Every branch has its own individual customs and character. It’s almost like each one has a different temperament. Have you ever heard about or read about Hippocrates four blood types? Phlegmatic, Choleric, Sanguine and Melancholic.
The Greek physician Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 370 BC) incorporated the four temperaments into his medical theories as part of the ancient medical concept of humorism, that four bodily fluids affect human personality traits and behaviors.
A more modern application of this idea was made popular back in the early 1990s by authors Gary Smalley and John Trent in their book “The Two Sides of Love”. Smalley and Trent introduced animals to represent the four temperaments – Golden Retriever, Lion, Otter, and Beaver. These are a little easier to remember
Essentially the four temperaments are OTTER – sanguine (optimistic, active and social), LION – choleric (short-tempered, fast or irritable), BEAVER – melancholic (analytical, wise and quiet), and GOLDEN RETRIEVER – phlegmatic (relaxed and peaceful).
Choleric Marines
Admittedly, with 5 branches of service, it’s not a perfect match for each branch to be a different temperament. However, I have been pondering, “If each branch had a temperament, which would it be?” I’m thinking that the US Marine Corps would be Choleric.
As far as I know, no one has linked food preferences to temperaments, but that could be an interesting thing to research. If you’re into research. No one has ever described me as a researcher. Ever. But I am creative and trained as a Graphic Designer. I love a cohesive theme. It’s kind of second nature to discern visual elements that relate to each other in a meaningful way.
Now, I’m not going to go all psychological on you in this blog. While I find the study of temperaments fascinating (and extremely helpful in understanding people) I am going to let you take the temperament concept as far as you want in your own pondering, and move on to the culture of the Marine Corps. Specifically food culture.
You don’t have to look far to find a joke or meme about Marines and crayons. If you talk to a Marine or skim the internet you’ll also quickly come across their love of Jalapeno Peppers and Cheese Spread. Which leads me to one of my favorite designs – the Crayon Birthday card for Marines.
Not that I personally particularly love Jalapeno Peppers or Cheese or crayons, but it gives me joy when I can unify images and communicate the spirit of a given entity. Recently an Amazon customer, who bought this card left a review describing the card
“unique to Marines”
. . . and that he was happy to find it for his son who serves in the Marines. That made me so happy!
So, when looking at the MRE items I’d purchased and trying to come up with ideas of what to create with them, these elements all came into alignment. This week on YouTube, the video shows how to use MRE Crackers, Cheese Spread, and Hot Sauce Packets together into an MRE twist on the popular Jalapeno Poppers. It was natural to pair this creation with the Crayon Birthday card. A match made in spicy heaven.
If this recipe is intriguing to you, click through to watch MRE Remix on YouTube. There you’ll find the link to the recipe cards to help you recreate this in your own kitchen.
The Marine in your life is sure to get a kick out of this Birthday card. You can purchase it on Amazon or on our 2MyHero website. While you’re there, be sure to check out all the great cards to encourage and support your Marine.
I’d love to hear your stories of Marines, crayons and cheese spread – please comment below!