Basic Marine Knowledge

All marines are expected to be able to recite and be experts upon all basic marine knowledge.

General Orders
All marines sentries are expected to default to the general orders while in absence of orders from command.


 * 1) To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
 * 2) To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always at the alert, observing everything within sight or hearing.
 * 3) To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
 * 4) To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
 * 5) To quit my post only when properly relieved.
 * 6) To receive, obey, and pass to the sentry that relieves me, all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, officers, and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.
 * 7) To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
 * 8) To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
 * 9) To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.
 * 10) To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
 * 11) To be especially watchful at night, and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post, and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

Marine Ranking Structure
All marines are expected to memorize the marine corps ranking structure, and be able to describe all ranks by their grade and insignia. See Ranking Structure.

E-1: Private

E-2: Private First Class

E-3: Lance Corporal

E-4: Corporal

E-5: Sergeant

E-6: Staff Sergeant

E-7: Gunnery Sergeant

E-8: Master Sergeant

E-8: 1st Sergeant

E-9: Master Gunnery Sergeant

E-9: Sergeant Major

W-1: Warrant Officer

W-2: Chief Warrant Officer

W-3: Chief Warrant Officer

W-4: Chief Warrant Officer

W-5: Chief Warrant Officer

O-1: 2nd Lieutenant

O-2: 1st Lieutenant

O-3: Captain

O-4: Major

O-5: Lieutenant Colonel

O-6: Colonel

O-7: Brigadier General

O-8: Major General

O-9: Lieutenant General

O-10: General

Birthday of the Marine Corps
The marine corps was born at tun tavern, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10th 1775.

Rifleman's Creed
All marines will repeat the riflemans creed during Marine Recruit Training. Every marine should deeply inspect the significance of this creed, and sink its values into their daily lives."This is my rifle.  There are many like it, but this one is mine.  It is my life.  I must master it as I must master my life.  Without me my rifle is useless.  Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than the enemy who is trying to kill me.  I must shoot him before he shoots me.  I will.  My rifle and I know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, or the smoke we make.  We know that it is the hits that count.  We will hit.""     My rifle is human, even as I am human, because it is my life.  Thus, I will learn it as a brother.  I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel.  I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready.  We will become part of each other.""     Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.""     So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy."

Marine Corps Values
All marines are expected to be able to describe the 3 marine corps values and describe their meanings.


 * Honor
 * Courage
 * Commitment