Semper Fi

[The Sailor]

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces and is one of seven uniformed services. While administratively under the Department of the Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps is a separate branch of the military, often working closely with US Naval forces for training, transportation, and logistic purposes.

Originally organized as the Continental Marines on November 10, 1775 as naval infantry, the Marine Corps has evolved in its mission with changing military doctrine and American foreign policy. The Marine Corps has served in every American armed conflict including the Revolutionary War. It attained prominence in the 20th century when its theories and practice of amphibious warfare proved prescient and ultimately formed the cornerstone of the Pacific campaign of World War II. By the mid 20th century, the Marine Corps had become the dominant theorist of amphibious warfare.Its ability to respond rapidly to regional crises has made it, and continues to make it, an important body in the implementation and execution of American foreign policy.

The United States Marine Corps, with 186,342 active duty and 40,000 reserve Marines as of November 30, 2007, is the second smallest of the United States' armed forces (the United States Coast Guard is the smallest, about one fifth the size of the Marine Corps.) The Corps is nonetheless larger than the entire armed forces of many significant military powers; for example, it is larger than the active duty Israel Defense Forces.

Semper Fi

[nigelweysom]

what does semper fi mean ?

[astraltrader]

Semper fi is short for the latin term Semper fidelis which basically means ever faithful or always faithful
Oddly enough the coat of arms for the City of Exeter which you can see above by my user name has the same motto in full - Semper Fidelis.

[herakles]

Semper fidelis is the motto of the US Marine Corps and dozens of other organisations including HMS Exeter.

It's been in use at least as far back as the 14th century.

[astraltrader]

That is stating the obvious, that is why Nigel was asking for the definition regarding its useage by the USMC. Equally obviously HMS Exeter took their motto from the City of Exeter.

[designeraccd]

Also, the USMC is the OLDEST branch of the U.S. military. Probably the proudest as well! I first saw the graphic difference as a young Marine going to a school at the U.S. Armies Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama 1965-66. We Marines were simply astounded at the-to us-lax discipline and semi-slovenly appearance of many of the "doggies" on the base. I later saw more of the same in Viet Nam; but that is not to say that the U.S. Army does not have outstanding units with proud service records, too.

Semper Fi.......DFO :D

[herakles]

That is stating the obvious, that is why Nigel was asking for the definition regarding its useage by the USMC. Equally obviously HMS Exeter took their motto from the City of Exeter.

I'm sure with your extraordinary astuteness it was obvious to you. But perhaps not to some members.

[astraltrader]

But the post is about the USMC!!

[herakles]

But the post is about the USMC!!

So I had noted.