Marine Corps

The smallest uniformed branch of the United States Armed Forces and part of the U.S. Department of the Navy. The Marine Corps is a mobile combined-arms task force for the United States Navy and was created in 1775 by the Continental Congress. The Marines became an official component of the U.S. Navy in 1834. Their motto is Semper Fidelis which means “Always Faithful.”

In its Statement of Purpose, the Marine Corps explains that “The Marine Corps has been America's expeditionary force in readiness since 1775. We [the Marine Corps] are forward deployed to respond swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis. We are soldiers of the sea, providing forces and detachments to naval ships and shore operations.” The Corps has been a part of every landing since the Revolutionary War and is composed of two forces: Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC) and the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT).