If you happen to run across a now-civilian who served in the USMC, be careful that you don't address them as an ex-Marine; that ignoble distinction is (usually) reserved for personnel who receive a dishonorable discharge from the Corps. In one Marine's words, "The only ex-Marines are Lee Harvey Oswald and Charles Whitman." The title of Marine is permanent once it is earned, as long as it is not revoked for dishonorable behavior.
King of Cool Steve McQueen claims to have joined the Marines simply because he was bored of watching girls go by in the sun. After enduring a hard childhood, McQueen joined the Marines in 1947. He served in an armored unit and was demoted back to private seven times. His behavior reached a breaking point when he let a weekend pass turn into a two-week tryst with a girlfriend. Later on, he his unit performed a training exercise in the Arctic when a sandbar caused McQueen's ship to jolt several tanks off of the deck. McQueen jumped into the water and saved five lives.
Sgt. Slaughter is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline series. G.I. Joe used the fictional kayfabe persona of the American civilian and professional wrestler Robert Rudolph Remus, known in-character as Sgt. Slaughter, as a model for their character. Four versions of his action figure were released in the 1980s. Sgt. Slaughter's G.I. Joe version makes no reference to its professional wrestling inspiration, although the character does use wrestling moves. Remus also did the voice for the animated character.
Best known for his iconic role as the Marine Corps drill instructor Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in the war drama Full Metal Jacket, Ermey died April 15, 2018 at age 74.
A Vietnam War veteran and former Marine drill instructor, Ermey leveraged his military experience to pursue a career as an actor and technical adviser, who racked up more than 60 film and television credits, while still making time to support active duty service members deployed overseas.
Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller (June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971) served as a United States Marine Corps officer. Beginning his career fighting guerillas in Haiti and Nicaragua as part of the Banana Wars, he later served with distinction in World War II and the Korean War as a senior officer. By the time of his retirement in 1955, he had reached the rank of lieutenant general.
Puller is the most decorated Marine in American history. He was awarded 5 Navy Crosses and one Distinguished Service Cross. With 6 crosses, Puller is second behind Eddie Rickenbacker for citations of the nation's second-highest military award for valor.