From: Office of the Director, USMCHC
To: All USMCHC active members and applicants
Subject: USMCHC Mission Statement, Membership Requirements, and Organization.
Reference: USMCHC "Marine's Handbook", (5th edition), Chapter 1, Section: 1-4; LOI # HC-99-004, LOI # HC-99-002, and LOI # HC-0 1 -02 IA.
This Letter was revised on 19 January 2002 and supersedes all previous regulations.
PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this letter to clearly define the mission of the USMCHC, establish standards for the application to, and maintenance of active membership with the USMCHC, and give an overview of the basic philosophies and organization of the USMCHC and its detachments.
MISSION STATEMENT of the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS HISTORICAL COMPANY: "To present and preserve the heritage and spirit of the United States Marine Corps."
The USMC Historical Company is a volunteer not-for-profit educational organization structured and operated as a military unit ancillary to the United States Marine Corps. We strive to educate the public and function as a high profile public relations tool for the U.S. Marine Corps, and associated Naval services, primarily through the use of live action historical programming, otherwise referred to as living history. Our goal is to preserve the deeds and memory of the veterans, place the present day Marines and Naval services in a positive light, and enlighten and motivate this and future generations to the importance of the Marine Corps and its mission. To achieve these objectives, The USMCHC applies the basic philosophy that "if you intend to do justice to the persons that you are emulating, then, in some small part, you must become them".
To Facilitate These Objectives:
BASIC MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Living History Interpreters:
The United States Marine Corps Historical Company (USMCHC) is organized for the specific purpose of providing professional level historical interpretive/educational activities designed to preserve the history and traditions of the United States Marine Corps and Naval Services. Membership is by invitation only and is limited to a platoon strength of "living history" interpretive members within a regional area at any one time, so only those with the highest degree of commitment, dedication and most of all positive attitude will be selected. A "review board" made up of four senior Officers and NCOs, under the supervision of the USMCHC Director, are responsible for overseeing all matters pertaining to membership, standards, discipline, and activities of the USMCHC. To gain and maintain membership as "living history" interpreters the following prerequisites must be met.
All prospective members applying for a Living History position must be 17 years of age or older. Any applicant under the age of 18 must have written approval from their parents or guardian.
Each prospective member must fill out and return an application form and resume'. The application will be reviewed by the Director (or his representative), and approved if all necessary criteria are met.
Once an application has been approved the applicant is interviewed and counseled as to the responsibility and commitment they will be accepting. If the applicant understands and agrees they will sign an enlistment agreement to that effect.
Once enlisted a new member must serve an apprenticeship (recruit training period) of a minimum one year. During this time the "recruit" must be present for at least two public educational programs; attend one of the scheduled annual 5 day training camps; and pass an examination prepared by the training officer. At the successful completion of these requirements the apprentice member's record will be reviewed and they will be considered for full membership (see LOI #HC-99-004, Probation Requirements).
After obtaining full membership each member must attend a minimum of Three (3) public educational programs (local platoon and/or Company level) per year. In addition they must continue to meet the annual training requirements, both physical fitness and skills, as set forth by the training officer.
No one coming into the USMCHC will wear any rank on any historical uniform (this includes prior service and active duty Marines) unless approved by the Historical Company's Director. The Historical Companies assigned Officers and NCO's must know their jobs, both as interpreters and Marine leaders. NCO's within each regional detachment will be promoted as needed using the same standards used by the active Marine Corps. Candidates for promotion will be selected and recommended by the regional platoon leaders and approved by the USMCHC Director, in consultation with a Board of the senior Officers and NCOs of the Company. NCO candidates will be selected through exhibited skills and abilities, demonstrated leadership traits, a capacity to work well with people, and a positive professional attitude. Officers will be appointed as needed by the Director using the same criteria as for the NCOs. No member of the USMCHC will be appointed to hold a Military Officer's rank unless they currently or have held a Commission in the United States Armed Forces.
The USMCHC is, by nature and intent, a military organization. Although membership is voluntary, acceptance of membership also means acceptance of the military discipline, regulations, and authority necessary to make the Historical Company and its detachments function smoothly. Violation of the established regulations, insubordination, or any action or conduct that brings discredit to the USMC Historical Company, or the U.S. Marine Corps and Naval Services will subject the offending member to disciplinary action which could result in suspension or dismissal from the Organization.
As a military organization supporting and representing The United States Marine Corps the USMC Historical Company has no political views or objectives other then those of the current United States Marine Corps in support of the Government of the United States. Our mission is to present a fair and objective view of the Corps', and United States' history.
At no time will the organization or any member of the organization use the USMCHC as a platform to express any opinions or views as to the conduct or policies of the United States Government, nor to question or comment on the conduct and abilities of the current or past administrations or individuals therein.
It is the responsibility of each member to regularly maintain communications with their designated point of contact (Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, or Department Head) as to their availability to attend public programs and training sessions. If, for any reason, a member finds that they are unable to attend an activity after committing to do so, they must notify their designated point of contact, or one of the senior NCO's, of the situation. Failure to show up without notification, to a program or activity that you have committed to will be listed as an Unauthorized Absents, and will result in disciplinary action, Arrival at a public program or training session unannounced could result in organization resources being unavailable to that individual member.
Because of the nature of the organization and our direct ties to the United States Marine Corps any person holding the position of Director or functioning as a Platoon Leader within a regional area must be an Active Duty, Retired or Former member of the United States Marine Corps.
Contemporary Interpretive Members:
In addition to our living history personnel the Company also maintains a contingent of contemporary interpretive and historical research personnel that primarily function in modem clothing, providing research, presenting lectures and exhibits, and functioning as announcers and tour guides for many of our living history programs.
These contemporary interpreters include World War Two, Korean War, and other veterans, historians, authors, and others that have an interest in the preservation of Marine Corps history, but do not wish to, or are unable to participate as living history interpretive personnel. This type of interpreter is very important to the Company, both working behind the scenes and working directly with the public. This is especially true of Marine veterans who not only provide a valuable resource to our living history interpreters giving insight to the details of Marine Corps life during their period, but literally "telling their own story" using the living history interpreters as a tool when talking with the public.
Because the duties of the contemporary interpreter are different from that of the living history personnel, they are not required to meet the physical or uniform standards. It should be noted, however, that Contemporary interpreters are required to meet and uphold the same standards of conduct and appearance as their living history counterparts. Any contemporary interpreter dealing directly with the public must, as a minimum, have a basic working knowledge of the information that is being presented during any given program. To become a contemporary member of the USMCHC the following applies:
As with the living history interpreters, It is the responsibility of each contemporary member, if involved in a public program, to notify their designated point of contact (the Director or his designate) as to whether they are available to attend or not. If, for any reason, a member finds that they are unable to attend an event after committing to do so, they must notify their designated point of contact, or one of the senior NCO's, of the situation.
Membership Dues
To validate membership, and help sustain ongoing operational costs, each member will be accessed an annual dues donation. These dues are tax deductible. Listed are the various individual memberships, and associated annual dues, that may be held within the USMCHC.
As a living history interpreter (or contemporary interpreter for that matter), before you can even consider the uniforms and equipment needed, the point of who and what we are representing, and how you represent them needs to be clearly understood. During its many years of experience in peace and war, the United States Marine Corps has developed many traditions of devotion to duty, self sacrifice, versatility, and dependability; traditions of loyalty to country and to Corps; traditions of uniform, and insignia that are the most recognized and respected in the world today. A Marine learns that these traditions are as important to him as his equipment and rifle. Pride of person is instilled in every Marine. For those of you that have not served in the Corps, gaining an understanding of this hard earned but well deserved pride is paramount to be able represent the Marines of our past. When we of the USMCHC present ourselves in front of the public this pride must manifest itself in each members conduct, bearing, and attitude. Without it you can not adequately and truly represent these Marines, their contributions and their sacrifices. Remember, preserving these traditions, and the memory of those men and women that made them, is what we are all about. You are representing a U.S. Marine, so be prepared to act like one!
The historical military impression is not only a question of having the right clothing and equipment, but of proper attitude and conduct. Clothes don't make a Marine (or a good historical interpreter); how you wear them and conduct yourself does. You need to be well versed in the period military customs and courtesies, and use them. You should be familiar with your equipment, how to pack it, wear it, and display it. You should be aware of the types of uniforms and the proper method of wearing them, and not look like a "civilian in surplus clothing". You should be familiar with your weapon, its nomenclature, and how to field strip it. You should know, and be able to perform the basics of close order drill, and the manual of arms for the period. Along with these military skills, as an interpreter, you have the additional responsibility of being a good educator. To effectively convey the "Corp's" story not only requires an accurate physical historical image, but an adequate knowledge base, and proficient communications and interpretation skills as well. The most important thing to remember, especially if you do not have prior military service or experience as a historical interpreter, is to listen, learn, and practice. In essence, to portray these Marines you will need to become a Marine!
The Marines we portray were drilled every day. Skills were learned through constant and repetitive training as a team, and through experience. We do not have this luxury. It is the responsibility of each member of the Company to study and practice on Ins own, so that the time spent functioning with your platoon can concentrate on building the "team's" skills. We will teach, but each member must take the initiative to do his own research, and put forth the effort and desire to learn and become skilled in his job as a soldier, as an interpreter, and as a member of the team. One of the most important things that you must bare in mind when joining the USMCHC is that, like the Marine Corps itself, we are a team, with the same dedication, loyalty, and espirit de corps which is the strong point of the Marines. There are no individuals here, and no one person is of greater importance than any other. All are working toward the betterment of the whole.
In short, through training, practice, and study you will become familiar with all the basic skills that a Marine of the period(s) you are representing would know and be able to apply them. To do any less is a disservice to the public we are trying to educate, the veterans we are representing, and most importantly to the Corps. Remember you are wearing the uniform of a United States Marine, not a 'costume, and we have a proud and hard earned tradition to uphold. THE NEED FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS
Although your present physical condition will not prevent you from becoming a contemporary interpreter with the USMCHC, regardless of your age or physical stature, one thing that you must consider is your physical fitness and health. For those wishing to enlist and function as "living history" interpreters, the required physical fitness standards are not only important from a physical appearance and historical standpoint, but as a safety and liability issue as well. The Marines we represent were in excellent condition for the most part and physically active every day, even in the routine of barracks life. As interpreters, striving to portray these Marines, we will be involved in similar activities that can be physically demanding to our members. These activities can range from routine physical fitness training, both with and without the rifle, to bayonet and hand to hand combat training, to full amphibious assault training exercises in 90 degree plus weather, to extensive field exercises in extreme temperature and weather conditions, both hot and cold. But please do not be discouraged. You do not have to start out meeting the Physical Readiness Standards. We will train you and give you every assistance in getting there during your probation, and maintaining as long as you are a member. Improving your fitness to improve your impression will also improve your day to day health and well-being as well. This holds true for our contemporary personnel as well, regardless of age. We will take every effort to look after your safety and assist you if needed, but it's up to you to take the initiative to get in shape! A description of the Physical Readiness Standards is listed in the USMCHC Marine's Handbook (also see LOI # HC-99-002).
ORGANIZATION
The United States Marine Corps Historical Company is divided into regional Detachments (Platoons) corresponding with the Marine Corps' current Recruiting Districts. Each platoon operates as an ancillary unit to their particular District and the USMCHC Headquarters. The Historical Company's Headquarters is established in the Washington D.C. area and coordinates directly to the Marine Corps Museums Branch, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and H.Q. Marine Corps Public Affairs Office. The Company Headquarters is responsible for the administration of the Company, and coordination of the regional platoons.
Each regional detachment (platoon) is administratively organized into a modem "training" (I&I) platoon and accompanying support elements. This structure is modified accordingly to meet the mission objectives of each program presented. For example, one of the time periods we most often represent, is of the Marines of the mid 20th century. The basic operational unit', for a program representing the Marine Corps of WWII is normally structured as a rifle platoon based on the 1941 or 1944 Marine Corps T.O. & E. and consists of three rifle squads, a Headquarters section, and support elements. Often, for large programs, USMCHC personnel will be assigned to key operational rolls such as platoon sergeants and squad leaders, while the bulk of the participating personnel come from Active Duty, Reserves, or JROTC units that have been trained and equipped by the USMCHC for the purposes of participation in that particular program.
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