102 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS HISTORY, CUSTOMS, AND COURTESIES
FUNDAMENTALS
102.1 State the six areas of naval doctrine. Acronym WILCOP
1. NAVAL WARFARE- Describes the inherent nature and enduring principles of
Naval forces.
2. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE- Points the way for intelligence support in meeting
the requirements of both regional conflicts and operations other than war.
3. NAVAL OPERATIONS- Develops doctrine to reaffirm the foundation of U.S.
Navy and Marine Corps expeditionary maritime traditions.
4. NAVAL LOGISTICS- Addresses the full range of logistical capabilities that are
essential to the support of naval forces.
5. NAVAL PLANNING- Examines forces planning and the relationship between
our capabilities and operational planning in the joint and multinational
environment.
6. NAVAL COMMAND AND CONTROL- Provides the basic concepts to fulfill
the information needs of commanders, forces and weapons systems.
.2 Discuss the conditions that led to the formation of the U.S. Navy.
a. The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which
the Continental Navy established on 13 October 1775 by authorizing the
procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to
cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America.
The legislation also established a Naval Committee to supervise the work.
All together, the Continental Navy numbered some fifty ships over the course
of the war, with approximately twenty warships active at its maximum
strength. After the American War of Independence, Congress sold the
surviving ships of the Continental Navy released the seamen and officers. The
Constitution of the United States, ratified in 1789, empowered Congress “to
provide and maintain a navy.” Acting on this authority, Congress ordered the
construction and manning of six frigates in 1794, and the War Department
administered naval affairs from that year until Congress established the Depart-
ment of the Navy on 30 April 1798.
.3 Discuss the origin of the Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps was created on 10 November 1775, in Philadelphia, at Tun
Tavern, by a resolution of the Continental Congress, which “raised two battalions
Marines.” In 1834, the Marines came under the Department of the Navy. The
National Security Act of 1947, amended in 1952, states the present structure,
Missions, and functions of the Marine Corps.
102 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS HISTORY, CUSTOMS, AND COURTESIES
FUNDAMENTALS
.4 Explain the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis.
The official motto of the Marine Corps, “Semper Fidelis,” is Latin for “Always
Faithful.” The motto, sometimes abbreviated, “Semper Fi,” was adopted about
1883.
.5 Describe and state the significance of the Marine Corps emblem.
The emblem consists of an eagle clenching the Marine Corps motto in its beak, the
Globe (Western Hemisphere), and the anchor. The emblem was adopted from the
British (Royal) Marines and was modified by Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin in
1868 to depict the Marines as both American and maritime.
a. The globe and anchor signify the worldwide service and sea traditions.
b. The spread eagle represents the nation itself.
c. The motto, “Semper Fidelis” is Latin for “Always Faithful.”
.6 Explain the following terms/phrases used throughout the Marine Corps:
a. Leatherneck- Communicate that the nickname dates back to the leather
stock, or neckpiece worn as part of the Marine uniform during the years 1775
to 1875. Back then, the leather bands around their throats ensured that
Marines kept their heads erect. Descended from the stock, the standing
Collar, is hallmark of the Marine blues, whites, and evening dress. Like it’s
Leather ancestor, the standing collar regulates stance and posture,
Proclaiming the wearer as a modern “leatherneck.”
b. Devil dog- Discuss the Belleau Wood fighting in 1918 in which the Germans
received a thorough indoctrination in the Marine’s fighting ability. Fighting
through “impenetrable” woods and capturing “untakeable” terrain, their
persistent attacks delivered with unbelievable courage soon had the Germans
calling the Marines “Teufelhunden,” fierce fighting dogs of legendary origin,
belovedly translated “devil dogs.”
c. Esprit de corps- Relate that the “spirit” of a unit is commonly reflected by
all of its history, traditions, and honor. It is the epitone of Pride in the unit!
d. Uncommon valor was a common virtue- Refer to the victories in World
War II, especially at Iwo Jima, the largest all-Marine battle in history.
Admiral Nimitz applied the Marine fighting on Iwo Jima to the entire Marine
Corps’ contribution during that war, stating “Uncommon valor was a
common virtue.”
102 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS HISTORY, CUSTOMS, AND COURTESIES
FUNDAMENTALS
e. First to fight- Communicate that Marines have been in the fore front of every
American war since the founding of the Marine Corps. They entered the
Revolution in 1775, just before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
They have carried out more than 300 landings on foreign shores. They have
served everywhere, from the poles to the tropics. Their record of readiness
reflects pride, responsibility, and challenge.
.7 Identify Marine Corps rank and pay grade in order of seniority from E-1 to
O-10.
RANK PAY GRADE
General (Gen) O-10
Lieutenant General (LtGen) O-9
Major General (MajGen) O-8
Brigadier General (Bgen) O-7
Colonel (Col) O-6
Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) O-5
Major (Maj) O-4
Captain (Capt) O-3
First Lieutenant (1stLt) O-2
Second Lieutenant (2ndLt) O-1
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-5) W-5
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-4) W-4
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-3) W-3
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-2) W-2
Warrant Officer (WO-1) W-1
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps E-9
Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) E-9
Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) E-9
First Sergeant (1stSgt) E-8
Master Sergeant (MSgt) E-8
Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) E-7
Staff Sergeant (SSgt) E-6
Sergeant (Sgt) E-5
Corporal (Cpl) E-4
Lance Corporal (LCpl) E-3
Private First Class (PFC) E-2
Private (Pvt) E-1
102 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS HISTORY, CUSTOMS, AND COURTESIES
FUNDAMENTALS
.8 Discuss the circumstances during which a hand salute is rendered and
circumstances in which it is not rendered.
1. Salute while unarmed and armed
a. Salute while armed
1. Perform a rifle salute from order arms- Move your left arm smartly
across your body with your forearm and wrist straight, fingers extended
and joined, and your palm down. Ensure that the first joint of your
forefinger touches the flash suppressor of your rifle. After executing the
salute, resume the position of attention.
2. Perform a rifle salute while at trail arms-The movements are identical to
those used for saluting at order arms, except that your rifle is held in the trail
arms position.
3. Perform a rifle salute when at right (left) shoulder arms- Move your left
(right) arm across your body, fingers extended and joined, and your palm
down. Ensure that the first joint of your forefinger touches the rear of the
receiver just below the charging handle and your forearm is parallel to the
deck.
4. Perform a rifle salute while a sling arms- Reach across your body with
your left hand and grasp the sling of your rifle. Release your right hand.
Execute the hand salute.
b. Observe courtesies while saluting (armed or unarmed)
1. Begin your salute in ample time (at least six, but not more than thirty paces
away).
2. Hold your salute until it is returned or acknowledged.
3. Accompany the salute with an appropriate greeting.
4. Look squarely at the person or colors being saluted.
5. Render the salute only once if a senior remains in the immediate vicinity.
6. Render the salute again if conversation takes place when a senior leaves or
when you depart.
7. Salute in a group. IF your group is not in formation THEN (the first
person to notice an officer approaching) call the group to attention and
salute the group OR (entire group) salute individually. IF your group is in
formation THEN (senior person) call the formation to attention and salute
for the group.
102 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS HISTORY, CUSTOMS, AND COURTESIES
FUNDAMENTALS
8. Salute when passing an officer who is going in the same direction as you.
a. Come abreast of the officer, salute and say, “By your leave, sir
(ma’am).”
b. (officer) Return the salute, and say, “Carry on” or “Granted.”
c. Terminate your salute, and pass ahead.
9. Salute officers, regular and reserve, of the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine
Corps, Coast Guard, and foreign military and naval officers whose
Governments are formally recognized by the U.S. Government.
c. DO NOT SALUTE WHEN:
a. At work indoors (except when under arms)
b. Guarding prisoners
c. Under battle conditions
d. A prisoner
e. In ranks, at games, or part of a working detail
f. At crowded gatherings, in public conveyances, or in congested areas, unless
you are addressing or are being directly addressed by a senior
g. Doing so would physically interfere with your performance of an assigned
duty or would create a hazard
d. DO NOT SALUTE WITH:
a. Your blouse or coat unbuttoned
b. A smoking device in your hand
c. Anything in your right hand
e. Report to an officer.
1. Approach the officer at attention.
2. Halt about two paces from the officer.
3. Render the appropriate salute, and say, “Sir (Ma’am), (your name and grade)
reporting as ordered.”
4. Hold the salute until it is acknowledged.
5. Salute after business is completed and wait for the return of your salute or an
acknowledgement.
6. Take one step backward, execute an about face, and depart at attention.
f. Report to an officer indoors and unarmed.
a. When indoors, you will be uncovered. Follow the procedures above and do
not render a salute.
102 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS HISTORY, CUSTOMS, AND COURTESIES
FUNDAMENTALS
.9 Discuss the procedures for rendering honors and circumstances during which
honors are rendered during colors and the National Anthem.
a. Render honors during “Colors” and to the National Anthem, IF you are neither
in formation nor in a vehicle, THEN render the prescribed salute. Hold the salute
until the last note of music is sounded. IF no flag is near, THEN face the music
and salute. IF you are in formation, THEN salute only on the command, “present
arms.” IF you are outdoors and uncovered, THEN stand at attention face the
direction of the flag or music. IF you are indoors, THEN stand at attention face
the music and/or flag, IF you are in a vehicle, THEN (driver) halt vehicle,
(passengers and driver) remain seated, at attention do not salute. IF your are
passing or being passed by an uncased color, which is being paraded, presented,
or is on formal display, THEN salute at six paces distance and hold the salute for
six paces beyond or until it has passed your position by six paces. IF you are
covered, THEN stand or march at attention when passing or being passed by an
uncased color.
b. When the flag is raised at morning colors or is lowered at evening colors,
stand at attention at the first note of the National Anthem or “To the Colors”
(standard), and render the prescribed salute. If you are engaged in some duty
which would become a safety hazard or risk to property, do not salute. Usually
face the flag while saluting, but if your duty requires it, face in another direction.
When the music sounds “Carry On,” resume regular duties.
.10 Discuss the procedure for rendering honors to the Marines Hymn.
a. Stand at attention, whether in uniform or in civilian attire. This tradition also
applies to former Marines.