1_Marines.pdf

U.S. MARINES The US military protects the country and its citizens. Marines respond quickly to conflicts. The Marine Corps is usually the first military branch to arrive when a conflict breaks out. Many Marines live on military bases, but some live on Navy ships around the world. The Marines...

U.S. MARINES The US military protects the country and its citizens. Marines respond quickly to conflicts. The Marine Corps is usually the first military branch to arrive when a conflict breaks out. Many Marines live on military bases, but some live on Navy ships around the world. The Marines work closely with the Navy. Navy ships carry Marines to places around the world and drop them off on land to carry out missions. Marines are also called to rescue and protect people living in disaster areas. The Marine Corps was first created in 1775, but it was not made an official military branch until 1798. The motto of the Marines is Semper Fidelis, meaning “Always faithful” in Latin. TRAINING Recruits must have special training to join the Marine Corps. It takes twelve weeks of basic training to master the skills needed to be a Marine. This is the longest training of all the armed forces. Marine training only takes place at two recruit depots. One is in San Diego, California, while the other is at Parris Island, South Carolina. Recruits are placed into 80-member groups called platoons. Men and women are grouped separately. Three or four strict drill instructors oversee each platoon for the rest of basic training. Recruits spend many hours studying military history and strategy. They learn to be problem solvers. Marines need to be physically fit. They begin physical training by 6:30 a.m. each morning. Recruits train on a Confidence Course, a series of 11 treacherous obstacles that each recruit must master. One obstacle requires recruits to climb up, over, and down a giant ladder-like object made of logs that is equivalent to climbing a three-story building. Another obstacle, the Slide for Life, requires recruits to make their way along a long cable. Recruits also learn hand-to hand combat and how to use different weapons. They also learn survival and first aid skills. Recruits become strong swimmers to prepare them for entering a mission by water. They learn to swim while carrying their heavy packs. Some learn water rescue skills. All recruits must pass a water test wearing their uniforms and boots. After about three months of training, recruits face the final and most difficult test- the Crucible. During a 54-hour period, they work in teams to complete several physical tasks that push their endurance to the limit. Other challenges include simulated war attacks and rescues of fellow platoon members. The Crucible ends with a painful nine-to-ten-mile (14.4-to-16-km) march in the middle of the night. Recruits get very little to eat and only about three hours of sleep each night during the Crucible. After graduating from training, Marines receive more combat training. The Marine Corps is the only branch of the US military to give everyone this kind of extra training right after graduation. They train for jobs such as infantry fighters or mechanics. RANKS New Marines are assigned posts at naval bases or on Navy ships. Every Marine has a rank. Most are enlisted members. This means they are under the leadership of officers. Marine officers receive the most training. They must ©Teaching to the Middle have college degrees. They get extra training at the Marine Corps Officer School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia. Following OCS, Marine officers attend The Basic School (TBS) to receive advanced training. Their long and difficult training helps them to become some of the nation’s most respected leaders.  EQUIPMENT Marines use a lot of equipment. All Marines are trained to use rifles, knives, and pistols. Grenade launchers and rocket launchers are explosive weapons used to hit large targets such as vehicles, airplanes, or buildings. Marines are taught to survive gas attacks by wearing a gas masks. Marines wear gear to protect them and help them fight. Binoculars and scopes help Marines spy on their enemies. Camouflage uniforms help Marines stay hidden. They wear bulletproof vests for battle and have helmets with built-in radios. Night-vision goggles allow Marines to see in the dark. The Marine Corps continues to develop new technology, such as robots. VEHICLES The Marine Corps uses various vehicles to help them complete missions. The AH-1 Super Cobra is an attack helicopter. The AV-8 Harrier II is a strike fighter jet. They can take off and land almost anywhere. It can take off and land almost vertically. They use both guns and missiles to destroy enemy targets and protect US troops. The Super Stallion is the largest US military helicopter. It can carry people, supplies, and other vehicles. Ospreys can take off like helicopters, then tilt their rotors to fly like a plane. The Marine Corps uses big tanks like the M1 Abrams. They are covered in thick armor and have powerful main guns. Many Marine Corps vehicles are amphibious. This means they can travel in water and on land. Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs) are like tanks that float on water but can also drive onto land. They have weapons and are built to protect the people inside. MARINE CORPS FORCE RECON Force Recon is an elite group of the United States Marine Corps established in 1957. It has about 400 active personnel. Force Recon’s main job is to gather intelligence about enemies. They perform dangerous missions at sea and on land. Marines who train for Force Recon are called ropers. Recon Marines use powerful weapons to protect themselves. They use surveillance to gather intelligence. They often travel in Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV), trucks loaded with machine guns and grenade launchers. Recon Marines often use parachutes to jump from aircraft onto land or into water. Force Recon performs two types of missions. Green missions involve spying. Marines watch enemies to gather information. Black missions involve direct action, such as taking over enemy bases. Recon Marines take over ships during VBSS missions. The letters stand for Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure. Force Recon Marines are experts on the enemy. The intelligence they gather helps keep the United States safe. MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is part of the U.S. Marine Corps that was established in 1963. It is made up of around 2,200 personnel per unit. It is a task force that carries out special missions. Only the best Marine are asked to join the MEU. This means more training. MEU training is sometimes called “crawl, walk, run.” Marine work hard for six months practicing skills. They learn to use special gear and do not get much rest. During training missions, MEUs practice important skills, such as raiding buildings and capturing hostages. ©Teaching to the Middle MEUs are the first to respond when trouble strikes. They are also first responders to disasters such as storms or earthquakes. The main fighting force of a MEU is the Ground Combat Element (GCE). It is often first to a battlefield. The Aviation Combat Element (ACE) provides air support to the GCE. Members of the MEU work together to keep the United States and other countries safe.