History of MCA
A Timeline History of the Marine Corps Association
April 25, 1913 — Marine Corps Association Founded
On April 25, 1913, Lieutenant Colonel John A. Lejeune was appointed head of a three-man executive committee, formally marking the founding of the Marine Corps Association (MCA).
The Association was created with two central goals:
∙The professional advancement of Marines
∙The preservation of Marine Corps history and traditions
Those foundational objectives established the framework for what would become more than a century of professional military education, leadership development, historical preservation, and support to Marines worldwide.
Fall 1915 — Decision to Publish Marine Corps Gazette
At an informal meeting in the fall of 1915, Marine officers determined that the Association should publish a quarterly professional journal titled The Marine Corps Gazette.
The publication would serve as a professional forum where Marines could exchange ideas on leadership, doctrine, tactics, and the future of the Corps.
Publication work was assigned to Marines serving at the Marine Corps Publicity Bureau in New York City, where the magazine would be written, edited, printed, and distributed after normal duty hours.
January 17, 1916 — First Formal Meeting of the Board of Control
The first formally recorded meeting of the Marine Corps Association’s Board of Control was held on January 17, 1916. During the meeting, Colonel John A. Lejeune documented the earlier organizational discussions and formally established the Association’s leadership structure and publication plans.
March 1916 — First Issue of Marine Corps Gazette
The first issue of The Marine Corps Gazette was published in March 1916.
Its lead article, written by Colonel Lejeune, focused on “Mobile Defense of Advanced Bases by the Marine Corps.” Though written before World War I, the concepts discussed anticipated many principles recognizable in modern Marine Corps doctrine, including:
∙Distributed operations
∙Stand-in forces
∙Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO)
∙Crisis response operations
The Gazette quickly became the professional journal of the Marine Corps and remains one of the longest-running military professional publications in the United States.
November 17, 1917 — Founding of Leatherneck
During World War I, off-duty Marines at Marine Corps Base Quantico published the first issue of The Quantico Leatherneck, a four-page newspaper created to improve communication among enlisted Marines. The publication rapidly grew in popularity throughout the Corps and became an important source of news, storytelling, and Marine identity. The name “Leatherneck” referenced the leather stock collar worn by Marines during the early nineteenth century.
1918 — World War I and the Growth of Marine Identity
As Marines fought in France during World War I, the Marine Corps Association and its publications became important tools for sharing battlefield lessons, strengthening esprit de corps, and preserving Marine Corps history. Experiences from battles such as Belleau Wood helped shape future Marine Corps doctrine and leadership development.
1920 — Leatherneck Becomes Official Marine Corps Publication
In 1920, Commandant John A. Lejeune established the Marine Corps Institute, and Leatherneck became an official Marine Corps publication under its supervision.
The publication relocated to Washington, D.C. and evolved from a newspaper into a professional magazine serving Marines throughout the fleet.
1925–1926 — Expansion of MCA Publications
During the mid-1920s:
∙Leatherneck transitioned into a semi-monthly and later monthly magazine format
∙Marine Corps Gazette expanded its influence as the Corps’ professional journal for tactical and operational debate
Together, the publications developed complementary roles:
∙Marine Corps Gazette focused on doctrine, professional education, and warfighting concepts
∙Leatherneck focused on Marines, combat reporting, unit life, and Corps culture
1941–1945 — World War II
World War II dramatically expanded the reach and influence of MCA publications.
Combat correspondents and photographers embedded with Marines across the Pacific contributed directly to Leatherneck coverage from the front lines. In 1944, the magazine launched a special Pacific edition for deployed Marines overseas.
At the same time, Marine Corps Gazette documented lessons learned from amphibious warfare campaigns that helped shape modern Marine Corps doctrine.
1948 — “Magazine of the Marines”
In 1948, the publication officially adopted the title Leatherneck — Magazine of the Marines.
The new identity reflected its role as the storytelling publication of the Marine Corps community and the voice of Marines around the world.
Cold War Era — Professional Development and Doctrine
Throughout the Cold War, MCA expanded its role in professional military education and historical preservation.
Marine Corps Gazette became a major forum for discussions on maneuver warfare, expeditionary operations, aviation integration, leadership, and amphibious doctrine.
Meanwhile, Leatherneck documented the experiences of Marines serving during Korea, Vietnam, and deployments around the globe.
1976 — Merger with the Leatherneck Association
In 1976, the Leatherneck Association merged with the Marine Corps Association, bringing the Corps’ major professional and community publications under unified leadership. The merger strengthened MCA’s role as the central professional association supporting Marines through publications, events, recognition programs, and education initiatives.
2001 — Global War on Terror
During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, MCA publications documented combat operations, leadership lessons, and the evolving role of the Marine Corps in counterinsurgency and expeditionary warfare. The Gazette continued serving as a professional forum during one of the most operationally demanding periods in modern Marine Corps history.
2007 — MCA Acquires The MARINE Shop
In 2007, the Marine Corps Association purchased The MARINE Shop following the death of its founder, retired Major Harry Elms. The acquisition expanded MCA’s ability to support Marines through uniforms, tailoring services, professional products, and Marine Corps merchandise. The historic Quantico retail location became widely recognized throughout the Marine Corps community for uniform expertise and personalized service.
2009 — Establishment of the MCA Foundation
The Marine Corps Association Foundation was established to expand support for Marines through:
∙Professional military education
∙Leadership development
∙Battlefield studies
∙Unit libraries
∙Recognition programs
∙Scholarship and educational initiatives
The Foundation strengthened MCA’s mission of investing in Marines at every stage of their careers.
2015 — Expansion of Modern Day Marine Programming
In 2015, the Marine Corps Association was asked by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to add a stronger intellectual component to Modern Day Marine, expanding the event beyond a traditional trade show.
The initiative transformed Modern Day Marine into a broader strategic communication and professional engagement platform focused on innovation, warfighting concepts, modernization, and dialogue between Marines, industry leaders, and defense experts.
September 7, 2021 — Launch of the Scuttlebutt Podcast
On September 7, 2021, the Marine Corps Association launched the Scuttlebutt podcast with the release of “Scuttlebutt 0: Introduction.”
Created as “a podcast for Marines by Marines,” Scuttlebutt was developed to explore the unseen stories of Marines past and present and to highlight the experiences, leadership lessons, and perspectives that shape the Marine Corps community.
The podcast expanded MCA’s digital media presence and introduced a new platform for professional discussion, storytelling, and engagement with Marines across generations.
Through interviews, historical conversations, leadership discussions, and coverage of current Marine Corps topics, Scuttlebutt continued MCA’s longstanding mission of preserving Marine Corps history and strengthening connections within the Corps.
2022 — Modern Day Marine Moves to WEWCC
In 2022, Modern Day Marine was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (WEWCC) in Washington, D.C. for the first time. The move expanded the event’s national visibility and strengthened its role as a platform for Marine Corps modernization, professional engagement, industry collaboration, and strategic communication.
May 10, 2024 — Launch of the Behind the Camouflage Initiative
On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, the Marine Corps Association launched the Behind the Camouflage initiative to support, connect, and amplify the voices of Marine Corps spouses and families.
The initiative marked the beginning of MCA’s expanded spouse and family programming, including spouse summits, digital media initiatives, community storytelling, and networking opportunities at Marine Corps installations across the country.
March 14, 2024 — Inaugural Behind the Camouflage Spouse Summit
The first Behind the Camouflage Spouse Summit was held in Albany, Georgia near Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.
The summit brought Marine Corps spouses together through networking opportunities, resource engagement, and panel discussions focused on military family support and community connection.
September 6, 2024 — Launch of the Behind the Camouflage Podcast
On September 6, 2024, the Marine Corps Association launched the Behind the Camouflage podcast with the release of Season 1, Episode 1 featuring Lieutenant General William F. Chiarotti, USMC (Ret.).
The podcast was created to provide a dedicated platform focused on the experiences, challenges, and perspectives of military spouses and families within the Marine Corps community.
Expanding MCA’s growing digital media initiatives, Behind the Camouflage highlighted conversations surrounding military family life, leadership, transition, resilience, and community-building while amplifying voices often operating behind the scenes of military service.
The launch reflected MCA’s continued commitment to supporting not only Marines, but also the families who serve alongside them.
January 2026 — Transition of The MARINE Shop to MCCS
In January 2026, ownership and management of The MARINE Shop started the transition from the Marine Corps Association to Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS). Under MCCS management, The MARINE Shop continued providing Marine uniform services while supporting broader quality-of-life programs for Marines and their families. The transition preserved the shop’s longstanding tailoring expertise and ensured continued support for Marines across the fleet.
March 18, 2026 — Opening of The Book Store
Following the transition of The MARINE Shop uniform operations, MCA retained its non-uniform retail and e-commerce business and launched “The Book Store” on March 18, 2026.
The Book Store became MCA’s dedicated retail platform for:
∙Professional military reading
∙Marine Corps history and heritage products
∙Leadership resources
∙Gifts and lifestyle merchandise supporting the Marine Corps community
The launch marked a new chapter in MCA’s mission to preserve Marine Corps heritage while continuing to support professional development and lifelong learning.
Present Day — Continuing the Mission
Today, the Marine Corps Association continues serving Marines, veterans, active-duty leaders, and military families through publications, professional development programs, educational initiatives, recognition programs, and events. More than a century after its founding, MCA remains dedicated to advancing professional excellence, preserving Marine Corps history and traditions, and strengthening the connection between Marines across generations.