Today is the Marine Corps Birthday.

It’s surprising to find that some Marines would actually prefer duty than go to the Marine Corps Ball. The ball isn’t THAT bad. Usually you have to go to the ball or else go on a working party.

Marine Corps Balls usually consist of wearing your dress blues (Or Service Alphas for the cheap skates), singing the Marine Corps hymn, saying Oorah a lot , and drinking enough alcohol to get sent to the nearest hospital to get one’s stomach pumped.

I remember on one Marine Corps ball, I had a chat with the platoon drunkard. He was plastered and this was before the whole ceremony even began. He had his dress blues collar undone and couldn’t stand in one place for too long without tipping over.

K : Are you okay?
PD : I’m good. I’m good. I’m good.
K : Are you sure? You can go home if you want. It’s better than starting a incident.
PD : I’m good. I’m good. I’m just pissed.
K: Why are you pissed?
PD : I’m pissed because some nigger told me that I was unsat.
K : Umm… Who?
*PD points in a general direction*
K : The Sergeant Major…?
PD : Yeah, that nigger.
K : Please don’t call him that.

Fortunately, there were no incidents.

Existing through an act of Congress since 1775.