# Marine Corps uniform question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 8, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205 "2008-12-08T03:51:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/1 "2008-12-08T03:51:57Z")
I got sucked into a two hour Wikipedia link-hop through something in the “Army guys who look like crap in the airport” thread (isn’t it weird when you realize that militaries in other countries have their own slang?) and I ran into [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PlateVIII_Blue_White_and_Drum_Corps.jpg) picture, which is of Blue-White dress uniforms and Drum Corps uniforms. So my question is, when do you have to put the dog in a dress uniform? Does the dog have other uniforms? (Khakis?) What exactly is the dog _for_? Is he a Marine? Does he have a rank, and if so can you tell from the uniform? Is he some sort of combat dog? An explosive sniffer? (No offense to bulldogs, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one as a service dog, which is why I ask in the first place - I guess it wouldn’t be weird if it were a German shepherd or something.) The caption totally pretends there is not a little uniformed dog in the picture. Why doesn’t the dog have to wear a hat? Of course, no offense to our proud and loyal dogs in uniform - I’m sure the dog in the picture is less likely to pee on the floor than many Marines I have known. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/2 "2008-12-08T04:14:27Z")
The picture is of Marines at the Marine Barracks in Washington, DC - home of the Marine Band and Silent Drill Team. Accompanying them is “Chesty” the official mascot of the Barracks. Named after Lt. General Puller - nicknamed Chesty for his barrel chest and the countless medals which covered such, Chesty has become probably the best known Marine. He appears in countless photos and memorabilia. The current Chesty is Chesty XIII - a private that assumed duty this summer. Chesty XII - by now a sergeant, then retired after “40 dog years of service.” [Link.](http://www.marines.mil/units/hqmc/barracks/Pages/ChestyXIIretires.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/3 "2008-12-08T04:20:37Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > …Chesty XII - by now a sergeant, then retired after “40 dog years of service.” > > [Link.](http://www.marines.mil/units/hqmc/barracks/Pages/ChestyXIIretires.aspx) [Sergeant, you’re out of uniform.](http://www.marines.mil/units/hqmc/barracks/PublishingImages/080725-M-4926H-002.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/4 "2008-12-08T04:26:48Z")
So there’s only one uniformed dog in the US military? (And why a bulldog? And why no hat?) What is it about bulldogs that makes them live mascots? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/5 "2008-12-08T04:43:34Z")
And note that while the picture is a drawing, not a photograph, the artist has still rendered the bulldog’s tongue hanging out. Is drool a part of the officially mandated Marine Corps dog uniform? ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/6 "2008-12-08T12:44:19Z")
The Bulldog is from a WWI poster about the Marines at Belleau Wood, where the Germans supposedly called the troops they faced “Teufelhundnt” (someone will be along shortly to correct my German), or “Devil Dog”. The poster was a Bulldog chasing a dachshund in a spiked helmet and iron cross. The first bulldog mascot was in 1922, in Quantico. ETA, there is more than one dog in uniform, Chesty is just the most famous. Cpl. Molly is at San Diego. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/7 "2008-12-08T14:42:22Z")
> [@UncleBill](#): > > ETA, there is more than one dog in uniform, Chesty is just the most famous. Cpl. Molly is at San Diego. I don’t pretend to be an expert in Marine mascots - I was a Navy man. But I did recognize the Marine Barracks - I worked for years at the Washington Navy Yard just a few blocks away. IMHO, every first time visitor to Washington should try to visit the Barracks, especially for an Evening Parade. ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/8 "2008-12-08T15:24:01Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > So there’s only one uniformed dog in the US military? (And why a bulldog? And why no hat?) What is it about bulldogs that makes them live mascots? Not a Marine, nor an American, but I think that Chesty lacks a “cover,” not a hat. Trivia time! The USMC (formed 1775) cap badge features the globe with North and South America visible; the Royal Marines’ (formed 1664) badge shows Europe, Africa and Asia. …So between them, the Marines have pretty much got it covered. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/9 "2008-12-08T17:56:56Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > I don’t pretend to be an expert in Marine mascots - I was a Navy man. But I did recognize the Marine Barracks - I worked for years at the Washington Navy Yard just a few blocks away. I in no way meant to imply that Chesty was not pictured at 8th & I, I was merely mentioning that there is another mascot bulldog on the Left Coast. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/10 "2008-12-08T18:06:17Z")
Understood. I was merely explaining my incomplete information, not implying anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/11 "2008-12-09T00:28:42Z")
Anybody know if any other service branches, US or otherwise, have official live animal mascots? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/12 "2008-12-09T00:54:10Z")
All I’m finding are the academies. Would that count? Army: Black Knight (formerly a mule) Navy: Goat Air Force: Falcon ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/13 "2008-12-09T12:36:22Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Anybody know if any other service branches, US or otherwise, have official live animal mascots? The bulldogs are not official USMC mascots, they are mascots of distinct posts or commands. Chesty is for Marine Barracks 8th & I St, Washington, DC, and Cpl Molly is for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. There is also a bulldog mascot at MCRD Parris Island, SC, “Hummer”. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/14 "2008-12-09T13:26:48Z")
> [@UncleBill](#): > > There is also a bulldog mascot at MCRD Parris Island, SC, “Hummer”. That. Is. Just. So. Wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/15 "2008-12-09T15:12:13Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Anybody know if any other service branches, US or otherwise, have official live animal mascots? Yes, indeedy. Scroll down here: [Google Image Result](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.irishwolfhounds.org/guardsrangers.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.irishwolfhounds.org/rangers.htm&usg=__StyaI2-oE66VP99oGmXvu8aWkc0=&h=494&w=398&sz=75&hl=en&start=3&tbnid=2JnGq_U5kpR4nM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=105&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522irish%2Bguard%2522%2Bwolfhound%2Bmascot%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den) ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/16 "2008-12-09T16:52:26Z")
The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) have had a succession of loveable St Bernards as their mascot: [Wallace’s history.](http://www.army.dnd.ca/CANADIAN_SCOTTISH/news_wallace.htm) Probably the most famous mascot in the Canadian military was the bear on which Winnie-the-Pooh was based: [“Winnie.”](http://www.fortgarryhorse.ca/phpweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=22&MMN_position=44:44) ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/17 "2008-12-09T16:56:58Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > All I’m finding are the academies. Would that count? > > Army: Black Knight (formerly a mule) > Navy: Goat > Air Force: Falcon I wonder why the hell Army changed their mascot toa Black Knight from a mule. A mule is an awesome mascot; a Black Knight sucks. ---
**Author:** ![WillSantini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ed8c4c/32.png) [@WillSantini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillSantini)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/18 "2008-12-09T20:38:00Z")
> [@UncleBill](#): > > The Bulldog is from a WWI poster about the Marines at Belleau Wood, where the Germans supposedly called the troops they faced “Teufelhundnt” (someone will be along shortly to correct my German), or “Devil Dog”. The dogs the Germans were referring to were Bull Mastiffs, which were kept as guard dogs by French villagers. The mastiffs were vicious, and the Germans compared the Marines to the dogs. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/19 "2008-12-09T21:01:30Z")
> [@SkeptiJess](#): > > I wonder why the hell Army changed their mascot toa Black Knight from a mule. A mule is an awesome mascot; a Black Knight sucks. Don’t tell [these guys](http://www.moviemaker.com/images/uploads/independence_day.jpg) that. Yes, I know. Yes, I know. Work with me. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205/20 "2008-12-09T21:08:05Z")
> [@SkeptiJess](#): > > I wonder why the hell Army changed their mascot toa Black Knight from a mule. A mule is an awesome mascot; a Black Knight sucks. C’mon, the Black Knight is invincible! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marine-corps-uniform-question/476205.md?page=2)