Marines are different. When most people try to sum up the ideal of the Marine Corps they often use the word ethos. Ethos are the characteristics, attitude or values of a group that sets it apart from others. This is unique from any other branch of the military. Marines often refer to each other as brother and sister.
Marines have a worldwide reputation for being hard, courageous leaders and simply gifted.
Every Marine has a considerable amount of heritage to live up to. Established at the end of 1960, the VC was created by the North Vietnamese communists to escalate the armed struggle in South Vietnam. In the early 60's they grew rapidly and by 1964, totaled over 30,000 soldiers. Animal Mother's most prized possession is something that every Marine takes very seriously. The suicidal attack in the film is based upon the bloody fight for Fort Douamont during the Battle of Verdun, a six-month bloodbath that claimed the lives of 315,000 French soldiers.