The United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps,
separate military service within the U.S. Department of the Navy, charged with
the provision of marine troops for seizure and defense of advanced bases and
with conducting operations on land and in the air incident to naval campaigns.
It is also responsible for providing detachments for service aboard certain
types of naval vessels, as well as security forces for naval shore
installations and U.S. diplomatic missions in foreign countries. The corps
specializes in amphibious landings, such as those undertaken against
Japanese-held islands in the Pacific during World War II.
The Marine Corps was founded on
November 10, 1775, when the Continental Congress ordered that two battalions of
Marines be raised for service as landing forces with the fleet. Marines have
participated in all wars of the United States, being in most instances first,
or among the first, to fight. In addition, Marines have executed more than 300
landings on foreign shores and served in every major U.S. naval action since
1775. The U.S. Marine Corps is structured according to the National Security
Act of 1947 and its amendments of 1952. The commandant of the corps has coequal
status with members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in all matters pertaining to
the corps. The corps is composed of two operating forces, the Fleet Marine
Force, Pacific (FMFPAC) and the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT); a
supporting establishment for recruitment, training, supply logistics, and
maintenance of bases, installations, and schools; and the Marine Corps Reserve.
The Marine Corps emblem is the
Western Hemisphere superimposed on a foul anchor and surmounted by a spread
eagle. The Corps motto is Semper Fidelis (Latin: “Always Faithful”), which is
also the title of the Corps march, composed by John Philip Sousa. Perhaps even
more familiar is “The Marines’ Hymn.” The Marine Band, the oldest musical
organization in the U.S. armed forces, is known as “The President’s Own”
because of its privilege of performing at all state functions at the White
House. The official colours of the Corps are scarlet and gold, but forest green
enjoys semiofficial recognition. The distinctive dress-blue uniform of Marines,
with its standing collar, is well known. From the standing collar—descended
from the tall leather neckpiece of the 18th- and 19th-century uniform—comes the
traditional nickname for Marines of “leathernecks.” The forest-green service
uniform was introduced in 1912. In naval formations, Marines have the privilege
of forming on the right of line or at the head of column, the traditional
places of honour and seniority.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-United-States-Marine-Corps
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