Marines Hymn
United States Marines revisit their storied past every time they hear the Marines Hymn. As Senior Enlisted Leaders, you are vital in linking your service’s heritage with current operations because your subordinates must realize the ongoing expectation in order for them to persevere through hardship. This paper will cover the background of the Marines Hymn and how the Hymn serves to link present day Marines with the Corps’ heritage.
Background
Considered the oldest service song among all branches of the United States Armed Forces the actual date the Marines Hymn originated is not clear. The tune of the Marines Hymn finds its origin in the 1867 French opera Genevieve de Brabant written by composer Jacques Offenbach (Library of
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Some of the lyrics reference historic battles or campaigns in Marine Corps History. The “Halls of Montezuma” speaks to Marine actions in the Mexican – American War when U.S. Marines struggled and fought their way into Mexico City. The “Shores of Tripoli” references earlier action when the Marines captured the city of Derna in Tripoli during their campaign against the Barbary Pirates (LOC, n.d.). The Hymn moves on to forecast battles and wars to come. The lyrics “In the Snow of Far Off Northern Lands” immediately brings to mind the struggles endured by Marines in the frozen landscape of the Korean War. “Sunny Tropic Scenes” foretells of the beaches and jungles of the Japanese Empire where heroic Marines fought and died during World War II. “In the Air, on Land, and Sea” serves as a promise to the future enemies of America. That her Marines can and will engage them no matter where they may be. Having covered the background of the Marines Hymn this paper will now explore how the Hymn provides current Marines with an enduring link with the heritage of their …show more content…
It is an enduring reminder of past battles and a link to today’s struggles. Marines in the sweltering heat of Iraq or the bitter cold of Afghanistan can take heart in the fact that they are not suffering alone. They are carrying the legacy of their Corps by fighting “in any clime or place where [they] could take a gun.” They are living up to the expectations of valor and bravery alluded to throughout the Marines Hymn. This process allows current Marines to relate to the struggles endured by past generations of Marines and reminds them of their obligation to do the
The Marine Corps today has developed itself into an elite fighting force based on strong naval traditions. The basic Marine is amphibious, which means that the warrior is capable of fighting on land and sea. The idea of an amphibious landing was developed through the training of the Marine Raider Battalions, which was tested and perfected in combat. Although there were two Raider Commanders with very different views on how to prepare their marines, Evans Carlson and Merritt Edson were responsible for training lightly armed Marines for amphibious assaults.
As Marines, we have a well-known motto “One Team, One Fight” that creates an image of strong unity that everyone regardless of rank or size plays an important role. Everyone is necessary to complete the mission. In this book, one particular Marine, (then) Captain Bill Barber, has a story that since has become a crucial tool used as teaching material today for multi-level Marines everywhere. This book serves as a testimony to Captain Barber’s will in the midst of extreme opposition and sets the example of the for mentioned mindset
Traditions in the Marine Corps have a way of making marines be part of the team and loyalty is strengthened when these traditions are exercised; since 1921, Marine Corps Birthday is one of the most famous Marine customs that has been officially celebrated each year on 10 November . Different Marine units celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday in a specific ways based on their circumstances or location; The celebration in...
military members who share harsh, traumatic, or even funny events obviously become closer through the bond of a mutual experience. This is particularly true for Marine infantry; many Marine are brought up in different areas of the US, with different values, ages, religious and political beliefs. However different we all might look on the outside, the fact that we’ve all been through good times and bad with each other makes us closer than any civilian could understand. After being a Marine, I find that I’m close to, and always will be, than my civilian friends who I’ve known for years. Along with this, Pressfield talks about how, under all the glory and allure of fighting for one’s country exists the real reason that warriors fight; for our brothers in arms. Political beliefs, government stances, and flags go out the window, only to be replaced by concern for the safety and well-being of the men to our left and right. All of these things are reasons why it is difficult for civilians to understand what it’s like to be a warrior. This is perhaps embodied best in our motto, Semper Fidelis; Always Faithful, to our brothers and those who depend on
The Marine Corps Commandant General James L. Jones wants to lead the Marines into the 21st century with a new camouflage utility uniform. You may ask, why do the Marines need to differentiate their uniform from other branches; or why do the Marines need a new utility uniform at all. The answer to these questions can be summed up in two words: Forward Movement. Some Marines are having difficulties with the changes that have occurred as well as the changes that are coming.
Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Louis Moeller shaped me into the Recon Marine I wanted to be and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) that I am now. By embodying the Recon Creed and always setting the example, he made me want to be an NCO that my troops would look up to and want to follow. Even when not in charge he was constantly the one peers and junior Marines alike, turned to for guidance and inspiration. To this day, I still find myself asking “What would Louis do?” when confronted with a leadership dilemma.
A Marine is a very brave person, in any condition or place. In the year of 2015, a Marine in Chattanooga, Tennessee, risked his life when trying to distract a gunman from shooting many
You have to me Marine quality." A day as a Marine is very extensive. Marines day begins at 4:30 am. Physical Training starts at 5:00 am and lasts for an hour. Immediately following is morning formation, a brief explanation of the days activity as well as morning attendance. Whether on the field or in the classroom, military training begins at 7:00 am.
The Star-Spangled Banner, as it is now known, is sung at sporting events and gatherings across the country but usually not sung in its entirety. Unknown too many Americans is there are actually four verses to our national anthem. “The Star-Spangled Banner” became a well known and loved patriotic song but it would take 117 years before it would become our national anthem. In the 1890’s, the military began using the song for ceremonial purposes. Then in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued an executive order designating
Once wartime rolls around, they become naval auxiliary, to ship and deliver troops and war materials. The largest participation came from the United States Merchant Marines after the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. Due to the act of 1936, the controversial question is when the
The second characteristic of professionalism is responsibility. General responsibility creates the moral responsibility of marines and helps us understand the set of values which guide us. In addition, however, marines must also possess the values of other human beings and question service to a society which does not respect these values. These values include justice, common courtesy, human dignity and humbleness. A government which does not respect these values is illegitimate and cannot be said to serve the society it directs. In the case of United States marines, the values of the United States must be examined in the context of the military profession. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution provide clear statements of these values and Ethics. Ethics are standards by which one should act based on values. Values are core beliefs such as honor, courage, and commitment that motivate attitudes and actions. Not all values...
Trotting tirelessly through various terrains, witnessing death and other atrocities at every corner, and slowly losing oneself in the process is the life of a soldier. The poem "Dedicated to the Infantryman" by Gary McDonough accurately and thoroughly depicts this. Although it is vague and does not directly mention any one soldier, it is an overarching poem which can apply to the life of a soldier overall. Especially, it relates to the death of Kiowa and the ramifications this loss has on Norman Bowker from the novel The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.
The United States Marine Corps was established on November 10, 1775 to support naval forces during the American
As our forefathers before us stated, ‘‘No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army (“The NCO Creed writing by SFC Earle Brigham and Jimmie Jakes Sr”). These words to Noncommissioned Officer should inspire us to the fullest with pride, honor, and integrity. The NCO creed should mean much more than just words whenever we attend a NCO’s school. For most of us this is what our creed has become because we learn to narrate or recite. The military from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard has an overabundance of NCOs who fall under their pay grade of E-5, E-6 and etc. Yet somehow there still not enough leaders. I believe that the largest problem afflicting the military today is our lack of competent leaders, ineffective leader development, and how we influence our subordinates under us who are becoming leaders.
The history of Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller is not well known outside of the U.S. Marine Corps, but as the most decorated marine in history his legend will live on and continue to inspire the marines of tomorrow. The enlisted corps has idolized him, frequently encouraging one another to do that last push up when motivated by fellow marines saying “Do one for Chesty!” The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate that Chesty, using current day leadership theories, was a visionary and ethical leader who exemplified the characteristics that our nation’s military needed during World War II and still needs today. I will explain how he embodied some principles of Full Range Leadership Development that are taught today. Then I will describe how he demonstrated his ethical leadership through combat actions when faced with general military ethics situations. Finally, I will examine how my own leadership abilities, though noncombat focused, compare to how Chesty led his marines. Let’s begin by exploring the visionary leadership that Lt Gen Puller exhibited.