Quote Originally Posted by Ordani View Post
They got a bit of fame from the Barbary escapades but yes, not exactly the same name-recognition that you'd get from the various expatriate units. I like the idea, particularly in the era of officer-owned or sponsored units being in a sense unique and separate organizations within an army, or displaced units fighting for a sympathetic foreign power, but the Marines don't fit that at all.
I must repeat here that I think the goal of the marines was to give the US something similar to the European elite units. If anything it's the 'Guards' unit that doesn't belong in the US roster. Unless there was, at some point, an elite unit of presidential guards who dressed like European royal guards :P