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.

As the 2012 political campaigns heat up this Spring and Summer in anticipation of the General elections in the Fall, I wanted to take a moment to remind you that, as a matter of League policy,  Marine Corps League members wearing any part of the League uniform or identifying themselves as members of the Marine Corps League, cannot sponsor a political club; participate in any TV or radio program, or group discussion that advocates for or against a political party, candidate or cause; give interviews to the press or speak at any event promoting a political candidate or movement.

The following is the Marine Corps League’s official POLICY on the aforementioned subject taken from the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures, Chapter One, Section 110:

Detachment #1110 of Sandpoint, Idaho recently partnered with Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 890, also of Sandpoint, to acquire a 1957 Sikorsky H-34 A/C helicopter. This venerable old U.S. Army veteran spent a lot of time in Europe, and finished out her career working for the Wisconsin Army Air National Guard in West Bend, WI.  She then was sent to Davis-Monthan, AZ boneyard for storage.  Out of storage she was acquired by a used aircraft dealer who very thoroughtly stripped her of almost all viable, marketable parts.

Marines,
As I start the final push into the end of my second tour as your National Commandant I want to personally thank all of your for your continued support as we push our mission forward.

Six months ago, we left Boise with a plate full of projects and ideas.  We have been working each of them in earnest ever since with no slow-down and none in sight.  In no specific order, let me outline for you some of the projects we have been working on and give you a glimpse into what we have be doing "inside the beltway" in Washington.

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.

In support of the Stolen Valor Act, the Marine Corps League and 24 other military and veterans service organizations filed a brief in the United States Supreme Court seeking to overturn an appellate court decision finding the Stolen Valor Act unconstitutional.  United States v. Alvarez, U.S. Sup. Ct.  No. 11-210.  The Stolen Valor Act, 18 U.S.C. §704, makes it a crime for individuals to falsely claim they have been awarded any military decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces.

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

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

"It’s 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 teacher’s 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."

As an organization that shares a common commitment to honoring the sacrifice of our Nation’s Service Members, we’d like to share some very special content created to commemorate Memorial Day.
You are welcome to use any of the video segments which are prepared as part of the annual Memorial Day ceremony live at USAA Thursday, May 26. The ceremony will be rebroadcast on the Pentagon Channel on Memorial Day, May 30.

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: