[jonascord]

There is a commonality amoung Marines. Anytime you see a real marine on TV in dress uniform, either Blues or Greens, there is a medal, sometimes two. Whether it is the Commandant or some rear-rank, fresh-out-of-boot-camp snuffie. That is the Marksmenship Badge.

EVERY Marine spends two weeks at the Range, every year. Every Marine fires for Record on Friday. Dan Dailey, Chesty Puller, Manila John Basilone, Ira Hayes, all were prone on the 500 yard line, doping the wind, blacking his front sight, squeezing it off...

[ken5050]

Also don't forget the ethos imprinted on each young Marine that by surving, and graduating, from Basic Training, they have "one up" on their officers, who didn't have to undergo the pleasantries of Parris Island. The other branches of the service promote the rigorous training of their officers..which begets the legend that they bare better/tougher than the troops...via the 4 year service academies...the Marines do it differently...

[BluH2o]

EVERY Marine spends two weeks at the Range, every year.

Not exactly ... I served 3 years active and qualified twice ... Parris Island the first time (high Sharpshooter) ... some 18 months later at Lejeune (Expert).