What is it about Marines...?

Throughout churches, city halls, and small town main streets of America patriotic tunes and hymns ring, VFW post gather, and young men in crisp uniforms snap to attention and whip a quick crisp salute as Old Glory passes by. Inevitably in this celebration of our nation's freedom a young man will be seen in his Marine Dress Blues. A black coat, with shiny gold buttons, and red trim, blue trousers with the familiar "blood stripe" running down the seam, shiny black shoes that are as smooth and slick as glass, topped off by a white cover displaying the Marine Corps emblem on a clean shaven, "high and tight" head. Just the mention of the name "Marine" to the average citizen elicits a response of awesome respect and admiration. The everyday civilian may not know the names of battles like Bellau Wood, Soissons, Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Inchon, Hue City, Saigon, An Nasiriyah, Basra, or Al Fallujah, but they do know the ferocity and power that has characterized Marine Corps Warfighting since 1775. Marines are considered a different breed, a complete anomolye compared to fellow armed service members. What is it that makes this organization dynamic and elite? What creates such an effective and efficacious fighting force? Why are those that don the Marine uniform respected and feared in countries around the world?
Regardless of who you ask the answer to the question will likely include the amazing and outstanding warfighting history of the United States Marine Corps. The solution to these questions will resonate with how the Marines go willingly and without question to hell on earth at their commanders beckoning to defend freedom and liberate foreign peoples. A recounting of the Marines impressive history begs another question? Why, Why, Why? Why in the Marine Corps is "UnCommon Valor a Common Virtue?" Why do they jump on hand grenades or charge uphill into machine gun nest?
There is no one particular reason to answer those questions. It is due in part to the nature of how Marines are "born" at Parris Island, SC and in Sand Diego, CA. The lifestyle after bootcamp from the condition of the barracks to every Marine being trained as a rifleman, is a major influence on the performance of Marines in combat zones. However, I would submit to you that one often overlooked chracteristic that distinguishes Marines from their peers is the unwavering loyalty and iron brotherhood that links one Marine from another. From 4 Star General to a Private fresh out of boot camp the Marines are linked by a code of honor, courage, and commitment. Marines do seemingly crazy and insane acts with each other in mind. Marines will do anything and everything for their fellow "devildogs" , because Marines are instilled and trained that in a combat zone all they have is each other. No one is their to keep them company or comfort them during times of boredom and loneliness, and no one is their to watch their back in a firefight...no one but fellow Marines. The United States Marine Corps is an amazing fraternity whose members value the lives of their fellow Marines above their own.
Relentless training, demanding standards, and an unmatched drive for perfection are all contributing factors to the greatness of the Corps, but all of these attributes are derived from the self-sacrifice instilled from day one in US Marines. The belief that the team is more important than the players is not a fancy cliche'. It's a way of life. It's what makes us The Few, The Proud, The Marines.

Happy Fourth of July. May God bless each of you richly and may God Bless America.

Semper Fidelis
Joe