The Latin phrase, "Semper Fidelis," commonly shortened to "Semper Fi," means "always faithful" or "always loyal." Semper Fidelis became the Marine Corps motto in 1883.
It guides Marines to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to country, no matter what.
Previous mottos of the Marine Corps were (1) To the Shores of Tripoli, adopted in 1805; (2) Fortitude, adopted in 1812; (3) From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli, adopted in 1848; and (4) By Sea and by Land, adopted in the 1850's.
For more info on Marine Corps motto & slogans, go to Marines.com and MarineParents.com.
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