The original Marine uniform had a tight leather collar, thus Leathernecks. The Marines in the days of pirates, boarded ships and fought with sabers, the leather around there neck, was protective gear, a saber slash to neck a man could bleed out in seconds.
The phrase comes from the early days of the Marine Corps when enlisted men were given strips of leather to wear around their necks to keep them from slouching in uniform by forcing them to keep their head up.
They used to wear these leather neck protectors in combat to keep people from beheading them.
The Continental Marine Corps was commissioned on November 10, 1775, by the Continental Congress. In 1798, Marines were issued a collar of stiff black leather annually as part of their uniform. Measuring approximately 3.5 inches high and fastened at the back of the neck by metal clasps, the collars forced a haughty military bearing. According to the Marine Corps Association, "Legend and lore have it that the term "leatherneck" was derived from leather neckbands worn in the late 1700s to protect Marines from the slash of the cutlass."
Because they were originally supposed to be special soldiers who were on navy ships. They would defend their ship from enemy ships, attack and capture enemy ships, and even perform amphibious assaults (where soldiers come off ships to attack the land).
The Marines are called marines because they are the water warriors and marine means of the water.
The Marines are Marines. The Army has Army Special Forces AKA Green Berets.
NO, they are called 'submariners' .
Corporal.
"Jarhead" and "Gyrine" are less than favorite nicknames for marines.
MARSOC MARine Special Operations Capable
The Marines are considered a subgroup of the Navy.
Ninjas :D marines
In the Marines it's called a forced march .
"Montford Point Marines ."
United States Marines. Most likely named this to show pride for the country and to also show where they are from. It shows nationalism.
Targets. Sky Jockies
The Marines use many helicopters. Their most common helicopter is probably the AH-1 W Super Cobra