Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps!

Today celebrates one of the most important days in not just my own personal history, but that of our entire country's as well. Today marks the 238 birthday of America's 911 force, the United States Marine Corps. Here is some basic information about the few the proud, the Marines:

The Marine Corps has been America's expeditionary force in readiness since 1775. We are forward deployed to respond swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis. We are soldiers of the sea, providing forces and detachments to naval ships and shore operations. We are global leaders, developing expeditionary doctrine and innovations that set the example, and leading other countries' forces and agencies in multinational military operations. These unique capabilities make us "First to Fight," and our nation's first line of defense.

Every Marine is a rifleman, trained first as a disciplined warrior regardless of military occupational specialty. This training is key to our philosophy of maneuver warfare. Maneuver warfare combines operational positioning with firepower, demands agile forces capable of quick decision making, and employs the human elements of war—boldness, creativity, intelligence and the warrior spirit. Our combined arms approach multiplies the Marine Corps' strengths by bringing our land, air and sea forces together to achieve every mission. This organization creates a scalable force with incomparable warfighting capabilities. It is the key to winning battles.

Having served in the Corps myself from 1995 until 2003, November 10th will always be my second birthday. To all my follow devil dogs, leathernecks and jarheads, at home and abroad, past present and future, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! OOH-RAH!!!