The Marine Corps League was founded by Major General Commandant, John A.
Lejeune, in 1923 and chartered by an Act of Congress on August 4, 1937. It's
membership of 60,000 is comprised of honorably discharged, active duty and
Reserve Marines with 90 days of service or more, and retired Marines. It includes
officer, enlisted, male and female members.

The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with
14 elected national staff officers who serve as trustees. Day to day operations
are under the control of an executive director who supervises the day-to-day
performance of the national headquarters staff, located at 8626 Lee Highway in
Fairfax, Virginia.

The prime authority of the League is derived from its charter and from its annual
national convention held in August in different major U. S. cities throughout the
nation. The National Commandant has operational control over the National
Headquarters staff and the National Board of Trustees, who in turn coordinate
the efforts of 47 department, or State entities, and the activities of over 812
community-based detachments located throughout the United States and
overseas.

The League is classified as a veterans / military service organization and was
formed for the purposes of promoting the interests of the U. S. Marine Corps; to
provide camaraderie and assistance to Marines, as well as to their widows and
orphans; and to preserve the traditions of the U. S. Marine Corps. It is a not for
profit organization within the provisions of Internal Revenue Service Code 50l (c)
(4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the
Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by
the donor.

League members participate in:
- The Veterans Administration Voluntary Service Program (VAVS), an assistance
program for hospitalized veterans
- A national Service Program, which provides assistance to veterans in a wide
area of matters relating to their military service

The League also:
- Awards scholarships
- Sponsors a National Youth Physical Fitness Program
- Provides membership incentives
- Participates in patriotic functions and provides representation to the U. S.
Congress in legislative matters affecting the U. S. Marine Corps, national security
and veterans benefits through its National Legislative Committee and its National
Legislative Officer
- Participates in Toys for Tots and other community based programs



Mission Statement

Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and
fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the
interests of the United States Marine Corps. This is accomplished by banding
together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those
who have been honorably discharged from that service; voluntarily aiding and
rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and
orphans, and by perpetuating the history of the United States Marine Corps
through fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of
particular interest to Marines.