The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection. The Marine Corps has been a part of the U.S. Department of the Navy since 30 June 1834. It works closely with naval forces for training, transportation, and logistics. By Congressional mandate, its mission is to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces on land, at sea, and in the air.
The U.S. Marine Corps originates from the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War formed by Captain Samuel Nicholas on November 10, 1775. After the war, the Continental Navy were disbanded in April of 1783. In preparation for the Quasi-War with France, Congress created the United States Marine Corps in 1798.
The Marine Corps is organized into four subdivisions: the Headquarters (HQMC), the Operating Forces, the Supporting Establishment, and the Reserve (USMCR).Marine Corps ranks has three categories: commissioned officer, warrant officer, and enlisted, in decreasing order of authority. Each rank is assigned a pay grade. Because the Marine Corps functions pimarily as an infantry corps, all Marines receive training first and foremost as basic riflemen. This resulted in the saying, “Every Marine a rifleman.”
There are two ways to serve, either as an enlisted Marine or as a Marine officer. Both are guided by the 14 Leadership Traits that help Marines lead with honor both on the battlefield and in the community.
Every year, about 2,000 new Marine officers are commissioned, and 38,000 recruits accepted and trained by the Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Commissioned officers are commissioned through one of following: Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), Officer Candidates School (OCS), or the United States Naval Academy (USNA).
The Marine motto Semper Fidelis, often abbreviated as Semper Fi, meaning always faithful in Latin was adopted in 1883. The Marine Corps emblem is the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (EGA) was adopted in 1868. The Marine Corps seal includes the emblem and establishes scarlet and gold as the official colors. The mascot is the bulldog and its headquarters are in Arlington, Northampton County, Virginia, VA.
As of 2016, the USMC has about 182,000 active duty members and some 38,900 reserve Marines. It is the smallest of the U.S. armed forces within the U.S. Department of Defense.
If you are interested in joining the Marine Corps, click here to check if you meet the requirements.
