don't know him, look him up).

"Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary."
- General A. M. Gray, USMC

Whether Marines are fighting, working, or partying they do it with motivation. Ever hear the saying "cuss like a sailor"? Well you don't want to hang around with a bunch of Jarheads if you are faint of heart. Marines kill and break things in a very thorough manner - as it should be.

"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!" - Eleanor Roosevelt

There are some pretty famous Marines too: Drew Carey, Brian Dennehy, Ronald Lee Ermey, John Glenn, Gene Hackman, George Jones, Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo), Harvey Keitel, Mills Lane, Ed McMahon, Steve McQueen, Burt Reynolds, Montel Williams, Ted Williams, etc. etc.

"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those who have met them in battle. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion." - Unknown

"It's a funny thing, but, as years go by, I think you appreciate more and more what a great thing it was to be a United States Marine... People will tell me what a shame it was I had to go back into the service a second time, but I'm kinda glad I did.. Besides, I am a U.S. Marine and I'll be one till I die." - Ted Williams

My father was a Marine, my brother was a Marine (he's an 18E in Special Forces now), my best friends were all in the Marines with me in the beginning. I meet new friends all the time because we were Marines. So even though some Marines say "fuck the suck" from time to time, they always look back and say "Semper Fi" from time to time in their minds. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

The US Air Force Chief-of-Staff would never be called -- Airman
The Chief-of-Naval Operations would never be called -- Sailor
The Commanding General of The US Army would never be called -- Soldier
BUT the Commandant of the Marine Corps would be proud to be called a --
United States Marine

“Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have made a difference to the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem.” - Ronald Reagan

Can I get an Amen?

Marines Who Made a Difference

In March of 1984, I entered the Marine Corps on active duty at Parris Island, South Carolina. It's hard to believe that 22 years have passed. Damn.

Sitting here today, I'm not sure exactly what made me decide to join the Marine Corps. I just turned 18 and wasn't interested in going to college. I was working at a truck stop on the midnight shift, and didn't see much of a future in making that a career. All I knew is that I wanted to do something, anything except what I was doing. I wanted to do something worthwhile.

My father was a Marine Corps paratrooper, and I heard his USMC stories many times growing up. I remember the way he would get happy talking about his time "in the Service". I loved to look at the old photos of him in uniform; images of him hanging out with his Jarhead buddies who had smiles on all their faces. I think that might be part of the reason I decided to join; that and the fact that he told the recruiter to call me.

My recruiter was awesome. His name was Hobson "Ace" Bethune (his twin brother was a Marine called "Deuce"; and he was the grandson of Mary Mcleod Bethune). Ace was a straight shooter and a great guy. I hear stories from friends who told me their recruiter's screwed them over; but mine never lied to me, and he even loaned me his motorcycle after I graduated bootcamp. SSgt Bethune was another reason I became a Marine. He finally retired a few years ago as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) and now volunteers helping kids in Florida. I owe that man several beers for putting me on the path.

My Drill Instructors in bootcamp were also great guys. My Platoon was squared away; and SSgt Hicks, Sgt Monroe, and SSgt Birch made an effective Drill Instructor team. If those guys are out there reading this now, I want to thank them profusely. Without you, I would not have seen my true potential, or had the opportunity to be as successful as I am today.

To all of those men I owe a great deal of gratitude, and want to say "thank you" from the bottom of my heart. The Marine Corps is a family like no other. To all who those who can claim the title "Marine", I say Semper Fidelis!