One of the six armed forces branches of the United States military, the United States Marine Corps plays a prominent and very public role in defending American interests at home and abroad. Officially founded in 1798, U.S. Marines took part in the Revolutionary War when they were known as the Continental Marines.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the U.S. Marine Corps has around 177,200 active duty service members who fight on land, air, and sea. Fighting in every significant war, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, the Marine Corps has earned its reputation for bravery time and time again.
20. Bugs Bunny
- Source: Wikipedia (Honorary Marine)
Fans of the cartoon world will instantly recognize Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes as some of the most iconic cartoons in American history. However, during World War II, Bugs’ popularity was high due to his easygoing attitude, which troops found took their mind off combat. As a result, the Marine Corps made Bugs an honorary Marine Master Sergeant.
19. Silent Drill Platoon
- Source: Marine Corps Website
Known as the “Silent Drill Platoon,” this group of Marines famously performs intricate rifle drills without receiving verbal commands. Stationed in Washington, this 24-man platoon features incredible precision and shows off the level of discipline and training each member has received.
18. Pop Culture
- Source: IMDB
The nation’s fascination with the United States Marine Corps has been reflected in Hollywood movies. One famous film is Full Metal Jacket, an iconic piece from the 1970s cinema. Other well-known films include A Few Good Men, and HBO shows like Generation Kill.
17. Humanitarian Missions
- Source: United States Marine Corps
While the United States Marine Corps is trained for combat and the defense of the United States, its role can sometimes be far more meaningful. As the world saw during Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Marines can be deployed on humanitarian missions and disaster relief.
16. Reading List
- Source: United States Marine Commandant
According to the United States Marine Corps Commandant website, active-duty service members of the Marine Corps must read a minimum number of books annually from the Commandant’s Professional Reading List. This list is split into five categories: Commandant’s Choice, Profession of Arms, Innovation, Leadership, and Strategy.
15. Tun Tavern
- Source: National Museum of the Marine Corps
Located in Philadelphia, Tun Tavern is widely regarded as the site of the first United States Marine Corps recruitment drive. Built in 1686, the tavern was a meeting place for notable groups participating in the American Revolution. Unfortunately, it burned down in 1781 near the war’s end and is now celebrated with a commemorative marker.
14. John Glenn
- Source: NASA
As the first American to orbit the Earth, John Glenn will forever be celebrated as a part of American history. However, before he became an astronaut in the space program, he was a Marine Corps pilot who flew combat missions in World War II and the Korean War.
13. Marines Corps Band
- Source: Marine Band Official Website
Often known as “The President’s Own,” the United States Marine Band was first established in 1798. Today, it is considered and celebrated as the oldest professional music organization in the United States.
12. Marine Corps Birthday
- Source: United States Marine Corps
Every year, on November 10th, the United States Marine Corps celebrates the birth of the service branch with cake-cutting ceremonies. This date dates back to 1775, the birth date of the Continental Marines.
11. 1912 Aviation
- Source: Smithsonian Magazine
Only 100 of the Marine Corps’s almost 250 years of existence have included some aviation. The Marine Corps first took flight in May 1912, and it is now celebrated as the birth of Marine Aviation.
10. Navajo Marines
- Source: Marine Corps University
Established in 1942, members of the Navajo tribe were recruited for the United States Marine Corps as a way to use a code language members of the Axis could not break. Navajo Indians have been widely credited with assisting multiple battles on numerous military fronts.
9. Chesty Puller
- Source: Wikipedia
One of the most decorated Marines in history, Chesty Puller, joined as a private, was promoted to Lieutenant, and was later discharged only to enlist as a Private again. Puller was a Lieutenant General when he left the Marine Corps. To honor him, Marines have a slogan, “Goodnight, Chesty, wherever you are,” that can be said before bedtime.
8. Marine One
- Source: Wikipedia
When the United States president needs a quick trip in the air that doesn’t require a plane, they fly on a Marine helicopter designated as Marine One whenever the president is onboard. The Marine group in charge of protecting and maintaining these helicopters is known as Marine Helicopter Squadron One.
7. Marine Corps Emblem
- Source: United States Marine Corps
It’s not widely known that the Marine Corps emblem has three pieces: an eagle, a globe, and an anchor. The eagle represents the nation. The globe represents our country’s global reach. The anchor represents heritage and battleground access.
6. Toys for Tots
- Source: Toys for Tots Website
Beginning in 1947, the United States Marine Corps initiated a charitable effort that eventually became Toys for Tots. Today, Marine reservists collect toys for deserving children worldwide. In 2023, the group distributed 20 million toys to over 8 million children.
5. Rob Riggle
- Source: Wikipedia
Having deployed to Kosovo, Liberia, and Afghanistan, famous comedian and former Daily Show correspondent Rob Riggle retired and left the US Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel.
4. First to Fight
- Source: Marine Corps Deployment History
Often labeled as the tip of America’s fighting spear, the US Marine Corps has earned another nickname for being the “first to fight,” as this branch is often the first group to be deployed to hotspots worldwide.
3. The Few, The Proud
- Source: United States Marine Corps Recruiting Command
It may surprise you that the Marines’ recruiting slogan isn’t as old as many people think. The phrase “The Few, The Proud” was only adopted by the Marine Corps in 1977.
2. Devil Dogs
- Source: United States Marine Corps
The now famous nickname for Marines, “Devil Dogs,” came from World War I and the Battle of Belleau Wood. German soldiers were impressed by the Marines’ fighting skills and called them “Teufelhunde,” which translates to “Devil Dogs.”
1. Old Fighting Force
- Source: Wikipedia
If you didn’t know, the Marine Corps officially began serving the United States as the Continental Marines on November 10, 1775. Now you do. This also means that the Marine Corps service branch is older than the founding of America itself.
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