United States Marine Corps

Thomas H. Begay was one of the famous Navajo Code Talkers of WWII, a group of individuals selected by the Marine Corps to combat the fast-evolving landscape of secure transmissions. The #MarineCorps selected 29 men from the Navajo Nation to create a secure way to transmit messages based on the complex, unwritten language of the Navajo. Known as the "Navajo Code Talkers," these men were able to send and receive communication without the fear of it being decoded by enemy forces. Begay was one of these men. Begay shares his story from his roots in the heart of Navajo territory to the front lines of America’s bloodiest battles. Thomas Begay served at the battle of #IwoJima and the #ChosinReservoir, and went on to serve in the Bureau of Indian Affairs as an employment assistance officer, aiding hundreds of Navajos in finding skills and jobs. 📹 Marine Cpl. Joshua Munsen and Lance Cpl. Diana Salgado

On August 13th, 1918, Opha May Johnson became the first female to enlist in the #MarineCorps. Johnson served from 1918-1919. Since her honorable time of service concluded, countless other women have joined the ranks of the Marine Corps. Serving in every clime and place, adding to the legacy of our nation and our Corps.

U.S. Marines with Littoral Craft Company Charlie, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, graduated from the Colombian Fluvial Operations Course, at Centro Internacional Excelencia Avanzado Fluvial, Aug. 2, 2024. Littoral Craft Company (LCC) Charlie is the first group of U.S. service members to participate in the Colombian Fluvial Operations Course as 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion is gradually making the switch from Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV's) to Littoral Craft, which are maneuverable small boats. “As we enter the infancy of littoral craft training, we are seeking knowledge and training from any and all sources,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Lance Sutton, the Inspector-Instructor with LCC Charlie. The Colombian Marine Corps is highly regarded as world-class experts in facilitating and executing littoral exercises because their geography and security challenges heavily emphasize maneuverability and quick reaction on the nation’s waterways. “They are the best in the world at riverine operations and it’s a great match for our training,” said Sutton. The Fluvial Operations Course consists of multiple training exercises such as swim qualification, classroom lectures, weapons handling and maintenance, and littoral craft maneuvers. “We came here and trained with the Colombian Marines on gunnery and piloting littoral crafts,” said Sutton. “We learned a lot from them. We hope to take this knowledge back to the United States and implement them into our tactics, techniques, and procedures." For the Marines of LCC Charlie, the Fluvial Operations Course was a three-week course. The first week comprised classroom training and familiarization with the different classes of Colombian littoral crafts, the second week comprised isolated training between the gunnery and pilot groups, and the final week comprised integration of all coursework. The Marines of LCC Charlie endured and graduated from the course and are now more knowledgeable and confident in their abilities to maintain, operate, and execute missions with littoral crafts. Providing expert-level instruction in riverine warfighting was something the Colombian Marines were happy to do. "For years, the Marines of Colombia have received training from the United States Marine Corps," said Major General Jorge Federico Torres Mora - Commandant of the Colombian Marine Corps. "And I am pleased that we are now able to provide them with this training, demonstrating [reciprocity] and strengthening our relations as friendly countries." The 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion is steadily and efficiently working in accordance with Force Design.

On Purple Heart Day, we honor the over 1.9 million members of the military who have been wounded or killed in action while defending our nation. First awarded in 1932, the Purple Heart is presented to those who are injured in the line of duty or have made the ultimate sacrifice as a result of hostile action. The bravery and sacrifices of our wounded and fallen heroes are not forgotten. Semper Fidelis. #PurpleHeartDay #SemperFi #Marines

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force (#JASDF) C-2 delivered the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment’s AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (TPS-80) to Camp Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan, July 29, 2024, in support of exercise #ResoluteDragon24. This marks the first time the TPS-80 has been deployed to Yonaguni. The deployment was possible through close coordination and a strong partnership between the 12th MLR and the Japan Self-Defense Force, reinforcing mutual security objectives and enhancing regional stability. The radar was deployed to support training with enhanced sensing and targeting data between the 12th MLR and the JSDF during Resolute Dragon. This effort aims to enhance operational readiness in the region, underscoring the U.S. Marine Corps’ commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific through realistic training with innovative and proven technology. “Operating the TPS-80 is a huge win for the MLR in strengthening our relationship with the JSDF, preparing for potential contingencies, strengthening our ability to integrate capabilities, and increasing multi-domain awareness and fires coordination,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Roy Shiflet, target acquisition platoon commander for 12th MLR. The TPS-80 is a multi-mission system designed to provide advanced air surveillance, ground surveillance, and weapons control capabilities from a single, mobile platform. It is built to meet the evolving needs of the Marine Corps and is ideal for Marine Littoral Regiments to provide enhanced sensing and targeting capabilities to the joint force. “During Resolute Dragon 24, the TPS-80 will be utilized by 12th MLR and the JSDF to enhance situational awareness by supporting comprehensive detection and tracking across air, land, and maritime domains," said Lt. Col Joseph Mozzi, the fire support coordinator for 12th MLR. “This will significantly boost multi-domain operations and overall battlespace awareness throughout the exercise.” "The opportunity to train alongside our JSDF counterparts while utilizing the TPS-80 in real-world conditions is extremely valuable. It ensures we gain essential experience and are fully prepared to use this technology in any situation alongside our Japanese allies,” stated Sgt. Jacob Pesl, a field artillery radar operator with 12th Marine Littoral Regiment. This is the first time 12th MLR has participated in a Resolute Dragon exercise since its redesignation in November 2023. Resolute Dragon 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, focusing on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. 📝 Marine 1st Lt. Sarah Bobrowski #warfighting #readiness #indopacific

Happy 234th birthday, U.S. Coast Guard! #OTD we celebrate 234 years of service at sea, providing a key component of our nation's maritime security and defense. #JointForce #USCG #USMC #CGBirthday #CGJoinUs

Planning for Tomorrow #Marines and civilians participated in the National Naval Officers Association and Association of Naval Services Officers Joint Leadership, Professional Development and Training Symposium in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 30, 2024. The theme for the joint symposium is "Advancing Leaders: Connected, Committed and Ready to Fight for the Future." 📷 Marine Cpl. Enos Jimenez #MarineCorps

General Alfred M. Gray, 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, passed away on March 20, 2024. The impact he had as Commandant had a meaningful change on the Marine Corps of his generation and future generations. His honor and legacy will live on forever. Join us at 12:00pm on Facebook when we go live with coverage of his funeral.

#OTD in 1953, after three years of continuous conflict on the Korean Peninsula, an Armistice was signed between the United States on behalf of the United Nations Command, the People's Republic of China, and North Korea. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when 75,000 soldiers from North Korea crossed the 38th parallel, invading South Korea. Two days after the invasion, the United States officially entered the conflict. The United States fought alongside South Korea and a coalition of forces from the United Nations until the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement and the cessation of active conflict on July 27, 1953. 42 #Marines and 5 US Navy Corpsmen earned the #MedalofHonor for their exceptional valor during the conflict. Over 36,000 U.S. troops were killed in action. The efforts and sacrifice of the coalition troops led to a free and open democracy in South Korea that stands strong to this day. #USMCHistory

Good Luck, Team USA! 🇺🇸 Representing our nation is a weight that the #MarineCorps understands well, and we know that our team will continue our country's illustrious history of victory. Semper Fidelis! #Paris2024