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The mission of the MCRA is to serve members of the Marine Corps Reserve through promotion of professional development, advocacy for the Marine Corps Reserve, furthering the relevance and value of the Marine Corps Reserve and its individual members, and advancing the interests of the total United States Marine Corps in order to preserve the security of the United States.

 


The Marine Corps 250th Celebration

The Association is proud to support the celebration of the Corps' 250th anniversary.

The Tun Update 

To be totally honest, The Tun will not be open on 10 November 2025. Dispite all the efforts, the matter of fact is The Tun Legacy Foundation does not have the necessary funds/ support from Marines as hoped. Yes it is disappointing, however it does not mean progress has not been. One of the means by shich The Foundation is hoping to raise additional funds is kicking off the "1775 Club."  So if you want to see The Tun rebuilt? Or do you want to make a toast to the Corps in The Tun®? Learn more about The Club and how to join, click here.

Memorial Day 2025

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

Predictable Budgets, Readiness, Recapitalization Top Priorities for Reserve Components

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.

House Armed Services Committee Testimony on Marine Corps Readiness

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.

National Military Family Association's Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Application

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.

Calling All Members! Be Part of MCRA History: Centennial Oral History Project!

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.

 

USMCRA Benefactors

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!

MCRA BY LAWS, effective Oct 2023

To read the current MCRA By-Laws, members should click here.

 

CORPORATE SPONSORS

MARADMINS OF NOTE

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   

 

MCRA LATEST PODCAST 

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

MCRA MEMBERSHIP TRI-FOLD 

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/ Categories: VA News

VA expands review of chemical exposure in drinking water at Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune

As part of VA's ongoing commitment to provide care to veterans and their families, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced that it will start the process of amending its regulations to establish presumptions of service connection for certain conditions resulting from exposure to contaminated drinking water at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.  This process is in addition to the healthcare VA already provides for 15 conditions to eligible veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987 as a result of the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. VA also provides reimbursement of healthcare expenses for those 15 conditions to eligible family members who resided at Camp Lejeune during that time period.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs recently met with Senators Isakson, Burr and Tillis and the Director of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to discuss the creation of presumptions of service connection for diseases associated with the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The diseases that are currently being reviewed for potential presumptive service connection include kidney cancer, angiosarcoma of the liver and acute myelogenous leukemia, which are known to be related to long-term exposure to the chemicals that were in the water at Lejeune from the 1950s through 1987. The chemicals are Benzene, Vinyl Chloride, Trichloroethylene and Perchloroethylene, which are known as volatile organic compounds, used in industrial solvents and components of fuels. ATSDR and VA representatives will meet at ATSDR offices on Aug. 19 to begin discussions on establishing these presumptions.

VA will also work with ATSDR and potentially the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the body of scientific knowledge and research related to exposure to these chemicals and the subsequent development of other diseases. VA will carefully consider all public comments received when determining the final scope of any presumptions.

Veterans with health problems they believe are related to exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune may file a claim for disability compensation online at ebenefits.va.gov, or call (800) 827—1000 for assistance.

For more information, Veterans and family members should contact the nearest VA healthcare facility by calling (877) 222—8387 or visit publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune. For further information on Camp Lejeune: VHA Office of Public Health has a Website on Camp Lejeune historical water contamination at: publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp.

The U.S. Marine Corps encourages all those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune before 1987 to register for notifications regarding Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water at clnr.hqi.usmc.mil/clwater.

As always please see your local County Veteran Service Officer if you have any questions. You can contact your local VSO at (218) 631-7617 or by email at david.anderson@co.wadena.mn.us and as always have a great week.

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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.

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