Marine Corps Recruit Depot Welcomes Their Newest Mascot

Back in July the Marine Corps Recruit Depot(MCRD) recently welcomed its newest mascot, an English Bulldog named Manny.

Manny turns one on July 9 and is one of the Corps' biggest ambassadors. He shows up to weekly graduations, where families see their new Marine after a 13-week bootcamp. The pup lives with Cpl. Christian Garcia, a young Marine from Texas who works on training Manny.

  “Manny is from Fallbrook and he’s named in honor of Johnny R Manuelito. He was one of the original Navajo code talkers who helped develop and teach the code that helped win Iwo Jima and many other battles,” Garcia said.

 Many of the military’s 400 Code Talkers were stationed at MCRD and are largely credited with helping win World War II.

 Manny will be taking over for Cpl. Smedley Butler, the previous English Bulldog. Smedly will now be retiring in December along with his handler, Sgt. Anthony Leite.

 “It’s bittersweet. It’s been a really great experience but it was his time. He worked hard for the last five years. It was well worth it for him. He earned it.”

 Cpl. Butler was named after General Smedley Butler, who at the time, was the most decorated Marine during World War I. 

The English Bulldog breed was chosen because during that time they were seen as scary and referred to as "devil dogs by the Germans during WW2. They then used the image of the bulldog in campaign and recruitment posters for the Corps.

  He’s also got a playful side Garcia said.

 “The English Bulldog is strong, hard-headed, very committed to the task at hand,” he said. “We call him 'wiggle butt' sometimes. He’ll just love every person who comes over and lick their face.” 

Manny will be at MCRD for the next four years, serving his time like the other Marines.

 A series of pictures show from the defense visual information distribution service (dvids) show Manny patrolling grounds.

 DVIDS MISSION To provide an accurate, reliable source for media organizations to access U.S. service members and commanders deployed in support of military operations worldwide.

Manny overlooks the pool

sits next to rescue buoys at MCRDSD

Another video below shows Manny getting in shape.