Operation Help Marine!

Esprit de Corps is the driving spirit behind a Marine. The most outstanding custom in the Marine Corps is simply "being a Marine" and all that it implies. Call it morale, call it Esprit de Corps, call it what you will. It is the pride which sets a United States Marine apart from the men of the other armed forces. It is not taught in manuals, yet it is the most impressive lesson a recruit learns in boot camp. One feature which has made the Marine Corps such a respected organization, is a custom of the Marine Corps Leaders to look out for their men. A Marine Leader makes sure that his men are comfortably clothed, housed and justly treated. For example, in the field, a Marine Leader takes his position at the end of the mess line after all of his Marines, to ensure that they all get their food. A Marine Leader never leaves a dead or wounded Marine on the battlefield to fall into the hands of the enemy. A Marine would even give his own life to aid another Marine.

Semper Fi!

Marine For Life

The Commandant's Marine For Life program is in Phase I of implementation and has achieved initial-on-the-ground operational capability as scheduled in FY-2002.  Marine For Life is assembling and developing the already existing "Marine Corps networks" across America to support our 27,000 Marines honorably leaving active service each year, sponsor them home on their last set of orders, reemphasize the value of honorable service, and be the means for the Marine Corps to stay connected with our veteran Marines.  "Once A Marine, Always A Marine", inextricably linked to our official motto of Semper Fidelis, takes on special significance for our Marines leaving active service and captures their continued fidelity to Marines and our Corps.  Marine For Life will strengthen and advance our ethos and ensure that no Marine who honorably wore the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor is lost to the Marine Corps family.

For more information, visit the website at www.MarineForLife.com or contact the Project Officer, Major Gary Dean at MarineForLife@MarineCorps.com.