What was the rank of the first Commandant of the Marine Corps?

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Multiple Choice

What was the rank of the first Commandant of the Marine Corps?

In the Marine Corps’ early days, the top officer of the force was the Commandant, and the first person to hold that title was a Captain. Captain Samuel Nicholas led the Continental Marines beginning in 1775, making him the first Commandant. The early Marine Corps was small and organized around company-grade ranks, so there wasn’t a general officer at the top yet; a captain was the appropriate rank for the Commandant at that time. That’s why Captain is the correct answer.

In the Marine Corps’ early days, the top officer of the force was the Commandant, and the first person to hold that title was a Captain. Captain Samuel Nicholas led the Continental Marines beginning in 1775, making him the first Commandant. The early Marine Corps was small and organized around company-grade ranks, so there wasn’t a general officer at the top yet; a captain was the appropriate rank for the Commandant at that time. That’s why Captain is the correct answer.

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