We celebrate the Declaration of Independence for two reasons. It represents an official severing of ties between the original 13 colonies and the rule of Great Britain. But it also represents the core of our beliefs, the very makeup of our identity as citizens of the U.S. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, combined a rich a history of ideas and eloquently presented them to the then King of Great Britain along with a list of grievances.

At certain times, the concept of what it means to be a citizen of the United States of America may seem unclear. While many citizens are very passionate about our country, there are others who cannot accept patriotism as a wholesale, no-strings-attached concept. For those who already deeply love the United States, and for those who are struggling with the idea, the Declaration of Independence can be a guidepost. It is an unassailable document that embodies what it means to be an American, and everything we hold dear…”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/independence-day/the-reason-we-celebrate-indepence-day.html?ESRC=marine_160627.nl

The first woman to enlist in the Marine Corps with an infantry contract is headed to boot camp later this year.

A 19-year-old female applicant had contracted into the Marines’ delayed entry program, selecting to enlist in the infantry, Jim Edwards, a spokesman for Marine Corps Recruiting Command, told Military.com.

The contract means that she will enter the 0300 community, with her specific military occupational specialty to be determined according to the needs of the Marine Corps at School of Infantry training in Camp Geiger, North Carolina, he said.

The poolee is set to ship to recruit training between October and December of this year, Edwards said. At this point, she has not been publicly identified and she has opted not to conduct any interviews, he said.

There will be numerous physical hurdles to cross before she gets to an infantry unit in the fleet..”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/06/22/first-female-marine-recruit-signs-infantry-contract.html?ESRC=marine_160627.nl

In the wake of the death of a recruit and the related firing of the two top leaders of Recruit Training Regiment at the Marines’ East Coast boot camp, officers are undergoing new training on rules and procedures to head off future problems.

A spokesman for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, Capt. Gregory Carroll, said the March 18 death of 20-year-old recruit Raheel Siddiqui prompted a review of policies and procedures and spurred retraining of Parris Island personnel.

Col. Paul Cucinotta, the commanding officer of Recruit Training Regiment, and Sgt. Maj. Nicholas Dabreau, the unit’s top enlisted leader, were both relieved June 6. Officials said the two leaders were removed when an investigation related to Siddiqui’s death revealed that policies and procedures were not being properly followed..”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/06/10/parris-island-retrains-officers-hosts-discussions-leaders-fired.html?ESRC=marine_160614.nl

Got trench foot?

The Marine Corps is counting on honest feedback from troops who will wear and test four different tropical combat boot prototypes this summer at the Marines’ Jungle Warfare Training Center in Okinawa, Japan.

Officials with Marine Corps Systems Command told Military.com that about 400 Marines from the Hawaii-based 3rd Marine Regiment would test out the boots during a two-to-three week period of jungle combat training that will start within the next two months.

The Marines published a call for sources to design the tropical combat boot last December, in response to an earlier directive from the commandant, Gen. Robert Neller.

“The commandant was interested in pursuing the opportunity to provide Marines with boots that would be lightweight, fast-drying, and appropriate for a tropical environment,” said Lt. Col. Rob Bailey, product manager for infantry combat equipment for the command. “We also know that the Army has a similar interest in coordinating and collaborating.”..”

Forrás : http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/06/09/marine-corps-unit-to-test-new-jungle-combat-boots-this-summer.html?ESRC=marine_160614.nl