Marines call their camouflage pants "cammies" or "utilities," short for the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU), while their dress blue trousers (often with a red stripe) are just called "trousers," as Marines never call them "pants" in formal settings, reserving that term for the working uniforms.
General officers wear trousers that are the same color as the coat, while all other ranks wear sky blue trousers. Officers and NCOs wear a scarlet stripe down the outer seam of each leg of the blue trousers.
There are three field uniforms including Combat Utility, Flight Suit and Mountain Warfare. The most common is the Combat Utility, also known as MCCUU (Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform) but it most commonly refered to as the "Utilities" or "Cammies".
For anyone familiar with the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the battle cry "oorah!" is an unmistakable part of Marine culture. Whether used as a greeting, a motivating expression, or a battle-ready rallying call, "oorah" is deeply embedded in Marine tradition.
Battle Dress Uniforms have been a staple of military attire for decades, but BDU pants have transcended their original purpose to become a versatile wardrobe essential. From construction sites to outdoor adventures, these durable pants offer functionality that civilian clothing often lacks.
Tactical pants are high-performance pants designed for individuals requiring durability, versatility, and functionality. Originally designed for first responders, law enforcement, and military personnel. Tactical pants feature moisture-wicking fabrics, deep pockets, reinforced knees, and heavy-duty belt loops.
Cargo pants or cargo trousers, also sometimes called combat pants or combat trousers after their original purpose as military workwear, are loosely cut pants originally designed for rough work environments and outdoor activities, distinguished by numerous large utility pockets.
Generally, it follows the “rule of three,” meaning there are three lower units within each of the next larger units. Teams consist of three Marines with a corporal as team leader. A squad consists of nine Marines with a sergeant as the squad lead. Platoons consist of 27 Marines with a lieutenant in command.
Yes, it's OK to say "Semper Fi," but context matters. Because the phrase is so deeply meaningful to Marines, it's best to use it only when speaking to a Marine in a respectful way, such as thanking them for their service.
Marines are called "Jarheads" primarily because their distinctive high-and-tight haircuts make their heads look like the top of a jar, a term that originated from sailors during World War II, though it has evolved from a potential insult into a source of pride, also referencing the high collar of the Dress Blue uniform.
The Marines are divided into four groups: the operating forces that do the actual fighting, the headquarters for leadership, the supporting establishment that provides logistical support, and the Marine Corps Reserve.
He believed every Marine, from private to general, had a duty to uphold the honor of the Corps. To this day, Marines still say before lights out: “Goodnight, Chesty, wherever you are.” He died in 1971, but his legacy lives on in every Marine Corps base, every field manual, and every fire team that learns his name.
Most new, non-officer marines (a.k.a. "boots" or "non-rates") begin their military career as privates. In the Marine Corps, privates are addressed as "Private" to differentiate them from Private First Class Marines who are often called PFCs.
Bring on the PDA.
All the services have strict military uniform rules about how making out with someone in uniform is totally inappropriate and unprofessional. This includes, but is not limited to, holding hands (except when holding the hand of a young child), walking arm-in-arm, embracing, caressing, and kissing.
Formed during World War I, it served until the mid-2000s when it was deactivated to make room for one of three light armor reconnaissance battalions. During the Vietnam War, 1/9 sustained the highest casualty rate in Marine Corps history. This earned them the nickname "The Walking Dead".
Jodhpurs, or flared-hip breeches, also were adopted as the uniform for some forces of motorcycle police.
But in Marine-speak, kill can mean “yes, I understand,” “hell yeah,” or “let's do this.” Marines will even say “kill” as a half-joking version of hello.
Latin for “Always Faithful,” Semper Fidelis is the motto of every Marine—an eternal and collective commitment to the success of our battles, the progress of our Nation, and the steadfast loyalty to the fellow Marines we fight alongside.
Mission. This is one clear, concise, simple statement on the task the unit must accomplish and the purpose behind it. It answers the “5 Ws” (when, who, what, where, and why).
Marines may not act as a posse comitatus, or function as law enforcement. They're barred from conducting surveillance and, in general, crowd control, as well as officially arresting people, and may otherwise only support police in narrowly defined ways, according to Defense Department rules.
Own Your 3-Foot Space In Navy SEAL training, there's a simple but profound principle: Own your 3-foot space. It means focusing on what's directly within your control—your actions, your attitude, your effort—no matter how chaotic the environment around you becomes.
The retail MOS is rare on any Marine Corps base, as fewer than 100 enlisted Marines hold the role.
In slang, "pants" can mean underpants (UK/Commonwealth) or, more commonly, rubbish/bad quality (UK/Aus), while American English uses it for trousers, but also has phrases like "pants on fire" (lying) or "scare the pants off" (frighten someone). The context is key, but generally, if someone calls something "pants," they mean it's terrible, like "This movie is pants!".
In American English, the term fatigues has often been used by the Army, or utilities by the Marines, originally being a term for work uniforms. In the late- and post-Cold War era, the term battle dress uniform (BDU; from the American uniform of the same name) is used most often to describe combat uniforms in general.
'Pants' – in American English this word means 👖 'trousers'; in British English, 'pants' are 🩲 underwear and you wear them under your trousers. 🤓 Here are some English 'pants' idioms for you!