Description of the United States Marine Corp

Marines are soldiers recruited and trained for duty at sea and service on shore in naval campaigns. In other words, Marines are seagoing soldiers. The United States Marine Corps has several basic missions to perform today. These missions are to provide Marine expeditionary forces, called Fleet Marine Forces, to capture and defend bases for the Navy; to fight on shore during naval campaigns; to study and develop amphibious warfare; to provide guards for naval bases ashore and for American embassies and consulates abroad; and to perform any other duties that the president may order.

How the United States Marine Corp is Organized

The Fleet Marine Forces are the fighting units of the Marine Corps. Three Marine divisions and three aircraft wings, along with such supporting units as artillery, engineers, and armor, make up the Fleet Marine Forces. In addition, a fourth Marine division and aircraft wing, composed of organized units of the Marine Corps Reserve, serves as a ready back up force. All together, these combat organizations are known as the operating forces. The part of the Marine Corps that recruits, trains, and supplies the operating forces is called the supporting establishment.

Women's Role in the Marine Corp

About 9,600 women Marines serve in the corps, holding ranks from private to brigadier general. Women Marines may serve in all military jobs except infantry, artillery, armor, and aircrew. They are not allowed to be assigned to units who primary mission is close combat.

In order to integrate women fully into an expanded role within the corps, the Office of Director of Women Marines was disbanded in 1977. The following year, President Carter nominated Colonel Margaret A. Brewer for brigadier general. Upon promotion, she became the first women to hold the rank in the Marine Corps.

United States Marine Corps

Major Events in the United States Marine Corps' History

IMPORTANT DATES IN U.S. MARINE CORPS HISTORY
1775	The Continental Marines are created by the Continental Congress.
1776	The Marines conduct the first amphibious landing at New Providence in the Bahamas.
1783	The Treaty of Paris formally ends the Revolutionary War, and the Continental Marines are disbanded.
1798	The U.S. Marine Corps is formally reestablished.
1805	The Marines fought Barbary pirates in northern Africa and raised the flag on the shores of Tripoli.
1812 1815	The War of 1812: The Marines fought in the defense of Washington, D.C. and helped defeat the British at New Orleans.
1846 1848	The Mexican War: The Marines fought their way to the Hall of Montezuma in Mexico City.
1861 1865	The Civil War: The Marines fought for the Union side, both on land and at sea.
1912	The first Marine Corps air division was established.
1917 1918	World War I: Marines earned the title "Devil Dogs" for their heroic actions on the battlefields of France.
1941 1945	World War II: Marines engaged in warfare in the South Pacific. They raised the flag atop Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima and occupied Japan and North China.
1950 1953	Marines engaged in United Nations action in Korea.
1965	Marine ground troops began fighting in Vietnam.
1969 1971	Marine Corps forces withdrew from Vietnam.
1978	First woman general officer selected.
1979	First black general officer selected.
1983	Marines participated in United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon and in the invasion of Grenada.