# Semper Fi **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 10, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248 "2019-11-10T19:23:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/1 "2019-11-10T19:23:02Z")
Marine Corps, Daughter, 2× Sister, Aunt, Mom! That’s me Happy Birthday! ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/2 "2019-11-10T19:24:56Z")
Oorah! ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/3 "2019-11-10T20:24:23Z")
Happy Birthday, you goddamned Jarheads! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2019, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/4 "2019-11-10T20:38:56Z")
I’m the Son of a 20 year Navy & Air Force Vietnam vet. Dad’s brother was a WWII vet & career Navy. I’m happy to extend best 244th birthday wishes to the Marines. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/5 "2019-11-12T03:13:16Z")
Best birthday wishes, and thanks to all who serve, and all who have served! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/6 "2019-11-13T07:42:47Z")
I have a question of etiquette and protocol: Who is supposed/allowed to use the term Semper Fi? I’ve always thought it was a special statement of respect and honor, to be spoken only by those who have earned it–i.e Marines themselves, whether in or out of uniform. If I am introduced to somebody I don’t know who is a former Marine, could I say semper fi to him, or would that be in bad taste? Maybe demeaning a term of respect by overuse? If I’m a casual friend and get invited to a more formal occasion,say, a Marine’s swearing in ceremony, could I say it then? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/7 "2019-11-13T15:08:28Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Marine Corps, Daughter, 2× Sister, Aunt, Mom! That’s me > > Happy Birthday! Urah! Have a[box of crayons](https://i.imgur.com/g3L9szc.jpg) =) ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/8 "2019-11-14T00:36:46Z")
My brother was a Marine. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/9 "2019-11-14T00:57:58Z")
Once a Marine, always a Marine. About protocol: at a formal occasion don’t say Semper fi unless you’re a Marine. I always said it to my Daddy and brothers. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/10 "2019-11-14T04:49:52Z")
_If the Army and the Navy, Ever look on Heaven’s scenes; They will find the streets are guarded, By United States Marines._ Happy Birthday, United States Marines! ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/11 "2019-11-15T13:55:44Z")
Just remember, Marines are first and foremost a diplomatic Corp :D. It’s the whole original reason for they’re formation in the first place. Happy Bday alla y’all Marines ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/12 "2019-11-15T14:02:59Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Marine Corps, Daughter, 2× Sister, Aunt, Mom! That’s me Your family must go through _so many_ boxes of crayons… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/13 "2019-11-17T00:19:44Z")
Q: Why are they called “grunts”? A: Because the first time one saw an airplane fly over, he pointed up and gurgled, “Ungh! Ungh!” 😉 That was told to me by my BIL, a USMC MP in 'Nam before he became an honest police chief in Calif. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/14 "2019-11-17T00:31:04Z")
Only the few… ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semper-fi/843248/15 "2019-11-18T17:35:55Z")
I always like to share the comic strip [Terminal Lance](https://terminallance.com/) with anybody who has in interest in the Marine Corps. It perfectly captures the day-to-day life of an infantry Marine. I was floored by how spot-on it is, and enjoyed being reminded of all of the little things I had forgotten…or repressed…since my time there.