Marine Corps Birthday Ball

The United States Marine Corps celebrates its birthday every November 10th.  The Carnegie Mellon Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps usually honors this event by holding the Birthday Ball at the Riverside Landing.  The Marine Options, Marine Unit Staff, and also several Navy Option Midshipmen attended the celebration.

Many of the events we do together as Marine Options are meant to build camaraderie among the Midshipmen.  This is one of the events where this is held true.

 This event is a tradition the Marine Corps has been celebrating for hundreds of years.  Since Marines are a close-knit group of men and women, coming together to honor their Corps is always a great time.  Marines across the country and overseas celebrate by remembering the POWs and MIAs of the wars we have fought.  Another tradition is that the oldest Marine and the youngest Marine present cut the USMC birthday cake together.  We also hear the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corp’s message to the Marines about who has gone before us and where we are going in the coming year.  Our unit has a few of their own traditions as well.  The Second-, Third-, and Fourth-class Marine Options create skits that are many times the highlight of the night, and concludes with dancing.