UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
History and Traditions
Marine Corps Birthday
The United State Marine Corps was formed by an act of the Continental Congress on November 10,1775. From that date to present, all Marines,whether there are a few or a few thousand, gather to celebrate the birthday of the corps.
Marine Corps Motto
"Semper Fidelis"(Always Faithful) has been the official motto of the corps since about 1880. In the full meaning of the words, every Marine is "true-always faithfull-to his God,country and Corps."
Marine Corps Emblem
The Marine Corps Emblem consists of the eagle,globe and anchor.The spread eagle represents the nation, while the globe and anchor signify world-wide service and sea traditions. The Marine motto is clenched in break of the eagle. The Marine Emblem was adopted in 1868.
Leatherneck
"Leatherneck"is a long-standing nickname that goes back to the leather stock or neck piece, which was part of the Marine uniform from 1775 to 1875. The leather band around the throat was intended to ensure that Marine kept their head erect. However, according to Marine legend, the band was worn as a sort of neck armor to protect the Marine from fatal sword wounds. Descended from the leather stock is the standing collar, hallmark of the present-day Marine dress blue,white and evening dress uniforms. Like its leather ancenstor, the collar regulates satnce and posture, and thus proclaims the wearer as a modern
"Leatheneck."
Scarlet Trouser Stripe(Blood Stripe)
Officer and noncommisioned officer(NCOs) have intermittently worn scarlet stripes on dress trousers ever since the early days of the Corps. It is said that the right to wear scarlet stripes was conferred on the Corps during the Mexican War, after the battle of Chapultepec, in honor of Marine killed or wounded during the action. Actually, the official uniform trousers had piping as early as 1798. An enlisted Marine does not obtain the "blood stripe" until he reach the NCO ranks and earn this stripes, and the occasion is commonly celebrated with a "pinning-on" ceremony.
Marine Corps Mascot
After World WarⅠ,an English bulldog named "Sergeant Major Jiggs" was presented to General John A. Lejeune,13th Commandant. From that time on, the English bulldog has been the official mascot of the Corps and has "served"at the Marine Barracks, 8th and "I"streets, in Washington, D.C., participating in the many ceremonies held there. Prior to World WarⅡ, the moscot was always named "Jiggs." Subsequentry, as a tribute to one of the Corps' most heroic officers, the late Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, the mascot's name was changed and remains "Chesty." Many units throughout the Corps have their own bulldog mascot, but the official Marine Corps mascot is assigned to Marine Barracks, Washington,D.C.
Marine Grade Structure
