The United States Marine Corps turns 241 on November 10.
On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines.
The Marines first enlisted under Commandant Samuel Nicholas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In 1883, the Marine Corps adopted the motto “Semper Fidelis,” which means “always faithful” in Latin. Many Marines express their loyalty to their comrades-in-arms by using the abbreviated version of the phrase, “Semper Fi.”
Here are five facts about the Marine Corps you may not know from the USO:
- Fewer than 100 people have received the title of honorary Marine, a title that can only be bestowed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. A few include Chuck Norris, Bob Hope, Bugs Bunny and Jim Nabors, star of Gomer Pyle.
- Marines in uniform are not authorized to put their hands in their pockets.
- Only female Marines are authorized to carry umbrellas in uniform.
- The Marine Corps mascot is an English bulldog named Chesty, after Marine Lt. Gen. Louis B. “Chesty” Puller, the only Marine to earn five Navy Crosses.
- Marines are often called jarheads because of their high-and-tight haircuts, but some Marines take this cut to the extreme. Unauthorized haircuts include the horseshoe and the mohawk.
