United States Marine Corps

 

Their hymn declares that they have fought "from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli," referring to exploits by the United States Marine Corps in the Mexican War and in campaigns against the Barbary pirates of North Africa. During the more than 200 years of their history, United States Marines have seen combat in all parts of the world and have been at the forefront of danger in every war the United States has fought with other nations.

The Marine Corps is a self-contained combat force within the Department of the Navy. The authorized strength of the Corps in the late 20th century is 20 percent of that allowed the Navy. (It was about 198,000 in the mid-1980s.) The Corps is composed of two Fleet Marine Forces, one posted in the Atlantic and the other in the Pacific. The Atlantic force is based at Norfolk, Va., and the Pacific force has its headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In addition to supporting the fleet, Marine detachments serve on large warships. In peacetime they provide garrisons to protect Navy yards and other shore facilities. There is also a United States Marine Band that plays for many presidential events and gives public concerts. Overseas, Marines are stationed at embassies and legations to protect American interests and lives in times of danger. (Several marines were among the hostages held in Iran after the takeover of the United States Embassy at Tehran, Iran, in 1979.)

The Marine Corps is directed by a commandant, a four-star general who reports to the secretary of the Navy. The commandant sits as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The commandant is not part of the command structure of the chief of naval operations, but there is always close cooperation between the two.

Applicants for the Marine Corps must be from 17 to 28 years old (18 to 28 for women). The usual period of enlistment is from two to four years. Recruits living east of the Mississippi River are sent to Parris Island, S.C., for training. Those who live west of the river go to San Diego, Calif. This basic training is followed by a shorter period of advanced schooling in small-unit tactics and weaponry at Camp Lejeune, N.C., or Camp Pendleton, Calif.

An integral part of the Corps is the Marine Corps Reserve, established during World War I. Today's Organized Marine Corps Reserve numbers about 44,000. It includes the 4th Marine Division/4th Marine Aircraft Wing. Reservists train two days per month and for two weeks each summer. By mobilizing the reserve, the Corps can increase its strength by nearly one quarter within weeks.

The United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve was established in 1942. Its members perform many duties in the mainland United States and Hawaii to release men for combat service. Women have been part of the regular Marine Corps since 1948, when Congress passed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act. Woman recruits train at Parris Island, and those seeking to become commissioned officers go to school at Quantico, Va.

There is no separate military academy for Marines as there is for the other service branches. Most individuals who wish to make a career in the Marine Corps attend the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., though it is also possible to attend the Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., or the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo. Officers go for further training to the school at Quantico.

The Marine motto is Semper fidelis, meaning "always faithful." The term leathernecks comes from the black leather collars the Marines used to wear, probably to protect their necks from swords and cutlasses. A combined globe, eagle, and anchor forms the Corps emblem.

Many historic relics and souvenirs of the Corps are housed in the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico. One of its proudest possessions is the United States flag that Marines raised atop Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II. A bronze sculpture commemorating the event stands in Arlington National Cemetery.