As a military organization, the United States Marine Corps has led an extremely precarious life. Resented and often unwanted, throughout its history it has had to fight off numerous attempts to have it either reduced in size or even disbanded. (Among the Corps most famous opponents one can find Presidents Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Harry Truman) As a result of its history, the Marine Corps has long understood the need to have a mission that is not only necessary for national security, but which also keeps itself in the public eye. Historically, Marines were placed aboard warships to ensure each captain had a loyal and separate cadreto call upon in case of ship board mutiny. The traditional Marine roles of conducting landing operations, and serving as sharpshooters in action were duties added on as time passed The change in naval tactics as weapons improved in the late 1800's resulted in the Marines taking up naval gunnery as one of their additional duties, with Marines manning one battery on ships on which they were stationed. For the United States Marine Corps, the Spanish American War of 1898 was the turning point in it's history. As the United States embarked on its Imperialist Age, there arose a need for a American Colonial Army to serve overseas, and the Marine Corps stepped forward to fill the position. Marine battalions, and then regiments were formed and the Marine Corps grew in size as additional men were needed for its new missions. The Caribbean and Central America became the new home of the Corps, as regiments served in Mexico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua, while other elements served in China, the Philippines, and even Ethiopia. Asa result of its new found roles, the United States Marine assumed a special place in the American character. In a return to its past, the Marine Corps experimented with a new organization, the Advance Base Force, a Brigade size unit complete with an "Aeronautic" company and other supporting arms, that could land, seize a base for the fleet, and hold it against enemy counterattack by land or sea. America's entry into the First World War gave an added boost to the Marine Corps place in America. Two Marine Regiments (the 5th and 6th) went to France as the Fourth Marine Brigade, and into action atthe Bois de Belleau, winning new laurels for the honor of the Corps. The fame gained there resulted in a ban by a resentful US Army against additional Marine combat units in France, but the Marines had established their presence "Over There". Marine shipboard detachments served with the American Naval Squadron hed to the Grand Fleet, while landing parties were sent ashore at Archangel and Vladivostok. The "Aeronautic" Company of the Advanced Base Force was expanded by the war to become the 1st Marine Aviation Force, which saw service over northern France. Back to Table of Contents -- Command Post USMC Supplement To Command Post Quarterly List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Greg Novak. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com