This is unique from any other branch of the military. The Marines offer pride and belonging much like a fraternal organization. All personnel must must pass the same tests, even officers, and Marines often refer to each other as brother and sister. Every Marine is a rifleman, whether a cook, pilot, drill sergeant, or grunt. This is an extreme difference from the rest of the Department of Defense.
Marines have a world-wide reputation for being hard, courageous leaders and simply gifted.
This has much to do with their impressive wartime history, but other factors lead to this assumption too. Only Marines guard embassies and even the president. They also have one of the finest marching bands in America. Their strategic placement of highly trained and skilled expeditionary units around the world are a constant threat, or relief to any nation. Every Marine has a considerable amount of heritage to live up to.