The Marine Corps Association (MCA) is the premier membership organization for Marines (http://www.mca-marines.org). 

The MCA was formed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on 25 April 1913, by Marines of the 2d Provisional Brigade. John A. Lejeune, then a lieutenant colonel, headed the MCA’s first executive committee. In a statement signed by members of the committee, Lejeune and his fellow officers declared the MCA would publish the history of the Marine Corps and disseminate “…information concerning the aims, purposes and deeds of the Corps, and the interchange of ideas for the betterment and improvement of its officers and men…” That objective continues to drive the Association into the 21st century.

VISION: 

To be the preeminent association devoted to providing professional development and selected services to Marines.

To support the Marine Corps by disseminating knowledge of military art and science among Marines 

To provide opportunities for professional development for Marines 

To foster the spirit and preserve the traditions of the Marine Corps throughout the Marine Corps family.

The Marine Corps Association is the preeminent professional organization for all Marines. Active duty, Reserve, retired and Marine veterans are all eligible for membership in the MCA. The MCA understands and respects the achievements and sacrifices made by Marines and their families while serving this great nation. Once a Marine, always a Marine!

In order to more effectively support its mission, MCA has created and incorporated the Marine Corps Association Foundation (MCAF), a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation in order to raise funds to support and expand the programs and activities so essential to MCA’s core mission (http://www.mcafdn.org).

Leatherneck Magazine (http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck) was founded in 1917 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia for members of the United States Marine Corps. The magazine is sometimes referred to as the "Reader's Digest" for Marines. Leatherneck Magazine was an official Marine Corps publication until 1972. In 1976 The Leatherneck Association merged with the Marine Corps Association. MCA continues to publish Leatherneck Magazine alongside the Marine Corps Gazette (http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette).  The Gazette is the professional journal of the Marine Corps. It provides a forum for those who want to contribute ideas to the essential, continual evolution of the USMC by suggesting new policies, practices, and procedures to help move the Corps forward.

MCA also runs The Marine Shop (http://www.marineshop.net) and the Camp Lejeune Bookstore.  The Marine Shop is located in the town of Quantico, Virginia, 25 miles south of Washington, DC off of Interstate 95 at Exit 150.  The Marine shop was founded in 1962 by the late Major Harry Elms, U.S. Marine Corps.  The marine shop now serves marines around the world through its online store located at www.marineshop.net.

The MCA has recently expanded its online capabilities with brand new sites for MCA, MCAF, Leatherneck, Marine Shop and the Marine Corps Gazette.  Links to all of these pages can be found in the web tab on this page.

To see how the MCA benefits you and your fellow Marines, visit: http://www.mca-marines.org/benefits 

The Marine Corps Association Foundation Awards Program

The Marine Corps Association Foundation (MCAF) is committed to acknowledging the professional accomplishments of Marines and Sailors. Your Donations and membership make it possible for our morale-building awards program to recognize outstanding achievements of active duty Marines and supporting Sailors serving globally. MCAF provides award nearly 9,000 Marines a year with awards. 

Corporate sponsors enable MCA to provide a wide range of events in direct support of our continuing mission. As a member of the MCA, you will receive discounted member pricing to attend select MCAF hosted events such as the Professional Luncheons, the MCAF Ground and Ground Awards Dinners, the MCAF Ground Logistics award, the MCAF C4 Awards Dinner, the MCCDC Dinner, the MCAF Annual Dinner, and the new Ammo Tech Awards Dinner. Our events have featured distinguished guests such as General James Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Amos, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, LtGen Joseph Dunford, BGen Lawrence Nicholson, LtGen Dennis J. Hejlik, General David Petraeus, and Secretary of Defensem, Robert Gates.

The Foundation provides grants and assist Commanders in developing and providing forum opportunities specifically tailored to enhance their Marines’ and Sailors’ knowledge of the operational matters from a historical, cultural, or operational perspective. The forums can range from presentations and discussions with noted authors and scholars that will help prepare a unit for a current operation to a classical battle study. Participants in the battle studies may walk the ground with experts in order to better understand the history and lessons learned from these famous battles and campaigns. 

The MCA is the premier provider of all in-print books listed on the Marine Corps Professional Reading Program. Visit the MCA bookstore online (http://www.marineshop.net/browse.cfm/professional-books/2,431.html) to shop with your membership discount. The MCA bookstores stock a wide inventory of books spanning the spectrum of military history, operational art, global security issues and related topics. As a member of the MCA, you will have the opportunity to meet authors and purchase signed books at membership discount prices. All of our book signings and other special events are posted to our web site. MCA members also have the opportunity to call the bookstores toll-free to order signed books in advance of a scheduled book signing. MCAF also sponsors the Commanders Professional Library Grants Program.  The purpose of this program is to provide commanders grants ranging from to establish and sustain their unit professional library when the utilization of appropriated funds is not practicable. Libraries are the bedrock of our professional development effort. The grants allow commanders to select books from the Marine Corps Association’s extensive book list. The MCA book list contains the timeless military classics as well as recent books on emerging areas of interest in current military operations and cultural understanding.  This program also provide the Leatherneck and Gazette for wounded marines as well as copies of these magazines at recruiting offices.

You can make a difference in a Marine’s life with your donation to MCAF, a 501(c)(3) public charity.* Donations support all of the great programs, above.

To see how, visit: http://www.mcafdn.org/donations

* Your donation may qualify as a tax-deduction. We recommend you talk to your tax preparer. 

Membership is open to all active duty, Reserve, retired and honorably discharged Marine veterans. Also eligible are members of our sister services who are serving with Marine Corps units. Spouses, children over 15 years of age of MCA members and unmarried former spouses or widows of MCA members are eligible for membership. Parents and guardians of Marines and civilians working for the Marine Corps or Marine-related organizations are also eligible for membership.