Semper Fidelis

Semper Fidelis is Latin. Its probably the only Latin phrase I know. It means Always faithful. It is most well known or heard in its shortened term Semper Fi. Shouted at the top of the lungs of any United States Marine. It has become a term near and dear to my heart. The United States Marine Corps adopted the motto in 1883 on the initiative of the 8th commandant of the Marine Corps Colonel Charles McCawley.

Why you ask is this so important to me? I am married to a Marine. plain and simple. There is nothing better in my life and on this day, The 235 birthday of the United States Marine Corps I want to pay honor to the Marines in my life.

I want to post some info on the Marine Corps. Some will be history, some will be facts and some will be just things I love about the Corps.

The Marine Corps has the longest boot camp of all military branches. In the Marine Corps it is always called Boot Camp NEVER Basic training.

Every Marine is a rifleman. This means that ALL Marines are taught how to shoot a weapon with extreme accuracy no matter what other MOS ( job ) they may do in the Corps.

All Marines are always referred to as Marines. There is no such thing as an Ex-Marine. Former Marine if you feel you must but never should a Marine be refereed to as an ex-Marine, or a Soldier. A soldier is someone who serves in the Army. You can always refer to a Marine by their rank no matter if they are retired, discharged or active.

The Marine Corps Hymn is copyrighted and has been since 1891. The Hymn incorporates famous battles that the Marines have been part of since its inception.


During WWII the Marines used Navajo Code Talkers to confuse the German soldiers and win the war.

The most well known photo from WWII, and the statues erected in its image is actually the Second flag raising on Iwo Jima, not the first. The first flag raising was of a small company flag and when the fleet arrived with a larger flag the small one was replaced and returned to the Marine Company that it belonged to. This second flag raising is what is photographed and remembered.

First flag raising

Second flag raising

 There are many terms of  "endearment" that Marines and those that know them will use when referring to them. To a Marine these are not insults, that is unless you happen to be a squid in a bar and then you should hope you have plenty of other squids to back you up. A few of these are Devildog, Jarhead, leatherneck.

Devildogs is the english version of a German soldiers nickname for Marines and was given to the Marines during the battle of Belleau Wood in WWI, 1918. The actual name is Teufel Hunden which translated means devil dogs.

The Marine Corps Mascot is the Bulldog. This is because of the nickname that they were given in WWI by the German Army. The first English bulldog who was made a Marine was Jiggs. Jiggs earned the rank of SgtMaj (thats Sergeant Major to those who don't speak Marine Corps rank fluently) and passed away in 1927. However a new English Bulldog took his place each year until the 1950s when the new bulldog was named after LtGen (Lieutenant General ) Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller Jr. Since that time each Marine Mascot has been called Chesty.  Chesty even has his very own specially made uniforms.

For those of you who do not know LtGen Puller Jr. "Chesty" was the most highly decorated Marine in the history of the Corps. He is beloved by all Marines. You can learn more about Chesty here.

Marines are taught how to adapt and overcome every situation. It is somewhat of a Motto for a Marine. It holds true in everyday life and serves them well no matter where they are.


Nobody looks better in their Dress Uniform then a United States Marine!


Happy Birthday Marine Corps. Semper Fi do or die.

For good measure here are some rather infamous quotes:

"The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his rifle!"
GEN. PERSHING, US.ARMY

"We're surrounded. That simplifies the problem!"
CHESTY PULLER, USMC

"I can never again see a UNITED STATES MARINE without experiencing a feeling of reverence."
GEN. JOHNSON, U.S. ARMY

"I have just returned from visiting the MARINES at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!"
GEN. DOUGLAS MACARTHUR, U.S. ARMY

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN, 1985