There are all kinds of fun phrases that have been attributed to Marines over the years. These have become ingrained in the way we think and have shaped the actions of Marines again and again. If you want to take charge of your life and break out of the rut that's been plaguing you then you should examine one of our favorite phrases. That is, one of our favorite phrases that's repeatable on a family website.
The time was World War I, otherwise known as (since the sequel was not even in pre-production yet) The Great War. The French were weary and losing badly. The Germans were striking deep into their territory. All hope was lost. In other words, business as usual for the French Military. Along came the United States and a couple of unimportant Army divisions. Attached to one of those divisions was the 4th Marine Regiment. The U.S. Army looked at the situation within Belleau Wood and saw that the Germans had the place firmly held with several divisions and machine gun units. The Army commander decided to send in the Marines with orders to clear the place out. In other words, business as usual for the United State Army.
While crossing a field of wheat and getting raked by German machine gun fire, the Marines were told by the French (who were retreating of course) that they should emulate the French soldiery all around them. A particularly astute young Captain is quoted as saying, “Retreat? Hell, we just got here!” The Marines then charged into battle with a ferocity that the Germans had never since the Mongol Horde appeared on the horizon some time ago. Within a couple of weeks (a veritable blink of an eye in WWI terms) the Marines had the situation well in hand.
It's the attitude of no retreat that you should adopt. Marines don't retreat. We dodge and counter attack. Marines don't fall back. We regroup and begin an envelopment. Marines don't curl up and die when they walk into an ambush. We open fire and assault our way through. This attitude of taking control of a situation, no matter how uncontrollable it seems, is what makes a Marine. It is an example of how we impose our will upon the enemy and emerge victorious. You can do it too.
