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“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.
I CAME HOME One came home to tears of Joy One came Home to tears of sorrow
One had a parade with cheers of Joy and Relief One had a Procession with tears of Grief and Suffering
One felt the warm embrace of their Loved Ones One had feelings of loss, broken dreams and loneliness
One made plans for their future lives together One had lost dreams and fear for their future
Why did I come home when so many did not? Those of us who served in Combat and came home have feelings of guilt for those who will never come home
SgtMaj Joseph A Staudt Memorial Day 2025
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.
As part of his written testimony before the House Armed Services Committee on May 6, 2025, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney reaffirmed the Marine Corps Reserve’s role as a combat-ready, integral part of the Total Force.
As the Marine Corps modernizes and operational tempo increases, the Marine Corps Reserve Component remains an integral part of the total Force. Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) has increasingly activated units to provide operational relief to the Active Component (AC). In FY24, support to the AC nearly doubled over FY23 with 600 activations supporting joint force commanders in Southwest Asia, South America, Africa, Europe, and the Pacific. In FY25, activations will more than double FY24 levels, with nearly 1,500 Reserve Marines, approximately 4% of the Reserve Component (RC), activating to support Global Force Management commitments. read here.
The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening and protecting military families. The mission of this scholarship program is to help prepare military spouses for meaningful employment and to better contribute to their family’s financial security. The second batch of scholarship checks are stamped and ready to mail to 77 hard-working military spouses! We are thrilled to be able to award almost $80,000 in donor-funded scholarships for the fall semester!
Could you use a scholarship? Applications are open through June 30, apply 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 Secretary of the Navy, John Sullivan, signed a "Memorandum of Agreement" with the State Department which laid the basis for the modern Marine Security Guard program at U.S. embassies throughout the world.
The Marine detachment of the USS Ticonderoga provided shipboard security for three U.S. astronauts, Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans, Harrison Schmitt, and their Apollo-17 space capsule. The astronauts had successfully completed a (then) record lunar stay of more than 75 hours.
Operation Just Cause was launched in Panama to protect American lives, restore the democratic process, preserve the integrity of the Panama Canal Treaty, and apprehend dictator General Manuel Antonio Noriega. One Marine, Corporal Garreth C. Isaak, was killed and three other were wounded during the operation.
Japanese forces launched a predawn landing on Wake Island and Wilkes Island, while their carriers launched air strikes against Wilkes, Wake, and Peale islands in support of the landing force. After nearly 12 hours of desperate fighting, the three islands were surrendered.
Twenty helicopters from Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 162, were rushed to Ceylon onboard the USS Princeton where Marines participated in the rescue and evacuation of flood victims
LtCol Raymond G. Davis led his battalion into Hagaru-Ri, Korea after four days of intense fighting in the mountain passes against a numerically superior hostile force. His battalion, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, helped clear the way for the 5th and 7th Marines, and LtCol Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.
A small detail of Marines under Captain Maurice G. Holmes defeated Nicaraguan bandits near Chuyelite. GySgt Charles Williams was mortally wounded during the fighting. Capt Holmes was later awarded the Navy Cross for gallantry, and a posthumous award was given to GySgt Williams.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack by Japan on the US naval base in Hawaii. The Japanese intended to prevent the US from interfering with their planned offensive in the Pacific. The attack led to the US entering World War II. 109 Marines were killed or missing in the attack, which was 67% of the total US Marine losses. The USS Arizona's Marine Detachment suffered particularly heavy losses, with only 15 of the 88 Marines on board surviving.
Marines at Pearl Harbor were caught off guard by the attack, but quickly organized a response. They set up anti-aircraft guns and machine guns, and posted Marines on the parade ground and sentry posts. They also formed first aid parties to treat casualties and suppress fires at the Navy Yard. Marines were also sent to Hickam Army Air Field to help with anti-aircraft defense and wreckage clearance.
Japanese aircraft attacked Wake Island within hours of the fateful attack on Pearl Harbor. Marines of the 1st Defense Battalion and Marine Fighter Squadron 211 resisted Japanese invasion attempts for over two weeks before finally succumbing to an overwhelming force.
Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations capable) landed in Somalia kicking off Operation Restore Hope, the largest humanitarian relief operation of its kind.
In Bosnia, 22 Marines from Marine Corps Security Force Company, Naples, Italy were among the first American troops to arrive. They provided the security for Allied Forces Southern Europe headquartered at Sarajevo. About 2,500 NATO troops would be in place by 19 December taking on the task of peace enforcement in former Yugoslavia from the U.N.
MODERN DAY MARINE 2026
28 Apr 2026
A Century of Connection: Share Your Story for The Association's 100th Anniversary Book!
5/10/2025
Medal of Honor Recipient Dakota Meyer Reenlists in Marine Corps Reserves After 15 Years
4/20/2025
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.