On which date was the Marine Corps re-established, allowing the President to specify the number of commissioned and non-commissioned officers?

• A. 1776
• B. July 11, 1798
• C. 1775
• D. 1799

Answer: (B)

This question tests knowledge of when the Marine Corps became a standing, federally controlled force with the authority to set its own officer strength. On July 11, 1798, Congress passed the Naval Act that re-established the Marines as a permanent service and gave the President the power to determine the number of commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers. This date marks the formal re-establishment of the Marine Corps in a structure where leadership and personnel strength are defined by law, rather than existing only in fits and starts. The earlier dates reflect the original founding or other historical moments, but not the re-establishment with presidential appointment authority.