How to be a Marine Body Bearer?

According to a Marine Corps administrative message, the service is looking for Marines who “possess a high degree of maturity, leadership, judgment and professionalism, as well as physical stamina and strength.” To be eligible, Marines must be male, between 70 and 76 inches tall, in the rank of corporal or below, and …

What is a Body Bearer in the Marine Corps?

The primary mission of the Body Bearer section is to perform flawless funerals for Marines and Marine family members at Arlington National Cemetery and abroad. Earning the right to perform the most solemn duty in the Marine Corps is an experience that will humble even the most prepared Marine.

Who are the military pallbearers?

Standard honor military funerals include the following: A military chaplain for family members. A casket draped in the flag of the United States and as a pall. A casket team serving as honor guards in a ceremonial role over the remains and as pallbearers.

What is an honor guard in the Marines?

Section 1000. Mission. The mission of a Marine Corps League Honor Guard is to provide military honors for funerals, memorial services, dedication ceremonies, and other civic occasions as may be requested. Section 1100.

Why is it called pallbearer?

A pall is a heavy cloth that is draped over a coffin. Thus the term pallbearer is used to signify someone who “bears” the coffin which the pall covers. In Roman times, a soldier wore a cape or cloak called the pallium.

Is every Marine entitled to a military funeral?

The law requires that, upon the family’s request, every eligible veteran is entitled to receive a military funeral honors ceremony to include folding, presentation of the United States burial flag and the sounding of taps, at no cost to the family.

Is pallbearer an honor?

No one wants to be in the position of having to carry the coffin or casket of a loved one, though being asked to be a pallbearer can be considered a great honour and it may mean a lot to the bereaved to see their loved one’s closest family members and friends carrying the coffin.

Who qualifies for a full military funeral?

The following are eligible to receive military funeral honors: Military members who died while on active duty. Veterans who served in the active military, naval, or air service and were discharged or released from that service by means of an “honorable” or “under honorable conditions” discharge.

Are there body bearers in the Marine Corps?

The Corps is accepting applications to join its legendary cadre of body bearers, a small unit of roughly a dozen men headquartered at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., whose primary responsibility is to carry the caskets of Marines to their final resting place.

What are the physical requirements to join the Marine Corps?

The physical strength requirements are truly daunting. Marines must be able to conduct 10 repetitions of the following exercises: Military press (a variant on the overhead press) 135 lbs. Those selected to join the Body Bearers Section can expect to train for up to a year before they’re considered ready to participate in military funerals.

Do you want to be a body bearer?

For this reason, the road to becoming a Body Bearer is one of the most arduous paths one can take in the Marine Corps. Earning the right to perform the most solemn duty in the Marine Corps is an experience that will humble even the most prepared Marine.

What are the new body fat standards for the Marine Corps?

The Marine Corps changed their body-fat standards, effective 2017. These new standards are as follows: Male Marines are not to exceed 18 percent body, and female Marines may not exceed 26 percent body fat. These figures apply to entry-level Marine recruits and extend through their first few years of service.