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My little brother Max asked me the other day,
"What are some characteristics of Marines that distinguish them from
other services? I already know the 'fighting holes' one." So along
that same vein I decided to compile a list. Not trying to discredit other
services, every branch has it's place, just providing differences.
- Never leave a man behind No explanation needed here. Would be
comforting to know that going into battle. (I have never been in
battle myself)
- Never fire "warning" shots This is true. Marine's
on guard duty are told to give verbal warnings and most of the time
you would never draw your weapon. When Marines do fire they aim to
kill.
- Boot camp is longest I was shocked when I heard that the Air
Force's boot camp was only 6 weeks long and they got weekends off.
Marine Corps boot camp is 13 weeks long.
- Marines dig "fighting holes" Marines refuse to call
them fox holes. They figure other services hide in their holes when
Marines fight out of theirs.
- Marines are the only service that guards the President What
does that say about how the Commander in Chief trusts and depends on
Marines? Marines also guard embassies.
- Marines can transfer to any other branch If a Marine decides
there is a better opportunity for him in another branch of service he
can transfer to that service without loss of rank. If a member of
another service wants to transfer to the Marines they have to go
through Marine Corps boot camp and he will be demoted to Private or
Private First Class.
- Highest fitness standards A Marine Corps Physical Fitness
Test to get a maximum score consists of a 3 mile run in 18 minutes,
100 crunches in 2 minutes, and 20 dead hang pull-ups.
Examples of tests in other services: Mile and a half run, pushups, stationary
bicycle. Also the height and weight requirements are most strict in
the Corps ensuring a continually combat ready force.
- Marines are "Marines" not "Soldiers" or
"Troops" Ever notice that on TV when they refer to
service numbers or location? We are all soldiers and troops, but
Marines get that special designation. The name is respected the world
over.
Because of their long history of success bundled with the fact that
they are the smallest close nit branch of the armed services, the Marine
Corps has a tremendous source of pride. This is very important to all
Marines even if at times they verge on arrogant. The Marine Corps Hymn
ends with this, "If the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven's
scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States
Marines."
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