United States Marine Corps
https://www.marines.mil
Mission: the U.S. Marines are forward deployed to win our Nation’s battles swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis. We fight on land, sea and air, as well as provide forces and detachments to naval ships and ground operations.
Motto: “Semper Fidelis” (Latin for “Always Faithful”
Founded: November 10, 1775, originally the Continental Marines. It was renamed the U.S. Marine Corps on July 11, 1798.
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is both a land force service and a maritime (ocean-going) branch of the United States Armed Forces. As such the UNMC falls under the Department of the Navy; however its command structure is similar to the Army’s.
The Marines are responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations, implementing its own infantry, artillery, aerial, and special operations forces.
Marines are driven by an innate desire to answer our nation’s call, an unwavering commitment to emerge victorious, and a collective purpose that defines an unbreakable bond. Marines win the battles in front of them with an inner fight running through them.
Marines are driven by three words: Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
My Rifle — The Creed of a United States Marine
• This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
• My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
• My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will.
• My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit.
• My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will.
• Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.
• So be it, until victory is America’s and there is no enemy, but peace!!
More Information
https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/Brief-Histories/Brief-History-of-the-United-States-Marine-Corps/