Changes

| commandant  = General Eric Smith (acting)

| commandant  = General Eric Smith (acting)

| smusmc      = Sergeant Major Carlos A. Ruiz  

| smusmc      = Sergeant Major Carlos A. Ruiz  

}}The '''United States Marine Corps''' (USMC) is an elite branch of the [[United States]] armed forces. Resolutions of the [[Continental Congress]] established the United States Marine Corps on November 10, 1775. The official mission of the U.S. Marine Corps was established in the National Security Act of 1947, amended in 1952.<ref>{{cite web |title=United States Marine Corps (USMC) Mission and Organization Fundamentals |url=http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/2dfssg/med/files/103.htm |publisher=Camp Lejeune  |author=USMC |date= |accessdate= }}</ref><ref>Unclassified National Security Act of 1947. [http://intelligence.senate.gov/nsaact1947.pdf (PDF)],</ref> Marines are trained, organized and equipped for offensive amphibious employment and as a "force in readiness." The Marine Corps motto is ''[[Semper Fidelis]] ("always [[faith]]ful", abbreviated as "Semper Fi")''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marine Corps Motto |url=http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/marine_corps_motto.htm |publisher=USMC Heritage |author=USMC Press |date= |accessdate= }}</ref> The U.S. Marine Corps operates under the United States [[Department of the Navy]], alongside the [[U.S. Navy]].

}}The '''United States Marine Corps''' (USMC) is an elite branch of the [[United States]] armed forces. Resolutions of the [[Continental Congress]] established the United States Marine Corps on November 10, 1775. The official mission of the U.S. Marine Corps was established in the National Security Act of 1947, amended in 1952.<ref>{{cite web |title=United States Marine Corps (USMC) Mission and Organization Fundamentals |url=http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/2dfssg/med/files/103.htm |publisher=Camp Lejeune  |author=USMC |date= |accessdate= }}</ref><ref>Unclassified National Security Act of 1947. [http://intelligence.senate.gov/nsaact1947.pdf (PDF)],</ref> Marines are trained, organized and equipped for offensive amphibious employment and as a "force in readiness." The Marine Corps motto is ''[[Semper Fidelis]]'' ("always [[faith]]ful," abbreviated as ''Semper Fi'').<ref>{{cite web |title=Marine Corps Motto |url=http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/marine_corps_motto.htm |publisher=USMC Heritage |author=USMC Press |date= |accessdate= }}</ref> The U.S. Marine Corps operates under the United States [[Department of the Navy]], alongside the [[U.S. Navy]].

Concerned almost exclusively with shipboard security service and amphibious warfare in its formative years, the U.S. Marine Corps has evolved with war-tested, enhanced military strategies and [[American foreign policy]]; the Marines fill a unique, multi-purpose role within the modern United States [[military]]. By the early 20th century, the United States Marine Corps had become one of the most elite military forces in the world, used for amphibious warfare. Its ability to rapidly respond to regional crises continues to make it an important body in the implementation and execution of [[American]] [[foreign policy]].

Concerned almost exclusively with shipboard security service and amphibious warfare in its formative years, the U.S. Marine Corps has evolved with war-tested, enhanced military strategies and [[American foreign policy]]; the Marines fill a unique, multi-purpose role within the modern United States [[military]]. By the early 20th century, the United States Marine Corps had become one of the most elite military forces in the world, used for amphibious warfare. Its ability to rapidly respond to regional crises continues to make it an important body in the implementation and execution of [[American]] [[foreign policy]].