I am a Civilian Marine
I am a unique member of the United States Marine Corps.
I do not wear the uniform of an active duty Marine. I will not be called upon to go to a foreign shore and fight a battle or wage a war against the enemies of freedom and human dignity. I will not be taken from my family to preserve an unstable ‘peace’ and the democratic way of life, as this country relies on the warriors of the United States Marine Corps to do.
Some would say then that I am not a ‘true’ Marine. They are wrong. I am there always to support. I know how very important my contribution is to the Corps and to the individual Marine with whom I work side by side. . . .
The 31st Commandant of the United States Marine Corps has said I am the soul of the Marine Corps. God bless him for that statement of recognition. I may not always be recognized as such, but I am a ‘true’ Marine. I am a Civilian Marine. Semper Fidelis!
- Margaret L. Carter, MCLB Barstow, CA
Civilian Marines
In 2000, General Charles Krulak, 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps, first used the term “Civilian Marines.” Since then, it has come to describe the special service that the civilian workforce provides to the Marine Corps Total Force structure.
Civilian Marines are in integral part of the Marine Corps structure and, as such, they are uniquely positioned to contribute special talents and capabilities in support of our nation’s defense. Each Civilian Marine makes a unique contribution to his or her command’s specific mission.
Civilians allow the Marine Corps to remain the nation’s “force in readiness” and to continue fulfilling its Congressionally-mandated mission of “being the most ready when the nation is least ready.” Without civilian support, the mission of the Marine Corps would be severely compromised. In partnership with Marines, Civilian Marines will continue to play an important role in support the Marine Corps mission worldwide.
Welcome Aboard
Congratulations on Your Selection! You'll find everything that you’ll need in these pages to make your transition into our organization as seamless and easy as possible. Here is what you’ll find in this section:
Your introduction to the Federal Government's Onboarding Process includes:
Access to all the Documents and Forms you’ll need to fill out and have with you on your first day. Explanation of the developmental Phases and Activities you’ll experience over the next twelve months ("How Onboarding Works")
An overview of the Roles and Responsibilities of your Civilian Marine support community ("Your Supervisor, Your Onboarding Sponsor, and You")
Read the following sections carefully to provide yourself with all the information that you'll need over the coming weeks and months. You're already well on your way to becoming a Civilian Marine!
Onboarding is the process of integrating and acculturating new employees into the organization and providing them with the tools, resources, and knowledge to become successful and productive.
Research clearly shows that effective onboarding improves performance, increases engagement, increases retention, and accelerates new employee time to productivity. Investing in effective onboarding helps new employees get up to speed quickly, equips them with the information they need to excel at their jobs, and creates a sense of commitment to the organization.
Click on the "Get the Guide" for the Guide for Civilian Marines
What are Marine Values?
Honor: This is the bedrock of our character. It is the quality that empowers Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior: to never lie, cheat, or steal; to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; to respect human dignity; and to have respect and concern for each other. It represents the maturity, dedication, trust, and dependability that commit Marines to act responsibly, be accountable for their actions, fulfill their obligations, and hold others accountable for their actions.
Courage: The heart of our Core Values, courage is the mental, moral, and physical strength ingrained in Marines that sees them through the challenges of combat and the mastery of fear, and to do what is right, to adhere to a higher standard of personal conduct, to lead by example, and to make tough decisions under stress and pressure. It is the inner strength that enables a Marine to take that extra step.
Commitment: This is the spirit of determination and dedication within members of a force of arms that leads to professionalism and mastery of the art of war. It promotes the highest order of discipline for unit and self and is the ingredient that instills dedication to Corps and country 24 hours a day, pride, concern for others, and an unrelenting determination to achieve a standard of excellence in every endeavor. Commitment is the value that establishes the Marine as the warrior and citizen others strive to emulate.
What is the Marine Corps Emblem?
The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor is an emblem used to represent the Marine Corps. Whether it appears on a uniform, printed page, or a flag, the Eagle, Globe and Anchor is an icon of greatness.
The Eagle is the symbol of the United States, and it is the one part of the emblem that readily associates the Marine Corps with the United States. The eagle proudly carries a streamer in its beak that bears the motto of the Corps: Semper Fidelis.
The Globe signifies the worldwide commitment of the Marine Corps and its areas of responsibility. Marines serve in any clime or place.
The fouled Anchor, whose origin dates back to the founding of the Marine Corps in 1775, represents the amphibious nature of the Marines’ duties and emphasizes the close ties between the Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy.
Civilian Marines exist to support our men and women in uniform. You should familiarize yourself with their insignia so that you can readily identify the ranks of the active duty Marines with whom you’ll be working. Click on the chart below to view a full-sized, printable version.
The Marine Corps culture is truly unique. It has its own way of dressing, acting, and talking. At times, the talk seems like code. Much of the jargon stems from Marine and Naval history, and acronyms are widely used. At first, it can be hard to understand.
All members of a command
Resume former activity
The order to resume previous activity
A receipt or authorization; a piece of paper
A door or doorway
Latrine or toilet
Motivational shout uttered by Marines
A hallway
To straighten or tidy up
To straighten, make ship-shape, or get settled
The Marines’ Hymn is the most recognizable military hymn and the oldest official song in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Marines’ Hymn is a reminder of the sacrifice and courage that Marines have shown on the battlefield. It is an important part of Marine Corps culture — every Marine can recite its three stanzas by heart.
The "Marines' Hymn" is the official hymn of the United States Marine Corps. It is the oldest official song in the United States military. The "Marines' Hymn" is typically sung at the position of attention as a gesture of respect. However, the third verse is also used as a toast during formal events, such as the birthday ball and other ceremonies.
Some of the lyrics were popular phrases before the song was written. The line "To the shores of Tripoli" refers to the First Barbary War, and specifically the Battle of Derne in 1805. After Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon and his Marines hoisted the American flag over the Old World for the first time, the phrase was added to the battle colors of the Corps. "The Halls of Montezuma" refers to the Battle of Chapultepec, during the Mexican-American War, where a force of Marines stormed Chapultepec Castle.
While the lyrics are said to date from the 19th century, no pre-20th century text is known. The author of the lyrics is likewise unknown. Legend has it that it was penned by a Marine on duty in Mexico. The unknown author transposed the phrases in the motto on the Colors so that the first two lines of the Hymn would read: "From the Halls of Montezuma, to the Shores of Tripoli", favoring euphony over chronology.
The music is from the Gendarmes' Duet from an 1867 revision of the 1859 opera Geneviève de Brabant by Jacques Offenbach, which debuted in Paris in 1859. Correspondence between Colonel Albert S. McLemore and Walter F. Smith (the second leader of the Marine Band) traces the tune: “Major Richard Wallach, USMC, says that in 1878, when he was in Paris, France, the aria to which the Marines' Hymn is now sung was a very popular one.”
The name of the opera and a part of the chorus was secured from Major Wallach and forwarded to Mr. Smith, who replied:
“Major Wallach is to be congratulated upon a wonderfully accurate musical memory, for the aria of the Marine Hymn is certainly to be found in the opera, 'Genevieve de Brabant'... The melody is not in the exact form of the Marine Hymn, but is undoubtedly the aria from which it was taken. I am informed, however, by one of the members of the band, who has a Spanish wife, that the aria was one familiar to her childhood and it may, therefore, be a Spanish folk song.”
John Philip Sousa once wrote:
“The melody of the 'Halls of Montezuma' is taken from Offenbach's comic opera, 'Geneviève de Brabant' and is sung by two gendarmes.”
Some websites claim that the Marine Corps secured a copyright on the song on 19 August 1891, but this is in error; the copyright was vested on 18 August 1919. In 1929, the Commandant of the Marine Corps authorized the three verses of the Marines' Hymn as the official version, but changed the third and fourth lines:
Pre-1929 version:
Admiration of the nation,
we're the finest ever seen;
And we glory in the title
Of United States Marines.
Authorized change:
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.
This older version can be heard in the 1950 film Halls of Montezuma. On 21 November 1942, Commandant Thomas Holcomb approved a change in the words of the first verse's fourth line from "On the land as on the sea" to "In the air, on land, and sea" to reflect the addition of aviation to the Corp's arsenal.
Marine Corps Hymn