alfaniner
Penultimate Amazing
On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was established at a gathering at Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Is it significant that the Corps started in a bar? 
)
I served for four years in 1977-1981. It was of course the major influence in my life, but that was long enough and I had skills to end my enlistment and make some real money. (I did. My job was in computers and tactical systems -- an up-and-coming field in the civilian sector as well.) I still have contact with a few people from that time. No complaints, and it did send me to a few places in the world, and encountered a lot of different types of people (fellow service members, especially) I doubt I'd ever have gotten to otherwise.
The Birthday is always a special celebration for everyone in the Corps, usually signified by the Birthday Ball, where Marines of all ranks get together to celebrate (and often drink, quite a bit.) One feature is the presentation of the cake by the Color Guard (a duty I had one year), the noting of the oldest and youngest persons in the unit, and the reading of the message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Lots of tradition and ceremony. It was great.
)I served for four years in 1977-1981. It was of course the major influence in my life, but that was long enough and I had skills to end my enlistment and make some real money. (I did. My job was in computers and tactical systems -- an up-and-coming field in the civilian sector as well.) I still have contact with a few people from that time. No complaints, and it did send me to a few places in the world, and encountered a lot of different types of people (fellow service members, especially) I doubt I'd ever have gotten to otherwise.
The Birthday is always a special celebration for everyone in the Corps, usually signified by the Birthday Ball, where Marines of all ranks get together to celebrate (and often drink, quite a bit.) One feature is the presentation of the cake by the Color Guard (a duty I had one year), the noting of the oldest and youngest persons in the unit, and the reading of the message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Lots of tradition and ceremony. It was great.
