Customs And Courtesies In The United States Marine Corps

Customs, courtesies, and traditions mean the way marines uphold themselves, while at the same time showing respect among different ranks and keeping traditions celebrated as time goes on. The United States Marine Corps was founded on November 10th, 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and consists of many customs, courtesies, and traditions. Like so many things in life, the Marine Corps have a set of strict and firm rules and regulations that are made to uphold by each and every person enlisted in the military. These rules and regulations have been enforced to established and maintain good order and discipline in every marine to avoid having orderly conduct while on and off duty. Customs and courtesies were created based off of traditions

when the Marine Corps first began over two hundred years ago.
Customs and courtesies that are either written or unwritten are used as a reminder of how one should act in the Marine Corps and the traditions set by others in the past.

While displaying military customs and courtesies in a situation, you make it evident to those around you that you are committed to the duty, honor, and our country. Military customs have been emerged from traditions and have since been enforced. A courtesy in the military is a kind, polite, and considerate action or behavior that is often connected to a custom. Without customs, courtesies, and traditions in the Marine Corps there wouldn’t be discipline, joint effort between one another, respect between ranks would be absent, and there would be a lack of brotherhood.

Being mindful of these customs and courtesies helps enforce discipline while on duty or when going out in a public setting. Discipline is instilled on those enlisted in the Marine Corps by following those strict rules and regulations. These rules and regulations consist of things such as giving a proper greeting, remaining drug free, and maintaining appropriate behavior. Some of these rules and regulations can be hard to maintain, making sure that you’re following everything correctly, but as time goes on realization sets in that they are made for a purpose and to better us as

Marines.
Without discipline in the military, there would be a numerous amount of issues including drug abuse, violence, and/or disrespect to other ranks. These customs and courtesies were created to avoid such issues and to keep all enlisted in check at all times. It also helps to make sure that when these men or women are using or operating dangerous weapons, they are in a right mind to eliminate accidents or tragedies in the field. Not only in just the military it is important to have discipline, but also in your everyday life in order to over come life’s obstacles. The customs and courtesies of the military have helped me learn and grow into a better person.
Customs and courtesies have helped me grow into a better person by strongly encouraging discipline that I did not obtain until joining the United States Marine Corps. The discipline that comes with customs and courtesies has taught me how to act professional and be professional in the proper setting. Since joining the Marine Corps, I have learned not to joke around and not act like a juvenile person in the way I communicate or by my actions. It has truly showed me how to be a mature adult and help me to grow up especially after graduating high school and trying to find myself. This is important for my future because I feel as if I did not learn discipline I would have ran into multiple problems with any future profession I decide to encounter. Having a background with military customs and courtesies will help me with any future I decide to have because I have learned respect and discipline. To me, discipline means the way you carry yourself in everything you do or everything you say.
Traditions in the Marine Corps have helped create joint effort between each Marine. Some of the traditions that have evolved from the past include The Marine’s Hymn, the Marine Corps ball, and blood stripe on non-commissioned officers. These traditions date back as far as the revolutionary war. The revolutionary war began on April 19th. 1775 and ended September 3rd, 1783, during which the United States Marine Corps was founded only seven months after it had first begun. The continental marines, a marine force of the American Colonies, helped act as an important role in the American Revolutionary war. They had a multiple purposes, but one of the most important duties was to serve almost as a security force. Stated within the Continental Marine Act of 1775, the second continental congress proclaimed: “That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, two majors and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of privates as with other battalions, that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve for and during the present war with Great Britain and the Colonies; unless dismissed by Congress; that they be
distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalions of
Marines.” The establishment of the Continental Maries created the many traditions Marines follow in their day-to-day life. Traditions are set as an example of how we should act and a way to honor the past and battles won and lost. Along with traditions, customs and courtesies apply in the wars by each Marine applying them self fully, giving one’s superiors the respect that comes with their authority, and never overstepping your boundaries.
“Leadership is the position or function of a leader, a person who guides of directs a group.” A leader is important in any organization to keep with the flow of things and to help guide others into a better path.

Leaders in the United States Marine Corps are earned, not given. When approaching members in the Marine, customs and courtesies say that it is important to salute because it not only is a regulation set by the Marine Corps, but also a way to recognize other Marine’s commitments while showing professionalism. “The salute isn't simply an honor exchanged; it's a privileged gesture of respect and trust among military members.” The salute is a way to express pride in your profession and it is required to salute when meeting and acknowledging an officer’s presence. Along with saluting, other military courtesies show appreciation and self-discipline shown in a Marine’s actions or in their speech. Many reasons, such as respect are why these courtesies are important and are applied in the military. In my opinion, I think the respect that is enforced with customs and courtesies is extremely important. It lets a Marine show that they know what proper gestures to do and they know the difference between right and wrong in the United States Marine Corps. It also shows how a Marine is suppose to be and act at all times, no matter what setting they’re

in.
Along with the American Revolutionary War and many other different battles, the United States Marine Corps had an important part during World War 2. World War 2 began on September 3rd, 1939 however, the United States of American did not decide to join the war until the incident of the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7th, 1941. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States Marines Corps was a huge asset to the war when they were sent to capture Pacific islands, often referred to as a “sergeant’s war.” Through the peak of United States Marine Corps there were over 485,000 men who had joined during the year 1945. If there were not customs and courtesies, World War 2 would have been a complete disaster because of the Marines not following orders given by their higher ups or the Marines would decide to back out of fighting during the war. Luckily customs, courtesies, and traditions have been around since before World War 2 and those Marines who fought during the war followed them. Due to the discipline of the individual Marines, brotherhood was strongly carried out through the war.
In all, customs, courtesies, and traditions are important in the United States Marine Corps because it keep those who are enlisted disciplined and in good order. Although they may be tough to follow at times, they are important because they keep with the traditions and history with the Marine Corps. Through customs, courtesies, and traditions, the Marine Corps has been successful for over two hundred years and successful in multiple battles, such as the American Revolutionary War and World War 2. Customs and courtesies are set by the Marine Corps as a guide to show Marines how they should act by actions and speech and by greet others. The customs and courtesies show the way Marines should live their day-to-day life while on duty or out in a regular civilian life. Within these customs and courtesies we, as Marines, are brought together by brotherhood and fight together as one by following traditions of those before us. “...It is a proud privilege to be a soldier – a good soldier with discipline, self-respect, pride in his unit and his country, a high sense of duty and obligation to comrades and to his superiors, and a self confidence born of demonstrated ability.” ― George S. Patton Jr.