Much like a Marine Corps birthday ball tradition, Tara McDonald, left, the most senior Marine Corps spouse at the class, gives the first slice of cake to Anastasia A. Hastie, the youngest spouse, during the closing ceremony of the LINKS for Spouses class March 8. The Marine Corps Ball tradition of the cake being exchanged is a symbolic gesture of the passing on of knowledge and wisdom from the most senior to junior Marine, and the youngest passes the second as a sign of respect. - Much like a Marine Corps birthday ball tradition, Tara McDonald, left, the most senior Marine Corps spouse at the class, gives the first slice of cake to Anastasia A. Hastie, the youngest spouse, during the closing ceremony of the LINKS for Spouses class March 8. The Marine Corps Ball tradition of the cake being exchanged is a symbolic gesture of the passing on of knowledge and wisdom from the most senior to junior Marine, and the youngest passes the second as a sign of respect.