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A Culture of Tradition

ArinF — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:25:03 +0000

On 10 November 1775, the Second Continental Congress established what was to become one of America’s greatest traditions. The signing initiated the founding of the Continental Marines, whose two battalions were to be led by Captain Samuel Nicholas. Although the Marines were disbanded after the Revolutionary War until 1798, this unit set the precedent for honor that the Corps still follows today.

With over two hundred years of experience and service, the United States Marine Corps has a wealth of tradition and customs that make it a unique branch of the United States military. Appreciation of this heritage begins during each recruit’s initial training, where they are educated on the history of the Corps, its accomplishments, famous Marines, and its important customs.

One of the great traditions of the United States Marine Corps is the Marines’ Hymn, which was adopted as the official hymn of the Corps in 1929. Although the original author of the Hymn remains unknown, it is popular belief that the author himself was a US Marine during the 19th century. The lyrics of the Marines’ Hymn highlight key victories that were achieved in the Corps’ early history and outline the values and duties of each Marine.

Semper Fidelis… Always Faithful. This short but powerful Latin phrase sums up the entirety of the Marine Corps’ purpose. In 1883, The Commandant of the Marine Corps Colonel Charles McCawley adopted this phrase as the official slogan of the Corps. The slogan’s shortened version “Semper Fi” is also commonly used among Marines. “Always Faithful” signifies each Marine’s dedication and commitment to “Corps and Country,” which is a summation of all the Corps’ values.

Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. These three objects are combined to form the renowned United States Marine Corps emblem. Similar devices and emblems were used to signify the Marine Corps throughout its long history. However, it was not until 22 June 1954 when President Eisenhower issued an executive order that the seal with the eagle, globe, and fouled anchor became the Corps’ official seal. The following year, the same icon was officially adopted as the USMC’s official emblem.

These pieces of US Marine Corps’ heritage and still honored today by the actions and performance of Marines around the world. Whether they are conducting training, providing humanitarian efforts, or engaging the enemies of the United States of America, every Marine remains true to his or her oath and carries a sense of pride that cannot be felt be anyone else.

Marine Corps Aviation

ArinF — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:26:08 +0000

Although the main mission of the United States Marine Corps is accomplished on the ground, US Marines heavily rely on the assistance provided by Marine aviation squadrons. The Marine Corps arsenal includes a variety of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft capable of fulfilling a variety of roles including attack, close air support, air-to-air combat, and troop transport.

The mainstay of the USMC’s fixed-wing air fleet is its attack aircraft. The AV-8B Harrier II is a single-seat attack jet that is capable of making vertical takeoffs and landings due to its V/STOL technology. After taking off, it can shift the direction of its thrust and proceed into forward flight. The Corps’ main fighter attack jet is the F/A-18 Hornet. Although it requires a full-length airfield or an aircraft carrier to to takeoff, the several different variations of the Hornet allow its squadrons to perform a variety of air-to-air and attack missions.

Marine Corps helicopter pilots are often right in or close to the action on the ground. CH-46E Sea Knights and CH-53D Sea Stallions insert Marine infantrymen onto the battlefield, while AH-1W Super Cobras and UH-1N Hueys provide close air support for those ground personnel.

Many of these helicopters, such as the CH-53 and the UH-1, have been in service for decades. The Marine Corps is currently developing new aircraft to replace these older service models. The new V-22 Osprey, a hybrid helicopter/fixed-wing aircraft, is capable of landing and taking off like a helicopter and then rotating its propellors 90 degrees forward to travel like an airplane. Also being developed are the AH-1Z Viper and the UH-1Y Venom. These modified versions of the Cobra and Huey are equipped with the latest flight and combat technology in order to meet the demands of the modern battlefield.

These advances in aviation technology attest to the fact that Marine Corps aviation is constantly evolving to maintain its edge on the modern battlefield. Since the first Marine aviators in 1917 and the Marine squadrons serving throughout the Pacific during World War II, Marine Aviation has earned a powerful reputation and still maintains its proud heritage today.

Marine Force Recon

ArinF — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:50:14 +0000

Since its activation in June of 1957, the United States Marine Corps Force Recon has served as one of the elite units in the special operations community. The idea for Force Recon was inspired by the Marine Amphibious Recon Units of World War II, which worked alongside the Navy Combat Demolitions Teams (the predecessors to the US Navy SEALs) to scout landing beaches hours before the main forces assaulted the beachhead. The idea of the Force Recon became a reality during the 1950s, in which General Lemuel Shepherd created a unit to test the various nonconventional warfare techniques utilized by the Recon today.

Force Recon Marines undergo a constant and arduous training regimen, even after they’ve completed their initial training course. In order to qualify for Force Recon, candidates must complete an extensive list of training courses that includes reconnaissance school, SERE school (survival, evasion, resistance, escape), combat diving school, airborne school, and free fall courses. After graduating from these courses, Marines must continue to hone their skills by attending advanced specialized courses in their assigned area of expertise (ie. scout sniper school or laser operators course).

As a result of their extensive training and experience, Force Recon units are capable of carrying out a variety of missions. Their missions are broken down into two main categories: green operations and black ops.

As hinted in their title, Force Recon Marines are capable of conducting long-range reconnaissance in any environment. These ‘green’ operations rely on the stealth of these small, versatile units. If their position is given away, then their mission has failed.

Black operations incorporate Direct Action tactics, which allow active engagement of the enemy. During these operations, Force Recon Marines are able to strike the enemy with a devestating blow and then swiftly exfiltrate the target area. Since these mission profiles are more direct, the Recon units often have access to support units such as artillery and close air support.

The Marine Force Recon units are among the most highly trained and deadly military units in the world. So elite is the unit that only several hundred active servicemen fill its ranks. Wherever their mission takes them, they always stay true to their motto: “Swift, Silent, Deadly.”