Photo by Karon

The Marine Corps sergeant seemed sluggish in Saturday’s heat; though he looked prim and proper in his uniform, he was constantly panting during the Barracks Row Fall Festival on Capitol Hill. He could be excused for such a breach of Marine Corps decorum, though—he’s a dog, after all.

This weekend many visitors to the festival—myself included—had the chance to meet Chesty XIII, the Marine Corps’ official mascot, who lives at the barracks along Eighth Street SE. Dating back to 1922, the Marine Corps has kept an English Bulldog as its canine standard-bearer; it takes its name from Chesty Puller, one of the most decorated Marines in the corps history.

The last Chesty retired in 2009 after seven years of service, to be replaced by the one on display on Saturday. According to the Wall Street Journal, the current Chesty was promoted from corporal to sergeant over the summer, a move that, well, left some tongues wagging:

Privately, some wives of senior Marine officers, more focused on politeness than doggedness, let it be known they didn’t approve of the promotion. A whispering campaign against Chesty reached the ears of Col. Paul Montanus, barracks commander. Some said Chesty was getting too fat. Some senior wives wanted Chesty relieved of duty in favor of a more pliable bulldog private serving in another unit.

Other senior Marines worried about the message promoting Chesty might send. In military chain of command, Bravo is second only to Bo Obama, the president’s hypoallergenic Portuguese water dog. The Constitution puts the military under civilian control, and some senior officers thought promoting Chesty might appear insubordinate.

“The standards in the barracks had lowered,” said one senior Marine officer. “The dog didn’t really deserve it.”

I’m not sure what types of butts he sniffed to get himself that promotion, but Chesty, cute as he is, certainly has some work to do to be the Marine he’s supposed to be. Then again, he’s pretty adorable.