Marine Corps (United States)
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| Marine Corps (United States) | |
|---|---|
.png) U.S. Government · Public domain · source | |
| Unit name | United States Marine Corps |
| Caption | Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem |
| Dates | 10 November 1775–present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch | Department of the Navy |
| Type | Amphibious warfare force |
| Role | Expeditionary operations |
| Size | Active and Reserve components |
| Garrison | The Pentagon, Marine Barracks Washington |
| Nickname | Leathernecks, Devil Dogs |
| Motto | Semper Fidelis |
Marine Corps (United States) The Marine Corps is the expeditionary amphibious force component of the United States naval service, established in 1775 and organized to project power ashore from the sea. It operates alongside the United States Navy, integrates with the United States Army, interoperates with the United States Air Force and coordinates with the United States Special Operations Command and allied forces such as Royal Marines, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Australian Army and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. Its legacy includes participation in conflicts from the American Revolutionary War and War of 1812 to the Mexican–American War, the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
History
The Corps traces origins to the Continental Congress's commissioning of battalions in 1775 and saw early action at New Providence (Bahamas), the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga and naval engagements with the Royal Navy. In the 19th century Marines fought in the Quasi-War, the Barbary Wars, the Second Barbary War, the Mexican–American War and overseas interventions in Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, reflecting the doctrines of figures like John A. Lejeune and policies from the Monroe Doctrine. During World War II Marines conducted amphibious assaults at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Iwo Jima and Okinawa under commanders such as Alexander Vandegrift and Chester W. Nimitz. In the Cold War era the Corps adapted to crises in Korea and Vietnam, developed concepts exemplified by the Fleet Marine Force and participated in operations including Operation Urgent Fury and Operation Just Cause. Post-9/11 deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq saw Marines conduct counterinsurgency and stability operations alongside units from British Army, Canadian Forces, Australian Defence Force and multinational coalitions.
Organization and Structure
The Corps is organized under the Department of the Navy with the Secretary of the Navy and the Commandant of the Marine Corps as senior leaders; operational command often flows through the Combatant Command structure such as U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command. Principal elements include the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, composed of a Marine Division, a Marine Aircraft Wing and a Marine Logistics Group, plus subordinate units like Marine Expeditionary Units, Marine Expeditionary Brigades and Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. Force generation and administration employ installations such as Marine Corps Base Quantico, Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and coordinate with institutions like the Naval Academy and National Defense University.
Roles and Missions
The Corps executes expeditionary and amphibious operations, forcible entry, crisis response and security cooperation, operating in littoral zones and supporting United States Navy carrier and joint expeditionary efforts with capabilities for air-ground integration provided by units such as V-22 Osprey squadrons and AV-8B Harrier II units. It undertakes humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions alongside United States Agency for International Development, engages in maritime security with partners like NATO, conducts embassy security with the Department of State and supports special operations in coordination with USSOCOM elements. Strategic concepts like expeditionary advanced base operations inform posture in regions covered by Indo-Pacific Command and European Command.
Training and Education
Recruit training occurs at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and Parris Island where recruits undergo transforming recruit training and follow-on infantry training at School of Infantry; officer accession paths include Officer Candidates School, the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps and Officer Candidate School graduates attending The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Professional military education is provided by institutions such as the Marine Corps University, Command and Staff College and Expeditionary Warfare School, while specialized training includes Scout Sniper School, Force Reconnaissance pipelines, Aviation Training at Naval Air Station Pensacola and language training at the Defense Language Institute.
Equipment and Weapons
Ground equipment includes armored platforms like the M1 Abrams (when integrated in Marine taskings), the Amphibious Assault Vehicle, the Light Armored Vehicle, and infantry weapons such as the M4 carbine, the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, the M240 machine gun, the M224 mortar and anti-armor systems like the Javelin (missile). Aviation assets include the F/A-18 Hornet, F-35B Lightning II, MV-22 Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion and rotary-wing platforms deployed from amphibious assault ships like the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship and America-class amphibious assault ship. Logistics and sealift rely on the Military Sealift Command, Maritime Prepositioning Force, and platforms such as Landing Craft Air Cushion and dock landing ships.
Operations and Deployments
Marines deploy in crisis-response units including Marine Expeditionary Units embarked aboard Amphibious Ready Groups to theaters under U.S. Central Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, conducting operations from littoral maneuvers to stability tasks in places like Somalia, Haiti, Syria and Libya. They have supported multinational campaigns including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Allied Force and naval interdiction tasks with Combined Maritime Forces and NATO task groups. Special-purpose deployments involve coordination with United States Special Operations Command and partner units such as British Royal Marines and French Marines.
Culture and Traditions
Marine culture emphasizes traditions such as the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, the motto "Semper Fidelis", the Marine Corps Birthday celebrated on 10 November, and customs like the blood stripe and Marine Corps Birthday Cake ceremonies; it venerates historical figures including Chesty Puller, Smedley Butler, John A. Lejeune and Lewis "Chesty" Puller while commemorating battles like Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima and Chosin Reservoir. Esprit de corps is reinforced by ceremonial units like Marine Barracks Washington, the United States Marine Band, and the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, and by awards such as the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross and the Presidential Unit Citation.