Seifert (101) Navy & Marine Corps History, Customs, and Courtesies

Question 1

Birthday of the Marine Corps

Answer 1

November 10, 1775

Question 2

Discuss the origin of the Marine Corps

Answer 2

-Tun Tavern in Philadelphia
-Resolution from Continental Congress raised 2 battalions of Marines
-Captain Samuel Nicholas (first commandant of the Marine Corps)

Question 3

Explain the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis

Answer 3

-Latin for “Always Faithful”
-Sometimes abbreviated Semper Fi
-Adopted circa 1883

Question 4

Describe the Marine Corps emblem & its significance

Answer 4

-Eagle (stands for proud country standing on western hemisphere and its beak holding a scroll of “Semper Fidelis”
-Globe (signifies global service)
-Fouled Anchor (signifies maritime traditions and close ties to Navy)
-Adopted/Modified by BG Jacob Zeilin in 1868 from British Royal Marines

Question 5

Significance of “leatherneck”

Answer 5

Protect neck/jugular from saber slashes; kept head erect; MC uniform item from 1775-1875

Question 6

Significance of Devil Dog

Answer 6

Nickname from WWI (1918) Battle of Belleau Wood. German “Teufelhunden” - translated “Devil Dogs” for ferocity in battle

Question 7

Significance of Esprit De Corps

Answer 7

-Latin for “spirit of the unit”
-epitome of pride in a unit
-implies devotion and loyalty
-deep regard for history, traditions, and honor of the unit

Question 8

Significance of “Uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

Answer 8

Admiral Nimitz’s comment of largest all-Marine battle in history on Iwo Jima (WWII)

Question 9

Significance of quatrefoil

Answer 9

Worn on the caps of Marines fighting on the decks of ships to be recognized by Marine sharpshooters. (avoid friendly fire)

Question 10

Significance of Mameluke Sword

Answer 10

-Gifted to 1stLt Presley O’bannon for actions in Tripoli expedition by Tripoli Prince
-Oldest US weapon still in use

Question 11

Significance of scarlet trouser stripe

Answer 11

Commemorates the blood shed by marines in the Battle of Chapultepec in 1846

Question 12

Significance of French Fourragere

Answer 12

Awarded to the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments from French citations for their support in WWI

Question 13

Significance of NCO Sword

Answer 13

-Marine Corps is the only branch that allows NCO’s to carry what is considered a commissioned officer’s weapon
-Intangible esprit de corps
-second oldest US weapon still in use

Question 14

Significance of Colors

Answer 14

Flag carried by people, usually next to national colors

Question 15

Significance of Standards

Answer 15

Colors that are mounted

Question 16

Significance of Guidons

Answer 16

-Carried by companies, batteries, or detachments
-identify unit
-mark commander’s position on battlefield
-symbolize transfer of ledership

Question 17

Discuss Marine Corps rank & pay grade (Enlisted)

Answer 17

-E1 (Pvt) Private
-E2 (PFC) Private First Class
-E3 (LCpl) Lance Corporal
-E4 (Cpl) Corporal
-E5 (Sgt) Sergeant
-E6 (SSgt) Staff Sergeant
-E7 (GySgt) Gunner Sergeant
-E8 (MSgt) Master Sergeant
-E8 (1stSgt) First Sergeant
-E9 (MGySgt) Master Gunner Sergeant
-E9 (SgtMaj) Sergeant Major
-E9 Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

Question 18

Discuss Marine Corps rank & pay grade (Officer)

Answer 18

-W1 Warrant Officer
-CWO2 Chief Warrant Officer 2
-CWO3 Chief Warrant Officer 3
-CWO4 Chief Warrant Officer 4
-CWO5 Chief Warrant Officer 5
-O1 (2ndLt) Second Lieutenant
-O2 (1stLt) First Lieutenant
-O3 (Capt) Captain
-O4 (Maj) Major
-O5 (LtCol) Lieutenant Colonel
-O6 (Col) Colonel

Question 19

BeMyLittleGeneral

Answer 19

-O7 (Brigadier General) 1-star
-O8 (Major General) 2-star
-09 (Lieutenant General) 3-star
-O10 (General) 4-star

Question 20

Enlisted ranks (special)

Answer 20

-Master Sergeant (crossed rifles) technical expert
-First Sergeant (Diamond) Leadership/Care for Marines
-Master Gunnery Sergeant (bomber) technical expert
-Sergeant Major (Senior enlisted leader, care for Marines, direct advisor to CO)
-If a CWO is wearing the bursting bomb device on his left collar, he is referred to as Gunner

Question 21

Navy Birthday

Answer 21

October 13, 1775

Question 22

Marine Corps Birthday Ball Celebration

Answer 22

-Continuous existence since 1798, when President John Adams signed an act reestablishing the Marine Corps, although tradition retains the original date of November 10, 1775
-Troop formations, to include parades, will be held when practical
-Reading of General John A. Lejeune’s birthday message should be included
-Cake cutting ceremony 1. First piece of cake to honor the oldest Marine present. 2. Second piece of cake to honor the youngest Marine present

Question 23

Describe FMF Warfare Officer (FMFWO) insignia

Question 24

Describe FMF Qualified Officer (FMFQO) insignia

Question 25

WWII Montfort Point Marines & African-American path breakers

Answer 25

-20,000 African-American men trained at Montfort Point Camp in Jacksonville, NC -Led the Marine Corps to undergo a social awakening that laid the foundation for greater equality and opportunity -SgtMaj Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson one of the first African-Americans to enlist in the Marine Corps and one of the first African American Drill Instructors in the Marine Corps. "Hashmark" because he had more service stripes than rank stripes. -PFC James Anderson Jr., first African-American Marine awarded (MOH) posthumous. KIA on 28 FEB 1967.

Question 26

WWI & WWII Navajo Code Talkers

Answer 26

-400+ Navajos utilized in WWI and WWII to transmit battle messages in their tribal language -Marine Corps established a formal code talking school -Secrecy maintained from adversaries