Six Marine four-star generals confer in the historic "Home of the Commandants" in Washington, D.C. on April 19, 2013.

It is historical that there are six four star Generals in the USMC.  However, that number is dwindling again and may be back to four as of June of this year when General Mattis retires.

According to General James Mattis, It was a bunch of friends who started out as second lieutenants. We never thought we would end up as four stars. It is the surprise and twists and turns of life.

To view this historic photograph, please click "Read More" below.

February 19, 2013
Triangle,VA: Bring your treasured items and old relics to the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Saturday, February 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to let curators and historians help answer your "What is this and what should I do with it?" questions.

NEW YORK: Roger Waters honored wounded veterans in New York by performing with them at the annual Stand Up for Heroes benefit Thursday night.
The founding member of Pink Floyd took to the stage of the Beacon Theater with 14 wounded soldiers he met recently at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He rehearsed with them at the hospital and for the past few days in New York.
The event benefited the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which helps returning veterans and their families, and featured Waters, Bruce Springsteen, Ricky Gervais, Robin Williams and others.

As we pause to celebrate the 237th birthday of our Corps, we reflect on the rich legacy of service handed down to us, we recommit ourselves to the tasks at hand, and we look forward toward a bright future in servie to our country.

Marines exist to fight and win or Nation's battles. We are most proud of our well-earned reputation for answering the clarion call first.

I. To thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.
II. To highlight the service of the armed forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with, or in support of, the armed forces.
III. To pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the Vietnam War.
IV. To highlight the advances in technology, science and medicine related to military research conducted during the Vietnam War.
V. To recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

The first African Americans to join the Corps during World War II, the Montford Point Marines, received the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., June 27. Nearly 400 surviving Montford Point Marines attended the medal presentation, and Gen. James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, hosted a parade in their honor at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., June 28. "They answered our nation's call despite our society being deeply divided along racial lines," said Amos. "To me, they were heroic for two reasons: they fought against the enemy during World War II while they also fought for their civil rights and the respect of their fellow Americans." Named after the segregated training facility in Jacksonville N.C., the Marines who served at Montford Point are a part of the rich legacy of the Corps. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor that can be bestowed by Congress.

For the third year in a row, the Marine Corps took home the most medals during Warrior Games in Colorado Spring, CO.

The Marine Corps will begin arming the RQ-7B Shadow tactical unmanned aircraft system with a new classified weapon.  Two of the aircraft to be armed are currently in use in Afghanistan.  Further testing will decide if it is viable for 13 other UAC systems.

WASHINGTON - 02. 27, 2012:  Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta welcomed Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki today to the Pentagon for the latest in a series of regular meetings the two Secretaries have held on issues of common interest to both Departments.

Detailed "Current Operations Brief" and a Daily Media Brief from Headquarters Marine Corps.  While some of the acronyms may not be easy to understand there is a lot of information in both reports and we believe this will give you an "up to the minute" take on what is happening in your Marine Corps today.

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

"Its ironic, but the Marines from Montford Point who saw the most action in World War II were those assigned to segregated ammunition and depot companies," said Amos, who is a strong advocate of the Congressional Gold Medal legislation.  "To resupply the front lines, these men often had to fight their way to the front, and then carry back wounded white Marines to the rear for medical care.  [They] demonstrated their mettle during vicious and bloody fighting in places like Saipan and Okinawa."
 
Their courage under fire and fidelity to fellow Marines, regardless of skin color, began to erode the cruel and false generational stereotype within the Corps that blacks could not, and would not, fight in the face of danger.  This led Gen. Alexander Vandegrift, then Commandant of the Marine Corps, who had observed the courage of black Marines in hand-to-hand combat on Saipan, to say "The experiment with the Negro Marines is over.  They are Marines period!"
 
As the Marine Corps prepares for its 236th birthday on Nov. 10, the VFW national commander said there could be no more fitting tribute than for the Senate to announce beforehand that they, too, agree that the Montford Point Marines should be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Why is it that some understand what matters most about America ... And they respect it so deeply that they are willing to make the ultimate sacrifices for it?  And others, have no clue what so ever...

Veterans Day, November 11, is a great opportunity to teach students about the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. To help educators make the most of this opportunity, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans Day National Committee provide a teachers resource guide with suggested activities for students of all ages. The guide may be viewed and downloaded from the Veterans Day Web site at http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday.

"With all the Marine Corps has done and continues to do, we provide exceptional value to the Nation. For 8.5 percent of the annual Defense budget, the Marine Corps provides approximately 31 percent of the ground operating forces, 12 percent of the fixed wing tactical aircraft, and 19 percent of the attack helicopters in the Joint Force. The Marine Corps' 1:9 ratio of officers to enlisted personnel is the lowest of all the services. The Marine Corps' 1:6 ratio of civilian employee to supported Marine is also the lowest of all the services."

At a recent Department of Defense Bloggers Rountable, Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills, who served as Commander, Regional Command Southwest in Afghanistan from April 2010 to April 2011, was asked to comment on the impact of Osama bin Laden's death in Afghanistan.

In honor of the first black Marines, the Montford Point Marine Association hopes to see a monument erected in Jacksonville, N.C., by summer 2012. Between 1940 and 1949, 20,000 of the first black Marines to join the Corps entered training at the segregated Montford Point Marine base, now known as Camp Johnson in Jacksonville, N.C. Montford Point Marine Association national monument director Houston Shinal commented that no records have preserved all their names, but a memorial could keep their memories alive.

WASHINGTON: The commandant of the Marine Corps announced April 11 his selection for the next sergeant major of the Marine Corps.

As of this Friday morning, Congress and the Administration have not reached an agreement to fund the Federal Government for the remainder of FY 2011. If no federal budget or temporary funding agreement is reached, the Federal Government will be forced to curtail nonessential services beginning tonight at 12:01 a.m., April 9. The following is what we have been told will occur should the government shut down:

WASHINGTON: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is reaching out to Veterans in crisis and their families in a new public service announcement to raise awareness about suicide prevention resources, such as the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).