Trav's Thoughts

The United States Marine Corps was established 10 November 1775 as the Continental Marines to provided infantry support to the Navy. Today, USMC stands as our amphibious force-in-readiness capable of rapid deployment as first responders to international incidents. As of June 2011, there are currently about 200,000 active duty Marines, with another 40,000 in the reserves.

Marines have seen action in the Revolutionary War, Quasi-War, Barbary Wars, War of 1812, Seminole Wars, Mexican-American War, American Civil War, Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, Boxer Rebellion, Banana Wars, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iranian Hostage Rescue, Invasion of Grenada, Bombing of Libya (1986), Gulf War I, Somali Civil War, Bosnian War, Kosovo War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War, and Bombing of Libya (2011)

In 237 years of history, Marines have been decorated by the governments of France, the Philippines, Korea, and Vietnam. Marines have been awarded 400 Medals of Honor and scores of other decorations for valor in action.

The current Commandant of the Corps is General James F Amos.  The Assistant Commandant is General Joseph F Dunford.  Sergeant Major of the Corps is SgtMajMC Michael P Barrett.

On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name "Marine". In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility at home, generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.

If you have a chance, please cruise by Castra Praetoria and wish SgtMaj Mike Burke and his Ninjas a Happy Birthday for their Corps.

Semper Fi.