Marine Corps Association
Encyclopedia
The Marine Corps Association (often abbreviated MCA) is an independent association which provides a professional organization for members of the United States Marine Corps
. It is known for its publications Leatherneck Magazine
and Marine Corps Gazette
.
The MCA occupies a similar role with respect to the Marine Corps that the United States Naval Institute
does for the United States Navy
, the Association of the United States Army
does for the United States Army
, and the Air Force Association
does for the United States Air Force
.
MCA produces 6 annual dinners, 5 of which are done in coordination with headquarters USMC including the C4 Awards Dinner co-hosted by C4 (honoring Marine & civilian communicators of the year), Ground Awards Dinner- co-hosted by PP&O (where the 1st - 4th MarDiv Marines of the Year are presented with awards and the Leftwich Trophy is presented), the Ground Report - co-hosted by PP&O, the Ground Logistics Awards Dinner - co-hosted by I&L (where the logisticians of the year are presented with awards), and the newest - the MCCDC Dinner - co-hosted by MCCDC. MCA's own Annual Dinner features a high-level speaker.
. The slow development of the Advanced Base Force
, during 1908—1909, caused the removal of traditional Marines's ship guard roles of the colonial days, creating controversy between the Marine Corps and the Navy. Angered by the Headquarters Marine Corps
handling of the ship guard issue, plus the disappointment of President Taft's appointment of Biddle as Commandant, the officers of the provisional brigade decided to form their own lobby and self education forum; due to the concern of possible intervention in Cuba or Mexico.
Although the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade disbanded shortly after, the MCA remained active. Two years later, again at Guantanamo Bay, officers of the 2d Provisional Marine Brigade, commanded by Colonel Lincoln Karmany, formally organized the Marine Corps Association. Colonel Karmany appointed
then-Lt. Colonel John A. Lejeune
(later the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps
) as its first head of the executive board.
required that U.S. Marine Corps active-duty officers no longer staff the Marine Corps Association. An organizational change was made to spin the Association out of the Marine Corps, as a nonprofit organization. Retiring Colonel Bevan G. Cass was hired as the first Executive Director, and led the association until the end of 1978. During this time, the formerly separate Leatherneck Association (U.S. Marine Corps enlisted personnel) and Leatherneck Magazine
, which were unprofitable, independently merged into the Marine Corps Association, which continued both publications and professional programs.
In January 1979, Brigadier General George L. Bartlett (retired) took over as the new Executive Director and led the organization until 1989. A key advance during Gen. Bartlett's tenure as executive director was that the Marine Corps Association built (at its own expense) a headquarters building located on the property of Marine Corps Base Quantico
, the Marine's overall headquarters base. For legal reasons, the Association donated the building to the Marine Corps, which agreed to allow the MCA to occupy the building for 50 years (with provisions for extension at that point).
In January 1989, Lieutenant General Anthony Lukeman (retired) replaced Gen. Bartlett. Further organizational growth and integration and support of related Marines organizations (including Toys for Tots
and the Marine Corps University
Foundation among others) followed.
The current Executive Director is Major General Leslie M. Palm (retired), who assumed his position at the Association in 1998 on his retirement from the Marine Corps.
Awards include:
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. It is known for its publications Leatherneck Magazine
Leatherneck Magazine
Leatherneck Magazine of the Marines is a magazine for United States Marines. It was first published as a newspaper by off-duty Marines at Marine Corps Base Quantico in 1917, and was originally named The Quantico Leatherneck...
and Marine Corps Gazette
Marine Corps Gazette
Marine Corps Gazette is a professional journal for U.S. Marines founded in 1916 at Marine Corps Base Quantico for members of the United States Marine Corps. Begun by then Col John A. Lejeune as the vehicle to launch the Marine Corps Association , the journal is known as "The Professional Journal...
.
The MCA occupies a similar role with respect to the Marine Corps that the United States Naval Institute
United States Naval Institute
The United States Naval Institute , based at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, is a private, non-profit, professional military association that seeks to offer independent, nonpartisan forums for debate of national defense issues...
does for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, the Association of the United States Army
Association of the United States Army
The Association of the United States Army is a private, non-profit organization that acts primarily as an advocacy group for the United States Army. Founded in 1950, it has 125 chapters worldwide. Membership is open to everyone, not just Army personnel, nor is membership mandatory for soldiers,...
does for the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, and the Air Force Association
Air Force Association
The Air Force Association is an independent, 501 non-profit, civilian education organization, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia...
does for the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
.
Role
The MCA primarily is concerned with the welfare of ALL Marines and the advancement of professionalism within the U.S. Marine Corps. It provides professional education programs, publications (the Gazette and Leatherneck), support services to Marines and Marine activities, and it is the largest provider of awards to Marines in the world with over 7,000 provided in 2007. MCA provides events and services to the Marine Corps for events and other activities for which the Marine Corps cannot use appropriated funds.MCA produces 6 annual dinners, 5 of which are done in coordination with headquarters USMC including the C4 Awards Dinner co-hosted by C4 (honoring Marine & civilian communicators of the year), Ground Awards Dinner- co-hosted by PP&O (where the 1st - 4th MarDiv Marines of the Year are presented with awards and the Leftwich Trophy is presented), the Ground Report - co-hosted by PP&O, the Ground Logistics Awards Dinner - co-hosted by I&L (where the logisticians of the year are presented with awards), and the newest - the MCCDC Dinner - co-hosted by MCCDC. MCA's own Annual Dinner features a high-level speaker.
Vision
According to the MCA, its Vision statement is:- "The Marine Corps Association is dedicated to providing professional development and special services to all those who have earned and worn the eagle, globe and anchor."
Mission statement
According to the MCA, it defines its mission as:- To support the Marine Corps by disseminating knowledge of military art and science among Marines
- To provide professional development opportunities for Marines
- To foster the spirit and preserve the traditions of the Marine Corps
- To offer special benefits to MCA members
History
The Marine Corps Association was founded on April 25, 1911 at Guantanamo Bay by the officers of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, under command of Colonel Littleton W. T. WallerLittleton Waller
Littleton "Tony" Waller Tazewell Waller was a career officer in the United States Marine Corps, who served in the Spanish American War, the Caribbean and Asia. He was court martialled and acquitted for actions during the Philippine-American War where he led a ill-fated expedition across the island...
. The slow development of the Advanced Base Force
Advanced Base Force
The United States Marine Corps's Advanced Base Force was a coastal and naval base defense force that was designed to set up mobile and fixed bases in the event of major landing operations within, and beyond, the territorial United States...
, during 1908—1909, caused the removal of traditional Marines's ship guard roles of the colonial days, creating controversy between the Marine Corps and the Navy. Angered by the Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions...
handling of the ship guard issue, plus the disappointment of President Taft's appointment of Biddle as Commandant, the officers of the provisional brigade decided to form their own lobby and self education forum; due to the concern of possible intervention in Cuba or Mexico.
- "...To preserve the existence and status of the Marine Corps...by recording and publishing the history of the Marine Corps.... for intended training and education purposes to all Marines."
Although the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade disbanded shortly after, the MCA remained active. Two years later, again at Guantanamo Bay, officers of the 2d Provisional Marine Brigade, commanded by Colonel Lincoln Karmany, formally organized the Marine Corps Association. Colonel Karmany appointed
then-Lt. Colonel John A. Lejeune
John A. Lejeune
Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune, was the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Known as the "greatest of all Leathernecks" and the "Marine's Marine", he served for nearly 40 years. His service included commanding the U.S...
(later the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
) as its first head of the executive board.
U.S. Marine Corps program
For roughly 60 years, the Marine Corps Association was a semi-independent organization managed by active duty Marine officers. The organization was headed by its president (the current USMC Commandant until 1976, then the Assistant Commandant) and an executive board. The organization started publishing the Gazette in March 1916. In the 1930s, a membership decline was reversed by efforts of Brigadier General George Richards.Independent organization
In 1972, policy changes in the U.S. Department of DefenseUnited States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
required that U.S. Marine Corps active-duty officers no longer staff the Marine Corps Association. An organizational change was made to spin the Association out of the Marine Corps, as a nonprofit organization. Retiring Colonel Bevan G. Cass was hired as the first Executive Director, and led the association until the end of 1978. During this time, the formerly separate Leatherneck Association (U.S. Marine Corps enlisted personnel) and Leatherneck Magazine
Leatherneck Magazine
Leatherneck Magazine of the Marines is a magazine for United States Marines. It was first published as a newspaper by off-duty Marines at Marine Corps Base Quantico in 1917, and was originally named The Quantico Leatherneck...
, which were unprofitable, independently merged into the Marine Corps Association, which continued both publications and professional programs.
In January 1979, Brigadier General George L. Bartlett (retired) took over as the new Executive Director and led the organization until 1989. A key advance during Gen. Bartlett's tenure as executive director was that the Marine Corps Association built (at its own expense) a headquarters building located on the property of Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
, the Marine's overall headquarters base. For legal reasons, the Association donated the building to the Marine Corps, which agreed to allow the MCA to occupy the building for 50 years (with provisions for extension at that point).
In January 1989, Lieutenant General Anthony Lukeman (retired) replaced Gen. Bartlett. Further organizational growth and integration and support of related Marines organizations (including Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major William L...
and the Marine Corps University
Marine Corps University
The Marine Corps University reports to the United States Marine Corps Training And Education Command. It was established on August 1, 1989 by General Alfred M...
Foundation among others) followed.
The current Executive Director is Major General Leslie M. Palm (retired), who assumed his position at the Association in 1998 on his retirement from the Marine Corps.
Programs
Programs of the Marine Corps Association include:- Professional military education
- Awards
- ROTC support
- Seminars
- Luncheons, Dinners, and other Social Events
Awards
The Marine Corps Association gives out a number of professional and writing awards annually to serving Marines.Awards include:
- Colonel Bevan G. Cass Award for professional writings, open to all active duty Marines
- The Ronald D. Lyons Writing Award for the author of the best news or feature story in Leatherneck Magazine (restricted to Sergeant and below)
- The Tom Bartlett Award for the best Leatherneck Magazine cover photograph of the year
- The Lou Lowery Award for the best Leatherneck Magazine internal photograph of the year (restricted to Sergeant and below)
- The Sergeant Major Dan Daly Award for the best historical writing in a base or post publication of the year (restricted to enlisted Marines)
See also
- Air Force AssociationAir Force AssociationThe Air Force Association is an independent, 501 non-profit, civilian education organization, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia...
- Association of the United States ArmyAssociation of the United States ArmyThe Association of the United States Army is a private, non-profit organization that acts primarily as an advocacy group for the United States Army. Founded in 1950, it has 125 chapters worldwide. Membership is open to everyone, not just Army personnel, nor is membership mandatory for soldiers,...
- United States Naval InstituteUnited States Naval InstituteThe United States Naval Institute , based at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, is a private, non-profit, professional military association that seeks to offer independent, nonpartisan forums for debate of national defense issues...
- Coast Guard FoundationCoast Guard FoundationThe Coast Guard Foundation is a 501 non-profit organization that supports projects that enhance the education, welfare and morale of members of the United States Coast Guard...