Marine Corps League

MGen. John A. Lejeune, the Marine Corps Commandant, founded the Marine Corps League in 1923. Congress later chartered this exclusive League on 4 August 1937. Membership is available to honorably discharged, active duty, and reserve Leathernecks. Members may be officers or enlisted, male of female. The Mission Statement reads:

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. This is accomplished by banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service; voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans, and by perpetuating the history of the United States Marine Corps through fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

First and foremost, the League promotes the interests of the Corps. All else is secondary. With roughly 800 detachments in the United States and overseas, a Marine can usually find a detachment close at hand.

One does not have to be a dues-paying member to enjoy League hospitality at local detachments. Camaraderie can take many forms, often including generous assortments of various libations. Under such circumstances the war stories fly thick and fast. Usually, "the first liar doesn't stand a chance."

A National Commandant heads the League, and 14 elected national staff officers serve as trustees. Day to day, an Executive Director runs the national headquarters staff from offices in Fairfax, Virginia. The League is classified as a veterans/military service organization. Contributions are tax deductible.