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Founded in 1775, the U.S. Marine Corps’ is as old as the U.S. Navy. “Those two forces have been inseparably bound together since their births,” noted Chester G. Hearn, the author of “An Illustrated History of the United States Marine Corps”.

Hearn adds: “They are a proud force, wanting neither charity nor unearned respect. They live by their motto: Semper Fidelis - always faithful. Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak, one of the Corps’ great leaders, said it best when he wrote ‘...the Corps is less than flesh than of the spirit. And so it is.” Hearn points out: “Unlike the Navy, whose paternalism and long career has also been beset by vagaries of politics, the Corps’ history has been especially turbulent.

Marines have fought domestic enemies as well as foreign forces, using words instead of bullets. On some occasions they fought among themselves, yet always remaining faithful to the ‘Marine tradition,’ Semper Fidelis.”

The English first enlisted Marines in 1664, calling them “Maritime Regiment of Foot” so the fighting force goes back to the era of the world’s earliest sea battles. Before the first U.S. Marines were commandeered by General George Washington in August, 1775, the first use of the term in America was in 1740, occurring when Great Britain and Spain were at war. That’s when Colonel William Gooch commanded a regiment of 3,000 American colonists called “Gooch’s Marines.” These Marines fought under Colonel Gooch in Colombia and later captured Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, securing it as a base for the British.. During the Seven Years’ War in 1754, Americans served as marines on British ships, with their roles changed. “They hardened sailors to their duties and enforced ship discipline. When doing battle at sea, marines formed in the tops as sharpshooters and grenadiers and when the fighting closed, they led the boarding parties. Then, as now, it was marines who spearheaded the attack,” wrote Hearn.

In April, 1775, American colonists began their battle for independence from British rule. Hearn writes, when the Americans captured Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point on Lake Champlain, “the rag-tag garrison complained that ‘men and money’ were desperately needed to hold the fort. Hartford, Connecticut sent ‘money escorted by eight Marines,’ and Albany, New York, chipped in a unit of state marines to garrison the fort and serve on boats.” That’s when Benedict Arnold, commander of the Colonial fighting force, first saw these Marines, noting, they were “the refuse of every regiment.” By August, 1775, Washington organized a group of marines to serve on two armed schooners stationed along the New England coastline. “To man the schooners, he selected infantrymen from his Army and made them marines. By the end of October, three types of Marines were fighting for independence: regular marines under Washington, marines recruited by state navies and marines serving on privateers.”

So, it was later in November 1775, notes Hearn that “ the Marine Committee, while sipping ale in Tun Tavern on King Street in Philadelphia, wrote ‘Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies. They established a Navy pay list and drafted a resolution creating the Continental Marines.” It was authorized in writing that two battalions be formed on Nov. 10 by the Continental Congress under the direction of John Adams. They were to be “good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs to serve to advantage by sea when required.” Innkeeper Samuel Nicholas of Philadelphia was named “captain” to lead the force. Tun Tavern became the recruiting site. Notes Hearn: “...the patriotic tune ‘Drum, Fife and Colours,” mixed with liberal servings of intoxicating beverages filled the ranks.” In those days, a Marine private earned “six and two-thirds dollars a month and the Navy ration: a pound of bread, pound of beef or pork, pound of potatoes or turnips or a half pint of peas, and a half pint of rum. Some days of the week Marines received butter, cheese and pudding. They wore green and white uniforms, not always made of the best material and not readily available.”

The term Leathernecks, often used to describe Marines, originated in 1875 as well when the Continental Marines wore “leather stocks,” which were neckpieces. Shortly after, the use of leather belongings was abolished because they were considered unfashionable. There’s just the beginning of the U.S. Marine Corps’ long military service.

Discussing the Marine Corps ever-changing duties, Hearn notes: “To keep pace with changing times, the Marine Corps has made their expeditionary units Special Operations Capable (SOC). In a new century where the enemy, supported by radical Muslim leaders, has established terrorist cells throughout the world, the Marine Corps must continue to adapt, which is exactly what they have done since 1775.”

With Marines serving around the world today on terrorist fighting missions, training others or guarding U.S. Embassies, protecting American interests at home and abroad, Hearn writes: "In warfare, Marines like to have a free hand, and they understand that causalities may be suffered to get the job done. That’s why many men and women who join the armed services chose to be Marines.”