The United States Marine Corps was originally organized as the Continental Marines in 1775 to conduct ship-to-ship fighting, provide shipboard security and assist in landing forces. Its mission evolved with changing military doctrine and American foreign policy. Owing to the availability of Marine forces at sea, the Marine Corps has served in every conflict in U.S. history. It attained prominence when its theories and practice of amphibious warfare proved prescient, and ultimately formed a cornerstone of the Pacific campaign of World War II. By the early 20th century, the Marine Corps would become the dominant theorist and practitioner of amphibious warfare. Its ability to rapidly respond to regional crises has made and continues to make it an important tool for American foreign policy.
About the Marines
The Marine Corps was created on November 10, 1775, in Pennsylvania by a resolution of the Continental Congress. In 1834 the Marines became part of the Department of the Navy. Women were allowed to join in 1918.
Emblem: The Eagle, globe and anchor, which was adopted in 1868. The globe and anchor signify worldwide service and sea traditions. The spread eagle represents the nation itself. The motto is clenched in the beak of the bird.
Nickname: Devil Dogs. During World War I, the Marines fought the Germans at Belleau Wood. The persistent attacks from the Marines had the Germans calling the Marines “Teufelhunden” (Devil Dogs).
Uniform: Scarlet trouser stripe. The red stripe was first seen on Marine uniforms in 1796. It was used off and on until uniform regulations made it standard in 1859. It is rumored that the stripe represents the blood shed by Marines at the Battle of Chapultepec in the war with Mexico in 1846.
Colors: Scarlet and gold.
Motto: Semper Fidelis, Latin for ``Always faithful.’’ It was officially adopted in 1883.