Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Marines come from various places and different backgrounds but all are held to the same standards of morals and principles.
Recruits of Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, received a class on the Marine Corps customs, courtesies and ethics aboard the depot, Feb. 19.
From the first time recruits arrive at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego to the day they graduate, they are inducted into the Marine Corps’ lifestyle.
“Marines have a sense of pride for being held to a higher standard,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy J. Leopold, drill instructor, Platoon 1009. “Upholding those standards is something we as Marines live up to as the Marines before us did.”
Marines show their courtesy through an act of respect for an individual’s authority, such as saluting an officer. A salute is traditionally used as a greeting to officers. While saluting an officer, a Marine will say the proper greeting of the day such as, “good morning, ma’am” or “good morning, sir.” When acknowledging an enlisted Marine, a Maine will give the proper greeting of the day followed by that individuals respected rank such as, “good afternoon, sergeant.”
Respecting officers with a salute is a way of showing respect amongst one another in the Marine Corps, explained 34-year-old Leopold, an Argyle, Wisc. native.
Customs are a representation of some of the long standing traditions in the Marine Corps. One of the most famous customs in the Corps is the Marine Corps Ball. The birthday ball has been celebrated every year on November 10, since 1912. During the ball there is a reading of excerpt from the Marine Corps manual, a message from the commandant and a cutting of the cake ceremony.
Marines customarily use nautical terms. Floors are “decks,” walls are “bulkheads,” ceilings are “overheads” and corridors are “passageways.” Marines say “square-away,” which means to correctly arrange articles or take in hand and direct an individual. “Aye, aye sir” is used when acknowledging a verbal and direct order and also considered a nautical term. “Yes sir” and “no sir” are used to answer a direct question.
“The class showed me a lot of customs about the Marine Corps along with the respect that is demanded from the Marine Corps such as giving the proper greeting of the day followed by the proper rank of the Marine,” said Recruit Alex W. Finnegan, Platoon 1015. “It’s very prideful to know that I will soon become a part of the code of honor in the Marine Corps.”
After recruits make it through recruit training, they’re a direct representation of the Marine Corps. Today’s class gave knowledge on how to apply themselves and to know what will be expected of them.
Customs and courtesies stay in a Marine’s entire career during their everyday activities; therefore it’s important it’s taught from the beginning during recruit training, according to 18-year-old Finnegan, a Dewey, Arz., native.