Origins

• Members of the United States Marine Corps are fond of citing the fact that their service predates the founding of the country itself. Following the passage of a resolution by the Second Continental Congress that created the Continental Marines, two Marine battalions were raised November 10, 1775, in Philadelphia. These men were placed under the command of Captain Samuel Nicholas, the first commandant of the Marine Corps. Their mission was to act as the landing force for the Continental Navy.
  
  

Mission

• Although much has changed since the formation of the Continental Marines, one thing that has remained the same has been the Marines' focus on amphibious warfare. This focus and their training enable them to maintain the ability to be readily deployable in the event of a crisis. The Marines' mission on land and sea did, however, change to include air power with the formation of Marine air squadrons in 1912. So great was their contribution to the war effort in World Wars I and II that in 1942 the Marine Hymn was amended to include "in the air, on land, and sea" in its verse. Marines also continue to serve as security aboard U.S. Navy ships and bases.
  
  

Training

• The Marine Corps operates two locations for the training of new recruits; Parris Island, South Carolina, and San Diego, California. Marine boot camp lasts 16 weeks and is divided into multiple phases that emphasize physical education, marksmanship and teamwork. Officers are commissioned most typically by graduating from the United States Naval Academy or completing the 10-week-long Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia.
  
  

Service

• The Marines have served in every engagement from the Revolutionary War up to and including Operation Iraqi Freedom. In World War I, the Marines fought at Belleau Wood with such ferocity that it was where they allegedly earned their nickname "Devil Dogs" from their German enemies. World War II saw several engagements in the Pacific theater and demonstrated their expertise in amphibious operations, as they captured Japanese-held islands, most notably Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Marine units were also the first ground units engaged in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, a testament to their flexibility and ability to deploy rapidly.
  
  

Esprit de Corps

• The Marine Corps is replete with traditions that emphasize the pride Marines have in their service. This begins in recruit training, when it is only near the end of his training that a recruit earns the title of "Marine" and is awarded the Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem. Their pride is encapsulated in their motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful), which symbolizes a Marine's dedication to the country he serves and for those with whom he serves. Their dress uniforms, with the distinctive "blood stripe" on the trousers, is said to signify the blood of those who died in battle. All these things go to create the bond of brotherhood that the Marine Corps is known for.