On the heels of Veteran’s Day this week, the Marine Corps celebrated its 239^th birthday on Monday. In celebration, the USO shared a list of surprising facts about the Corps that most people may not know. Here we’ve picked out some of the most novel (and unusual) facts about the service:

• Marine recruits are finished eating the moment their drill instructor is finished. This is why Marines eat so fast.
• The license plate of the Commandant of the Marine Corps reads “1775.”
• The Marine Corps’ first amphibious raid was only weeks after its creation when Marines successfully stormed a British weapons cache in the Bahamas.
• The Marines’ first land battle on foreign soil was in Libya, where 600 Marines stormed the city of Derna to rescue the crew of the USS Philadelphia from pirates.
• Female recruits only attend one training site–MCRD Parris Island.
• S. Marines also let their hair down at times while training with allied forces. Check out this drum battle with the South Korean Army band.
• The Marines have won four out of five Warrior Games competitions. This year marks their first loss to the Army.
• Only female Marines are authorized to carry umbrellas in uniform.
• “Hurry up and wait” is what happens when each leader down the chain of command tells his or her Marines to be there 15 minutes prior to the senior’s directive. This is why Marines arrive early to their destinations.
• Marines are often called jarheads because of their high-and-tight haircuts.

Happy Birthday, USMC.