The United States Marine Corps Turns 249
By Kent Yang | Staff Writer
Nov. 10 marks the birthday of one of the world’s most prestigious and formidable fighting forces: the United States Marine Corps. On this day, Marines around the globe celebrate the history of past and current Marines through various traditions, most notably the Marine Corps Birthday Ball and the ceremonial cake cutting.
As Marine Corps tradition has it: “The first piece of cake is given to the Guest of Honor. Traditionally, the second piece is given to the oldest Marine, then handing the third piece to the youngest Marine signifying the passing of experience and knowledge from the old to the young of our Corps.”
In the accompanying photo, the Guest of Honor at Mount Wachusett Community College’s cake cutting ceremony hosted by the Veteran Services department was Bob Mayer, Army Veteran and Director of Veteran Services; the oldest Marine in the room was Peter Sennett, a Marine Corp Veteran Officer; the youngest Marine in the room was none other than myself, a Marine Corp enlisted veteran.
For those unfamiliar with the United States Marine Corps, here’s a brief history. The Marine Corps is older than the United States itself. It was established on Nov. 10, 1775, when the Continental Congress passed a resolution drafted by John Adams stating that “two battalions of Marines be raised.” These Marines, known as the Continental Marines, served under the leadership of Capt. Samuel Nicholas. Their mission was to protect ships and Navy vessels and to carry out amphibious assaults.
At the end of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Marines disbanded, only to be re-established as the United States Marine Corps on July 11, 1798. Since then, the major conflict, defending the United States and its interests Corps has participated in every against all adversaries.
Some notable battles in Marine Corps history include the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War I, where Marines earned the nickname “Devil Dogs” for their ferocity, the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942, the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, the Battle of Hue City in 1968, and campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. What sets the Marine Corps apart from other branches, such as the Army or Navy? While the Marine Corps traditionally specializes in amphibious assaults, it is the only branch that can fight effectively on land, in the air, or at sea. The battle record speaks for itself. Marines are the only branch in service that can be deployed to anywhere around the world within 24 hours. For short-term deployments, the Corps
does not require congressional approval; the authority comes directly from the president or commander-in-chief.
Speaking of the President, with the election just behind us, it’s worth remembering in any branch of service, there will be a chain of command. As a Marine Corps veteran, I can say with confidence that, regardless of who holds political office, the Corps remains dedicated to serving the people and upholding the interests of the United States above all else.
“First to Fight” isn’t just a motto—it’s a core element of Marine identity, representing our unwavering readiness and commitment to defend against any threat. The Marine mindset is a weapon in itself. We pride ourselves on our discipline, lethality, and ability to secure Mission Success. As one of the most agile and rapidly deployable branches, Marines all around the nation are always prepared to respond to any threat or crisis at a moment’s notice. The Marine Corps’ core values of honor, courage, and commitment have guided us for 249 years, and they continue to define the legacy of the Corps today.
This year, the Marine Corps celebrates its 249th birthday. Happy birthday to all Marines — past, present, and future.
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