Yes, Code Red is a real thing in the US Marines, but it has been officially banned since 1993.
The term “Code Red” originated from the 1986 film “A Few Good Men,” which portrayed a group of Marines who performed a “Code Red” on a fellow Marine who failed to meet the expectations of his platoon leader. In the movie, a Code Red was a form of hazing where a Marine was beaten or otherwise physically abused by his fellow Marines for failing to meet expectations or for breaking a rule.
In reality, the term Code Red was used in the Marines to refer to an unofficial form of punishment that was sometimes used by a small number of Marines to discipline or punish fellow Marines who were not following orders or who were not performing to expectations. Code Red could take many forms, ranging from verbal abuse to physical assault.
In the wake of the 1991 Tailhook scandal, which revealed widespread sexual assault and hazing in the US Navy and Marine Corps, the military began to take a closer look at hazing and other forms of abusive behavior within its ranks. In 1993, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Carl E. Mundy Jr., issued an order banning all forms of hazing, including Code Red.
The order defined hazing as “any conduct whereby a military member, regardless of Service or rank, without proper authority causes another military member, regardless of Service or rank, to suffer or be exposed to any activity which is cruel, abusive, humiliating, oppressive, demeaning, or harmful.” The order further stated that “hazing is contrary to the Marine Corps’ core values of honor, courage, and commitment, and has no place in our Corps.”
Since the ban on hazing and Code Red, the Marine Corps has taken a number of steps to address the issue of hazing and to create a culture of respect and professionalism within its ranks. These include:
- Education and training: The Marine Corps provides education and training to all Marines on the importance of respect, professionalism, and the dangers of hazing.
- Reporting and investigation: The Marine Corps has established procedures for reporting and investigating incidents of hazing, and has made it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated.
- Punishment: Marines who engage in hazing or other forms of abusive behavior can face disciplinary action, including court-martial, separation from the service, and criminal prosecution.
- Support for victims: The Marine Corps provides support to victims of hazing and other forms of abusive behavior, including counseling, medical care, and legal assistance.
In conclusion, while Code Red was a real thing in the US Marines, it has been officially banned since 1993. The Marine Corps has taken significant steps to address the issue of hazing and to create a culture of respect and professionalism within its ranks. The Marine Corps is committed to upholding its core values of honor, courage, and commitment, and to ensuring that all Marines are treated with dignity and respect.
