12 Things Only Insiders Know About the Marines

Every branch of the military plays a vital role in keeping our nation safe, but when it comes to toughness, many people think of the Marines. Known for their involvement in many intense combat situations around the world, the Marines have earned praise for their bravery and their willingness to go where others would not. There is a lot to admire about this exceptional branch of the service, and we will explore some facts that you might not know about the Marines.

There are many interesting facts on this list that may astonish you, especially if you have an interest in the military or are a current or former Marine. Learn fun facts about the origin of the Marines, like the legend that the branch was established in a bar and the origin of the “few good men” slogan. We also list some well-known celebrities who served as Marines, including Drew Carrey, Montel Williams, and Bea Arthur. Plus, find out about the time that the Marines took on a group of pirates!

To determine the 12 things only insiders know about the Marines, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a variety of authoritative sources, including The American Legion, the United Service Organizations, and History.com. We also consulted Statista for up-to-date information on active duty Marines and other information. (If you are looking for more military information, check out this list of the most famous invasions in world history.)

The first thing you likely didn't know about the Marines is the nickname of the formal Marine Corps military band. The band was first created in 1798. Since then, the band has performed at every presidential inauguration to this day. The band is also responsible for playing at many state dinners, parades, and other official functions. Their greatest hit is "The Stars and Stripes Forever," but they have many other songs in their rotation. They also take requests from the president and they can play many different genres, including ragtime tunes.

Technically, the Marine Corps is its own branch in the military. However, they do fall under the administration of the Department of the Navy. This has been the case all the way back to the American Revolution and has been set in stone by several acts of Congress. Both branches often work together with Marines serving on Navy ships. Also, a good number of Marine officers go to the United States Naval Academy.

One thing you likely didn't know about the Marines is just how many famous faces were once a part of this prestigious branch of the military. Many of the sports, movie, and TV stars that you love were once part of this elite group, including Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox (pictured), Drew Carey, Steve McQueen, Gene Hackman, Adam Driver, and comedian Rob Riggle. There are also some people that you may be shocked to learn were Marines, including former talk show host Montel Williams and former performers Bozo the Clown and Captain Kangaroo. Even actress Bea Arthur worked in the Marines as a truck driver.

Birthdays are a big deal for the Marines and they have a very special tradition. When the cake is cut, the first three pieces are given out to three specific parties. After the birthday man or woman gets the first piece, the second piece is given to the youngest Marine present, and the third is given to the oldest Marine present. If possible, this tradition is also followed when a birthday takes place on the battlefield.

One thing you likely didn't know about the Marines is the legend of how this branch of the military officially started. Legend says that in November 1775, Capts. Robert Mullan and Samuel Nicholas got together in their favorite bar in Philadelphia. While there, they lured potential Marines in with the promise of beer and hyped them up about adventure on the high seas. While there's little evidence of this, some historians believe the bar was the Conestoga Wagon Tavern — though some believe it was a place called Tun Tavern (pictured) — and it remains part of Marines lore.

New Marine recruits only attend boot camp in one of two locations, and where they go depends on which side of the Mississippi River they're from. East Coast recruits attend the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island in South Carolina. West Coast recruits attend the MCRD in San Diego. All female recruits only attend the Parris Island location. The Marines who attend Parris Island often call the San Diego Marines "Hollywood Marines."

It's possible you didn't know about the Marines' first-ever battle. It occurred on March 3, 1776. The Marines and Capt. Samuel Nicholas stormed the beaches of New Providence in the Bahamas, which were under British control. There were 220 Marines there when they landed near Nassau. They were able to capture the town and two forts without opposition. Their mission was to get supplies and they came away with several mortars and brass cannons that were later used by George Washington and the Continental Army.

The Marines were in many altercations and won many battles since that day back in 1776. However, in June 1918, during World War I, they experienced a dark moment in their history. The Marines fought with German forces in a French hunting preserve named Belleau Wood. It was a tough altercation, and there were even discussions about withdrawing their forces. After three weeks of fighting, the Marines were successful and drove off the Germans. However, over 5,000 marines were killed or wounded, which was more than all of the previous altercations combined.

You'll often hear Marines going by the name of "leatherneck," a nickname that goes back to 1798. During this time, the Marine Corps started issuing a stock of black leather with an attaching clasp that was worn to protect their necks while they were fighting with swords. Today, there's still a standing collar attached to their dress coat to refer back to that tradition.

A phrase often associated with the Marines is "a few good men." It's often mentioned in advertisements, and there's even the famous movie "A Few Good Men" starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson. The phrase was started many years ago, on March 20, 1779. It was used as an entry in the Providence Gazette. The entry, written by Capt. William Jones (pictured) said, "The Continental ship Providence, now lying at Boston, is bound on a short cruise, immediately; a few good men are wanted to make up her complement."

The final tidbit you likely didn't know about the Marines is just how many men and women make up this prestigious branch of the military. As of December 2023, there are just over 174,000 active duty members. They also have many young members. The members are younger on average than those in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. (Want to learn more about that last branch? Then check out this list of the things you didn't know about the Air Force.)

A little-known fact that many likely didn't know about the Marines is that one of their earliest and most noteworthy battles was against the Barbary pirates. They were a group of North African criminals that were raiding American merchant ships. In 1805, a group of Marines went to Egypt and helped to overthrow and defeat the Barbary ruler of Tripoli. Later, the Marines seized land in the area. This was the first battle that was fought by the United States in another country. This battle is why the line "to the shores of Tripoli" is in the Marines' Hymn.