Corps Lore
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The Beginnings | ||
On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, adopted a secret resolution that formally established a military organization whose fame and tradition was destined to achieve prominence in the annals of American warfare. Drafted by John Adams and sponsored by the Nova Scotia Committee, the resolution created the Continental Marines and is now observed as the birth date of the United States Marine Corps. The resolution reads: | ||
Resolved - That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, two majors and officers as usual in other regiments; That they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to office or inlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with Maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea, when required. That they be inlisted and commissioned for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; That they be distinguished by the names of the 1st and 2d Battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number, which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of. | ||
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A Sampler of Marine Recruiting Slogans since 1775 |
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Daily Ration Allowance in 1775, Continental Marines |
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| Unusual Customs and Traditions of the Marine Corps | |
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11 General Orders for Sentries |
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General Order 1 | ||
General Order 2 | ||
General Order 3 To report all violationsof orders I am instructed to enforce. | ||
General Order 4 To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own. | ||
General Order 5 To quit my post only when properly relieved. | ||
General Order 6 To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only. | ||
General Order 7 To talk to no one except in the line of duty. | ||
General Order 8 To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder. | ||
General Order 9 To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions. | ||
General Order 10 To salue all officers and al colors and standards not cased. | ||
General Order 11 To be especially watchful at night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority. | ||
| The Articles of the Code of Conduct |
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Article I: I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. | ||
Article II: I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist. | ||
Article III: If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. | ||
Article IV: If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way. | ||
Article V: When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause. | ||
Article VI: I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. |
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03-Nov-2014
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