10 November 2025
by Sean Elwin (Marine)
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” – Marcus Garvey
On November 10, 2025, the United States Marine Corps marks 250 years of unbroken service to the Nation. Few institutions in history have endured so long or shaped so many lives through discipline, sacrifice, and purpose.
The Corps has forged my leadership, identity, and unshakable sense of duty. The heritage of Marines is not nostalgia, but the foundation of character.
The Uniform
The Marine Dress Blues are both iconic and unmistakable. You can spot a Marine a mile away, standing proud in their dress uniform, displaying our colors of the American Flag. The intricate design of the Marine Corps Blue offers a glimpse into their rich history and recounts tales from the past.
There are several distinguishing uniform traits. The blood stripe on the trousers of Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers commemorates the lives lost during the Battle of Chapultepec. The high-standing collar honors the style worn by the Continental Marines which gave birth to the nickname “Leathernecks.” The Mameluke Sword, carried by Officers, echoes the story of how one was first given to Lt. O’Bannon by Prince Hamet during the First Barbary War.
These are just a few of the uniform components which carry deep meaning and symbolism. The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem epitomizes the Marine with global reach and commitment, its core purpose.
Back to Basic
The symbolism of the Marine Corps is beaten into recruits at Parris Island. Our history along with customs and courtesies is an essential element of training. Drill Instructors spend hours with recruits in a classroom that is purposefully suited for sleep instead of learning. The lights are dimmed and the air-conditioned cranked to an almost uncomfortable level.
Recruits are taught to slap themselves on the back of their head or to stand in the rear of the class if they feel sleepy. The sound of faces hitting the deck and pit bull drill instructors screaming is proof that neither works very well.
Death by PowerPoint is excruciating as slide after slide turns into hour after hour as recruits try desperately not to fall asleep from the sheer exhaustion of training. There is a reason for all this madness, and that reason is knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt where we came from and our storied culture.
We were born in the legendary Tun Tavern, Marines were made during the amphibious landing at Tripoli, storming of the Halls of Montezuma, island hopping in the Pacific, fierce fighting during the Tet Offensive and the adaptability during the Battles of Fallujah. The names of Archibald Henderson, Chesty Puller, and two-time Medal of Honor recipients Smedley Butler and Daniel Daly are etched in our brains forever.
This legacy was drilled into on our brains at boot camp. Every Marine’s knowledge is tested in a classroom prior to graduation, and the history and customs will stay with us and shape us as Marines and Leaders throughout our time in the Corps and extend through all aspects of life. We are “Once a Marine; always a Marine!”
Customs and courtesies are building blocks and set the framework for leadership. They teach us respect for authority, discipline, and self-respect. Traditions and history teach us lessons from the past. In the case of the United States Marines, we are value-programmed to deal with adversity, rise to the challenge, and never give up.
There is a tongue-in-cheek saying in the Corps “That every good Marine has at least two NJPs (Non-Judicial Punishments).” This narrative is falsely associated with Chesty who once said, “Take me to the brig. I want to see the real Marines.” His quote was directed at resiliency, calling out the toughness of Marines regardless of their rank or billet, and implying that any Marine, even the best ones, are fallible.
This commentary on making mistakes and getting back up is true for any individual whether they are proudly serving our Nation, working at McDonald’s, or the Chief of Staff at Boston General Hospital. This narrative served me well. I figured if two makes you good then having four must make you the best.
The Birthday Celebration
The Corps celebrates its birthday like no other branch of service. The Marine Corps birthday is celebrated by units, veteran organizations, and Marine Corps Leagues across the globe. Marines are expected to attend the Ball every year to celebrate their birthright. It’s a time for camaraderie, remembrance, and traditions.
Legacy is remembered through cake cutting ceremonies, the recognition of the youngest and oldest Marine, a reading of General Lejeune’s birthday message, and the fallen comrade table. This poignant ceremony of an empty chair is a solemn remembrance of all Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen that never made it home.
After the ceremony and dinner, a more lighthearted tradition takes effect. The smoking of cigars and drinking of rum signifies the rum rations once given to Marines and Sailors.
Some will call remembering our history brainwashing because I can still recite the three purposes of the interior guard: preserve order, enforce regulations, protect property. I will never forget the four cities that saw heavy fighting during the Tet Offensive were Hue, Saigon, Da Nang, Khe Sanh. And Semper Fidelis is etched in my head as adopted by the Marines in 1883 meaning “Always faithful,” reflecting our commitment to the country, fellow warfighters, and the mission at hand.
My indoctrination came at the hands of four exceptional leaders known as Drill Instructors who cared enough to instill in Platoon 2037 the importance of understanding who we are and where we come from, and why we exist with a purpose.
This message resonates across the five to six million Marines who wore the dress blues since we started two and a half centuries ago. Legacy is important.
In every generation, Marines remind us that leadership begins with knowing where we come from, what we stand for, and who we serve. That’s not just a military truth. It’s a human one. Nothing embodies that like the United States Marine Corps.
Happy 250th Devil Dogs!
Sean Elwin is a Massachusetts native and father of two with over 20 years of active-duty experience and deployments to Kosovo, Horn of Africa, and Iraq. He is a Marine through and through.
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