U.S.
VIDEOChesty XV takes over as Marine Corps Barracks Washington mascot
Stars and Stripes
March 19, 2018
Chesty XIV and his successor at Marine Corps Barracks Washington, Chesty XV. (U.S. Marine Corps/Twitter)
Chesty XIV and his successor at Marine Corps Barracks Washington, Chesty XV. (U.S. Marine Corps/Twitter)
A changing of the guard took place at Marine Barracks Washington between two Marine Corps mascots on Monday, March 19, 2018. Chesty XV, left, is welcomed by Chesty XIV. (Ken-Yon Hardy/Stars and Stripes)
Recruit Chesty XV reporting as ordered, Sir! On March 19, 2018, the Marine Corps gained a new recruit, Chesty XV. (U.S. Marine Corps/Facebook)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Marine Corps Barracks Washington mascot Chesty XV was introduced Monday in a ceremony on the barracks' parade grounds.
The English bulldog mascots have been a fixture at the Marines' oldest active post since July 5, 1957, when the first Chesty — named in honor of the legendary Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller Jr. — made his first public appearance.
The most recent — Chesty XIV — has been on duty since April, 2013. The puppy starts training next week to replace Chesty XIV for the upcoming Parade Season.
Squirming in Gunnery Sgt. Aaron Calderon’s arms after the ceremony, Chesty XV seemed eager to start.
“Chesty’s overall responsibility is a morale booster. That’s what he is," Calderon said. "He’s a morale booster for us here at the Barracks, he’s a morale booster for the entire Marine Corps, and he’s a morale booster for all the thousands of people that come see us."