General knowledge
Marine Corps Facts
Birth date of the Marine Corps
10th November, 1775
Birthplace of the Marine Corps
Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
First Commandant of the Marine Corps
Maj Samuel Nicholas
First Marine Recruiter
Cpt Robert Mullen
Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps
BGen Archibald Henderson
First Marine Aviator
LtCol Alfred Cunningham
First Female Marine
Sgt Opha Mae Johnson
Two Marines Who Have Been Awarded Two Medals of Honor
MajGen Smedly Butler and SgtMaj Daniel Daly
Most Decorated and Only Marine to Receive 5 Navy Crosses
LtGen Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller
First Marine to Raise the American Flag on Foreign Soil
Lt Presley O'Bannon
Marine Corps Colors
Scarlet and Gold
Marine Corps Motto and Meaning
"Semper Fidelis" meaning "Always Faithful"
Nickname of the Marine Corps Band
"The President's Own"
Nickname of the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps
"The Commandant's Own"
Marine Corps Mascot
English Bulldog
Oldest Post of the Marine Corps
Marine Barracks 8th and I Street Washington, DC.
First African American Marine
Howard P. Perry
First African American Female Marine
Annie E. Graham
First Marine to Receive the Medal of Honor
Cpl John F. Mackie
Components of the Marine Corps Emblem
Eagle: our nation; Globe: worldwide service; Anchor: naval traditions
Origin of the Blood Stripe
The Battle of Chapultepec
Origin of the term "Devil Dogs"
Given to the Marines by the Germans due to their action during the Battle for Belleau Wood
Origin of the Term "Leathernecks"
From when Marines wore high leather collars to protect from enemy sword slashes
First Amphibious Landing
New Providence, Bahamas
Sword Worn by Marine Officers
Mameluke Sword
Marine Corps Ranks
Enlisted Ranks:
E-1: Private (PVT) - No insignia
E-2: Private First Class (PFC) - One chevron
E-3: Lance Corporal (LCpl) - One chevron and crossed rifles
E-4: Corporal (Cpl) - Two chevrons and crossed rifles *start of NCO¹ ranks*
E-5: Sergeant (Sgt) - Three chevrons and crossed rifles
E-6: Staff Sergeant (SSgt) - Three chevrons, crossed rifles, and one rocker *start of SNCO² ranks*
E-7: Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) - Three chevrons, crossed rifles, and two rockers
E-8: First Sergeant (1st Sgt) - Three chevrons, diamond, and three rockers
E-9:
Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) - Three chevrons, exploding bomb, and four rockers
Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) - Three chevrons, five-point star, and four rockers
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SMMC) - Three chevrons, EGA, and four rockers
Warrant Officer Ranks:
W-1: Warrant Officer (WO) - Gold bar with two red squares
W-2: Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) - Gold bar with three red squares
W-3: Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) - Silver bar with two red squares
W-4: Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) - Silver bar with three red squares
W-5: Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CWO5) - Silver bar with red stripe
Officer Ranks:
O-1: Second Lieutenant (2ndLt) - Gold bar
O-2: First Lieutenant (1stLt) - Silver bar
O-3: Captain (Capt) - Two silver bars
O-4: Major (Maj) - Golden oak leaf
O-5: Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) - Silver oak leaf
O-6: Colonel (Col) - Silver eagle
O-7: Brigadier General (BGen) - One star
O-8: Major General (MajGen) - Two stars
O-9: Lieutenant General (LtGen) - Three stars
O-10: General (Gen) - Four stars
*NCO¹ - NonCommissioned Officer
*SNCO² - Staff NonCommissioned Officer
Definitions
Leadership - The ability to influence, lead, and guide others to accomplish a mission in the manner desired by providing purpose, direction, and motivation.
Purpose - Gives others a reason for why they should do something.
Direction - Gives others the knowledge to complete the task.
Motivation - Gives others the will to do what they are capable of doing.
Core Values
Honor - The quality that guides Marines to exemplify ethical and moral behavior.
Courage - The mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism but enables a leader to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness. It is a quality of mind that gives leaders control over fear, enabling them to accept responsibility and to act properly in a threatening situation.
Commitment - The dedication to carry out all unit tasks and to serve the values of the country, the MCJROTC, and the unit. Commitment leads to the highest discipline for your unit and yourself.
Basic Drill Facts and Definitions
Quick-Time Cadence
120 counts/minute
Double-Time Cadence
180 counts/minute
Four Positions of Rest
Parade Rest, Rest, At Ease, and Fall Out
Proper Arm Swing Distance While Marching
6" to the front, 3" to the rear
Distance of a Step in Quick-Time
30 inches
Distance of a Step at Half Step
15 inches
Distance of a Step in Double-Time
36 inches
Distance of a Step at Side Step
12 inches
Cadence
Uniform step and rhythm while marching
File
A single column of troops placed one behind another
Base
The element upon which movement is regulated
Guide
The base individual upon whom a formation regulates its march
Cadet Creed
I am a Marine cadet.
I will be true to myself and to others.
I will not lie cheat or steal.
I will serve my school, community, and nation.
I will wear my uniform with pride.
I will do my personal best at all times.
I will honor those who have gone before me.
The Few The Proud The Finest.