What is the Marine Corps League?
The Marine Corps League (MCL) is a Marine Corps oriented organization comprised of persons who are serving, or have served honorably in the United States Marine Corps “on active duty”, for not less than ninety (90) days, and persons who are serving, or have served in the United States Marine Corps reserve, and have earned no less than ninety (90) reserve retirement credit points, and United States Navy Corpsmen who have trained and served with United States Marine Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) units in excess of ninety (90) days and have earned the Marine Corps device (clasp) worn on the service ribbon, and those who earn the Warfare Device authorized for FMF Corpsmen, shall be eligible for regular membership in the Marine Corps League.
Interested individuals, who are not qualified to join as regular members of the League, may be accepted as Associate Members.
The Marine Corps League was established in June 1923, during a reunion in New York, of Marines who had served in the 1st World War. The League was chartered by an act of the United States Congress on August 4th, 1937. The League was authorized to assist and aid in presenting claims before the Veterans Administration by Public Law # 243, passed by the 74th Congress of the United States of America.
* To preserve the traditions, promote the interest and perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps.
* To band together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps, eligible FMF Corpsmen and those who have been honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps, together in fellowship, that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy.
* To help fit its members for the duties of citizenship and to encourage them to serve ably as citizens as they have served our nation under arms.
* To hold sacred the memory and history of the men and women who have given their lives to the Nation.
* To foster love for the principles which they have supported by blood and valor since the founding of the Republic.
* To aid voluntarily and to render assistance to all Marines and FMF Corpsmen, uniformed and civilian, as well as their widows and orphans.
* To create a bond of comradeship between those in the service and those who have returned to civilian life.
* To perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of peculiar interest to Marines.
1. Find a Detachment close to you.
2. Attend one of their meetings, taking your DD214 with you. The detachment will have an application for you there to fill out.
There is not a detachment near me? Call our Jr. Vice Commandant Norm Phaff (586) 283-3448 for information about being a member at large or forming a detachment in your area.
1. Annual dues are different for each detachment, they generally run between $25-40 per year.
2. Once you are a member (in good standing) you may pay for a life membership.
Life Membership dues As of Jan 1, 2009
Age Group
0-35 $500
36-40 $400
41-50 $400
51-60 $300
61-0ver $150
To become a Life Member, you must already be a “Member in Good Standing”. That means becoming a member and paying your initial dues first. Yes, according to the Bylaws, you could join the League, pay your dues and then pay your Life Membership Dues all in the same day.
Participation varies with each detachment, but generally the detachments will be involved in 1 or more of the following (talk to the leadership of the detachment for more details):
– Color/Honor Guard, Rifle squad for local parades and military funerals.
– Boy Scout Eagle program
– Packages for the troops
– Fund raising
– Marine Roses program
– Toys for Tots
– Marines Helping Marines Program
– Visits to the VA Hospitals (VAVS Program)
– Become active in engaging your State and National Representatives on legislative issues affecting veterans
– Recognition for flying the U.S. Flag
– Marine 4 Life