The Marine Corps Exchange by James P. Connolly

I was in an Infantry Battalion tucked away in the hills at Camp Pendleton in the late 80’s/early 90’s. The only Marine Corps Exchange I set foot in was the mini one we had at Camp San Mateo and only for the Marine essentials: Brasso, boot blouses, moleskin, uncomfortably small PT shorts and Red Man.

In 4 years at Pendleton I never went to the Main Exchange. We didn’t go to Main Side. We didn’t like Main Side. The Marines looked clean and happy. We owned our Spartan existence. We flexed our misery. At Camp Mujuck, near Pohang Korea we lived among the mud and wooden structures and traded MRE’s through holes in the fence with the local kids in exchange for hot noodles. (NOTE: This is not a service offered by the MCX)

Flash forward January 2025. I set foot in the MCX near the Main Gate at Pendleton. I was blown away. I had no idea.  It’s a Marine Corps Superstore. The idea that a Marine family can have a Sunday shopping list of: car seat, kitchenware, uniform parts, designer clothes, protein powder, toys, fishing pole,  Xbox and ammunition. Oh that? Yeah that’s ONE STORE on base!!!!

As a Veteran with base access I will definitely be including MCX on my list of places to shop. So far, the most memorable thing I’ve ever purchased at an MCX was gasoline: 50 cents less per gallon. Are you kidding me?  I live in California. Not only did I fill up my tank, I knocked back a shot for good measure.

About the Author

James P. Connolly is a professional Stand Up Comedian whose credits include: Netflix, America’s Got Talent, SiriusXM Radio and Dry Bar Comedy. He is a former Marine Infantry Officer and Desert Storm veteran who deployed multiple times to OIF/OEF to entertain the troops. He recently moved to Carlsbad, CA where he is lulled to sleep at night by the earth shaking artillery from nearby Camp Pendleton.