Also it would look horrible if hundreds of Marines were allowed to walk over it with their dirty boots. Boot prints would be everywhere, you'd see a path running through the field, it becomes patchy, etc. It just doesn't look good. Some of them probably have oil and other crud on them from working on trucks.
In the US military, there is a tradition of not walking on the grass to show respect for the grounds and the facilities. If the grass has been re-seeded, or it is a decorative area that will be destroyed by high foot traffic it is common to see keep off the grass signs, even in the civilian world.
The military doesn't really issue explanations along with their rules, so everyone has a different explanation as to why troops can't walk on the grass on base. The consensus seems to be that it's unbecoming. Some say that taking a shortcut is symbolic and antithetical to military motivation and commitment.
Did you ever wonder why the Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy? Historically, marines serve as a navy's ground troops. In fact, the word "marine" is the French word for sea, which may be why the French military historically called English troops — who all had to arrive by sea — "marines."
Walking and Talking = A Big No No
Something that civilians always do is walking and talking on the phone; well, the military can't. The reason for this is that troops might miss saluting an officer or might not be fast enough, so they say.
The principle of “never leaving a man behind” is based on the idea that every member of a military unit is critical to the success of the mission. If a soldier is wounded, lost, or captured, the unit must make every effort to recover or rescue them, even if it puts other members of the unit at risk.
Any activity which detracts from the dignified appearance of Marines is unacceptable. The use of chewing gum, chewing tobacco, cigarettes or the consumption of food while walking in uniform or while in formation are examples of activities that detract from the appearance expected of a United States Marine.”
Marines are distinguished by their mission, their training, their history, their uniform and their esprit de corps. You would not call a sailor a soldier, an airman a soldier, and certainly you should not call a Marine a soldier.
The Marine Corps members are called marines, not soldiers, and they typically have to go through much more intense basic training than those in the Army do, creating a reputation for being some of the toughest and most highly trained fighters.
As of 2006, women made up 4.3 percent of Marine officers and 5.1 percent of the Corps' active duty enlisted force. Today, they are no longer referred to as "female Marines." They are, simply, Marines.
So here we have 2 great reasons for Marines in uniform to not smile 1) to provide a positive and professional image and 2) to not invoke a threat of harm.
Service members have difficulty getting adequate sleep for a variety of reasons, including the stressful and at times dangerous nature of deployment and training, comorbid conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), jet lag from frequent travel, and broader military culture.
The government does recognize that views can change over the course of military service. Those who can prove a religious, ethical or moral opposition to all wars may apply for a discharge or transfer to a non-combat job as a conscientious objector. But the criteria for such cases are difficult.
The service AAVs were permanently banned from water operations in December. In 2020, an AAV sank off the coast of California killing eight Marines and one sailor, which prompted the water ban from the service.
Contrary to calling a retired Marine or a Marine who got out of service an ex-Marine, they should be referred to as “former enlisted” or “former commissioned officers,” Hoke said.
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.
Although the Marines are highly respected and considered one of the most elite fighting forces, the Navy SEALs training is far more rigorous and demanding than that of the Marines.
Navy SEALs vs Marines (2 Different Branches) Both the SEALs and Marines are a part of the Department of the Navy, they are both from two different branches of service. A Marine, cannot become a Navy SEAL. There is no process for that.
The Marine Raider Regiment (MRR), formerly known as the Marine Special Operations Regiment (MSOR), is a special operations forces of the United States Marine Corps, which is a part of Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC).
terms were meant as insults to Marines, but the Corps and its members embraced them. Three such words are “gyrenes,” “jarheads,” and “grunts.” Their times of origin and usage differ somewhat, but each has the same role in the Marine Corps culture. They have become a source of pride for all Marines.
No PDA. PDA, or public displays of affection, is considered unprofessional, and a big no-no while in uniform. However, each unit, branch, and area treat this rule with different severity. This can include hugging, kissing, holding hands, and even holding children.
The Marines have long used a uniform with a high-collar, originally made of leather, which once led to the nickname “leathernecks”. That high collar was thought to have given a Marine the appearance of his head sticking out of a jar, thus leading to the “jarhead” moniker (which was adopted around World War II).
No PDA. PDA, or public displays of affection, is considered unprofessional, and a big no-no while in uniform. However, each unit, branch, and area treat this rule with different severity. This can include hugging, kissing, holding hands, and even holding children.
Co-Occurring Mental Health Issues in the U.S. Marine Corps
PTSD is one of the most common mental health disorders found among the U.S. Marines7, and anxiety and depression are common as well. Some of the signs of PTSD include: Flashbacks and nightmares related to the trauma. Avoiding reminders of the trauma.
All Marines require seven to nine hours of sleep each night—period. Those who insist otherwise should not be celebrated for their toughness; rather, they should be educated and, if neces- sary, marginalized. Sleeplessness should no longer be viewed as macho but rather as foolish and dangerous.