The United States Marine Corps History Essay

The force is a branch of the Army of the United States and was founded in 1775 as a continental marine but since then its role has significantly expanded with accordance to the needs arising from time to time. The force has a unique mission from other defense forces which states that “shall, at any time, be liable to do duty in the forts and garrisons of the United States, on the seacoast, or any other duty on shore, as the President, at his discretion, shall direct.” However, with accordance to the mission statement, the force commander is the president of the United States and serves all purpose responses which require immediate intervention (officials).

In addition, marine corps possesses elements of air combat and organic grounds though in most cases the force relies upon the United States navy to provides them with sea combat elements in their missions. More also, ground elements are contained in the three divisions of the Marine Corps. The first division is based in camp Pendleton in California, the second is at camp LeJeune, North Carolina, and the third one is based on Okinawa Japan. More also, the force’s Reconnaissance companies comprises of marines who are trained in convert insertion, surveillance tactics, reconnaissance and also training on special operations. However, the basic mission of the Recon Marines is to scout the foe and making report on the findings.

More also, the tactics of the Marine Corps and the doctrines emphasizes offensive and also the aggressiveness as compared to the army tactics of others who are in the same units. Also, the force has been in the fore front in the developments of the groundbreaking tactics of warfare however the force is credited foe its development of the modern amphibious attacks and also the doctrine of helicopter insertion.

However, the marine has operational training culture which is dedicated to emphasize on the basic combat capabilities of each marine officer. The marines once they are recruited they undergo basic training as riflemen thus they are somehow similar to the infantry corps. The basic training helps by ensuring that marines can attack the enemy on the ground in the same way as an ordinary corp. In addition, that is the reason to why Marine Corps have the famous say “Every Marine a rifleman.”

However, Marine Corps do not fill the unique roles of the combat but only when they are joined with the United States Army, Navy, and also the Air Force who overlap the areas that they cover. Marines as a force consistently use essential elements of the United States combat altogether. The fact that the Marine Corps fall under a single command, unlike other integrated army forces, has enabled the force to have flexible responses to the emergencies.

Though the force argue that it should not take the place of other forces, when an emergency occurs it is used as a stopgap until larger forces are mobilized in response to the emergency. However, opinions of politicians and other military officials regarding the necessity of the Marine Corps have at different times differed. Historically, in 1948, president harry s. Truman considered the abolishing of the force as part of United States defense force reorganization. His intention was facilitated by feelings that the force was useless though the citizens felt it was important with regard to its success in the World War II and Korean War (United States. Dept.of Army, p.45).

Originally, the United States marine corps was founded as continental marines during the revolution war in America. It was on November 10, 1775 and the first recruitment took place at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The mission was that they serve as landing troops for the continental navy which had recently been formed. However, the force was later abolished in April 17773 after which reformation was done in July 1798 but despite that period that it remained inexistence November 10th is the birthday of the marines which is celebrated world wide.

However, in 19th century the force experienced some engagements with other combats which made it seem to be occupying a small role in the military duties. This served to destroy its reputation especially during the American civil war in which it took a small action with regard to the congestion caused by other military combats in the battle fields. In addition, in the mid 19th century, the force got involved into the World War II in which it played a crucial role in the battle. More also, the war led to its expansion from two brigade force to two corps force with six divisions, five air wings and also one hundred and thirty two squadrons.

In addition, the force is said to have played a crucial role in Vietnam wars in battles such as Da Nang, Kshe Sanh and Hue City in which they were always the first American trolls to be engaged before other machineries were deployed. More over, they were also the last troops to leave the country after evacuation of American embassy which was located in Saigon. The force also served crucial roles in other battles after the Vietnam War (maritines).

More also, the united states marine corps have held a reputation as an effective and a fierce fighting force all over the world thus the force takes the pride in their gung-ho attitude. In addition the marines are also indoctrinated by a strong belief through the chain of command which also emphasizes on the importance of the spirit of enthusiasm. When the force is engaged in a war, the enemies see the marines as a strong force which has high degree of fame and infamy which makes them have confidence in their missions.

In recent war engagement in Iraq in Persian Gulf War and also the 2003 invasion of Iraq, enemies were said to have been surprised by the marine cobra helicopters and the special look of marine combat uniforms. This made it possible for the marines to employ their pride in the warfare which resulted to a success. More also, the force have taken action in building psychological advantage by making used of combat uniforms which are distinguishable from pother forces of the united states army.

However, in recent times the marines have developed the martial art program as part of training program. The program is said to have been borrowed from the Koreans during the Korean War. This program has been put in place so as to boost the reputation of the force in the world as fierce and aggressive. As the force has remained with a good reputation in the eyes of the world, the force has a negative image in the homeland and it is struggling with frequent negative press and perceptions (Sullivan,p.98).

In addition, other military men from other forces have been complaining that the force men often emphasize their prowess at the expense of the reputation of the United States army men. However, during the post World War II period, the reputation of the force was damaged severely for several times. For instanced, the worst and the major incident is the Ribbon Creek on April 8, 1956 in which sergeant Mathew McKeon led his platoon into a tidal stream in Parries Island whereby his purpose of disciplining platoons by violating basic regulations of marine training six recruits died in the process.

In addition, the culture of the United States Marine Corps is bound by the marine motto “Semper Fidelis” which is a Latin statement meaning “Always Faithful.” They official colors of the force are scarlet and gold which appear in the flag of the force along with the emblem: eagle, globe and anchor. The eagle represents the services of the force to the country, globe represent worldwide service to al countries and anchor represents the naval traditions. More also, the emblem which was adopted in 1868 was deprived from the ornaments which were worn by continental marines and British royal marines and was normally topped with a ribbon which read the motto “Semper Fidelis.”

More also, Marine Corps wear two types of swords. Mameluke sword, is worn by Marine Corps officer, it is similar to the sword which was presented to Lt. Presley O’Bannon after Derne was captured in the Barbary war. Another sword which is similar to the civil war cavalry sable is worn by noncommissioned marine corps which make them to be the only enlisted officials in the united states military who are authorized to carry swords with them. Additionally, there are nicknames in the Marine Corps which have cultural meaning to the force.

In conclusion, the United States marine corps is a force which is bound by its traditional culture. The force plays a crucial role as a first response force to the emergency affecting both the local and international polices of the United States with a mission of defending the humanity. However, the force is important to the nation and should be strengthened further by the government so as to enhance its role of providing services to the humanity of the world. Although the force does not use heavy war machineries in the war, its services are efficient in peacekeeping missions across the world.