Reasons to Love the Marine Corps

"We are United States Marines, and for two and a quarter centuries we have defined the standards of courage, esprit, and military prowess."

Gen. James L. Jones, USMC (CMC); 10 November 2000

"The American Marines have it [pride], and benefit from it. They are tough, cocky, sure of themselves and their buddies. They can fight and they know it."

General Mark Clark, U.S. Army

"We stole the eagle from the air force, the anchor from the navy and the rope from the army. On the seventh day while god rested, we overran his perimeter, stole the globe and we've been running the whole show ever since"

Unknown

So they are competent, disciplined, proud, courageous, confident, and arrogant. Just ask them! Here are 50 reasons to love the Marine Corps as gathered from the Internet. We present them in honor of tomorrow's 248th birthday of the Marine Corps – November 10, 1775. Three cheers for America's oldest branch of service!!! OORAH!

1. Best haircut – hands down. You can't have a bad hair day with a high and tight. And you spend less on shampoo.
2. Civilians have to find time to go to the gym. Marines get paid to go.
3. Dress blues. They're the coolest uniforms in any military worldwide.
4. Most respect. When the Corps came back to Haiti after 60 years, an old man on the Cap-Haitian beach said, "Welcome back!"
5. Best emblem: eagle, globe and anchor (air, land, and sea).
6. Best slogans: "The Few, The Proud, The Marines" … "We're Looking For a Few Good Men" … "Once a Marine, always a Marine" … "Send in the Marines" … "Tell that to the Marines."
7. Best motto: The Latin Semper Fidelis – "Always faithful."
8. Best nicknames: "Jarhead" … "Leatherneck" … "Devil dog."
9. The Silent Drill Team. Just watching them ply their trade makes you want to wear dress blues.
10. You're a Marine; not a soldier or a troop.
11. The Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Marines attack by land, by air and from the sea – simultaneously.
12. The only combined arms force. You want joint-ness? The Marine Corps has been joint for decades, with its own air force, ground-pounders and navy in one.
13. Unity – every Marine is a rifleman, and everyone's a Marine: officers and enlisted.
14. No better friend, no worse enemy.
15. New uniforms. Pixel-pattern cammies? Yeah, the corps came up with that.
16. Marines do more with less, and they like it that way. "Marines can do a lot with a little and everything with nothing."
17. Nothing beats the canopy of sabers during a full dress Marine wedding.
18. Non-Comms (Non-Commissioned Officers) rate their own ceremonial sword! Earned, never given.
19. Like the army, Marines have tanks and armored vehicles. But theirs not only fight … they swim!
20. First in, last out. Marines bust in first so the army can do its job.
21. Physical fitness. You've seen portly chiefs, but there are no fat Marines.
22. Marine stickers are the most spotted on America's highways on car bumpers and windows.
23. The summer evening parade.
24. The Marine Corps Band is called "The President's Own." John Philip Sousa, the world famous band master, was the first leader of the band.
25. When the President climbs into a helicopter, he flies Marine One.
26. Best personalized license plate: "1775" It's on the commandant's car.
27. Stories that begin with, "So there I was …"
28. Hollywood and TV love Marines.
29. Global presence, global reach. As "The Marines' Hymn" notes, so spread out are Marines around the globe that some can watch the sun set while others are watching it rise.
30. Respect. The State Department chose Marines to protect our embassies.
31. Commitment and devotion. The Marines take care of their own. On the battlefield, nobody's left behind – dead or alive – and the home front is always secure.
32. Recruiters who promise everything EXCEPT a rose garden.
33. The transformation. Who you are when you join is not nearly as important as who you become.
34. Having a World War II Marine say he's proud of you.
35. Global instability means job security.
36. The honor, privilege and responsibility of leading, mentoring and caring for junior Marines.
37. Marine security guards. They're not cute and cuddly, but when they greet you at the hatch, it's like getting a great big hug from the United States of America.
38. While field-grade officers are at the company office, company-grade officers are in the field.
39. Gunnery sergeants. Don't know the answer? Ask the gunny. Need something? Ask the gunny. In trouble? Avoid the gunny.
40. Eight-point covers. Even the uniform stands at attention.
41. Fake Marines. No one eats ‘em faster than real Marines.
42. Marines predicted the World War II campaigns in the Pacific years earlier and prepared for the inevitable. So when a Marine says, "Hey, I've been thinking …" perhaps you should take notes.
43. The dress code. You can wear your cammies to meet the Commandant or repair a tank.
44. Motivating television commercials.
45. Esprit de Corps. Even if you can't spell it or pronounce it, the Marine Corps has it in spades.
46. Wetting-down parties. No one celebrates promotions with more flair and admiration.
47. The only official, congressionally sanctioned hymn for any of the services: "The Marines' Hymn."
48. The National Museum of the Marine Corps. It's like a Smithsonian of Leatherneck.
49. Tradition! The Corps is older than the U.S. Republic itself!
50. The birthday ball – worldwide!

Oh, and by the way — Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps — 248 years strong on November 10th!

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Reasons to Love the Army … Navy … Air Force … or Coast Guard?

Every service has earned bragging rights! Think your branch of service is the best? Share your Reasons to Love the Army … Navy … Air Force … or Coast Guard. Send your comments to Bugler@glendale.com and we'll publish them in upcoming Buglers.

A Salute to our Veterans!

Elmer Davis, a well-known news reporter, author, and director of the United States Office of War Information during World War II, said it best: "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

Here in the United States on November 11th, Veterans Day honors all Americans who have served in the U.S. military, during both wartime and peacetime. Remember to fly our national flag all day in honor of our service men and women!