Semper Fi: The Marine Corps is turning 249 years old. Let’s talk about its birthday celebrations

What’s the next big holiday? Veterans Day? Nope. Thanksgiving? Nope, it’s the Marine Corps birthday, which is on November 10. The United States Marine Corps seemingly has the most well-known birthday of all the branches, likely due to every Marine proclaiming it as such. It’s reached memedom and, to me, the Marine Corps celebrates its birthday harder, louder, and with more pride than all other branches.

You could say I have confirmation bias because I am a Marine, and a lot of my friends are Marines. For fun, I asked my wife, an Air Force veteran, when the Air Force birthday was, and she could barely remember. I asked her when the Marine Corps birthday was, and she knew it immediately.

The Marine Corps birthday is right around the corner, so let’s discuss the event, its traditions, and why it means so much to Marines. 

How does the Marine Corps celebrate its birthday?

Marine Corps units around the world typically host a ball to celebrate the birthday. Balls are very formal affairs, and everyone is dressed to the nines, this means Dress Blues or Service Alphas, at the very least. Civilian attendees are expected to dress in evening wear with tuxedos for men and dresses for women. 

It’s typically up to the unit in how fancy a location they will host their ball. Some are held in large and swanky hotels; recently, a reserve unit in Louisiana held its ball in the Super Dome. One of my favorites of all time was hosted at a base venue that was nice, but simple. 

Most of the time, the event is built around the unit’s schedule – in fact, it’s rarely actually held on November 10. My first ball was held in October because we would be deployed in November. Speaking of deployments, I was in Afghanistan on November 10, and, as if Chesty Puller willed it, I got into my first firefight that day. 

It was a 12-hour brawl. We carried ourselves back to the COP (Combat Outpost) with heads held high. As we walked into the base, well after 22:00, the grill was fired up, and the weapons platoon sergeant was cooking us steaks. We had steak and a single nonalcoholic beer and it was my favorite Marine Corps birthday. 

When deployed, you celebrate how and where you can. It might be in a beer garden right off ship, or it could be by just having a steak you eat with dirty hands after a long day. One way or another, though, you celebrate. 

Related: Keep fit on deployment with these improvised workout equipment ideas

Why is it a big deal? 

It’s easy to explain why the Marine Corps birthday is a big deal: There are two only two branches in the U.S. military – the Army and the Navy. The Air Force is a corporation, and the Marine Corps is a cult. The small, but mighty Corps will never pass up an opportunity to celebrate the battles won, the men lost, and what the future holds. That’s the more basic answer and the one I tended to believe while I served. 

It also helps that the Navy is invited, and corpsmen, doctors, and more join the Marines for their ball. Further, most embassies will host a ball since Marines act as embassy security around the world. This spreads the influence of the Corps far and wide, with ambassadors often giving speeches at embassy balls. 

With the power of hindsight and a little age, I can look back and understand the importance of the Marine Corps birthday and its ball. My first ball was the last time my entire battalion would ever be under the same roof. Less than a month later, we’d deploy to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Eight of us wouldn’t return home. Sometimes, it’s the last formal, fun event you have with your boys, and that’s precious. 

And other times, it can be a healing event. The ball after that deployment was a bit more somber. Most of us now had chests full of ribbons and medals, but we knew what we had lost to get there. It was a moment when we came back together as a battalion and felt our losses. It reminded us that we were all in this together. 

Related: These elite Marines combine tradition with special operations innovations

The three traditions of the ball 

Three big traditions define the Marine Corps ball. First, General John A. Lejeune’s message is read. Major General Lejeune was the Marine Corps’ 13th commandant and the most influential in its history. His message resonates with Marines past and present. 

After that, the current commandant’s message is delivered, typically in the form of a video. The message changes depending on the commandant but tends to be motivational with a focus on the future of the Corps. 

Finally, we have the cake cutting, which is done with a mameluke sword. The oldest Marine in the unit then serves the youngest. The guest of honor may also get the first piece.

After that, it’s time for cocktails and dancing. Stag Marines hover by themselves and typically extend that cocktail hour. The guest of honor, if the unit has one, will likely give a speech. The guest of honor at my first ball was legendary Marine Gunnery Sergeant R. Lee Ermey, who was hilarious and gracious with his time. 

Beyond the Marine Corps

Marines past and present celebrate the birthday. I worked with two Marines for years at my day job, and November 10 would often bring us together for lunch. We’d wish each other Happy Birthday and take a moment to tell our war stories. No Marine forgets the day, and it’s typically a great reminder to check on your Marines regardless of where they are. 

The birthday is important to Marines because it often marks their transformation. It’s a day we all celebrate being Marines regardless of when we graduated boot camp. It’s our birthday – or maybe, rebirth-day is more appropriate. 

Semper Fidelis. 

Feature Image: A U.S. Marine renders a salute during the 239th Marine Corps birthday which was held on Panzer Kaserne in Boeblingen, Germany, on Nov. 7, 2014. The Marine Corps Birthday is celebrated every year with a traditional ball and cake-cutting ceremony. (U.S. Army Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Johnston/Released)

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