Fleet Marine Force Qualifications

On November 10, 1775, in Tunn Tavern, Philadelphia, Samuel Nicholas was commissioned to raise two battalions of Marines. As the Marine Corps. first commandant, Samual Nicholas was tasked with raising a Continental Marine fighting force for the protection of combatant naval vessels as a young nation sat on the cusp of a full British invasion (not The Beatles; the other invasion) mere weeks before the signing of the Declaration of Independence by our forefathers.

Not only were the Marines charged with protection of the ship at all costs, they were also responsible for protecting the officers from mutiny. Hence, Marine berthing was smartly placed between officer and crew berthing spaces in those early days.

With over 300 amphibious landings to their name, the Marine Corps has been serving proudly for well over 200 years. Considered shock troops by most Countries in the world, the Marines are both revered and feared at the same time, and as the only fighting force born in a bar: it's no wonder the Marine Corps. has never backed down from a good brawl.

As Navy personnel attached to a Marine unit in Iraq, we had the unique opportunity during the deployment to immerse ourselves in all things Marine Corps. At times, it seemed like an endless process of classes on tactics, weapons, communications, structure, history & tradition, aviation, ect. We wore our uniforms to Marine regulations, completed six mile "humps" in the desert with our gear, and followed all USMC physical fitness standards while serving the greater Anbar region as the Ar Ramadi surgical team.

Below are some of the pictures of our recent pinning ceremony for the officers. After completing exhaustive sign-offs over five months and enduring hours of questioning and challenging our knowledge by a panel of Marine Corps. Officers, we earned the right to wear the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) warfare device with pride and distinction.

RH, our detachment commander~affectionatly known as "Blue"

Back Row: Martin, Bob, Mark, myself, and Chad

Middle: Sgt. "Mac" and LT Brown from Evac platoon

Kneeling: Dave