The Marine Corps is the oldest of the military services. Until recent times, the Marines were an element of the Naval Service and were not represented on the JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff), this was changed in 1975. However, under it's charter, the Marine Corps is still required to provide the Fleet Marine Force. This consists of all Marines afloat or assigned to an amphibious force. The Marines also provide the security for all US embassies throughout the world.

As a naval officer, I commanded a joint force comprised of both Marines and Naval personnel. It is not common, but it is also not unknown for Naval officers to command Marine troops. The most common instance of this is the Marines assigned to capital ships who report through a separate command structure up to the ship's captain, a Naval officer. As part and parcel of this organizational arrangement, the Navy also provides certain specialists to Marine units. Perhaps best known are the Naval Corpsmen assigned to Marine units.

It is with great fondness that I recall my Marine troops and comrades; I will never forget them.