Ooh-rah" is a Marine's fighting spirit summed up
into one word. It's an affirmation, a motivational statement, and a battle cry
all rolled into one.
“Ooh-rah comes
from the places in our hearts that only Marines understand. It is conceived in
sweat, nurtured with drill. It is raw determination and gut-wrenching courage
in the face of adversity. It is a concern for fellow Marines embodied by
selfless acts of heroism. It cannot be administrated. It is not planned and put
into action. It cannot be manufactured. Ooh-rah must be purchased. Ooh-rah is
Marine.”
"Semper Fidelis" Means always faithful It
is the Marine Corps motto, Always faithful to God, Country, Corps. This is proudly echoed by Marines everywhere. Semper
FI is a constant reminder of devotion to Corps and Country. Two simple words held more closely by Marines than
any outsider can understand.
The Marine Corps is the only branch of the U.S. Armed
Forces that recruits people specifically to fight. The Army emphasizes
personal development (an army of one), The Navy promises fun (Let the
journey begin), the Air Force offers security (it’s a great way of life).
Missing from all the advertisements is the hard fact that a soldier’s lot
is to suffer and perhaps to die for his people, and take lives at the risk
of his/her own. The Choice is made clear. You join the army to go to
adventure training, or join the Navy to go to Bangkok, or join the Air Force
to go to computer school. You join the Marine Corps to go to war! But the
mere act of signing the enlistment contract confers no status in the corps.
The Army recruit is told from his first minute in uniform that “Your in the
Army now”, soldier. The Navy and Air Force enlistees are sailors and airmen
as soon as they get off the bus at training center. The new arrival at
Marine Corps boot camp is called a recruit, or worse but never a MARINE. He
or she must earn the right to claim the title of UNITED STATES MARINE, and
failure returns you to civilian life without hesitation or ceremony.
