What does Semper Fi Mean?

Soldiers dedicate their lives to defending and protecting their country, which is not an easy decision. A lot can happen on the field, so these brave men and women naturally need encouragement and motivation to keep going. That is why all military branches have a motto or slogan. The Marine Corps uses “Semper Fi”.

So, what does Semper Fi mean? Semper Fi is short for Semper Fidelis, a Latin term that means “always loyal” or “always faithful”. To the Marines, this motto signifies an eternal commitment and steadfast loyalty to fighting the country’s battles and to fellow Marines. This commitment goes beyond their time in service, and all Marines apply it as a way of life.

The Marines adopted Semper Fi in 1883, but the military branch has had other mottos throughout history.

Brief History of Marine Corps Mottos

Before settling on Semper Fi, the Marine Corps had three previous mottos:

• Fortitudine – used from 1812, meaning “with fortitude” or “with courage”.
• Per Mare, Per Terram – used until the 1850s. It means “by sea and by land”.
• To the shores of Tripoli – adopted in 1805 in memory of Presley O’Bannon’s capture. It was later revised to “from the halls of the Montezumas to the shores of Tripoli”.

The Marine Corps used Fortitudine (with courage or fortitude) before the 1812 war.

They later borrowed their second motto, Per Mare, Per Terram (by sea and by land), from the British Royal Marines, who still use it as a motto today.

To the shores of Tripoli was taken from a Marine Corps hymn sung for years after Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon led his Marines in war and took possession of the stronghold in Tripoli.

The term Semper Fidelis is said to originate from Ancient Rome, where the Roman Legionnaires used this phrase to symbolize their faithfulness to Rome till death.

Other sources say that term was used as a motto for a French town called Abbeville since 1369.

The phrase found its way to the military in 1685 in Southwestern England by the Duke of Beaufort’s Regiment of Foot. The motto was later adopted by cities, noble families, and other military units worldwide.

Why is the Marine Corps Motto in Latin?

As you have seen from the history of the Marine Corps mottos, all of them are in Latin.

Besides the Marines, you might also notice that almost all military mottos and slogans in the US military are in Latin.

Some people argue that it is because America borrows its social, language, system, and military strategy from the Romans.

Other scholars say that most military mottos and slogans are in Latin because the language is the mother tongue of the world. Latin was spoken throughout history from before the middle ages to the renaissance until much later. It was the language of scholarship, law, and nobility and is still the official church language today.

Americans started speaking English after the first wave of English settlers in the early 17th century. Before this invasion, Americans spoke Spanish and other native languages. The Marine Corps was founded in 1775, so it makes sense why they would have a Latin motto since then.

America’s language roots are in Latin, and it is natural to want to remember it in mottos and slogans.

What Does Semper Fi Mean to Each Marine?

Historically, a nation’s naval infantry was first in harm’s way, sailing in battleships to fight the enemy. For a long time, the Marine Corps has understood and bonded around the reality that they had to be stronger and more fierce than any other military unit in the country.

A battleship then and now has everything it needs to handle whatever situation. There is usually no cavalry or support, meaning that Marine soldiers have to have each other’s backs always. This understanding led to the creation of a brotherhood that is faithful and loyal to each other and their country.

Many stories throughout history have shown Marines’ strength and mental fortitude, encompassing this in their motto, Semper Fi. This motto revolves around the Marine Corps values:

• Courage
• Honor
• Commitment

Semper Fi also signifies a Marine soldier’s spirit and the Marine culture. For example, a Marine will never leave a fellow Marine behind – they must go back to get them, no matter the cost.

Marines also live and fight by the principle that what happens to one Marine happens to all of them.

It is such principles and codes of conduct that make Semper Fi such a personal term for Marines. That is why when Marines meet, the only words necessary are Semper Fi. It is not just a motto they fight by but also live by. The Marines are one family during and after service to their country.

The Semper Fidelis March

The US Marine band was formed on July 11th, 1798, to produce music for the president. It is the country’s oldest and most active musical organization, having its first public performance in Washington on August 21st, 1800.

“Hail to the Chief” was the official presidential anthem performed by the band until President Arthur requested a new one. The musical conductor then was John Philip Sousa.

Upon the president’s request, Sousa wrote two new musical pieces, the “Presidential Polonaise” in 1886 and Semper Fidelis in 1888.

The band performed this piece to President Benjamin Harrison on Pennsylvania Avenue, and he was impressed. This led to the adaptation of the Semper Fidelis march as the official march of the Marine Corps.

Since then, the band has performed this composition in many foreign countries and during several national events.

Is Semper Fi Only for the Marine Corps?

The US Military has six branches, and the Marine Corps is the only one that uses Semper Fidelis as its motto.

Some branches only share the first word, Semper.

For example, the US Coast Guard motto is Semper Paratus, meaning “always ready,” and the Space Force motto, Semper Supra, meaning “always above”.

Many military units outside the US use Semper Fidelis as their motto and have used it longer than the US Military Corps. They include:

• South-Western England regiments – have used the motto since 1685, but Exeter city has used it since 1660.
• The Duke of Beaufort’s Regiment of Foot, or the Devonshire Regiment – has used Semper Fidelis since 1685.
• The First Rifle Volunteer Corps – have used the motto since 1852 and put the phrase on their cap badge in 1860.
• Cadet Corps of the Dutch Royal Military Academy – have used the motto since their establishment in 1828.
• The US Army 11th Infantry Regiment – formed by President Lincoln, has used the motto since 1861.
• The West Nova Scotia Regiment – inherited the motto from the Lunenberg Regiment and has used it since 1936.
• Canadian Forces Base Valcartier – has used the motto since 1914.
• Swiss Grenadiers – have used the motto since 1943. The Swiss Armed Forces inherited the phrase and also used it as their motto since 2004.
• Romanian Protection and Guard Service have used the motto since 1990.
• Hungarian Government Guard – has used Semper Fidelis as their motto since 1998.

Some military units worldwide use a version of Semper Fidelis in their native language. For example, the Ukrainian Marine Corps and the China Marine Corps. Both countries use Semper Fidelis as their motto, but they have translated the phrase into their native language.

If you or someone you know is in the process of joining, grab your FREE copy of the Marine Corps Knowledge eBook! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Semper Fidelis,

Tony 
Sergeant (Marine Corps Veteran)
For The Corps

Before you leave, here are some Articles you NEED to Check out!

• Marine Corps Boot Camp Schedule | Week-by-Week Guide (2023 Update)
• What To Ask Your Military Recruiter? Ask These 20 Questions!
• Are You Considering Joining The Marines in 2022? | Don’t Fall VICTIM To This!
• Where Do Marines Live After Boot Camp? | Here Is EVERYWHERE You Will Be Going After Basic Training!

Sick of reading? For The Corps is on YouTube! Click Below for more.