Tell Me Again How You Almost Joined My Marine Corps
By Joseph Andrew Lee
Editor'south notation: The author served 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Eleanor Roosevelt is rumored to have once described Marines every bit having "the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the everyman morals of any group of animals" she had ever seen.
Whether or not she actually said that, and whether or not those things are true about Marines is largely debatable, but here are 22 facts most Marines won't debate:
1. Marines have their favorite words – "Outstanding" is by far whatever Marine'southward favorite adjective. Information technology'due south ofttimes used to draw the type of twenty-four hours a Marine is having, but the limits of its usage are tested daily by Marines everywhere looking to add a little motivation into their diction.
2. CHAOS is more than than a theory – Defence Secretary James Mattis' nickname Anarchy is actually an acronym that stands for "Colonel Has An(Another) Outstanding Solution." The tongue-in-cheek nickname was first given to Mattis while he was a colonel at Twentynine Palms, California.
3. Marines don't apply their pockets – Whether in cammies or dress blues, Marines definitely have lots of pockets in their uniforms, but they don't dare use them. Items in their pockets create a bulky, sloppy appearance, then Marines will become to any length to non use their pockets, fifty-fifty to the indicate of carrying things in their socks.
4. Nicknames are kind of a matter – If your proper noun is too long or difficult to pronounce, it's likely that drill instructors will rename you lot "Alphabet." If yous wear spectacles, it'due south likely drill instructors may rename yous "portholes." Luckily, nicknames assigned in boot camp aren't likely to stay with a Marine into the Fleet.
5. The Armada – The FMF (Fleet Marine Strength) is the proper noun Marines give to the "real life" Marine Corps across the "pipeline" that includes Marine Corps Recruit Training and MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) school.
6. Marines don't steal; simply they do learn – Rumor has information technology at that place was once a single thief in the Corps, and ever since and then Marines have occasionally found the need to 'larn' his or her things back. The bike is never-ending.
seven. Marines are tough as nails – In 1959, Marine Lt. Col. William Rankin is the only known person to survive a autumn from the top of a cumulonimbus thunderstorm cloud. He ejected from his plane at 47,000 feet and fell xl minutes through the centre of the storm and survived.
8. If they're not cheating, they're not trying – Mission accomplishment is a Marine's top priority, and nil frustrates a Marine more when arbitrary rules get in the way. Ernest "Boots" Thomas, one of the U.S. Marines who raised the flag on Iwo Jima, enlisted in spite of being color blind past memorizing the results of some other recruit'southward test.
9. It wasn't always, "Always Faithful" – Semper Fidelis was adopted in 1883 as the motto of the Corps. Before that, there had been three mottoes, all traditional rather than official. The original was "Fortitudine" ("With Fortitude").
10. Mmmmm … BLT – The nearly delicious sandwich ever created is also the acronym that describes the Marine Expeditionary Unit of measurement'due south Battalion Landing Team – the Marine infantry unit designed to be sent into combat first and are ofttimes referred to inside the Marine Corps as the very tip of the spear.
eleven. What'southward a Proficient Cookie? – A quick mode to tell if a Marine has been on his or her best behavior is to locate the Good Conduct Medal on their chest. If worn by a Marine officer, the presence of this medal indicates the officer was once an enlisted Marine.
12. Field Day is non fun and games – The term field day in the Marine Corps has a very specific significant – cleaning for inspection. Many civilians hear this term and call up of three-legged races and barbecues. This is non the prototype conjured upwards past Marines.
13. They were built-in over again – After the Revolutionary War, the Marine Corps was disbanded and went dark for fifteen years. When it returned on July 11th, 1798, it celebrated information technology'south birthday on that date until 1921, when Maj. Edwin North McClellan sent Commandant John A. Lejeune a memorandum requesting the original November 10th date exist declared equally a Marine Corps holiday.
14. Stand up, Marine – Marines, whether on active duty, retired or veteran, always stand at attention during the playing of the Marines Hymn.
15. POGs and Grunts – Though every Marine is a trained rifleman, infantry Marines (03XX MOS) lovingly call their not-infantry brothers and sisters POGs (pronounced "pogue,") which is an acronym that stands for Personnel Other than Grunts. POGs call infantrymen Grunts, of course.
sixteen. EGAs EGAs Everywhere! – Marines' uniforms are adorned practically everywhere with the Eagle, Globe and Anchor symbol. It's hidden inside their combat uniform's camo design equally well as being branded on the heels of their combat boots.
17. "It pays to be a winner" – A common expression used to push button Marines and sailors to their maximum potential during Physical Training, the phrase incentivizes the winner of an exercise or a relay race to have a break, complete preparation or remove a piece of gear.
18. Marines love their Poncho Liner – While the Army has given information technology a special proper noun — "woobie" – Marines are no less in dear with this peculiarly critical piece of field gear, especially in cold weather condition.
19. Taco Rice and Cheese – A favorite dish on the island of Okinawa where many Marines get stationed, Marines are particularly critical of how this dish is prepared.
20. Where's my Hooch!? – While Marines may take a reputation with regard to alcohol being built-in in a pub, a Marine looking for his 'hooch' isn't missing his or her flask. A hooch is what Marines call their tent, or their place to sleep while in the field.
21. Shower Shoe – Most of the states have heard the term "boot" applied to someone new in the Corps, just for those Marines who are newer than new and don't even charge per unit the term "boot," the term "shower shoe" (a flip-flop worn in the shower) is lovingly applied.
22. Salty Cammies – Every Marine has at to the lowest degree one pair of cammies that take been washed and worn so many times that the dye begins to fade away and the material softens. These are a Marine'south favorite pair of cammies, both considering they are worn besides as to impress upon the "boots" and "shower shoes," how long he or she has served.
-This story showtime appeared on USO.org in 2014. It has been updated in 2019.
Source: https://www.uso.org/stories/2092-here-are-22-things-only-marines-know-about-the-corps
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