M.C.H.C. Letter # HC-021 10/98 (Revised) 10 December 2004
To: All New USMC Historical Company Applicants
From: Office of the Director, USMCHC
Subject; New Member Requirements Guide.
References: (a) L.O.I. # HC-98-002, Physical Readiness Testing procedures
(b) L.O.I. # HC-99-014, Mission Statement, Membership Requirements, and Organization
(c) USMCHC "Basic Instructor's Interpretive Skills Handbook," (2nd edition)
A listing of the above L.O.I.s and details of the USMCHC may be accessed on our web site: www.USMCHC.com or search: USMCHC
As a new applicant to the United Sates Marine Corps Historical Company you should be aware of the level of responsibility that we will be asking you to accept. As a professional educational organization representing the U.S. Marine Corps the USMCHC requires a high level of commitment and exacting standards of its personnel.
Foremost of these standards, as you may imagine, are knowledge and skill. The knowledge you will learn and present will go far beyond basic Marine Corps historical statistics and dates. You will gain an understanding of who these Marines of the past were, how they shaped the Corps of today, and how they influenced our society. You will delve into the material history and acquire an understanding of the "tools of the trade" that each generation of Marines had at their disposal. If you qualify to become a living history interpreter you will learn and become proficient in the military skills, tactics, weapons and equipment of the Marines of past eras and be able to demonstrate and utilize these abilities to a live audience. As a contemporary interpreter this same knowledge and skill will be essential when explaining the use of a particular piece of equipment or tactic, and its relevance, to the public.
When coming on board as a new member you will spend your first year learning these skills, studying the history, and essentially becoming a functional part of the interpretive team. There will be scheduled classes and courses in period military and interpretive skills and general history that you will be able to attend, but much of your initial training will be "on the job." During your probation you will be teamed with a senior member who will act as your mentor and instructor. You will receive USMCHC training materials and instructional guides to help you along. You will be expected to study and practice on your own. Just as any Marine knows that it takes commitment and dedication to achieve and maintain the skills of his trade, so it is with each of our members in becoming proficient as historians and interpreters.
In addition to historical knowledge, if you are interested in qualifying to become a living history interpreter, physical ability and appearance are also very important. It is USMCHC policy that "all personnel actively involved in historical interpretation utilizing living history techniques to emulate Marine Corps personnel of the past, must maintain an acceptable llevel of physical fitness in order to present an accurate and credible image of these Service men and women". These required physical fitness standards are not only important from a physical appearance and historical standpoiint, but as a safety and liability issue as well. As a uniformed interpreter, striving to portray a Marine of the past, you will ultimately be involved in real world activities that are physically demanding. These activities can range from routine physical fitness training, both with and without the service rifle, to bayonet and hand to hand combat training, to climbing cargo nets during amphibious assault training exercises in 90 degree plus weather, to extensive field exercises and demonstrations in extreme temperature and weather conditions, both hot and cold. But please don't let this discourage you. If you've left your workout program slip a little, you don't have to start out meeting the Physical Readiness Standards (PRT). We will train you and/or give you every assistance in getting back in shape during your probation, and to maintain as long as you are a member. Improving your fitness to improve your appearance will also improve your day-to-day health and well-being as well. This holds true for all of our personnel, regardless if you function as a contemporary interpretive specialist or delve into utilizing living history techniques. We will make every effort to look after your safety and assist you if needed, but it will be up to you to take the initiative to get in shape. But you won't have to do it alone!
The basic minimum fitness requirements for those wishing to qualify as a USMCHC Living History Interpreter are:
Pull-ups:..................... minimum of 3
Push-ups:................... minimum of 25
Sit-ups:....................... minimum of 35 within two minutes
Balance Beam:............ walk 4 inch wide beam 20 ft. Long and return
Casualty Carry:....... pick up and carry 100 lb. weight 100 ft. Without stopping
Endurance:................. complete a 1.5 mile run within 13 minutes or complete a 5 mile march with full pack, weapon and equipment within l hour and 20 minutes.
A detailed description of the Physical Readiness Standards is listed on our web site.
Although you may eventually wish to purchase your own clothing and equipment, as a new applicant you won't have to be initially concerned with this. To get you started the company will issue or make available to you the clothing and equipment that you will need to function as part of an interpretive team. This is done to allow both you and the Company time to determine if your area of involvement is right for you before you make any financial investment, and to allow you to spread out any subsequent investments over an extended period of time. Listings of what you will need, sources, and assistance procurement will be provided through the USMCHC Quartermaster Department.
These standards may seem daunting, but with commitment and dedication they are very obtainable. You won't be alone in getting there, you'll be part of a team. The reward is the satisfaction that comes with achieving and constantly building on these initial goals. It is the personal pride and self confidence that comes with being part of a Marine Corps team, presenting some of the highest quality historical programs today. It is the knowledge that you are doing your part in preserving and passing on the legacy of one of the finest organizations in the world. As representatives of the United States Marine Corps, our goals are to preserve the proud history, traditions, and values of the Corps, and educate the American public about the many sacrifices that have been made by the men and women of the Corps throughout America's history - sacrifices that helped earn and preserve the freedom and privileges we now enjoy. Through these preservation and educational efforts we can thus honor those who went before us, highlight the role of the modern Corps, and help prepare our younger generation for what the future may bring. Preserving history through active interpreting is one of the most rewarding ways to learn about, and pass on to others, our past. Regardless if you opt to function as a living history or contemporary interpreter, and whether you can participate every month or only a few times a year, the quantity of time is not important; What is important is the quality of your performance, dedication and loyalty to the team. As with any Marine, Semper Fidelis will become more then just words to you. "Always Faithful" will become the nucleus of a set of values to live by. We hope you will accept the challenge and join the team.
Distribution:
All new USMCHC Applicants
Regional Directors and
Platoon Sergeants
USMCHC Recruiting Office
Company Headquarters
Administrative Department (Personnel Sect.) Regional Administrative Sections
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