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Marine Corps

QUESTIONS

How did the Marine come to have the nickname 'Jarhead'?
When did the Marine Corps start using the Campaign Cover (Smokey Bear)?
What rabid anti-communist senator, known as "Tail-Gunner Joe", served in the US Marines?
"Gunny" is what E-7 US Marine Corps rank?
Which US Marine faced prosecution for the Iran-Contra Scandal?
Why are Marines called 'Leather Necks'?
What island was relatively undefended when Allied Forces first arrived then was bypassed and in the months that followed heavily fortified costing huge loss of life when it was finally invaded?
In 1985 - 1986 women Marines were ordered to do two things what where they?
In 1966 woman Marines received an issue of which part of the DI uniform?
Who was the first woman in the Marine Corp?
During the War of 1812 with England, the British burned down nearly every public building in Washington.(including the White House and the Capital). What Building was spared from the burnings?
Who was the first Negro to be commissioned in the United States Marine Corps?
What is the crucible?
What year was the regulation adopted for the outline of specifications for the sword the non-commissioned officers wear today?
What is the oldest post in the Marine Corps.
What is the same about all Marines?
The red stripe on the blue trousers of the U.S. Marine NCO and Officers commemorates what in the U.S. Mexican War?
The emblem of the Marine Corps eagle, globe and anchor was adopted in what year?
What happened on January 10, 1995?
Where is the largest concentration of Marines OUTSIDE the continental United States?
Who was the first woman Marine to be selected for the Naval Aviation training?
Other than Okinawa, where else does the Marine Corps have bases overseas?
Marines have engaged in combat against the enemy on every continent of the world except two. What are they?
Who was the only Marine to die on Antarctica?
How many MOH's did Marine Smedley Butler earn?
What was the nickname of Marine General Holland M. Smith that led the invasion of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
How many Marines earn the MOH in the Battle of Iwo Jima?
General Vandergrift commanded what division of Marines in the Battle of Guadalcanal?
How many Marines landed on Guadalcanal?
What did the Marine fighter pilots dubb themselves after the air field at Guadalcanal became useable?
Who became the first ace in the "Cactus Air Force"?
Who gets the first two pieces of cake on the Marine Corps Birthday?
What is the most outstanding custom in the Marine Corps?
On the morning of 1 January of each year what happens?
What year did the Marine Corps adopt the rope into the emblem?
What former naval air station is still known officially as Admiral Mark Mitscher Field?
Who was the first Marine?
Where were the Marines born?
Where did the Creed come from and When did it begin?
What are the requirements to be enlisted in sniper school?
Why is the star of David on the NCO sword?

ANSWERS

How did the Marine come to have the nickname 'Jarhead'?
Military slang for a member of the United States Marine Corps. The slang originated during WWII when the Mason Jar Company started making their helmets and refers to the similarity that the shape of the helmet shares with a jar as well as the typical haircut new recruits are given.
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When did the Marine Corps start using the Campaign Cover (Smokey Bear)?
The unique style of hat worn by today’s Marine Corps Drill Instructors, shows a direct line from the U.S. Army felt hat of 1855. As the hat’s crown became shorter and the brim became wider, it was referred to as a campaign hat. As the Army moved out onto the frontier (1870-1890), various styles were issued, but the major complaint of soldiers was that the hat was black and hot. (It was not until 1888 that the U.S. Army finally issued a brown campaign hat. The U.S. Cavalry never wore a white campaign hat except in the movies.) During the war with Spain in 1898, the Marine Corps fielded a battalion of Marines who were the first troops to land in Cuba. Wearing their traditional blue uniforms of the period, Marines requested campaign hats from the U.S. Army to help combat the tropical heat and humidity. These were the first "field hats" worn by Marines, and would also be worn in the Philippines; in China, during the Boxer Rebellion, and later during the Philippine Insurrection. At this time, the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor was normally worn, pinned to the left side in the British fashion. In 1912, the Marines introduced their own style of field hat, with brim folded over and stitched to give the hat the appearance of a thicker brim. Marines who have worn the campaign cover, pride themselves on keeping the brim perfectly straight. The field hat remained in service until the beginning of WWII, when felt became a critical war material. During the war and after, the campaign cover was used exclusively by Marine competitive marksmanship teams. The present campaign cover was reintroduced in 1956, for use by Drill Instructors as a mark of their professionalism. In 1966 the women Marine DI's were allowed to start wearing it too. Only two hat cords are authorized for wear on the Marine Corps campaign cover. A gold cord for flag officers (generals), and scarlet and gold for officers– Both warrant and commissioned. The U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force have also adopted the use of campaign covers in recruit training.
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What rabid anti-communist senator, known as "Tail-Gunner Joe", served in the US Marines?
Senator Joseph McCarthy
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"Gunny" is what E-7 US Marine Corps rank?
Gunnery Sergeant
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Which US Marine faced prosecution for the Iran-Contra Scandal?
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North.
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Why are Marines called 'Leather Necks'?
When acting as boarding party in the days of sail they wore leather around their necks as protection from saber cuts.
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What island was relatively undefended when Allied Forces first arrived then was bypassed and in the months that followed heavily fortified costing huge loss of life when it was finally invaded?
Iwo Jima
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In 1985 - 1986 women Marines were ordered to do two things what where they?
Posses a sword and be trained how to use it and qualify with the M-16A1 rifle.
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In 1966 woman Marines received an issue of which part of the DI uniform?
The "Smokey" cover.
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Who was the first woman in the Marine Corp?
It was Lucy Brewer. She actually enlisted as George Baker. And served on Old Ironside.
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During the War of 1812 with England, the British burned down nearly every public building in Washington.(including the White House and the Capital). What Building was spared from the burnings?
The Marine barracks out of respect.
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Who was the first Negro to be commissioned in the United States Marine Corps?
Fredrick C. Branch of Charlotee, NC.
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What is the crucible?
A 54 hour rigorous training exercise of all of the things a recruit learns in bootcamp.
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What year was the regulation adopted for the outline of specifications for the sword the non-commissioned officers wear today?
1859
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What is the oldest post in the Marine Corps.
"8th and I".
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What is the same about all Marines?
They are all riflemen.
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The red stripe on the blue trousers of the U.S. Marine NCO and Officers commemorates what in the U.S. Mexican War?
The blood shed in the Halls of Montezuma.
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The emblem of the Marine Corps eagle, globe and anchor was adopted in what year?
1868
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What happened on January 10, 1995?
2,600 U.S. Marines were deployed to Somalia for operation United Shield to assist in the final withdrawal of UN peacekeeping troops from Somalia.
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Where is the largest concentration of Marines OUTSIDE the continental United States?
Okinawa, Japan at Marine Corps Bases Cp. S.D. Butler, Cp. Schwab, Cp. Hansen, Cp. Lester, Cp. Foster, Cp. Kinser, Cp. McTureous, Cp. Gonsalves and MCAS Futenma.
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Who was the first woman Marine to be selected for the Naval Aviation training?
2nd. Lieutenant Sarah Deal.
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Other than Okinawa, where else does the Marine Corps have bases overseas?
There are two USMC installations on Mainland Japan: Combined Arms Training Center, Cp. Fuji, about 2 hours from Tokyo at the foot of Japan's most famous landmark; and MCAS Iwakuni, 25 miles southwest of the city of Hiroshima.
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Marines have engaged in combat against the enemy on every continent of the world except two. What are they?
Australia and Antarctica.
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Who was the only Marine to die on Antarctica?
Capt. Rayburn A. Hudman, a co-pilot aboard a Navy P2V-2N Neptune aircraft attached to the Antarctic Development Squadron SIX (VX-6), was killed in October 1956 along with the pilot and aircrew when it crashed during whiteout conditions at McMurdo Station.
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How many MOH's did Marine Smedley Butler earn?
Two
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What was the nickname of Marine General Holland M. Smith that led the invasion of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
"Howlin Mad"
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How many Marines earn the MOH in the Battle of Iwo Jima?
27
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General Vandergrift commanded what division of Marines in the Battle of Guadalcanal?
The 1st Marine Division and a regiment of the 2nd. Marine Division.
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How many Marines landed on Guadalcanal?
11,000 Marines
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What did the Marine fighter pilots dubb themselves after the air field at Guadalcanal became useable?
The "Cactus Air Force".
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Who became the first ace in the "Cactus Air Force"?
Marine Captain John Smith. He also received the Medal of Honor.
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Who gets the first two pieces of cake on the Marine Corps Birthday?
The Oldest Marine and the Youngest Marine.
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What is the most outstanding custom in the Marine Corps?
It is simply "being a Marine" and all that it implies. It is that pride which sets a United States Marine apart from the men of other armed services. It is not taught in manuals, yet it is the most impressive lesson a recruit learns in boot camp.
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On the morning of 1 January of each year what happens?
Serenading the Commandant. Commencing with the last New Year's Day of the Civil War, on the morning of 1 January of each year the Marine Band serenades the Commandant of the Marine Corps at his quarters and received hot buttered rum and breakfast in return.
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What year did the Marine Corps adopt the rope into the emblem?
Eagle Globe and Anchor. The emblem of the United States Marine Corps adopted in 1868 under Brigadier General Commandant Jacob Zeilen following the Civil War. Prior to that time the Marines wore the Army infantry horn with a red field in the center and the letter “M” in Old English script. In 1776, the device consisted of a "foul anchor" of silver or pewter. The foul anchor still forms a part of the emblem today. (A foul anchor is an anchor which has one or more turns of the chain around it). Changes were made in 1798, 1821, and 1824.
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What former naval air station is still known officially as Admiral Mark Mitscher Field?
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, CA
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Who was the first Marine?
Joshua Carpenter, who on November 10, 1775 was Commissioned to form the first units of the Continental Marines.
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Where were the Marines born?
At Tunn Tavern in Philadelphia, Pa. the Proprieter and Brewmaster Joshua Carpenter was commissioned and tasked to form the first two units on 11/10/1775.
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Where did the Creed come from and When did it begin?
Accredited to Major General William H. Rupertus, USMC (Deceased) and still taught to Marines undergoing Basic Training at the Recruit Depots at San Diego and Parris Island, was first published in the San Diego Marine Corps Chevron March 14, 1942.
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What are the requirements to be enlisted in sniper school?
Marines applying for sniper status must not only be mentally sound but they also must be physically fit. They also must be an expert shooter from the infantry Military Occupational Specialty. To become a sniper, applicants must pass a two-day screening. This includes a physical fitness test, swim qualifications, land navigation, ruck run, and night observation exercise.
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Why is the star of David on the NCO sword?
First, the star is not a Star of David because it is geometrically different. The Star of David does not consist of two triangles combined together, but rather two, separate, interlocking triangles (which, in recent history, and often when displayed in one-color designs, usually does appear to be two triangles combined together). We cannot absolutely confirm the history of the star; however, we do know that the blade specifications for both the U.S. and British military swords require the six-pointed star with the word "Proved" etched on the blade. As best we can tell, the specification for the six-pointed star is historical in nature and was likely used to signify that the blade was manufactured using the Damascus steel method. Today, there is no requirement for Damascus steel blades; however, the six-pointed "Proved" star is required in the etch to signify that the blade meets the current military specifications. Even this use has lost its meaning, however, since replica swords intended only for wall-mounting incorrectly bear the symbol. Damascus steel was perfected by the Persians and was reportedly encountered by Alexander the Great three centuries before Christ. The Persians used the six-pointed star during these non-modern times. The Persian blade-making process of folding the steel many times - even hundreds of times - to layer the steel resulted in extremely tough blades with both strength and resilience. The term "Damascus steel" came from western traders first encountering the steel in Damascus. Today, U.S. military blades are purely ornamental and ceremonial in nature. The modern-day swords and sabers are certainly not made with Damascus steel blades and are not made to withstand blade-to-blade contact. Damascus steel blades today would cost tens of thousands of dollars to forge, and we know of no one who offers Damascus steel blades.
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