OPPapers.com

Marine Corps Structure

English Comp 121

9/11//2008

Marine Corps Structure
  The Marine Corps is a very diverse and complex set of letters and numbers that all have special meaning. I am going to explain the structure of the Marine Corps and how it is broken down to operate in combat and peacetime situations. Even though the Marine Corps is a separate branch of the military, it is not its own department within the Department of Defense like the Army, Navy, and Air Force are. The marine corps is actually a Department of the Navy. A joke Marines like to say to one another is “they are the men’s department of the Navy.” The Marines operate directly under the Secretary of the Navy butt their highest ranking officer, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, does not answer to any other military officer. One interesting fact about the Marines Commandant is every Commandant in history has lived in the Marine Corps barracks stationed in Washington, D.C. These barracks are believed to be the oldest official building in Washington that has remained in continuous use for it’s original purpose.
    The Marines divide themselves into four main groups: Operating Forces, Headquarters Marine Corps, Supporting Establishment, and Marine Forces Reserve.
  The Operating Forces are the Marines who actually do the fighting or peacekeeping operations. They are split between Marine Corps Atlantic and Marine Corps Pacific. They are named after the two oceans they are close to. Marines are amphibious by nature, so all Marine Corps bases are stationed near an ocean. Each of these two forces are responsible for the defense and security of certain regions in the world. They are each divided into divisions. There are three or more divisions in the Marine Corps. For example, the Marine Corps Pacific is home to the First Marine Division. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is located in northern San Diego County and is home to three infantry Regiments and many other supporting elements. An infantry regiment is...