Jake Harriman

Jake Harriman, Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps

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. America is a bold experiment that few believed would succeed. It is a powerful idea in motion constantly striving to deliver on the promise it represents for the freedom of lasting meaningful choices for all – no matter what you look like or where you come from. The world desperately needs this powerful idea now more than ever before.

The idea of America is worth fighting for…it is an idea worth dying for. Over the last 250 years, many courageous men and women have stepped forward into the arena from the rank and file of the American citizenry to answer the call to fight for and protect that idea. And since the dawn of our nation, U.S. Marines have been leading the charge in answering that call.

Marines are a special breed like no other. Along with the eagle, globe and anchor comes an integrity, ferocity and grit forged in the fires of some of America’s toughest battles – from Belleau Wood to Iwo Jima to Fallujah. Throughout our history, when America faced its most formidable foes, we have called on devil dogs to beat back the forces of darkness against seemingly insurmountable odds.

“In moments of chaos, you can’t freeze. Right? You gotta make the call. You gotta calm yourself down. Think about the information you have available.” Jake Harriman Jocko Willink Podcast

The 250th Birthday of the Marine Corps is a celebration of honor, selfless sacrifice, and a relentless, indomitable spirit. It is the celebration of the spirit of America itself. As America prepares to celebrate its birth on July 4, 2026, we should all pause this year to honor the steely-eyed warriors who relentlessly took the fight to our enemies that threatened to snuff out the idea of America.

This year on November 10, 2025, let’s celebrate the birth of America’s warriors who continue to answer the call… delivering a firm message to America’s enemies time and again with a steady, calm resolve, “Not today.”

*This is a guest article submitted by the author. The appearance of hyperlinks and the information, products, or services contained therein, does not constitute endorsement by the U. S. Marine Corps, Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS), or Marine Corps Exchange (MCX). The U. S. Marine Corps, MCCS, and MCX do not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this web site.*

About the Author

Jake graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy and served seven and a half years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Platoon Commander in both the Infantry and Force Recon. Following his service, Jake enrolled at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. While at Stanford, he founded Nuru International to eradicate extreme poverty in the world’s most unstable, vulnerable regions to help end violent extremism. Jake played a vital role in drafting, introducing, and passing groundbreaking new legislation called the Global Fragility Act of 2019 that equips America with new authorities and resources to prevent conflict and stabilize some of the most fragile regions of the world.

Jake is the Founder and President of + More Perfect Union a nonprofit civic organization that aims to unite the country and strengthen our communities through social connection, service, and civic engagement.