November 14th marks the 250th birthday of the United States Marines Corps. Being a Marine means you are the toughest of the tough. In the Marines they break you down and build you back in their image, they give you Honor, Pride, and Purpose. To protect our Nation’s ideals, America turns to the The Marine Corps whose motto is “Semper Fi” – Always Faithful. This motto exemplifies the service men and women who share an uncommon bond for a common cause and calls for those who fight until they win in the battles. While not everyone can meet the Marine Corps standards, those who do stand for the promises that America has made. A Marine is asked to strive to be model citizen and they have a mindset of steel. When you’re in the Marines the men and women around you are your brothers and sisters that are always there for you to push you past your limits or pick you up if you fall to be the best version of yourself. In 1775, November 10th, the continental congress authorized the creation of the Continental Marines as a force to fight both on land and sea making them a semi amphibious force. They were needed to fight when boarding enemy ships.
In the Marines you must learn these 3 basic principles above all: Improvise, Adapt, Overcome. In the Corps you must also learn 13 leadership traits: Justice, Judgment, Dependability, Initiative, Decisiveness, Tact, Integrity, Enthusiasm, Bearing, Unselfishness, Courage, Knowledge, Loyalty, and Endurance.
Eleven general orders a Marine must follow and know:
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 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.
Being a Marine is one of the highest honors you can achieve, less than one percent of Americans can say they were a Marine. If you meet a veteran always treat them with the utmost respect they sacrificed a lot to make sure we had a tomorrow, that’s why you should thank your local veterans and remember their sacrifice. Happy 250th Birthday USMC and happy Veterans Day.
