United States Marine Corps Emblem of the United States Marine Corps Founded 10 November 1775; 242 years ago (1775 - 11 - 10) Country United States of America Type Marine combined arms Role Amphibious and expeditionary warfare Size 182,000 active (as of 2017) 38,500 reserve (as of 2017) 1,199 aircraft Part of U.S. Department of Defense Dept. of the Navy (since 1834) Headquarters The Pentagon Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. Nickname (s) "Jarheads '', "Devil Dogs '', "Teufel Hunden '', "Leathernecks '' Motto (s) Semper Fidelis Colors Scarlet, Gold March "Semper Fidelis '' Play (help info) "The Marine 's Hymn '' Play (help info) Mascot (s) English Bulldog Anniversaries 10 November Engagements See list (show) American Revolutionary War Quasi-War First Barbary War War of 1812 Second Barbary War West Indies Anti-Piracy Operations Seminole Wars African Anti-Slavery Operations Aegean Sea Anti-Piracy Operations First Sumatran expedition Second Sumatran expedition United States exploring expedition Capture of Monterey Mexican -- American War Bombardment of Greytown Battle of Ty - ho Bay First Fiji expedition Second Opium War Second Fiji expedition Paraguay expedition Reform War John Brown 's raid American Civil War Bombardment of Qui Nhon Shimonoseki Campaign Formosa expedition United States expedition to Korea Egyptian Expedition (1882) Bering Sea Anti-Poaching Operations Kingdom of Hawaii overthrowal Second Samoan Civil War Banana Wars Spanish -- American War Second Occupation of Cuba Border War Negro Rebellion Occupation of Nicaragua Occupation of Haiti Occupation of the Dominican Republic (1916) Sugar Intervention Philippine -- American War Boxer Rebellion World War I Russian Civil War World War II Korean War Vietnam War 1958 Lebanon Crisis Occupation of the Dominican Republic (1965) Iranian Hostage Rescue Multinational Force in Lebanon Invasion of Grenada 1986 bombing of Libya Tanker War Earnest Will Prime Chance Eager Glacier Nimble Archer Praying Mantis Invasion of Panama Persian Gulf War Somali Civil War Iraqi no - fly zones Bosnian War Kosovo War International Force for East Timor Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan Philippines Horn of Africa Pankisi Gorge Trans Sahara Caribbean and Central America Iraq War Pakistan - United States skirmishes Operation Odyssey Dawn 2014 Intervention against ISIL Operation Inherent Resolve Resolute Support Mission Decorations Presidential Unit Citation Joint Meritorious Unit Award Navy Unit Commendation Valorous Unit Award Meritorious Unit Commendation French Croix de guerre 1914 -- 1918 Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Korean Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Website Marines.mil Commanders Commander - in - Chief President Donald Trump Secretary of Defense James Mattis Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer Commandant Gen Robert Neller Assistant Commandant Gen Glenn M. Walters Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps SMMC Ronald L. Green Insignia Flag Seal Marine Corps Emblem ("Eagle, Globe, and Anchor '' or "EGA '') variations also used as a "Branch of Service Insignia '' on Marine Corps uniforms
when was the united states marine corps started
10 November 1775