Marines
have a cynical approach to war, they believe in three things: liberty,
payday and that when two Marines are together in a fight, one is being
wasted. Being a minority group militarily, they are proud and sensitive
in their dealings with other military organizations. A Marine's concept
of a perfect battle is to have other Marines on the right and left
flanks, Marine aircraft overhead and Marine artillery and naval gunfire
backing them up.
Ernie
Pyle
Code of Conduct
ARTICLE I:
I am an American,
fighting in the forces which guard my country and our
way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their
defense.
ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of
my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender
the members of my command while they still have the
means to resist.
ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will
continue to resist by all means available. I will make
every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I
will accept neither parole nor special favors from the
enemy.
ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of
war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will
give no information nor take part in any action which
might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will
take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those
appointed over me and will back them in every way.
ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I
become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name,
rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade
answering further questions to the utmost of my ability.
I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my
country or its allies or harmful to their cause.
ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that
I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for
my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made
my country free
I will trust in my God
and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Oath of
a U.S. Marine (Enlisted)
I (state
your name) do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend
the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and
domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and
that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and
the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the
regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God
Oath of
a U.S. Marine (Officer)
I (state
your name) do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend
the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and
domestic; That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I
take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose
of evasion; that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the
office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
USMC CADENCE -- YOUR CORPS
PARRIS
ISLAND
SAN DIEGO
THE
YELLOW FOOT PRINTS OF BOOT CAMP
The Marine
Corps War Memorial stands as a symbol of this grateful Nation's esteem for
the honored dead of the U.S. Marine Corps. While the statue depicts one of
the most famous incidents of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to
all Marines who have given their lives in the defense of the United States
since 1775.
The small island of Iwo
Jima lies 660 miles south of Tokyo. One of its outstanding geographical
features is Mount Suribachi, an extinct volcano that forms the narrow
southern tip of the island and rises 550 feet to dominate the area. By
February 1945, U.S. troops had recaptured most of the territory taken by
the Japanese in 1941 and 1942; still uncaptured was Iwo Jima, which became
a primary objective in American plans to bring the Pacific campaign to a
successful conclusion.
On the morning of February
19, 1945, the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions invaded Iwo Jima after a
somewhat ineffective bombardment lasting 72 hours. The 28th Regiment, 5th
Division, was ordered to capture Mount Suribachi. They reached the base of
the mountain on the afternoon of February 21, and by nightfall the next
day had almost completely surrounded it. On the morning of February 23,
Marines of Company E, 2nd Battalion, started the tortuous climb up the
rough terrain to the top. At about 10:30 a.m., men all over the island
were thrilled by the sight of a small American flag flying from atop Mount
Suribachi. That afternoon, when the slopes were clear of enemy resistance,
a second, larger flag was raised by five Marines and a Navy hospital
corpsman: Sgt. Michael Strank, Cpl. Harlon H. Block, Pfc. Franklin R.
Sousley, Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon, Pfc. Ira Hayes, and PhM. 2/c John H.
Bradley, USN.
News-photographer Joe
Rosenthal caught the afternoon flag raising in an inspiring Pulitzer Prize
winning photograph. When the picture was later released, sculptor Felix W.
de Weldon, then on duty with the U.S. Navy, was so moved by the scene that
he constructed a scale model and then a life-size model of it. Gagnon,
Hayes, and Bradley, the three survivors of the flag raising (the others
having been killed in later phases of the Iwo Jima battle), posed for the
sculptor who modeled their faces in clay. All available pictures and
physical statistics of the three who had given their lives were collected
and then used in the modeling of their faces.
Once the statue was
completed in plaster, it was carefully disassembled and trucked to
Brooklyn, N.Y., for casting in bronze. The casting process, which required
the work of experienced artisans, took nearly 3 years. After the parts had
been cast, cleaned, finished, and chased, they were reassembled into
approximately a dozen pieces--the largest weighing more than 20 tons--and
brought back to Washington, D.C., by a three truck convoy. Here they were
bolted and welded together, and the statue was treated with preservatives.
Erection of the memorial,
which was designed by Horace W. Peaslee, was begun in September 1954. It
was officially dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on November 10,
1954, the 179th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Memorial Statistics:
The 32-foot-high figures
are shown erecting a 60-foot bronze flagpole from which a cloth flag flies
24 hours a day in accordance with Presidential proclamation of June 12,
1961. They occupy the same positions as in Rosenthal's historic
photograph. Hayes is the figure farthest from the flag staff; Sousley to
the right front of Hayes; Strank on Sousley's left; Bradley in front of
Sousley; Gagnon in front of Strank; and Block closest to the bottom of the
flagstaff. The figures, placed on a rock slope, rise about 6 feet from a
10-foot base, making the memorial 78 feet high overall. The M-l rifle and
the carbine carried by two of the figures are 16 and 12 feet long,
respectively. The canteen would hold 32 quarts of water.
The base of the memorial is
made of rough Swedish granite. Burnished in gold on the granite are the
names and dates of every principal Marine Corps engagement since the
founding of the Corps, as well as the inscription: "In honor and in
memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their
lives to their country since November 10, 1775." Also inscribed on
the base is the tribute of Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz to the fighting
men on Iwo Jima: "Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue."
The entire cost of the
statue and developing the memorial site was $850,000--all donated by U.S.
Marines, former Marines, Marine Corps Reservists, friends of the Marine
Corps, and members of the Naval Service. No public funds were
used for this memorial.
10 NOVEMBER 1775
Ask
any Marine.Just
ask.He will tell you that the Marine Corps was born in Tun
Tavern on 10November 1775.But, beyond that the Marine's recollection for detail
will probably get fuzzy.So, here is the straight scoop:
In
the year 1685, Samuel Carpenter built a huge "brew
house" in Philadelphia.He located this tavern on the waterfront at the
corner of Water Street and Tun Alley.The old English word tun means a cask, barrel, or keg of
beer.So, with
his new beer tavern on Tun Alley, Carpenter elected to
christen the new waterfront brewery with a logical name, Tun
Tavern.
Tun
Tavern quickly gained a reputation for serving fine beer.Beginning 47 years later in 1732, the first meetings
of the St. John's No. 1 Lodge of the Grand Lodge of the
Masonic Temple were held in the tavern.An American of note, Benjamin Franklin, was its third
Grand Master.Even today the Masonic Temple of Philadelphia recognizes
Tun Tavern as the birthplace of Masonic teachings in
America.
Roughly
ten years later in the early 1740s, the new proprietor
expanded Tun Tavern and gave the addition a new name,
"Peggy Mullan's Red Hot Beef Steak Club at Tun
Tavern."The
new restaurant became a smashing commercial success and was
patronized by notable Americans.In 1747 the St. Andrews Society, a charitable group
dedicated to assisting poor immigrants from Scotland, was
founded in the tavern.
Nine
years later, then Col. Benjamin Franklin organized the
Pennsylvania Militia.He
used Tun Tavern as a gathering place to recruit a regiment
of soldiers to go into battle against the Indian uprisings
that were plaguing the American colonies.George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the
Continental Congress later met in Tun Tavern as the American
colonies prepared for independence from the English Crown.
On
10 November 1775, the Continental Congress
commissioned Samuel Nicholas to raise two Battalions of
Marines.That
very day, Nicholas set up shop in Tun Tavern.He appointed Robert Mullan, then the proprietor of
the tavern, to the job of chief Marine Recruiter -- serving,
of course, from his place of business at Tun Tavern.Prospective recruits flocked to the tavern, lured by
(1) cold beer and (2) the opportunity to serve in the new
Corps of Marines.So,
yes, the U.S. Marine Corps was indeed born in Tun Tavern.Needless to say, both the Marine Corps and the tavern
thrived during this new relationship.
Tun
Tavern still lives today.And, Tun Tavern beer is still readily available
throughout the Philadelphia area.Further, through magazines it is advertised to
Marines throughout the world.
USMC CADENCE -- GIVE ME THAT OLD MARINE CORPS
SPIRIT
THE
TITLE
IT CAN NOT BE
INHERITED
NOR CAN IT
EVER BE PURCHASED
YOU AND NO ONE
ALIVE
CAN BUY IT FOR
ANY PRICE
IT IS
IMPOSSIBLE TO RENT
AND IT CAN NOT
BE LENT
YOU ALONE AND
OUR OWN
HAVE EARNED IT
WITH YOUR
SWEAT, BLOOD AND LIVES
YOU OWN IT
FOREVER
THE TITLE:
UNITED
STATES MARINES
ONCE A MARINE
TRADITION
Blue as a
color for Marine Corps uniforms dates from the activation of the United
States Marine Corps in 1798. The uniforms first provided were War
Department surplus, presumably from disbanded rifle battalions of the
United States Army's Legion. Except for a brief return to green in the
1830s, blue continued as the color for Marine service uniforms until 1912
and for dress uniforms to the present. The dress uniform has remained
unchanged except for minor details since 1912 and has its antecedents in
the undress enlisted coat of 1859. The uniforms of 1798 were piped or
trimmed in red, and red trim has continued to this day in the red trouser
stripes on Marine officers' dress blue uniforms. Sky blue trousers have
been worn since 1840
Enlisted Marines have
worn red-trimmed blue uniforms since 1798 when the United
States Marine Corps was activated to serve in the new "Frigate
Navy." Their blue uniforms were worn for all military duties, except
fatigues, and generally followed the pattern worn by officers. Prior to
the adoption of forest-green service uniforms in 1912, the only exception
was in the 1834-1840 period in which the green color of Revolutionary War
Continental Marines' uniforms was temporarily revived. From the 1850s to
1912, all enlisted Marines' winter dress, undress, and fatigue uniforms
were blue. Since 1912 the blue uniform has been reserved for dress except
for ships' detachments, embassy guards, and other high visibility duties.
The enlisted blue coat remained virtually unchanged, except for quality of
cloth, until 1949 when breast and shirt pockets were added. This uniform,
with minor changes, is still worn today.
USMC RUNNING CADENCE
HONOR - COURAGE -
COMMITMENT
Once he has earned
the title and entered the Brotherhood of Marines, a new warrior must
draw upon the legacy of his Corps.Therein
lies his strength.In return,
the strength of the Corps lies in the individual Marine.The character
(often defined as "what you are in the dark") of these warriors
is defined by the three constant Corps Values: honor, courage, and
commitment.
Honor:Honor requires each Marine to exemplify the ultimate standard
in ethical and moral conduct.Honor is many things; honor requires many things.A U.S. Marine must never lie, never cheat, never steal, but
that is not enough.Much
more is required.Each
Marine must cling to an uncompromising code of personal integrity,
accountable for his actions and holding others accountable for
theirs.And, above all,
honor mandates that a Marine never sully the reputation of his
Corps.
Courage:Simply
stated, courage is honor in action -- and more.Courage is moral strength, the will to heed the inner voice
of conscience, the will to do what is right regardless of the
conduct of others.It
is mental discipline, an adherence to a higher standard.Courage means willingness to take a stand for what is right
in spite of adverse consequences.This courage, throughout the history of the Corps, has
sustained Marines during the chaos, perils, and hardships of combat.And each day, it enables each Marine to look in the mirror --
and smile.
Commitment:Total dedication to Corps and Country.Gung-ho Marine teamwork.All for one, one for all.By whatever name or cliché, commitment is a combination of
(1) selfless determination and (2) a relentless dedication to
excellence.Marines
never give up, never give in, and never willingly accept second
best.Excellence is
always the goal.And,
when their active duty days are over, Marines remain reserve
Marines, retired Marines, or Marine veterans.There is no such thing as an ex-Marine or former-Marine.Once a Marine, always a Marine.Commitment never dies.
The three
Corps Values: honor, courage, and commitment.They make up the bedrock of the character of each individual
Marine.They are the
foundation of his Corps.These
three values, handed down from generation to generation, have made U.S.
Marines the Warrior Elite.The
U.S. Marine Corps: the most respected and revered fighting force on earth.
USMC MOTTO
The
Marine Corps adopted Semper Fidelis as its official motto in 1883 (Semper
Fidelis is also the title of the official musical March of the Marine
Corps). Translated from Latin, Semper Fidelis means "Always
Faithful." U.S. Marines use an abbreviated verbal version, "Semper
Fi," to voice loyalty and commitment to their Marine
comrades-in-arms. Previous mottos of the Marine Corps were:
(1) To the Shores of Tripoli, adopted in 1805.
(2) Fortitudine or fortitude adopted in 1812.
(3) From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli, adopted in 1848.
(4) By Sea and by Land, adopted in the 1850's.
EAGLE - GLOBE -
ANCHOR
The history of the Marine Corps emblem
is a story related to the history of the Corps itself. The emblem of today
traces its roots to the designs and ornaments of early Continental Marines
as well as British Royal Marines. The emblem took its present form in
1868. Before that time many devices, ornaments, and distinguishing marks
followed one another as official marks of the Corps.
In 1776, the device consisted of a "foul anchor" of silver or
pewter. The foul anchor still forms a part of the emblem today. (A foul
anchor is an anchor which has one or more turns of the chain around it).
Changes were made in 1798, 1821, and 1824. In 1834 it was prescribed that
a brass eagle be worn on the hat, the eagle to measure 3 1/2 inches from
wingtip to wingtip.
During the early years numerous distinguishing marks were prescribed,
including "black cockades, "scarlet plumes," and
"yellow bands and tassels." In 1859 the origin of the present
color scheme for the officer's dress uniform ornaments appeared on an
elaborate device of solid white metal and yellow metal. The design
included a United States shield, half wreath, a bugle, and the letter
"M."
In 1868, Brigadier General Commandant Jacob Zeilin appointed a board
"to decide and report upon the various devices of cap ornaments for
the Marine Corps." On 13 November 1868, the board turned in its
report. It was approved by the Commandant four days later, and on 19
November 1868 was signed by the Secretary of the Navy.
The emblem recommended by this board has survived with minor changes to
this day. It consists of a globe (showing the Western Hemisphere)
intersected by a foul anchor, and surmounted by a spread eagle. On the
emblem itself, the device is topped by a ribbon inscribed with the Latin
motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful). The uniform ornaments
omit the motto ribbon.
The general design of the emblem was probably derived from the British
Royal Marines' "Globe and Laurel." The globe on the U.S. Marine
emblem signifies service in any part of the world. The eagle also
indirectly signifies service worldwide, although this may not have been
the intention of the designers in 1868. The eagle they selected for the
Marine emblem is a crested eagle, a type found all over the world. On the
other hand, the eagle pictured on the great seal and the currency of the
United States is the bald eagle, strictly an American variety. The anchor,
whose origin dates back to the founding of the Marine Corps in 1775,
indicates the amphibious nature of Marines' duties.
DEVIL DOGS
Although the United States
Marine Corps has no official mascots, the English bulldog has
become representative of the Corps in the eyes of the public. The
beginning of the bulldog image probably dates from the First World War
when German soldiers are alleged to have referred to American Marines as
"Devil Dogs," comparing them to the fierce, wild mountain dogs
of Bavarian folk lore. The name was adopted by American correspondents,
and newspapers accounts of the Battle of Belleau Wood frequently referred
to the Marines as "Devil Dogs." A Marine recruiting poster of
the time depicts a daschound attired in spiked helmet and Iron Cross,
fleeing, tail between legs, from an English bulldog wearing a helmet with
the insignia of the globe and anchor.
The English bulldog appealed to both the
public and the Marines as representatives of the Corps and the sentiment
has been preserved by the succession of the unofficial mascots at
Quantico, Jiggs I through Jiggs VI. The ancestry of Jiggs I was distinguished.
He was sired by the once-famous Rob Roy, and whelped in Philadelphia on 22
May 1921. His registered name was King Bulwark. Jiggs I was
"enlisted" in the Marine Corps for the "Term of life"
at Quantico, Virginia, on 14 October 1922, and his papers were filled out
and signed by Brigadier General Smedley D. Butler, then Commanding General
of the Marine Barracks at Quantico. His "service record"
describes him as having "Dark brown eyes, White hair, Pink
complexion; height 18 inches, weight 52 pounds, mean circumference 8
inches, expansion 8 inches, vision (shellen) right 20, left 20.
Indeligible or permanent marks upon his person: Two black spots above
right eye; Dark spot on each ear; one black spot alongside left eyes;
screw tail and bowed legs."
Promotion for Jiggs I was rapid. In two and
a half months he was wearing corporal chevrons. He became a sergeant on
New Years Day 1924, and on 17 July of the same year he was promoted to
sergeant major. Although his career was interrupted on several occasions
by courts-martial for breaches of military etiquette and deportment, he
quickly regained his rank and carried on with no evident damage to his
ego. He spent his short, pampered and over-fed life in a glow of publicity
and even shared movie stardom with Lon Chaney in the 1926 Hollywood production
of "Tell It To The Marines."
Jiggs I's death on 9 January 1927 was
mourned throughout the Corps. His white satin-lined coffin was constructed
from the material of his former kennel and he lay in state in a hangar at
Quantico, under banks of flowers from his many friends. He was denied only
the official recognition of a military funeral.
Following Jiggs I's death, former
heavyweight boxing champion James J. (Gene) Tunney, who had served with
the Marines in France, continued the tradition by donating English bulldog
Jiggs II to the Marine at Quantico. At the same time, the Royal Marines of
Great Britain donated an English bulldog named Pagett, who was said to
have been one of the top 20 English bulldogs in Great Britain at the time.
Pagett traveled with the Marine baseball team, but had an early reputation
of disciplinary infractions, such as "Chasing a blonde stenographer
down the hall," and "biting the hand that fed him," before
succumbing to heat exhaustion in 1928.
Since the death of Jiggs I, English
bulldogs have pre-dominated as mascots at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico
and at the Marine Barracks at 8th and I in Washington, DC. However, other
animals have also achieved prominence as Marine mascots, including
"Old Gimlet Eye," the eagle; "Siwash," the duck; and
"Reckless," the little Korean pony.
None, however, was correctly termed
"Official" in the technical sense but all have been an essential
part of Marine "esprit de corps."
USMC TERMS
Leatherneck:
The nickname Leatherneck
has become a universal moniker for a U.S. Marine. The term
originated from the wide and stiff leather neckpiece that was part
of the Marine Corps uniform from 1798 until 1872. This leather
collar, called The Stock,
was roughly four inches high and had two purposes. In combat, it
protected the neck and jugular vein from cutlasses slashes.
On parade, it kept a Marine's head erect. Marines are known for
their marksmanship and the Continental
Marines were originally assigned as sharpshooters aboard the Naval
vessels.The leather Stock was also for the purpose of keeping
the head properly aligned for better sight control when firing the
"Brown Bess" muskets.
The term is so widespread
that it has become the name of the Marine Corps Association monthly
magazine, LEATHERNECK.
Gyrene;
Around 1900, members of the U.S. Navy began using Gyrene
as a jocular derogatory reference to U.S. Marines. Instead of being
insulted, the Marines loved it. The term became common by World War
I and has been extensively used since that time.
Jarhead:
For roughly 50 years, sailors had little luck in their effort to
insult Marines by calling them Gyrenes.
So, during World War II sailors began referring to Marines as Jarheads.
Presumably the high collar on the Marine Dress Blues uniform made a
Marine's head look like it was sticking out of the top of a Mason
jar. Marines were not insulted. Instead, they embraced the new
moniker as a term of utmost respect.
Devil
Dogs:
The German Army coined this term of respect for U.S. Marines during
World War I. In the summer of 1918 the German Army was driving
toward Paris. The French Army was in full retreat. In a desperate
effort to save Paris, the newly arrived U.S. Marines were thrown
into the breach. In June 1918, in bitter fighting lasting for weeks,
Marines repeatedly repulsed the Germans in Belleau Wood. The German
drive toward Paris sputtered, fizzled, and died. Then the Marines
attacked and swept the Germans back out of Belleau Wood. Paris had
been saved. The tide of war had turned. Five months later Germany
would be forced to accept an armistice. The battle tenacity and fury
of the U.S. Marines had stunned the Germans. In their official
reports they called the Marines "teufel hunden," meaning Devil
Dogs, the ferocious mountain dogs of Bavarian folklore.
Soldiers
of the Sea:
A traditional and functional term for Marines, dating back to the
British in the 1600's
USMC SLOGANS
First
to Fight:The media in the United States began using this term to
describe U.S. Marines during World War I.And, for once the media was right.Marines have served in the vanguard of every
American war since the founding of the Corps in 1775.They have carried out over 300 assaults on foreign
shores, from the arctic to the tropics. Historically, U.S.
Marines are indeed the first to fight.
Once
a Marine, Always a Marine:This truism is now the official motto of the Marine
Corps League.The
origin of the statement is credited to a gung-ho Marine
Corps master sergeant, Paul Woyshner.During a barroom argument he shouted, "Once a
Marine, always a Marine!" MSgt. Woyshner
was right.Once
the title "U.S. Marine" has been earned, it is
retained.There
are no ex-Marines or former-Marines.There are (1) active duty Marines, (2) retired
Marines, (3) reserve Marines, and (4) Marine veterans.Nonetheless, once one has earned the title, he
remains a Marine for life.
Gung-Ho:The Chinese used this term to describe Marines in
China around 1900.In
the Chinese language, gung-ho means working together.That's what the "American Marines" were
always doing, "working together," the Chinese,
explained.The
term stuck to Marines like glue.Today it conveys willingness to tackle any task or
total commitment to the Corps.
Good
night, Chesty, wherever you are:This
is an often-used tribute of supreme respect to the late
and legendary LtGen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller,
USMC.Chesty!Without a doubt he was the most outspoken Marine,
the most famous Marine, the Marine who really loved to
fight, the most decorated Marine in the history of the
Corps. Chesty
enlisted as a Private.Through incredible fortitude and tenacity he became
a living legend.He
shouted battle orders in a bellow and stalked battlefields
as though impervious to enemy fire.Chesty rose to the rank of Lieutenant General.He displayed an abiding love for the Magnificent
Grunts, especially the junior enlisted men who did the
majority of the sacrificing and dying, and utter contempt
for all staff pogues of whatever rank.During his four wars, he became the only Marine to
be awarded the Navy Cross five times. The Marines”
Marine. “Good night Chesty wherever your are.”
A
Few Good Men:On 20 March 1779 in Boston, Capt. William Jones,
USMC, advertised for "a few good men" to enlist
in the Corps for naval duty.The term seemed ideally suited for Marines, mainly
because of the implication that "a few" good men
would be enough.This term has survived for over 200 years and has been
synonymous with U.S. Marines ever since.
THE
MARINES' HYMN
THE MARINES' HYMN
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marines.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job --
The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.
MARINES'
PRAYER
Almighty Father, whose
command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy
presence and obedient to Thy will.Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty
in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my
fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect
my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept
my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm.Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily
performance.Keep me
loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and
the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform
with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I
must uphold.
If I am inclined to doubt,
steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I
should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide
me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may
understand the answer to my prayer.
Marine Corps General
Order -- Sentry Duty
General Order 1
To take charge of this post and
all government property in view.
General Order 2
To walk my post in a military
manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything
that takes place within sight or hearing.
General Order 3
To report all violations of
orders I am instructed to enforce.
General Order 4
To repeat all calls from posts
more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
General Order 5
To quit my post only when
properly relieved.
General Order 6
To receive, obey and pass on to
the sentry who relieves me all orders from the commanding
officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned
officers of the guard only.
General Order 7
To talk to no one except in the
line of duty.
General Order 8
To give the alarm in case of fire
or disorder.
General Order 9
To call the corporal of the guard
in any case not covered by instructions.
General Order 10
To salute all officers and all
colors and standards not cased.
General Order 11
To be especially watchful at
night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge all
persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without
proper authority.
