What is the typical sequence during a Marine Corps Birthday cake-cutting ceremony?

• A. Cake cutting, oldest, youngest, then birthday message
• B. Cake cutting, first piece to oldest Marine, second piece to youngest Marine, then Reading of Gen Lejeune's Birthday message
• C. Parade, then cake cutting, then flag-raising
• D. Reading of the birthday message, then cake cutting, then awarding medals

Answer: (B)

The ceremony follows a fixed sequence that ties tradition to the Corps’ past and future. The cake is cut, then the first piece goes to the oldest Marine, the second piece goes to the youngest Marine, and only after those pieces are distributed is the Reading of Gen Lejeune's Birthday Message performed. The act of giving the first slice to the oldest honors longevity and history; the second to the youngest honors the Corps’ future, and the birthday message ties the ritual to the Marine Corps’ heritage.

Other options disrupt this flow or introduce elements not part of the standard sequence, such as performing a parade or medals at this point, or reading the message before the slices are handed out, or not specifying the exact order of the two initial pieces.