The Marines are older than the United States itself. So when did they start?

The few, the proud, and the old. The United States Marine Corps is older than the United States itself with roots to the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War. The first Marine battalions were formed on November 10, 1775.

Two Marine battalions were formed by Captain Samuel Nicholas in Philadelphia by the resolution of the Second Continental Congress. They served through the Revolutionary War, but were disbanded in April of 1783. They didn't form again until July of 1798 in preparation for the Quasi-War with France. That is when they were officially formed as the United States Marine Corps.

The Marines are responsible for providing power projection from the sea thanks to the mobility of the United States Navy. They have served in every American armed conflict and became famous when amphibious attacks became a prominent strategy during the Pacific Campaign in World War II.

Holding true to their motto, the Marine Corps is the smallest of the U.S. Armed Forces at just under 203,000 active duty members in 2010. However, the they are larger than many of the armed forces of significant military powers. U.S.A!