This question is ONLY to be answered by sgtcory-ga. 

Sarge,

Members of which branch of the U.S. Military are nicknamed "Leathernecks?"

Your answer will receive a tip in the amount of $13.50.

~Pink

Hello pink,

This would be the U.S. Marines of course!

What most people don't know, is why this term is used, and where it
came from. Here is an excerpt that explains the lore :

Grunts.net Marine Corps Lore
"This stiff leather collar, fastened by two buckles at the back,
measured nearly three and a half inches high, and it prevented the
neck movement necessary for sighting along a barrel .... improved
military bearing, by forcing the chin high..."
http://www.grunts.net/usmc/usmclore.html

As of recent, this 'leather strap' is still used in the Dress Blue
uniforms. I can attest to how well it helps keep our military bearing,
because if you move your head for extended periods of time, you will
be nearly asphyxiated ;-)

Below you can view a set of Dress Blues, past and present:

Dress Blues
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/6542/bdress.html


No search strategy needed, but if you were inclined to learn more
about Marine Corps traditions, I highly recommend this site:

The Few
http://147.208.183.214/


Thanks for the question -

SgtCory


In all seriousness, I appreciate your integrity with regards to the
rationale behind the question. You answered the question, and I
offered the resource I did for free. There have been a few other
instances where I have done so, as Google Answers represents alot of
what I miss about the Corps <Teamwork>. If the customer wasn't always
right, I'd tell you to take the money and run ;->

---

Clarification of Answer by sgtcory-ga on 21 Nov 2002 08:01 PST

Thanks again. Although I am positive you have seen this, I wanted to
post it anyway - so others could give a visit at their leisure :

R Lee Ermy site
http://www.rleeermey.com/

For those who are inclined to changing their default sound files, here
are some wavs from the 'Full Metal Jacket' movie :-)

The WAV place 'Full Metal Jacket'
http://thewavplace.com/milmovie.htm#two

SgtCory

Thanks for the additional details on the origins of the term
"Leathernecks."

Grunts.net is an interesting site that I'd never known about. Somehow,
while visiting there, I kept expecting to hear R. Lee Ermey barking
"NOW DROP AND GIVE ME 25!"