Jake Wood

Jake Wood, Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps

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.

For me, being a Marine means carrying forward a tradition that stretches back to the Revolutionary War and continues today with Marines serving across the globe. It’s knowing that, in every corner of history, Marines have embodied the principles of honor, courage, and commitment. In that way, our legacy is not only built on battlefields, but in the hearts and minds of every Marine who ever wore the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

To that end, our obligation to the Corps didn't end when we took off the uniform. Our service and exploits should not be relegated to textbooks and warfighting manuals. Instead, we should bring those same values of honor, courage, and commitment to our roles as veterans and citizens, strengthening our institutions and communities so that we can remain free and prosperous.

So, this 250th Marine Corps Birthday is a reminder that we are part of something much greater than ourselves. It’s a bugle call to honor the Marines who came before us, support those serving now, and inspire future generations of Americans.

Here’s to 250 years of service, sacrifice, and strength. And here’s to ensuring that the Corps’ next 250 years are as storied and impactful as its first. Semper Fidelis.

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About the Author

Jake Wood is the founder and CEO of Groundswell, a software company that enables companies to make philanthropy an employee benefit. Prior to launching Groundswell, Wood served as the founder and CEO of Team Rubicon, a disaster response organization that is widely considered one of America’s leading nonprofits. Since 2010, Team Rubicon has recruited over 150,000 volunteers - mostly military veterans - and responded to over 1,000 disasters and humanitarian crises. Wood remains Team Rubicon’s chairman. Prior to Team Rubicon, Wood served four years in the Marine Corps, rising to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. Wood deployed as an infantry rifleman with 2-7 to Iraq’s Anbar Province in 2007. In 2008, Wood deployed with 2-7 to Helmand Valley, Afghanistan, serving as a scout-sniper in the battalion’s STA platoon. He was the honor graduate at boot camp, the School of Infantry, and the Marine Scout-Sniper Course.