FMF Marine Corps Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the bugle call 'Reveille' signify on a Marine Corps installation?
- The signal to cease all training for the day
- The call signaling the start of the official duty day and the raising of the National Colors (Correct answer)
- The call to formation for morning physical training
- The signal for evening mess
Correct answer: The call signaling the start of the official duty day and the raising of the National Colors
Reveille is the bugle call that marks the official start of the duty day, during which the National Colors are raised.
Question 2: What does 'Taps' signify in Marine Corps tradition?
- The end of the duty day and lights out, also played at military funerals to honor the fallen (Correct answer)
- The call to attention when a senior officer approaches
- The signal to begin evening formation
- The morning call to quarters
Correct answer: The end of the duty day and lights out, also played at military funerals to honor the fallen
Taps is sounded at the end of the duty day to signal lights out and is also played at military funerals to honor those who have served.
Question 3: On what date is the Marine Corps birthday celebrated annually?
- October 13
- November 10 (Correct answer)
- July 4
- September 15
Correct answer: November 10
The Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775, at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Question 4: At the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, who traditionally receives the first and second pieces of birthday cake?
- The commanding officer and the executive officer
- The guest of honor and the commanding officer
- The oldest Marine present and the youngest Marine present (Correct answer)
- The senior enlisted advisor and the junior enlisted Marine
Correct answer: The oldest Marine present and the youngest Marine present
By tradition, the first slice is presented to the oldest Marine and the second to the youngest, symbolizing the passing of traditions from one generation to the next.
Question 5: What is the 'Blood Stripe' worn on Marine dress blue trousers, and who is authorized to wear it?
- A red stripe worn by all active-duty Marines on all uniforms
- A scarlet stripe worn by Corporals and above, commemorating Marines who fell at Chapultepec (Correct answer)
- A gold stripe worn exclusively by General Officers
- A blue stripe authorized only for Staff NCOs
Correct answer: A scarlet stripe worn by Corporals and above, commemorating Marines who fell at Chapultepec
The blood stripe is a scarlet stripe on dress blue trousers worn by Corporals and above, honoring Marines killed during the 1847 Battle of Chapultepec.
Question 6: During the playing of the National Anthem or 'To the Colors' outdoors, what should a Marine in uniform do?
- Stand at parade rest facing the direction of the flag
- Face the flag or the direction of the music and render a hand salute (Correct answer)
- Stand at attention but withhold the salute until the final note
- Continue movement and only salute if directly passing the flagpole
Correct answer: Face the flag or the direction of the music and render a hand salute
Marines in uniform outdoors face the flag or the direction of the music and render a hand salute throughout the playing of the National Anthem or 'To the Colors.'
Question 7: What is a 'Mess Night' in Marine Corps tradition?
- An informal dining event restricted to enlisted Marines
- A formal regimental dinner celebrating unit history, camaraderie, and Marine Corps traditions (Correct answer)
- A mandatory weekly dining event for all ranks
- A field mess exercise conducted during combat training
Correct answer: A formal regimental dinner celebrating unit history, camaraderie, and Marine Corps traditions
A Mess Night is a formal military dinner with specific protocols that celebrates unit history, honors traditions, and builds esprit de corps.
FMF Marine Corps Customs, Courtesies, and Traditions 2
What does the bugle call 'Reveille' signify on a Marine Corps installation?