A Proud Tradition Of Service And Dedication: The Marine Corps League
The Marine Corps League Emblem
The Marine Corps League is a chartered organization that works to support the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps League is the only service related organization to receive a Congressional Charter for its work. The League works with all the members of the Marine Corps, and their families, both active and retired. The League provides information and many supportive programs to its members.
There are medical programs for injured veterans that help provide rehabilitation services. The Wounded Marines program provides information on programs, financial assistance if needed, and other supportive services to its members in military hospitals around the world. These services can also include visits by other Corps members, and participation in other Corps events.
The Young Marines Program of the Marine Corps League is devoted to the ideals and principles of the Corps. Honesty, integrity, hard work, and education are all emphasized and supported here. The Young Marines program is effective because it helps keep children away from other influences like crime and drugs. The Young Marines Program also sponsors the U.S. Marines Physical Fitness Program, which helps educate kids on the benefits of an active lifestyle, and inspires them to succeed.
Organization of the Marine Corps League
Marine Corps League Officers pose for a Detatchment photo.
Every Marine Corps League Detatchment is organized under 5 elected officials:
The Judge Advocate (JA)
The Judge Advocate (JA) is responsible for providing legal counsel and opinions on by-laws, policies, corporate regulations, and the legal integrity of the Detatchment. The Judge Advocate can also be required to fill other roles when neccessary.
The Judge Advocate may not necessarily be a legal professional, but he or she must posess the ability to understand and interpret statutes and policies of the organization, weigh oposing views while evaluating complex issues, possess strong writing skills, and possess an interest in legal and judicial processes.
The Junior Vice Commandant (JVC)
The Junior Vice Commandant is directly responsible for recruiting and retention. The job goes beyond the detatchment level in that the JVC may scout beyond the Detatchment Area of Responsibility for new memnbers or the potential for new Detatchment development.
The JVC must be a consummate salesman, as recruiting and retention is the life blood of the organization! The JVC must also be able to clearly communicate the programs of the Marine Corps League and assemble marketing and advertising plans.
Oftentimes, the JVC is authorized to create programs that benefit the members of the Detatchment, or prepare monthly meetings using other professionals in the community as guest speakers.
The Senior Vice Commandant
The Senior Vice Commandant is second in command of the Detachment. This officer should be a logical successor to the Commandant, and is therefore required to be fully familiar with the Commandant functions through his/her term of office. Many of the duties described below are the same or similar to those of the Commandant. The Senior Vice Commandant should be familiar with the duties of the Commandant, and be prepared to be the senior chairperson for projects/committees deemed important by the Commandant. As second in command, the Senior Vice Commandant’s role is critical to the Detachment in terms of officer support, and in accepting major responsibilities for meeting Detachment objectives.
Commandant
The Commandant is the Chief Executive Officer of the detachment Board of Trustees, primary contact for the community and is responsible for the activities and financial standing of the detachment. Presides at meetings, represents the detachment at functions, formulates and develops programs to improve detachment operations and achieving goals, appoints staff officers and committees, and recognizes members for their accomplishments on behalf of the detachment and/or community service.
The Detachment Commandant is the most important office in the Marine Corps League. This leadership position accounts for the membership levels, programs, and the manner in which the League is viewed by Marines, members and prospective members, and the citizens of the community. With effective leadership in this office, the Detachment and the entire League will be successful based on the results of the Detachment. Success and achievement begets recognition, and a growing membership.
Characteristics and Traits
* Proven leadership and management skills.
* Effective communication skills with members, the community, other Marine Corps League organizations, and the Marine Corps.
* Ability to establish mutually agreed upon objectives, plan and direct, and articulate and promote strategies within sphere of Influence.
* Ability to recognize and solve problems.
* Willingness to delegate tasks and responsibilities, while controlling and managing results.
* Clear understanding of financial and fiscal requirements.
* Effective speaking capability for ceremonies, meetings, presentations, and for fund raising.
* Experience and/or clear understanding of subordinate officer duties and responsibilities.
* Flexible thinking — acceptance of dissent in to discussion and plans.
* Ability to run concise, effective meetings.
* Commitment to training, education, and support to improve Detachment job skill levels.
* Selfless approach to meeting Detachment objectives.
* Commitment to the purposes of the League, and objectives of the Detachment.
* Ability to lead and work as a team
Junior Past Commandant
The Junior Past Commandant is a full voting member of the Board of Trustees, contributing from past experiences for the best interests of the League Detachment.
How to Join the Marine Corps League
To become a member of the Marine Corps League, you have to first joined the Corps, or be a family member of an active or retired Marine. The League is also open to FMF Corpsmen past and present, along with their family members. A person cannot join the Marine Corps League is they have received a dishonorable discharge for any reason. The Marine Corps League currently has a membership of over seventy-five thousand.
Members of the Marine Corps League are reminded that they are representatives of the Marine Corps tradition, wherever they are and whatever they do. Marine Corps members are expected to uphold the dignity of the uniform they wear, and to keep it in immaculate condition at all times. They are expected to act in the tradition of honor established by those that have gone before, and not engage in any acts that would reflect badly on the League.
Marine Corps League Lifetime Membership Dues
| AGE GROUP | As of 01/01/2009 |
| 0 – 35 36 – 40 41 – 50 51 – 60 61 – Over |
$500 $400 $400 $300 $150 |
To become a Life Member, you must already be a “Member in Good Standing”. That means becoming a member and paying your initial dues first. According to the Bylaws, you could join the League, take the oath of membership, pay your dues and then pay your Life Membership Dues all in the same day.
Marine Corps League Oath of Membership
I, <Your Name;>, in the presence of Almighty God and the members of the Marine Corps League, here assembled, being fully aware of the symbols, motto, principles and purposes, of the Marine Corps League, do solemnly swear, that I will uphold and defend the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America and of the Marine Corps League. I will never knowingly wrong, deceive, or defraud the League, to the value of anything. I will never. knowingly wrong or injure or permit any member, or any member’s family, to be wronged or injured, if to prevent same is within my power. I will never propose for membership. one known to me. To be unqualified or unworthy to become a member of the League, I further promise to govern my conduct in the League’s affairs and in my personal life, in a manner becoming a decent and honorable person, and will never knowingly bring discredit to the League. So help me, God.
Marine Corps League Membership Benefits
The Marine Corps League is involved in a multitude of programs that benefit its members. One of the most well known of these programs is the Toys For Tots program that brings presents to needy children around the world. The Legislative program provides information on current legislation that may involve the military. The Veterans Service Officer program helps soldiers with applications for military benefits, and advocacy if necessary.
The Marine Corps League has many more programs that help its members. They have a long and proud tradition of being there in support of the Marine Corps. Every year there is an annual convention held in Washington, where the members of the League assemble to discuss ideas. Wikipedia provides us with this full list of Marine Corps League Programs.
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE PROGRAMS
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 Wounded Marines Program works closely with the Wounded Warrior Regiment. The scope of support encompasses; financial support, 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.
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.
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.
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.
MARINE MILITARY EXPOSITIONS PROGRAM
The Marine Corps League sponsors three Marine Military Expositions each year. “Modern Day Marine” is held aboard MCB, Quantico and is the premier military equipment, systems, services and technology exposition. “Marine West” is held aboard MCB, Camp Pendleton and showcases the latest technology and prototypes aimed at preparing today’s Marines for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century. “Marine South” held at MCB, Camp Lejeune, serves Marine commands from Camp Lejeune, MCAS Cherry Point and New River, showcasing the latest innovative displays, trailblazing computer simulations and state-of-the-art technology systems and equipment designed specifically for the U. S. Marine Corps.
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. The Auxiliary was formed: To Preserve the traditions and promote the interests of the United States Marine Corps; To maintain true allegiance to American institutions; To hold sacred the history and memory of the men and women who have given their lives to this Nation; 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; To create a bond of comradeship between the Auxiliary and the Marine Corps League; To aid voluntarily and to render assistance to all Marines and former Marines as well as to their families; To help decorate the graves of all deceased Marines whenever and wherever possible.
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.
ANNUAL CONVENTIONS
Members find the Marine Corps League’s National Convention an opportunity to be a part of the decision making process, attend the several training classes offered at Convention, learn more about the operation and functions of the League as well as 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. Members find the camaraderie offers them the chance to meet new people and renew old friendships. Attendance at National Conventions has grown to an average of between 800 and 1500 members and their families.
To find a Detatchment near you, use the search form below.