Marine Corps League History
The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of ALL Marines and Navy Fleet Marine Force 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 more than 55,000 men and women, officer and enlisted, active duty, Reserve Marines, honorably discharged Marine Veterans and qualified Navy FMF Corpsmen. MCL one of the few Veterans Organizations that experiences increases in its membership each year.
The mission of the Marine Corps League is to promote the interest and to preserve traditions of the United States Marine Corps; strengthen the fraternity of Marines and their families; serve Marines and FMF Navy Personnel who wear or who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor; and foster the ideals of Americanism and patriotic volunteerism.
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 departments, or states, entities and the activities of over 1000 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. The directors responsibility is 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.
What We Do
The Marine Corps League supports Veterans and their families in local communities all across the United States. With a variety of programs, the League is enhancing family bonds. Our Accredited Veteran Service Officers represent Veterans’ benefits cases to the Department of the VA while our VAVS Volunteers spend time in VA Medical Centers providing assistance to Veterans.
Our Marine Corps League programs include:
Americanism
Color Guards
Funeral Honors
Marksmanship Competitions
Newsletters
Scholarships for College Students
Scouting Program support
Toys for Tots support
Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service
Accredited Veteran Service Officers
Youth Physical Fitness
Young Marines of the Marine Corps League
