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.