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Marine officers frequently describe the Corps in terms of almost religious intensity. A retired colonel, who likened the Corps to priesthood, summed it up best: "You're a Marine because you believe, because you keep the faith." That faith was grievously betrayed at the Moscow embassy. But equally damaging to the Marine spirit was Beirut and the smaller setbacks of a troubled decade. In the end, the Marines can probably survive anything, but the trench they find themselves in now will take some time and effort to escape.