About Us
Mission Statement
Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.
History of the Marine Corps League
The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of ALL Marines and Navy FMF Corpsmen, who proudly wear or who have worn the eagle, globe and anchor of the Corps. It takes great pride in crediting its founding in 1923 to World War I hero, then Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune. It takes equal pride in its Federal Charter, approved by An Act of the Seventy-Fifth Congress of the United States of America and signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The League is the only Federally Chartered Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country. Since its earliest days, the Marine Corps League has enjoyed the support and encouragement of the active duty and Reserve establishments of the U. S. Marine Corps. Today, the League boasts a membership of nearly 61,000 men and women, officer and enlisted, active duty, Reserve Marines, honorably discharged Marine Veterans and qualified Navy FMF Corpsmen and is one of the few Veterans Organizations that experiences increases in its membership each year.
The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with 14 elected National Staff Officers who serve as trustees. The National Board of Trustees coordinates the efforts of 48 department, or state, entities and the activities of over 900 community-based detachments located throughout the United States and overseas. The day-to-day operations of the League are under the control of the National Executive Director with the responsibility for the management and direction of all programs, activities, and affairs of the Marine Corps League as well as supervising the National Headquarters staff.
The prime authority of the League is derived from its Congressional charter and from its annual National Convention held each August in different major U.S. cities throughout the nation. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.
History of the Auxiliary
The Marine Corps League Auxiliary was
chartered on September 4, 1937 as a subsidiary organization of the
Marine Corps League. On August 25, 1950, the Auxiliary was incorporated
under the laws of the District of Columbia as an affiliate of the Marine
Corps League. The Auxiliary was formed for the purposes of promoting the
interests of the U. S. Marine Corps, the Marine Corps League and to
protect and advance the welfare of Marines and their dependents.
Auxiliary members participate in a wide variety of programs that benefit
and preserve the fundamental rights and freedoms of every person of this
Nation, young and old.
Membership is available to Wives, Widows, Mothers, Grandmothers, Sisters, Daughters, Granddaughters, Stepmothers, Stepdaughters, Daughters-In-Law and Aunts of Marines and former Marines and Wives of FMF Navy Corpsmen as well as for Women Marines.
Programs of the Marine Corps League
MARINES HELPING MARINES - WOUNDED MARINES PROGRAM
The program was created to support injured Marine Corps personnel located at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, Brooke Army hospital in San Antonio, as well as the Naval Hospitals at Balboa, Camp Pendleton and elsewhere. The scope of support encompasses; financial, visits from Marine Corps League members, off site day trips to include family outings, dinners, short trips in support of the individual Marines’ needs and professional sporting events as tickets and opportunities present themselves.
YOUNG MARINES OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
A youth program emphasizing honesty, courage, respect, industry, loyalty, dependability, and a sense of devotion to God, country, community and family. The Young Marines program receives funding from Congress and the United States Marine Corps primarily because of their drug interdiction focus on drug education and prevention.
U. S. MARINES YOUTH PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM
The League developed and administers a program that provides a physical fitness regimen that promotes a healthy, drug free life style for elementary and high school students.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
The Marine Corps League has long regarded the program of the Boy Scouts of America as in support of the Preamble of the Constitution of the League. The League supports the Boy Scouts of America as they promote traditional family values to America’s youth. The Marine Corps League participates in Scouting through assistance with units, districts, and councils, in community projects, merit badge programs, and special recognition of Eagle Scouts.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Members of the Marine Corps League fund scholarships through donations from individual members and subordinate units of the Marine Corps League and Auxiliary. Children and former Marines are eligible for academic scholarships for attendance at accredited colleges and universities.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
The Marine Corps League is a member of The Military Coalition and participates in National and State legislative issues that affect military readiness, benefits and entitlements of active duty personnel as well as Veterans Benefits programs effecting former and retired Marines.
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER PROGRAM
The National Headquarters retains a full-time staff member who assists veterans in adjudicating claims against the government as a result of active duty service. Claims are processed through the Department of Veterans Affairs or other appropriate agencies of the federal government.
VETERANS AFFAIRS VOLUNTARY SERVICE PROGRAM (VAVS)
Marine Corps League members contribute thousands of man-hours each year supplementing staffs at VA Hospitals and facilities in providing morale, comfort and assistance to institutionalized veterans.
MILITARY ORDER OF DEVIL DOGS
The fun and honor society of the Marine Corps League.
TOYS-FOR-TOTS
Marine Corps League Detachments in nearly every community take part annually in the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys-For-Tots campaign to raise funds and collect and distribute toys to needy children. In communities where there is an existing Marine Corps Reserve Unit, the League works hand in hand supporting their campaign. In other communities, the Marine Corps League takes the lead, ensuring a successful campaign.
MARINE-4-LIFE/INJURED MARINE SUPPORT PROGRAM
The League works very closely with the Marine Corps’ M-4-L program, providing mentors nationwide. In areas of the country where there is no Marine Corps “point of contact”, the League works directly with M-4-L Headquarters to provide services to transitioning Marines.
ANNUAL CONVENTIONS
Members find the State and National Conventions of the League ideal vacation venues for themselves and family members. Held in a different city each year, many families attend year after year and particularly enjoy the many planned activities and tours related to these get-togethers.
Commandant of the USMC
- Birthday Message
For ten years now, our Corps has been engaged in continuous combat operations against those who threaten the security of America and our allies. We turned the tide in the Anbar province of Iraq and continue to see success today in southwest Afghanistan. While it has come at a cost.. . we have much to be proud of.
This past year in operations around the world including humanitarian disaster relief, counter-piracy, theater security cooperation, special operations, counter-insurgency and many more, you continued to solidify our place as America's Expeditionary Force in Readiness. Since the Continental Congress created two battalions of Marines 236 years ago, our legacy as an ever-ready, ever capable, victory producing organization remains intact.
Our rich heritage of selfless service and fidelity to Nation and to one another lives on in all who currently wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor-those who have answered the clarion call to duty with remarkable courage, dedication and unshakable resolve that Marines are so well known for. To all Marines-past and present-and especially to our families... I extend my deep gratitude for all you have done and all you continue to do.
As we celebrate our 236th birthday, let us look forward to future challengeswhatever they may be-and reaffirm our pledge to be America's premier crisis response force; to be the first to fight. .. Always ready for the toughest and most challenging assignments.
Happy
236th Birthday, Marines!
Semper Fidelis,
James A. Amos
General, U.S Marine Corps
Commandant of the USMC
Commandant of the MCL -
Birthday Message
Marines, Sailors and Friends of the Marine Corps -
On the eve of this, the 236th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps, we have every reason to stand tall and be proud of our rich Marine Corps heritage. This is a time to reflect not only on what our Marines and Sailors are doing today, but also a time to look back over 236 years of history. A time to pay our humble respects to those men and women who have gone before us, as each generation of Marines raised the bar just a little higher than the generation before it.
As members of the Marine Corps League, we have a duty and obligation to maintain those high standards in our daily lives and in everything we say and do. Don’t ever forget that those in your community know you by that sticker on your car, that t-shirt with the big Eagle, Globe and Anchor on the back, or by that “high and tight” you continue to wear today. To them, you are what Marines are all about. To them, your Detachment is what the Marine Corps League is all about. It is true that a majority of today’s youth know little about our Corps or our history. You have a responsibility to get out into your community on Memorial Day, on Veterans Day and on the birthday of our Corps and talk, teach and relay the deep sense of pride we all have in being a member of the “Band of Brothers”. And while you are out there, don’t ever stop fighting for the benefits that our Veterans have earned by commitment and sacrifice. Look after our Wounded Warriors and get into the VA Hospitals, nursing homes and visit that Marine down the block. Wish them a “Happy Birthday, Marine” and show them that indeed, we do take care of our own.
On November 10th, let us celebrate our 236th Birthday with a renewed sense of zeal and commitment. Let us never forget those Marines and members of our Sister Services serving in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and in every clime and place around the world where their presence is needed. They make this special day possible. Let us pray for their families and for their safe return to our fold. And let us never forget those Prisoners of War and Missing in Action - they will always be remembered.
As our esteemed Honorary National Commandant, General Al Gray is fond of saying, “Be Good to Yourselves and Be Good to Each Other”.
Happy Birthday Marines!!
Semper
Fidelis,
Vic Voltaggio
National Commandant