Courtesy of Marine Corps Association & Foundation
For over 221 years our Corps has done two things for this great Nation. We make Marines and we win battles.
Gen Charles C. Krulak, 31st CMC, 5 May 1997
Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary.
Gen. A. M. Gray, 29th CMC
A Marine is a Marine. I set that policy two weeks ago – there’s no such thing as a former Marine. You’re a Marine, just in a different uniform and you’re in a different phase of your life. But you’ll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego or the hills of Quantico. There’s no such thing as a former Marine.
General James F. Amos, 35th CMC
Gone to Florida to fight the Indians. Will be back when the war is over.
Commandant Col Archibald Henderson, 5th CMC, on a note pinned to his office door, 1836
On board the GANGES, about 12 mos. ago, Lt. Gale, was struck by an Officer of the Navy, the Capt. took no notice of the Business and Gale got no satisfaction on the Cruise; the moment he arrived he call’d the Lieut. out and shot him; afterwards Politeness was restor’d”
Signed “Yr obdt. Svt, W. W. Burrows, LtCol Comdt, MC” (2d CMC)
The relation between officers and men should in no sense be that of superior and inferior nor that of master and servant, but rather that of teacher and scholar. In fact, it should partake of the nature of the relation between father and son, to the extent that officers, especially commanding officers, are responsible for the physical, mental, and moral welfare, as well as the discipline and military training of the young men under their command.
MajGen John A. Lejeune, 13th CMC 1929
We are United States Marines, and for two and a quarter centuries we have defined the standards of courage, esprit, and military prowess.
Gen James L. Jones, 32nd CMC, 10 Nov 2000
There’s no such thing as a crowded battlefield. Battlefields are lonely places.
General Alfred M. Gray, 29th CMC
People criticizing the Marines are like the skinny guy trying to kick sand on the muscle guy in a Charles Atlas advertisement.
Gen Louis Wilson, 26th CMC, Norfolk, Va., 1975
I still need Marines who can shoot and salute. But, I need Marines who can fix jet engines and man sophisticated radar sets, as well.
Gen Robert E. Cushman Jr., 25th CMC, 17 May 1974