Marines/history
Fictional
The Marines were formed in the time that the splinter Maquis cells were 'crystizing' around the command of FADM Davis. As more and more ships joined the 'Fleet' and the independant Rebel commands were assimulated into the MFI, the need for a rapid response Marine force became evident.
Their first mission was to act as the Fleet Infantry, to provide ship boarding, security, honor guard and other duties as needed by the fledgling fleet. Secondly, they were to function as MFI Fleet members at all times, to integrate the former 'ragtag' rebels into a cohesive fighting force. Under the Command of General Doane, the Marines became he first 'Support' Branch of MFI, and quickly rose to prominance within the new Alpha Quadrant power.
During the battle for CHin'Toka IV, Maquis Marines earned the grudging respect of their Starfleet counterparts, as they rescued Starfleet personnell from Jem'Hadar troops. Without the assistance of the MAquis Marines, the Cardassian occupation would have been a much bloodier affair. Using captured Starfleet Marine equipment and gear, the MArines saw bloody and hard fighting during the Dominion War.
As the dust settled, the increasingly organized MFI promoted Doane to Fleet Operations as Chief of Staff, and Commandant Collins took over. The brash Alpha Centaurian butted heads frequently with Fleet Brass, but the Marines took back their status as the Premier Branch of MFI. With the slew of copy-cat Intelligence Services, the MArines adopted an internal structure that emphasized the judgements of the COmmadner int he Field, over a centralized HQ. The MArines also took on a decidedly unique flavor and continued the traditions begun before them.
Historical Founded 19XX by FADM Gary Davis and Tom Donahue
First Commandant: Christina Doane This priod saw the inception of Divisions and several test' programs to deliver the MFI MArine experience to the MFI membership. Doane also kicked off 'Operation Penpal' at the start of the Afghani invasion, where MFI membrs corresponded with US troops and the MFI MArine Corps adopted several US Marines. Second Commandant: Liam Collins This period saw the trasnition of MFI into a more sleek group, and the inception of the Marine Website. Updated MOS programs and more relevant fandom 'electives' joined with an effort to differentiate MFI Marines from other MFI Branches.
The Marines look to the centuries of Marine Corps traditions and apply this long history to form their own traditions, culture, and vocabulary.
Their ancestor Corps include
The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (1665 CE, Terran Calendar)
The early English Maritime Regiments of Foot ( such as The Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot formed in 1664), with the formation of H.M. Marine Forces organized in 1755, finally becoming the Royal Marines in 1802.
The SFMC finds it's most most obvious source of inspirations in the United States Marine Corps. The USMC was formed in 1798. after the Continental Marines, raised in 1775, were disbanded at the end of the Revolutionary War.
Below is a partial glossary of some of the colorful terms used among the SFMC, as well as others that are used by Starfleet personnel in general.
Glossary
"Drop And Give Me 20!" Age old response from a Drill Instructor to a Boot's stupid comment or failure. Marine is ordered to drop and give 20 pushups
"Tell it to the Marines!" Old US Navy epithet when one sailor said something outlandish or foolish to the other. Came from when the early US Marine Corps was just established, and they would often fall for tall tales about the sea.
"The Most Prepared" SFMC Motto. Due to their constant training and readiness for service at almost all times.
"The Thin Green Line" "The Corps' nickname. Green for their branch color, a thin line because there are less than 1.3 million Marines stretched across the Federation's frontiers against any who would threaten it.
"The Big Black" Outer space. Since Marines tend to spend long periods in space, out of shuttles and starships, they have a deep appreciation of the beauties and dangers of operating in space.
"Boot " A Marine fresh out of Academy or Paris Island. They have the training, but not a clue or experience, and are looked at with some suspicion and doubt until they prove themselves. This is true for both officer and enlisted Marines.
Borg Busting/Cube Cracking Nick name for anti-Borg operations
'Butchers Bill' This is a call given out when asking for Casualties. Goes back to the time of Napoleon and the Russian Campaign. After every battle, he would ride up and demand the butchers bill, a call for the number of dead that day in the army. "All Squads, Call in the butchers bill!"
Cluster Frell or Cluster Foul Up A situation magnitudes worse then your ordinary foul up/frell up.
Corbomite Maneuver An incredible lie with just enough credibility and intelligence on the enemy to possibly fool them when you are otherwise dead.
"Crawls" A shortened version of "Crawling with the enemy." A word used to detail that there is enemy in the immediate area. "Sir, the target area crawls!"
Fly Boy/Girl Common nickname for Fighter Pilot or CONN/FC's. Non-derogatory
Frag To kill or otherwise incapacitate an incompetent superior or junior officer. Not approved Starfleet or SFMC procedure.
Frell An extremely potent expletive, often used in anger. Believed to have originated among the Orion Syndicate. A few historians claim it was first used on a 20th/21st Century Terran Science Fiction Television Program, filmed in Australia which heavily used puppets. This is seriously doubted.
FUBAR Fouled/Frelled Up Beyond All Recognition
Gator Freighter Nick name for Roger Young Class and other Marine troop transports.
Green Shirt Duty Duty that will get you killed in worse or more interesting ways than Red Shirt Duty. See Red Shirt Duty.
Gunney Nick name for Gunnery Sergeant. It is appropriate in military etiquette to call a Gunnery Sergeant "Gunney"
Headspace Term describing mental state and readiness. "The op demanded total focus, so I just cleared my thoughts and got into the right headspace."
Hump it. To hike or or work hard to solve a problem
Insertion/Extraction Insertion or Drop is the term for the operation to get the Marines onsite. Extraction is for getting them out. A "Hot Insertion" means a drop into a combat situation.
Jarhead Derogatory nickname based on ancient Marine helmets, and obstinacy. Adopted with pride by the Corps."
K.P. Kitchen Patrol- a Punishment Detail assigning you to some menial task.
Kirk Maneuver To defuse a situation or succeed in a mission by engaging in intimate relations with your adversary.
Leatherneck Nickname for old US Marine Corps, since their original uniform had a leather collar.
Lemon/Lime Term to describe anyone who has served in both the SFMC and TAC/SC branches. Not an insult.
Martini Shaker of Death Nickname for the Marine Boarding Torpedo
OOS - Operational Occupational Specialty The OOS is the specific skill concentration of an enlisted Marine. See Marine Job Descriptions.
P.T. Physical Training- often assigned as a punishment detail
Picard Maneuver To surreptitiously adjust the lines your uniform while getting up from a chair or moving.
Pull a Janeway To get seriously lost.
Punishment Detail Any assigned punishment for menial or moderate failure of duty.
Red Shirt /Mustard Shirt Duty Old Starfleet phrase to describe duty that will likely get you killed, in honor of the Red worn by the old Security.
REMF- Rear Echelon Malevolent Frellhead Term of extreme disrespect for officers who serve as far behind the front lines.
Like at Starfleet HQ
Riker Maneuver Standing in odd positions to cover up the fact that you have been missing PT and it shows.
Savage Yeolp Marine War Cry. Description of the personal war cry or guttural developed by a Marine. Military etiquette allows for the Yeolp to be used in response to superior officers. As In "HOOWAH, SIR!" Almost always used as a positive reply except when to show a negative reply is not being made due to lack of intestinal fortitude.
SNAFU Situation Normal All Fouled/Frelled Up. Used whenever an operation or details of an operation go wrong.
"Boots are new recruits into the United States Marine Corps. During the Vietnam War period these young men were a mixture of volunteers and some draftees. None were senator’s or congressmen’s sons. Very few were from the upper echelons of American society. Most were from hard working, well founded, families that believed in something called the "United States of America". These young men had been schooled in a system that started the day with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and the Lords Prayer. Many believed in America and all it promised. Most were patriots.
Marines are the United States elite military force. There are many specialty forces within the U.S. Military. Navy Seals, Army Green Berets, Army Airborne and other specialty units comprise the elite forces of U.S. Military. Only the United States Marine Corps stands out as an elite force in and of itself. MARINE is a word of respect. Whenever this word is used it evokes images of Spartans, exemplary examples of American excellence. The elite of the elite.
Marines have a history. They have fought in every major and minor engagement in which the United States of America has ever been involved. Marines are the Presidents guard. Marines are the best we have to offer as a nation. Marines have a tradition. Marines do not surrender. Marines do not leave their dead on the battle field. Marines have an honor. Marines die for that honor. Marines are Americans in the highest sense. Marines guard the very gates of Heaven.
