Official US Marine Corps Dog Begins Recruit Training

Since 1922, the official mascot of the US Marine Corps has been an English bulldog. Marion F. Sturkey writes:

At the Marine base at Quantico, Virginia, the Marines obtained a registered English Bulldog, King Bulwark. In a formal ceremony on 14 October 1922, Brig. Gen. Smedley D. Butler signed documents enlisting the bulldog, renamed Jiggs, for the ‘term of life.’ Pvt. Jiggs then began his official duties in the U.S. Marine Corps.

In recent decades, the mascot has been named "Chesty" after the legendary Marine Corps General Chesty Puller. After the retirement of the most recent Chesty, a 9-week old old English bulldog puppy was invited to enlist. He did so and is currently in recruit training. Jennifer Harper of the Washington Times writes:

The handsome and distinguished young Chesty will enter obedience school and canine “recruit training,” earn the title of Marine and be named the next Marine Corps mascot on March 29. His official duties include marching in myriad events, including the Friday twilight parades at the facility, looking tough but buff in his own custom dress blues.

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