THE MARINE CORPS
LEAGUE
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
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.
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.
MARINE CORPS
LEAGUE 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.
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.
The Marine Corps
League is a charter
member of The
Military Coalition,
The National Marine
Corps Council, AdHoc
Committee, Navy and
Marine Corps
Council, the
National Veterans
Day Committee, and
is represented on
countless committees
and programs serving
the military and
veteran community.
The League
participates in
patriotic functions
such as the National
Memorial Day Parade
and the National 4th
of July Parade in
Washington as well
as countless
statewide and
community parades
around the country.
We provide
representation to
the U.S. Congress in
legislative matters
affecting the United
States Marine Corps,
national security
and veteran’s
benefits through our
National Legislative
Committee. Most
importantly, Marine
Corps League
Detachments are
actively involved in
Community based
programs throughout
the country.
