First, I've heard that some folks are confused because my articles now appear under Maine Veterans in Need. While I'm part of that organization, these articles are simply “one veteran's point of view.” So that's my new tagline. Now, back to my point of view!

On Oct. 13, the United States Navy celebrated its 251st birthday. As a retired Navy officer, I always enjoy the occasion, although something has bothered me for years. The Navy is older than the Marine Corps, yet somehow the Marines get ahead of us!

Let me explain, it gets complicated.

On Oct. 13, 1775, the 2nd Continental Congress authorized two armed vessels, establishing what became the Continental Navy. Twenty-eight days later, on Nov. 10, Congress authorized two battalions of Continental Marines. Marine Corps tradition places their birthplace at Philadelphia's Tun Tavern, where, coincidentally, recruiting reportedly began.

So, the Navy came first. After all, somebody had to provide the ships for the Marines to ride around on!

Following the Revolutionary War, both services were disbanded. Now the US Congress didn't authorize a new fleet, “Navy,” until the Naval Act of 1794 on March 27, 1794. It did provide for Marines to be on board. However, the Marines weren't reestablished as a separate military service until the 5th US Congress’s “An Act for Establishing and Organizing a Marine Corps of July 11, 1798.”

So, whether you count the original establishment or the reestablishment, the Navy was first. Twice!

But here's where things get interesting.

For years, the Marines actually celebrated July 11, 1798, as their birthday. Then, in 1921, Commandant John A. Lejeune directed that Nov. 10, 1775, be recognized instead.

The Navy took a different route. For years, Navy Day was celebrated on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. It wasn't until 1972 that Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo Zumwalt officially designated Oct. 13, 1775, as the Navy's birthday.

So, both services eventually reached back into history to establish their birthdays. The difference? The Marines got around to it 51 years before we did. Apparently, even the Navy's paperwork moves slower!

Now consider the official order of service flags: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Yes, the Marines are ahead of the Navy!

This order reflects longstanding military precedence rather than simply the dates Congress established the services. But if the Commandant and Chief of Naval Operations had followed the same historical rules, the Navy would be older either way.

Ask a Marine why they're ahead, and you'll probably get a confident answer. Ask a sailor, and he'll suggest the Marines need to be first in line so they don't get lost!

Of course, the Navy and Marine Corps have served and fought together for 251 years, and that relationship deserves celebrating. So, with Nov. 10 approaching, happy birthday to all Marines. You've certainly earned it.

But remember, gentlemen, we were here first. And without the Navy, you'd have had a very long swim! Remember, this is “one veteran’s (sailor) point of view.”