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“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.” -President Ronald Reagan
November 10, 1775
The Marine Corps Birthday is formally commemorated
every year on the 10th of November with
tradition laden celebrations all over the world.
Thought to have first been held in 1925 in Philadelphia,
the Birthday Ball includes many customs
specific to the Marine Corps. One of the most notable
being the Birthday cake ceremony where the
first piece of cake is presented to the oldest Marine
present who then presents the second piece
of cake to the youngest Marine present.
The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is a formal celebration
with all those in attendance dressed in full
dress uniform and guests in equivalent civilian
dress attire.
Do You Speak Marine?
The proud symbol of the United States Marine Corps,
the Eagle, Globe and Anchor is always earned and never
given. Taking on it’s present form in 1868, the emblem
has remained almost entirely the same for over 140
years.
“Blood Stripe”
According to popular Marine
Corps lore, the scarlet stripe on
the dress blue trousers commemorates
the blood shed by
Marines during the Battle of
Chapultepec in 1846. This scarlet
stripe is 2 inches wide for
general officers, 1.5 inches for
other officers, and 1.12 inches
for enlisted Staff Noncommissioned
Officers and Noncommissioned
Officers. Marines
earn the right to wear the
“blood stripe” once they attain
the rank of Corporal.
leatherneck: A nickname for Marines that goes back to the leather stock or neck piece that was part of a Marines
uniform from 1775 to 1875 designed to protect the jugular vein from saber slashes.
oorah!: The battle cry of the Marine Corps, it’s thought to have originated from the dive horn sound “AARUGAH”
of a WWII-era diesel submarine which was incorporated into the cadence of Marines serving aboard the vessel.
first to fight: Marines have been in the forefront of every American war since the founding of the Corps.
They have served everywhere and their record for readiness reflects pride, responsibility and challenge.
devil dog: According to legend, the Marines earned the nickname during the battle of Belleau Wood in 1918
where the 4th Marine Brigade’s ferocious fighting struck terror in the hearts of the German troops who described
them as “Teufelshunde” (commonly written as “Teufel Hunden”) or “Devil Dog”.
The Eagle, Globe and Anchor
Marine Corps Hymn
“From the Hall of Montezuma
to the Shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country’s battles
THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
The eagle represents the nation itself, the globe (showing
the Western Hemisphere) signifies worldwide service,
and the fouled anchor emphasizes sea service and
the Marine Corps’ close ties with the U.S. Navy.
The emblem represents what the Marine Corps stands
for; the past, present and future. In it’s beak, the eagle
carries a banner emblazoned with the words which every
Marine lives by, “Semper Fidelis” or “Always Faithful”.
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!”
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