When Captain Samuel Nichols was looking for "a few good men" to form the first Continental Marines, he wanted patriotic, capable individuals — tough, resilient, hard men from the Philadelphia wharf area — who could fight at sea. His recruitment efforts at Tun Tavern sought men who would be disciplined and effective fighters to serve aboard the Continental Navy ships.
Captain Samuel Nichols was an innkeeper who was commissioned by the Continental Congress to recruit men from taverns in Philadelphia's wharf area, including his own tavern, the "Conestoga Wagon Tavern," and Tun Tavern, which were known to attract seafaring men and patriots. No, those taverns on the wharf area were not typically the sorts of places where high society pampered individuals were found. No effeminate perfumed types need apply.
He sought "a few good men" who had the "right stuff." While he sought capable men from Philadelphia willing to support the patriotic cause of the American Revolution, he wanted rough men tough enough to handle the demanding work of a Marine. And yes, because the Continental Congress specifically mandated that Marine recruits be "good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required," Capt. Nichols knew he needed tough-as-nails sailors, fishermen, stevedores, longshoremen, and other maritime workers.
Continental Marines needed to be rugged, hard men because of the multifaceted, dangerous, and physically demanding nature of their duties both at sea and on land during the American Revolutionary War. Their roles required a high degree of physical toughness and resilience for several reasons.
The primary mission of the Continental Marines was to serve as amphibious infantry, "soldiers of the sea," capable of fighting effectively on land after long voyages at sea. This required physical conditioning to transition immediately from shipboard life to ground combat, often conducting raids and seizing enemy seaports.
And yes, Marines were shipboard security. It was a crucial duty to provide onboard security for the ship's captain and officers. During naval engagements, Marines were essential for manning ships' guns and cannons alongside the rest of the crew. Marine acted as sharpshooters stationed in the ship's masts, the fighting tops, to target enemy officers, helmsmen, and gunners. This demanded steadiness, accuracy, and the ability to operate in the chaotic and often cramped environment of a sailing warship.
And please, don't think that life at sea wasn't harsh. Life on an 18th-century naval vessel was extremely arduous. Life at sea in the 1700s was characterized by poor sanitation, limited fresh food and water, cramped living spaces, and the constant physical rigors of sailing. Marines had to endure these conditions while maintaining discipline and readiness for sudden combat or boarding actions.
The Marines were often called into action far from their ships, participating in major land battles such as the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. These campaigns involved marching, enduring winter conditions with General Washington's army, and engaging in direct, close-quarters combat, all of which demanded significant endurance and a tremendous amount of grit.
And here's something else, even the Continental Congress realized that America could not use Continental Army soldiers as temporary Marines. They tried and failed to make that work because Continental Army soldiers wanted nothing to do with doing what Marines do. So instead, the Continental Congress ultimately commissioned Samuel Nichols to recruit men specifically for the Corps.
The nature of the expected duties meant recruiters actively sought individuals with the physical and mental fortitude to meet the combined land-and-sea challenges that lay ahead. Their uniform was unlike that of the Continental Army soldiers in that it included a leather high collar to protect against cutlass slashes during boarding actions, a feature that contributed to their nickname "Leathernecks" and symbolized the physical dangers they faced.
These demands fostered a culture that valued physical grit and mental resilience, traits that remain central to the Marine Corps' identity today.
So, how did Capt. Nichols build the Marine Corps? Well, Capt. Nichols knew Marines had to be men not afraid of hard work and dedication to the cause of freedom. He required practical, capable, hard, fighting men for sea duty, men who were men of substance rather than perfumed men of boast and appearance. His choices of those who wanted to sign up were deliberate because he was building a Corps of capable war fighters, not a social club.
Capt. Nichols embodied an authentic leadership style built on substance, integrity, and a willingness to act, guided by a moral compass. His actions were crucial for building the morale and esprit de corps of a Corps of Marines. His men trusted him because he was disciplined, fair, and devoted to duty. Yes, all attributes that established a precedent for generations of Marines to follow.
As for his men being battle-tested, they were not high-society types. Instead, his men understood the risks of service and were ready to fight. The initial success of the Marines in the 1776 raid on Nassau, the first amphibious landing in Marine Corps history, proved that Capt. Nichols had assembled the right kind of men for the job.
That's how our beloved Marine Corps was born. The first Marines were men with practical skills, men well-suited to his goal of creating tough, rugged fighting men, men who understood discipline, men with the inner qualities that it took to be Marines.
What sort of inner qualities was he looking for when looking for Marines? Why weren't everyone at Tun Tavern who wanted to join allowed to join? Not all were chosen to be Marines, even when they wanted to be Marines.
That goes to the inherent inner qualities of Marines — Honor, Courage, and Commitment — which have been the official core values of the U.S. Marine Corps for 250 years. These values are supported by a set of leadership traits — integrity, discipline, and initiative — that have shaped the mindset of Marines forever.
Courage is defined as the mental, moral, and physical strength to overcome fear, do what is right, and make tough decisions under pressure. Commitment is that inner voice, that spirit of determination and dedication, that "can-do" attitude, that leads to professionalism, discipline, pride, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Marines' mindset has not changed in 250 years.
Marines are decisive, able to make sound and timely decisions. Marines are dependable. We adhere to the qualities of reliability and accountability for our actions. Marines are held to the standard of accountability and fulfill obligations.
Marines take the initiative by taking action and solving problems independently. Acting on one's own to do what is right is what Marines do. Marines have endurance and have shown throughout our history that we can withstand physical and mental hardship. Marines have the mental and physical stamina to persist through challenges.
As for adaptability, Marines can adjust to and operate effectively in dynamic, challenging environments. As for enthusiasm, Marines get things done because we maintain a positive, energetic attitude.
Living by a moral compass is what Marines do. And yes, Marines live by a moral compass by practicing integrity and adhering to a moral and ethical code. Moral uprightness is what makes a Marine a Marine. It is what enables Marines to weigh facts and make sound decisions, giving fair and equal treatment to all.
Faithfulness to country, the Corps, and fellow Marines, while prioritizing the needs of others over your own, is what integrity to yourself is all about. Integrity is vital to being a Marine, and it has been that way for 250 years. Our ability to look ourselves in the mirror at any given moment and say without hesitation that we did what was right is as important as taking our next breath. It goes to who we are, our character, and self-worth. It goes to who we are to ourselves.
A Marine's word is their bond, and their statements are considered a factual basis for trust. Marines must be ethical and moral in all situations, guided by the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
Marines are expected to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, both positive and negative. Our sense of accountability involves taking responsibility for one's actions and decisions, fulfilling obligations, and holding others to the same standards. So yes, integrity builds trust among fellow Marines, which is crucial for functioning as an effective team, especially in high-stakes combat situations. And in the end, we demonstrate a commitment to duty and our values that go way beyond personal gain. It goes to a dedication to doing what is right.
A Marine's adaptability, strategic thinking, and strong decision-making skills are supported by a personal sense of honor, the foundation of a Marine's character, which involves integrity, honesty, and responsibility. It means never lying, cheating, or stealing, and respecting human dignity. Marines have the mental, moral, and physical strength to overcome fear, adhere to a higher standard of conduct, and make tough decisions under pressure.
Marines live a life of loyalty and faithfulness to our country, the Corps, our families, and our fellow Marines. Our sense of loyalty is reinforced by our commitment to doing what's right and is rooted in a spirit of determination and dedication that fosters professionalism, self-discipline, and an unrelenting drive for excellence in all endeavors. That has been the case since our birth as Marines.
Of course, doing the right thing, even when it's difficult, and following our moral compass to guide a Marine's every action is not easy. And yes, it's a high standard to live up to. It's just too hard for some to do. It's too hard for some to live the life and do what it takes to live it. But that's why not everyone can be a Marine.
As Marines, a title earned and never given, one we will have for the rest of our lives — especially if we live up to it — we share an intense loyalty, trust, and brotherhood/sisterhood. Our bond is formed through shared, rigorous training and challenging experiences. Our bond is summarized by the motto Semper Fidelis, "Always Faithful." It is essential for unit cohesion and combat effectiveness.
We share the intense difficulty of recruit training, our boot camp is like no other, and subsequent shared operational challenges. We adapt and overcome mental, physical, and emotional obstacles together. This creates a profound, lasting connection. Our bond results in absolute trust in fellow Marines to "watch your back" and assist one another, whether in a combat zone or in civilian life.
As for our sense of purpose and identity? We share the experience of earning the title "Marine." Let's be real here, it's true that "you don't join the Marines — you become one". This, in itself, creates an identity and a deep sense of pride that binds all Marines, past and present.
And here's something more. The bond we have as Marines often lasts a lifetime, extending beyond active service. The phrase "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" captures this persistent connection and shared identity. Is our bond, as a cultural cornerstone that ensures teamwork and a willingness to sacrifice for one another, a critical component of the Marine Corps' effectiveness as an elite fighting force? Yes, it is. It's what makes us who we are.
Because Marines live by their strict moral code in action, not just talk, and because of our bond, I wish all my brother and sister Marines a very happy 250th birthday.
Semper Fi!
Tom Correa
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