Guidestar Seal
On behalf of the Officers and your Board of Directors, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday. As you gather with family and friends, remain mindful of the unique bond that unites us—a shared commitment to the Marine Corps and the defense of our Nation.
“The Tun just represents the beginning, and every story has to have a beginning,” said Major General James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret.), in a new video that shares the history of the historic Tun and the mission of The Tun Legacy Foundation.
Marines, Freemasons, and board members of The Tun Legacy Foundation describe what rebuilding The Tun means in the three-minute video, which debuted during the 250th Marine Corps birthday celebration in Philadelphia.
It will be a key marketing tool used by The Tun Legacy Foundation during presentations and programs, for fundraising outreach, and social media engagement.
The proposed fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act makes several changes to Defense Department personnel policy, including a 3.8% across-the-board military pay raise consistent with the Trump administration’s proposed budget request, as well as personnel policy alterations designed to improve troops’ quality of life. It also allows expecting parents to use their parental leave within two years after the birth or adoption of a child and aims to make improvements to military and family housing.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provides authorization of appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD), nuclear weapons programs of the Department of Energy, and other defense-related activities. In addition to serving as an authorization of appropriations, the NDAA establishes defense policies and restrictions, and addresses organizational administrative matters related to the DOD. Unlike an appropriations bill, the NDAA does not provide budget authority for government activities. Nevertheless, historically it has provided a fairly reliable indicator of congressional sentiment on subsequent appropriations for particular programs.
The NDAA is an annual bill that lets Congress set guidelines for defense policy. Though funding for the U.S. military must be approved through appropriation bills, Congress uses the NDAA to establish defense priorities, make organizational changes to military agencies, and provide guidance on how funding should be used.
Some of the highlights of the proposed NDAA include:
- Restablishment and Expansion of Women's Initiative Teams - Improved Transition Assistance - Dependent Transition Assistance - Deployment-Related Support
For additional information, click here.
The Tun® 1775 Club has enlisted nearly 3,200 members. Help us rebuild The Tun® by sharing news of The Tun® 1775 Club with your family, friends and social networks. Click here to join.
Help Fund The Tun® - Enlist in the 1775 Club: Members of the 1775 Club support the mission to rebuild The Tun® for future generations. With membership you will receive great benefits, including a t-shirt, framed certificate, and a numbered coin. Additionally, members will receive exclusive benefits at all future events.
How it Works: For $17.75 per month for one year only (or a one-time payment of $213), you will be a lifetime member of The Tun® 1775 Club and help us get The Tun done.
Modernizing equipment, improving readiness and securing predictable funding for the next fight remain top priorities for the reserve components of the U.S. military, senior leaders told lawmakers yesterday.
"I thank the subcommittee for its continued support, especially through the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account," LtGen Anderson said "For the Marine Corps Reserve, NGREA is not just a funding line, it's a warfighting requirement. These funds allow us to field and sustain the platforms, communication systems and equipment that Marines need to train as they fight. READ FULL STORY To view his opening remarks, click here.
Get ready to make history! As the Marine Corps Reserve Association approaches its monumental 100th Anniversary on November 10, 2026, we're embarking on a special project to commemorate this incredible milestone: an "Oral History" book, created in partnership with Publishing Concepts!
Imagine your stories, your experiences, and your memories as a member of the MCRRA preserved for generations to come. This commemorative book will be a tapestry woven from the personal narratives of our dedicated members, offering a unique and intimate look at the Association's century of service and camaraderie. CLICK HERE to learn more about the project.
The Association would like to acknowledge those who have committed to supporting The Association at the Benefactor level. Their support will fulfill our promise to the men and women who sacrifice for our freedom - Today - Tomorrow. Become a Benefactor Today!
To read the current MCRA By-Laws, members should click here.
1. UPDATE TO THE ARMED FORCES CLASSIFICATION TEST RETEST REQUEST PROCESS MARADMIN 250/25
2. IMPLEMENTING POLICY ON PRIORITIZING MILITARY EXCELLENCE AND READINESS VOLUNTARY SEPARATIONS MARADMIN 239/25
3. RESULTS OF THE FY25 4TH MARINE AIRCRAFT WING (MAW) ADVERSARY SQUADRON PILOT (ASP) SELECTION BOARD MARADMIN 238/25
4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESERVE SERGEANTS MAJOR SLATE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025/2026 MARADMIN 230/25
5. NONCOMPETITIVE CORPORAL TO SERGEANT RECRUITER PROMOTIONS FOR THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE COMPONENT MARADMIN: 229/25
The MCRA latest PODCAST focuses on the career ofCol David Leighton, USMCR (Ret). In this PODCAST we will hear why Dave joined the Marine Corps; his training to become a Marine and a Naval Aviator. Listen to what Vietnam was like during the Corps' first "Advisory" mission in 1961. We hear about the Corps build-up and flying combat missions in 1966. Dave will also discuss the Association from the 1970s to today. This is a PODCAST you do not want to miss, from an American warrior who has served his country for over 60 years. Col David Leighton PODCAST
We now have 11 new PODCASTS for your enjoyment. Please listen and leave a comment to improve our content. Best, we would appreciate it if you were to share. SPOTIFY PODCASTS MCRA YOU TUBE PODCASTS
The Pentagon announced that 2,600 U.S. Marines would be deployed to Somalia for Operation United Shield to assist in the final withdrawal of UN peacekeeping troops from Somalia. The decision came in response to a UN request for American protection of its peacekeeping forces serving in the war-torn African nation.
The first elements of Marine Aircraft Group 24, commanded by Colonel Lyle H. Meyer, landed at Lingayen, Luzon, Philippine Islands, to provide close air support for Army forces. Over the next three months, MAG-24 and MAG-32 would fly a total of 8,842 combat sorties and drop more than 19,000 bombs as part of the Fifth Air Force in support of the Sixth Army.
Operation Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm as forces of the allied coalition launched an all-out air campaign against targets in Iraq and occupied Kuwait in an effort to liberate Kuwait and enforce the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Overall, in the theater of operations, the coalition forces included more than 415,000 U.S. troops.
Marines of the 1st Marine Division began mopping-up operations against guerrillas in the Pohang area, South Korea, following the Division's return from its epic battle with Communist Chinese troops at the Chosin (Changjin) Reservoir.
The second battle for Khe Sanh began when Marines from the 3d Battalion, 26th Marines attacked a North Vietnamese battalion between Hill 881 South and Hill 881 North. More than 100 of the enemy were killed.
The 1st Aeronautical Company arrived at Ponta Delgada, Azores, for anti-submarine duty. That unit was one of the first completely equipped American aviation units to serve overseas in World War I.
Operation Dewey Canyon, perhaps the most successful high-mobility regimental-size action of the Vietnam War, began in the A Shau/Da Krong Valleys when the 9th Marines, commanded by Colonel Robert H. Barrow, and supporting artillery were lifted from Quang Tri. By 18 March the enemy's base area had been cleared out, 1617 enemy dead had been counted, and more than 500 tons of weapons and ammunition unearthed.
Marines and seamen from the U.S. sloop DECATUR went ashore at the village of Seattle, Washington, to protect settlers from Indian raids. The Indians launched a seven-hour attack but were driven off later that day after suffering severe losses. Incredibly, only two civilian volunteers were killed and no Marines or sailors were lost.
About 400 Marines and sailors from the 2d Marine Division, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, and 2d Force Service Support Group deployed for the Persian Gulf. The Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) CM 2-88 would relieve Contingency MAGTF 1-88 in the volatile Persian Gulf and provide the effective landing force capability to Joint Task Force Middle East.
The first serious ground fighting of Operation Desert Storm broke out when Iraqi troops mounted an attack into Saudi Arabia along a 40-mile front. Iraqi units centered their efforts on Khafji, a port city six miles south of the border. Saudi and Quatari troops, supported by artillery from the 1st Marine Division and attack helicopters and other allied coalition aircraft, recaptured the town two days later.
MODERN DAY MARINE 2026
28 Apr 2026
A Century of Connection: Share Your Story for The Association's 100th Anniversary Book!
5/10/2025
Making The Transition From The Uniformed Services to a Career in Cyber Security
2/9/2025
By - Dion Edwards, MAJ, United States Army (Ret) Read More
NEW MEMBER JOB PORTAL The Association has joined forces with Bluu Kazi to provide a job placement platform. This platform is now live. This platform is dedicated to assisting Marines in finding new opportunities, building connections and discovering educational opportunities. Members will be able to upload resumes, search current opening positions, and receive educational assistance to prepare you for your transition to civilian life or to prepare you for a transition to a different line of work. Simply click on the photo above and begin your new journey.
Find Someone to help you:
Prepare for job interviews. Prepare your resume. Gen a mentor.
Team with our partner at Hire Heros USA.