The U.S. Marine Corps motto is “Semper Fidelis” – “Always Faithful.” The U.S. Coastguard's is “Semper Paratus” – “Always Ready.” The U.S. Air Force motto is “Aim High... Fly-Fight-Win,” and one of the U.S. Navy's unofficial mottos is “Semper Fortis” – “Always Courageous.”
Originally Answered: Is it inappropriate for a civilian to say "semper fi" to a Marine? Not at all. If civilians were saying it to each other I think it would be weird, but as a former Marine I would be happy to acknowledge it from a civilian. It means they have some idea of the USMC culture.
The U.S. Coast Guard's motto, “Semper Paratus,” represents the branch's constant readiness to preserve and protect the United States.
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.
To them, Semper Fidelis meant “Always Faithful” even if it cost their lives. The Marines adopted this phrase in 1883 because they wanted to show that they were always faithful to the country and their fellow Marines, no matter what the situation may be.
Using the Marines' “Oorah” call is usually acceptable for both those serving in the Marine Corps as well as those outside of the branch.
The term 'OoRah' is said to be local slang for 'farewell' or 'until then', although it is likely to be a mishearing of the more common 'ooroo'. The 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company, FMFPAC can be credited with the introduction of "Oo-rah!" into the Marine Corps in 1953, shortly after the Korean War.
The U.S. Marine Corps motto is “Semper Fidelis” – “Always Faithful.” The U.S. Coastguard's is “Semper Paratus” – “Always Ready.” The U.S. Air Force motto is “Aim High... Fly-Fight-Win,” and one of the U.S. Navy's unofficial mottos is “Semper Fortis” – “Always Courageous.”
Semper fortis (Latin: Always courageous), an unofficial motto of the United States Navy.
Oorah is a battle cry common in the United States Marine Corps since the mid-20th century. It is comparable to hooah in the US Army and hooyah in the US Navy and US Coast Guard. It is most commonly used to respond to a verbal greeting or as an expression of enthusiasm.
“Hooah” is the war cry of the United States Army, the United States Air Force, and the United States Space Force. “Oorah” is the war cry used by United States Marine Corps.
Military slang can vary by branch or take hold military-wide. While Soldiers say “Hooah,” U.S. Marines shout, “Oorah” as a battle cry and Navy seamen say, “Hooyah!” All appear similar in print, but no one would confuse Hooah with, for example, Oorah when heard.
"Retreat Hell! We've just got here!" (Attributed to several World War I Marine Corps officers, Belleau Wood, June 1918.) "Once a Marine, always a Marine!"
Marines aren't called soldiers because they aren't in the Army. Each branch of the military has its own mission, training, history, uniform, and esprit de corps.
Out in the Marine Corps (and its sister service, the Navy) , the distinction is simple: “Yes, sir” is a response to a Yes/No question, whereas “Aye aye, sir” is a response to an order and means “I understand and will comply.”
“Semper Fidelis” (“Always Faithful”) is the motto of the Corps. That Marines have lived up to this motto is proved by the fact that there has never been a mutiny, or even the thought of one, among U.S. Marines. Semper Fidelis was adopted about 1883 as the motto of the Corps.
Hooyah is the battle cry used in the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard to build morale and signify verbal acknowledgment. It originated with special operations communities, especially the Navy SEALs, and was subsequently adopted by other Navy divisions.
The phrase “jarheads” is also a slang phrase used by sailors when referring to Marines. The term first appeared as early as World War II and referred to Marines' appearance wearing their dress blue uniforms. The high collar on the uniform and the Marines' head popping out of the top resembled a Mason Jar.
• Ooh-rah: A battle cry among Marines, 'Ooh-rah' can be used as a greeting, a term of affirmation, or as a way of expressing enthusiasm. • Ductus Exemplo: A Latin term that means “lead by example,” Ductus Exemplo is the official motto of Officer Candidates School (OCS).
15. POGs and Grunts – Though every Marine is a trained rifleman, infantry Marines (03XX MOS) lovingly call their non-infantry brothers and sisters POGs (pronounced “pogue,”) which is an acronym that stands for Personnel Other than Grunts. POGs call infantrymen Grunts, of course. 16.
Goodnight Chesty Puller | Goodnight, Chesty, wherever you are. (U.S. Marine Corps video by MCAS Iwakuni) | By U.S. Marine Corps | Facebook.
Marine Corps training is considered one of the toughest to scale through because they are an offensive force. Marines go through a grueling 13-week boot camp training that tests physical stamina, mental toughness and moral integrity.