Viet vet here, marines have never been that smart. Story I was told went like this.

Dude wanted to join the milatary, he goes to the Army recruter. Army recruter say's your not good enough. he goes to the Navy recruter. navy recruter say's your not good enough. he goes to the Air force recruter. Airforce recruter say's your not good enough. he goes to the National guard recruter. National guard recruter say's your not good enough. All hopes lost he's about to take a job as a dish washer but he see's hope, he goes to the Marine recruter. Marine recruter say's your just a bit smarter than a retard, welcome to the Marines son.