Featured Coming Back Full Circle to Serve Others First Twelve years after leaving active duty, there was just something missing in my life. James “Jimi” Letchford 19 Sep
Decluttering Tips presented by PODS Seeing your container fill up not only keeps your space organized but also gives you a visual reminder of your progress. 16 Sep
OODA For Marines by Marines Our experiences—and the mentors who help guide us—shape who we become. The idea for OODA began with the stories the founder grew up hearing—firsthand accounts from World War II and Vietnam veterans in his immediate family OODA Team 11 Sep
The Creation of the Birthday Ball Giveaway During the inaugural Birthday Ball Giveaway, we received 56,053 entries, representing more than 550 units across 12 countries. What started as an ambitious idea quickly became a movement—one that connected Marines, their families, sponsors, and supporters across the globe. Amanda Ayers 10 Sep
Celebrate 250 Years of the Marine Corps at MCRD San Diego’s Boot Camp Challenge For most people, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego and its iconic yellow buildings are just a glimpse seen from the I-5 freeway or a plane landing at the nearby airport. This historic landmark on the San Diego bayfront is more than four times the size of Disneyland Park and closed to the public. Inside, 17,000 recruits face one question annually: Do you have what it takes to be a Marine? 8 Sep
Carrying the Corps Into the Courtroom As a Marine Major, serving at Marine Corps Air Station New River, I had the privilege of leading several dedicated and capable Marines at the Joint Law Center. One of them, was then Sgt. Geoff Tokajer, left a lasting impression on me—not just for his stellar service at our law center, but for his commitment to respect and camaraderie. Judge Frison 1 Sep
What the Marine Corps’ 250th Birthday means to me The 250th birthday of the Marine Corps represents a profound milestone in our nation’s history, a legacy defined by courage, sacrifice, and resilience. Salvador Ramirez 1 Sep
From Law School to the Corps: A Journey of Service As the United States Marine Corps celebrates its 250th anniversary, I am reminded of how the Corps has truly shaped my life, both personally and professionally. My journey into the Marines began during law school at Georgetown University, where I decided I wanted a career that balanced the intellectual rigor of law with a physical component. Judge Frison 1 Sep
MCCS Golf Partners with Noteefy to Bring Technology to Golf Course Portfolio to Improve Accessibility and Course Efficiency MCCS is pleased to announce a new partnership with Noteefy, a technology platform designed to help golf courses operate more efficiently and improve accessibility for players. MCX Staff Submission 19 Aug
Making a military move? PODS Offers Useful Tips Making a military move? If you’ve recently received your permanent change of station (PCS) orders, then you know it’s time to start preparing for a change of address. Whether you decide to go with military moving services or a personally procured move (PPM) — possibly using PODS — making sure you’re organized and ready for moving day is a top priority! 19 Aug
A Summer Intern’s Journey with MCCS Ever since the first day of working to the end of the summer, the experience I got to have was amazing. Being able to experience and understand business firsthand brought me great insight into how it all works inside of a marketing team, which this was my first time learning about that job industry. Koda Hutton 15 Aug
250th Marine Corps Celebration I remember walking into the recruiter's office and the Master Sergeant said to me, "I see it in you, what's holding you back?" It's amazing how words like that can carry so much weight and propel you forward...until you get to Boot Camp. You learn a lot in Boot Camp, but the biggest lesson you learn is that “I” and “Me” no longer exist. Edward Goodroe 31 Jul
The Marine Corps 250th Birthday I formed some of my fondest memories of the Marine Corps in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in the summer of 2008. It was not a casual experience. Col Byron Owen 31 Jul
I Can't Live Without My Radio What does the Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) mean to me? It means quality, value, friendly service, and fond members of my Marine Corps career. For starters, I can still remember as a recruit, going to the MCX to make my first phone call home. Lawrence Clark Jr. 31 Jul
A Sense of Patriotism and Pride What does the 250th Marine Corps Birthday, mean to me? It’s a time to give honor to our past, present, and future. November 10, 2025, is momentous milestone and a time to reflect on how far the Marine Corps has come in past 250 years. Lawrence Clark Jr. 31 Jul
Mainside or Bust Ah, Camp Pendleton, California’s own southern paradise—or so we told ourselves back in 1998. Tim Jensen 1 Jul
Any Climb and Place In a bar—humble, unassuming, and the perfect cradle for the greatest fighting force in human history. What better origin story could the United States Marine Corps ask for? Tim Jensen 1 Jul
My Marine Corps Exchange Experience - Making Every Pogey Bait Run Count There is nothing better than being a “Motor T” Marine. When you have wheels, everyone wants to be your friend. Mike Anthony 1 Jun
The Legacy of 250 Years: How the Marine Corps Made Me a Good Man and a Better Woman The icy Afghan wind cut through me as our convoy wound its way across the Shomali Plain north of Kabul. Gripping the belt-fed machine gun mounted on the turret, I anxiously scanned the low, khaki hills for any sign of threat. 1 May
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. James P. Connolly 2 Apr
What USMC 250th Birthday Means to me I was awakened by sounds of a foot kicking open my bedroom door. “Rise and shine!” bellowed a voice. “It’s 9AM. You’ve wasted half the day!” Welcome to the Connolly house on Saturday morning. Unbeknownst to me, I was being raised by the cadence of the United States Marine Corps. James P. Connolly 2 Apr
MCX Savings Blooming All Month Long Spring is a season of renewal, and for savvy shoppers, that means great deals on everything from electronics to apparel. The Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) offers authorized patrons a unique opportunity to save money while supporting a store that directly benefits service members and their communities. MCX Staff Submission 20 Mar
Stories Marines Told Me I had no idea this moment would spark an interest I would chase the rest of my life. I was only about 2 weeks into Marine Corps bootcamp at Parris Island. Josh Roe 1 Mar
Meet Marine Corps 250th Ambassador Jake Wood We asked Marine Corps 250th Ambassador Jake Wood - "What does the Marine Corps’ 250th Birthday mean to you?" As the Marine Corps celebrates 250 years of history, I’m filled with a sense of pride to be a part of this extraordinary legacy. For a quarter of a millennium, the Corps has stood on our nation's wall - ready to defend her and the constitution in every clime and place. Jake Wood 1 Feb
Meet Marine Corps 250th Ambassador Jake Harriman We asked Marine Corps 250th Ambassador Jake Harriman - "What does the Marine Corps’ 250th Birthday mean to you?" As we approach the 250th birthday of the United States of America, I can’t help but reflect on what it took to get us here as a nation. Jake Harriman 1 Feb
Meet Marine Corps 250th Ambassador Capt. Riley Tejcek We asked Captain Riley Tejcek - "What does the Marine Corps’ 250th Birthday mean to you?" Pure excellence. 250 years is a massive milestone as the Marine Corps has shown resiliency in every clime and place as we have continued to keep our country safe in every battle we have engaged in. Captain Riley Tejcek 1 Jan
MCCS & MCX Support during COVID The need to ensure the continued support of our active duty, reservists, and recruits provided new challenges and fueled innovation efforts. MCX Staff Submission 27 Dec
Afghan Refugee Support A task force of over 700 Marines and service members of the II Marine Expeditionary Force responded from Camp LeJeune to support Operation Allies Refuge aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. MCX Staff Submission 27 Dec
MOS Marines The Marines within the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) military occupation specialty (MOS) drive the morale, welfare, and recreation support of Marines and their families aboard Marine Corps installations as well as on deployment. MCX Staff Submission 22 Nov