USA flag

 

Slogans & Mottos of US Armed Forces Branches

The use of mottos in the Armed Forces dates back to the beginning of the United States itself. In 1776, as the Revolutionary War intensified, George Washington said that each regiment of the military should have their own colors, numbers, and motto to inspire and encourage them in battle. Today the Armed Forces have grown to six separate branches: Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, each with its own motto. 

A motto is a guiding principle, something to stand for, and while each branch’s motto is a bit different, they all harken back to the idea of fighting for and protecting the United States. Armed Forces recruitment campaigns and individual units also have many inspiring slogans. Read on to learn more about the different mottos in the Armed Forces, and where they originate from. 

 

US Armed Forces Mottos

Some mottos are famous, others you may never have heard. The following are the mottos of the 6 branches of the Armed Forces. 

 

US Army: This We’ll Defend

The US Army is the oldest branch of the Armed Forces, originally formed in 1775 under the Second Continental Congress to protect the original 13 colonies as they revolted against British rule. “This We’ll Defend” first appeared on record in 1778, in the midst of the Revolutionary War, by the War Office of the Continental Army. It served as a rallying cry for the troops, to defend against tyranny and unjust rule.  

While the Army started small, today it is the largest of the Armed Forces branches, protecting and serving both at home and abroad. But the motto of “This We’ll Defend” lives on as the official motto of the modern US Army. It can be seen on the US Army flag as well as the Department of the Army emblem and continues to inspire our troops every day.   

 

US Air Force: Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win

The Air Force’s motto is one of the newest and has only been in place since 2010! One of the younger branches of the Armed Forces, the Air Force was originally housed under the Army and split off to become its own branch in 1947. 

“Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win” was chosen by the Air Force servicemembers in a branch-wide survey! Air Force leaders wanted a motto that was inclusive and spoke to the Air Force’s culture of diversity, while also paying homage to the legacy of the US Air Force and the integral role they play in armed conflict. “Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win” is unique in that it is a call-and-response, both an action and a promise. The Air Force continues to “aim high” and grow; they are the most technologically advanced Air Force in the world!

 

  US Air Force

 

US Coast Guard: Semper Paratus 

The Coast Guard is a unique branch of the Armed Forces, as they are the only branch that serves under two different federal departments: the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime, and the Department of Defense during wartime. The US Coast Guard has a wide range of responsibilities from defending and patrolling US waterways, to responding to natural disasters, to serving in combat when called upon. The motto of “Semper Paratus” in Latin, which translates to, “Always Ready” is truly fitting for this many-sided branch. You can learn more about the Coast Guard in our previous article: https://garmonttactical.com/post/coast-guard-birthday.html

 

The origins of the motto “Semper Paratus” are not certain, but one likely source is Captain Francis Saltus. Captain Saltus wrote the words to “Semper Paratus,” a marching song for the US Revenue Cutter Service, which later became the US Coast Guard. Another possible origin is The New Orleans Bee newspaper, which used the phrase in reference to the US Coast Guard in an 1836 issue. Regardless of the origin, the words continue to ring true for the Armed Forces branch that is Always Ready to respond to an urgent need.

 

US Marine Corps: Semper Fidelis

One of the most famous of the Armed Forces mottos, “Semper Fidelis,” often shortened to “Semper Fi” in Latin, translates to “Always Faithful.” Marines undergo some of the most intensive training of any military branch, and therefore “Semper Fi” is often not just used as a motto, but is considered a way of life. 

You can often hear “Semper Fi” being used as a greeting or cheer among current and former Marines. The Marine Corps was founded in 1775 during the Revolutionary War, but their motto was not established until 1883. “Always Faithful” symbolizes not only the honor, courage and commitment that are core values of the Marines, but also their loyalty to the United States and to their fellow servicemembers. 

 

US Navy: Undetermined

Despite being one of the oldest branches of the US Armed Forces, established in 1775, the Navy does not have an official motto. That being said, there are several unofficial mottos that are associated with the Navy:

  • “Non sibi sed patriae”, which is Latin for “Not self, but country,” is a phrase engraved above the chapel doors at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. This phrase captures the heart of the seafaring branch of the US Armed Forces, the bravery and sacrifice of the Navy servicemembers. 
  • There is also “Semper Fortis”, which is Latin for “Always courageous.” “Semper Fortis” may have originated during the founding of the US Navy, when piracy was high, the oceans were still largely uncharted, and taking to sea required a great deal of courage. 
  • Another favorite phrase is “Anchors Aweigh”, which is the title of the unofficial song of the US Navy. While none of these may be the official motto of the US Navy, they all capture the spirit of this group of dauntless servicemembers.  

 

US Space Force: Semper Supra

The newest of the US Armed Forces branches, the US Space Force wasted no time in choosing a motto. “Semper Supra”, in Latin, translates to “Always Above”. This phrase was chosen very purposefully: 

  • “always” was used to represent the unending time and depth of space, as well as the Space Force’s commitment to protect and monitor space; 
  • “above” was used to symbolize the physical act of looking up and wondering about space, as well as a nod to Space Force’s value of excellence. 

Airman 1st Class Daniel Sanchez, who created the motto, said, “Our citizens will rest easier knowing there is always a shield above them.” The US Space Force, which defends US satellites and provides space capabilities in conflict, was established just over three years ago in December of 2019. Though they are still a young branch, it’s clear that their motto of “Always Above” will guide them to greatness. 

 

Recruitment & Unit Mottos

The mottos of the six branches may be the most commonly known, but they are not the only mottos in use in the US Armed Forces! Each branch also has recruitment slogans, which are used to inspire the next generation to take up the call and serve their country. Individual units within the Armed Forces are also known for having creative and motivating mottos! Read on to learn a few of our favorites. 

 

US Navy

 

Recruitment Mottos

Perhaps the most famous motto of all time was used by the US Army during World War I. “I Want YOU for US Army”, was emblazoned below an image of Uncle Sam pointing his finger directly at the viewer. This motto was used to encourage young men and women to conscript in military service and aid in the war effort. Over two million of the posters were printed between 1917 and 1918, and the image and motto still play a significant role in American culture. 

Here are a few other recruitment slogans that have been used over the years:

 

US Army Recruitment

  • Be All You Can Be: This slogan was used from 1980 to 2001, and encouraged people to become the best version of themselves by joining the US Army. One of the longest running recruitment slogans ever, the creator, Earl Carter, was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Award in January 2003. 
  • Army Strong: This slogan might seem familiar, because it was in use from 2006 until 2018. Simple and to the point, this motto speaks to the courage and might of the US Army. 
  • Warriors Wanted: This motto is currently in use and has been in use since 2018. It is often used alongside individual stories of Army servicemembers, to highlight the benefits and opportunities in joining the Army.

 

US Air Force Recruitment 

  • Aim High: This motto has been in use on and off for many years but has been the official recruiting slogan since 2014. “Aim High” is part of the longer Air Force motto, “Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win,” and encourages people to seek new heights, both literally and figuratively.

 

US Coast Guard Recruitment 

  • Born Ready: This motto has been in use in recruiting since 2009 and is a nod to the Coast Guard’s official motto “Semper Paratus,” or “Always Ready.” 

 

US Marine Corps Recruitment

  • The Marines are looking for a few good men: Used on and off again since 1799, this slogan has inspired many people over the years to join up with the Marine Corps. It even inspired the title of the 1993 movie, “A Few Good Men.” 
  • The Few. The Proud. The Marines: The most iconic of the Marine Corps’ slogans has been in use since 1977. In 2017, reports emerged that the Marines were looking to rebrand their recruitment to focus more on the “fighting spirit” of their servicemembers, but no such slogan has been announced since then.

 

US Army Recruitment

  • Be All You Can Be: This slogan was used from 1980 to 2001, and encouraged people to become the best version of themselves by joining the US Army. One of the longest running recruitment slogans ever, the creator, Earl Carter, was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Award in January 2003. 
  • Army Strong: This slogan might seem familiar, because it was in use from 2006 until 2018. Simple and to the point, this motto speaks to the courage and might of the US Army. 
  • Warriors Wanted: This motto is currently in use and has been in use since 2018. It is often used alongside individual stories of Army servicemembers, to highlight the benefits and opportunities in joining the Army.

 

US Air Force Recruitment

  • Aim High: This motto has been in use on and off for many years but has been the official recruiting slogan since 2014. “Aim High” is part of the longer Air Force motto, “Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win,” and encourages people to seek new heights, both literally and figuratively.

 

US Coast Guard Recruitment

  • Born Ready: This motto has been in use in recruiting since 2009 and is a nod to the Coast Guard’s official motto “Semper Paratus,” or “Always Ready.” 

 

US Marine Corps Recruitment

  • The Marines are looking for a few good men: Used on and off again since 1799, this slogan has inspired many people over the years to join up with the Marine Corps. It even inspired the title of the 1993 movie, “A Few Good Men.” 
  • The Few. The Proud. The Marines: The most iconic of the Marine Corps’ slogans has been in use since 1977. In 2017, reports emerged that the Marines were looking to rebrand their recruitment to focus more on the “fighting spirit” of their servicemembers, but no such slogan has been announced since then.

 

US Navy Recruitment

  • Navy. It’s Not Just A Job, It’s An Adventure: In use from 1976 to 1986, this motto transformed into “Live The Adventure” until 1988. This motto inspired several others that were in the same vein, joining the Navy is not simply putting on a uniform but is the beginning of a journey. 
  • America’s Navy, Forged by the Sea: Currently in use, this slogan speaks to the legacy of the Navy, and also has a nod to the “adventure” of previous slogans.

 

US Space Force Recruitment

  • Guardians Wanted: The newest branch of the Armed Forces has only had one recruiting slogan so far. “Guardians Wanted” has been in use since just August of 2021!

 

US Army

 

Unit Mottos

Units within the Armed Forces are groups within the individual branches that serve a specific combat or support role. These mottos are decided upon by the servicemembers and vary greatly, but below we’ve highlighted a few unique and iconic slogans.

  • Whatever It Takes: 1st Battalion, 4th Marines: Stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, 1/4 is an infantry battalion that has been fighting since 1916! 
  • Get Some: 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines: Located at the northern edge of Camp Pendleton, California, this battalion is known as the “Dark Horse” and is one of the most decorated in the Marine Corps. 
  • Retreat Hell: 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines: 2/5 got its motto during World War I. When told by a French officer that his unit should retreat from the defensive line, Capt. Lloyd Williams replied, “Retreat? Hell, we just got here!” 2/5 also holds the distinction of being the most decorated battalion in Marine history. 
  • Mors Ab Alto (Death from Above): 7th Bomb Wing: Stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, they are one of only two B-1B Lancer bomber wings in the Air Force. 
  • De Oppresso Liber (To Liberate the Oppressed): U.S. Army Special Forces: Created in 1952, Special Forces are known worldwide for their elite servicemembers and important missions. 
  • Swift, Silent, Deadly: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Recon Battalions: These three battalions, stationed at Camps Lejeune, Pendleton, and Schwab, are trained for special missions, raids, reconnaissance.

 

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