Happy Birthday!

November 10, 1775 is a day that is impressed in every Marine's brain housing group from the moment they enter Boot Camp or Officer Candidate School, as it is the day that the Marine Corps came to be. Of course, back then it was the Continental Marines, and as the story goes, it was founded in a bar (Tun Tavern), an aspect of the story that many Marines take full advantage of during their celebration.

Marines celebrate our birthday regardless of where we are--great lengths are taken to ensure that every Marine, regardless of how remote they are stationed, gets a piece of birthday cake. Back in the States, the Marine Corps Ball is the one occasion Marines can count on to wear their dress blues. Out here we're still having a ball ceremony, we'll just all be in cammies for it. Alcohol is forbidden in country, but some commands will fly in two beers per Marine for the birthday (and only the birthday, other holidays aren't as important). I don't think we'll be getting that this year, and I don't really care, but it shows you how big a deal the birthday is.

My first Marine Corps Birthday, I was still at OCS so I hadn't even earned the title of Marine yet. But our battalion held a formation outside the chow hall, we had a cake-cutting ceremony, the tables inside the chow hall were set nicely, and we got extra time for lunch that day. There was even birthday cake. Last year we got a half-day at school. This year? Well, there's work to do. But there will be cake.

Happy Birthday Marines! Here's to another 235.