Marine Quotes

“If I charge, follow me. If I retreat, kill me. If I die, revenge me.” 
― U.S. Marine Corps

Band of Brothers
1.  All Marines are entitled to dignity and respect as individuals, but most abide by common standards established by proper authority.
2.  A Marine should never lie, cheat, or steal from a fellow Marine or fail to come to his aid in time of need.
3.  All Marines should contribute 100% of their abilities to the unit’s mission. Any less effort by an individual passes the buck to someone else.
4.  A unit, regardless of size, is a disciplined family structure, with similar relationships based on mutual respect among members.
5.  It is essential that issues and problems, which tend to lessen a unit’s effectiveness, be addressed and resolved.
6.  A blending of separate cultures, varying educational levels, and different social backgrounds is possible in an unselfish atmosphere of common goals, aspirations, and mutual understanding.
7.  Being the best requires common effort, hard work, and teamwork. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.
8.  Every Marine deserves job satisfaction, equal consideration and recognition of his accomplishments.
9.  Knowing your fellow Marine well enables you to learn to look at things “through his eyes,” as well as your own.
10. Issues detracting from the efficiency and sense of well being of an individual should be surfaced and weighed against the impact on the unit as a whole.
11. It must be recognized that a brotherhood concept depends on all members, “belonging” – being fully accepted by others within.>
~ “Band of Brothers” FMFPac concept by LtGen Charles Cooper, late 1970s.

“The Japanese fought to win - it was a savage, brutal, inhumane, exhausting and dirty business. Our commanders knew that if we were to win and survive, we must be trained realistically for it whether we liked it or not. In the post-war years, the U.S. Marine Corps came in for a great deal of undeserved criticism in my opinion, from well-meaning persons who did not comprehend the magnitude of stress and horror that combat can be. The technology that developed the rifle barrel, the machine gun and high explosive shells has turned war into prolonged, subhuman slaughter. Men must be trained realistically if they are to survive it without breaking, mentally and physically.”
― Eugene B. Sledge, With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa

“In my experience, Marines are gung ho no matter what. They will all fight to the death. Everyone of them just wants to get out there and kill. They are bad-ass, hard-charging mothers.”
― Chris Kyle, American Sniper

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army

A Marine is a Marine.  I set that policy two weeks ago - there's no such thing as a former Marine.   You're a Marine,  just in a different uniform and you're in a different phase of your life.  But you'll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego or the hills of Quantico.  There's no such thing as a former Marine.

General James F. Amos, 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps

I come in peace, I didn't bring artillery.  But I am pleading with you with tears in my eyes:  If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all.

Marine General James Mattis, to Iraqi tribal leaders

The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle. 
Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing, U.S. Army
Commander of American Forces in World War I

I have only two men out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold. 
1stLt. Clifton B. Cates, USMC
in Belleau Wood, 19 July 1918

oldcorps.org