The Marine Forces Reserve (also known as the United States Marine Corps Reserve or the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve) was created in 1916, in conjunction with the creation of the Navy Reserve. Since then, the evolution of this force would expand from just thirty-five to today’s roughly 40,000 Marine Corps Reservists. The Marine Corps Reserve Birthday is observed every year on the 29th of August.
Marine Corps Reserve birthday will be celebrated on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022.
The Mission Of The Marine Corps Reserve
The Marine Forces Reserve is tasked with the mission of augmenting and reinforcing active duty Marine forces during a war or open hostilities, national emergencies, and contingency operations. The Marine Corps Reserve also relieves active duty forces in peacetime missions and offers service to the community.
A Brief History of the Marine Corps Reserve
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson’s signature on the Naval Appropriations Act brought the concept of a Navy and Marine Corps Reserve force to life. When the United States joined World War One, the Marine Reserve forces totaled three officers and 32 enlisted Marines, but by the time the war ended that number expanded to over 6,000 total Reservists.
The Naval Reserve Act of 1925 brought change and more organization to the Marine Corps Reserve, but during a period of downsizing. By 1930 there was talk about saving money by merging the United States Marine Corps with the U.S. Army. That’s an idea that didn’t come to pass; after some public outcry by elected officials in favor of a standalone Marine Corps, the idea was abandoned.
Some ten years later, the House Naval Affairs Committee approved an increase in Drill Status Reserves to 485 officers and 6,500 enlisted Marines, plus a standby reserve of more than 2,000 officers and 1,600 enlisted.
This act seemed to solidify the future of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and in 1938 a replacement Naval Reserve Act was passed, creating the basis for the Marine Reserve force we have today.
The Marine Corps began to expand its’ horizons during World War Two, with the creation of The Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, which was authorized by Congress in July 1942. Other branches of the military had started accepting women for service, and the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve swore in its first director, Maj. Ruth Cheney Streeter, in 1943. The first 71 female officer candidates arrived at the U.S. Midshipmen School soon after, with over 700 enlisted women entering Marine Corps boot camp.
In 1947, it seemed as though the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve were on the chopping block once more. The Armed Forces Unification Act created a new Department of Defense, but some sources say the act was also “aimed at the abolishment of the Marine Corps in the name of unification,” according to the official site of The Marine Corps Reserve Association.
However, the Reserve Forces Act of 1948 included standardized pay for Marine Corps Reserve drills, active duty training, and created a retirement pay program. The United States Marine Corps and The Marine Corps Reserve were here to stay.
Years later, after the end of the military draft and the transition to an all-volunteer force in the 1970s, the United States Marine Corps Reserve would build itself into an approximately 38,000 members-strong force in the Marine Corps Select Reserve with another approximate 70,000 Marines serving in the Individual Ready Reserve that we know today.
Celebrating The United States Marine Corps Reserve Birthday
The Marine Corps Reserve birthday is an internal observance, with an emphasis on Marine heritage and culture. It’s not a public holiday or a widely observed date, but those who wish to honor the creation of the United States Marine Corps Reserve on its’ birthday, Aug. 29, may consider flying the American flag and the Marine Corps flag on the anniversary.
You can consult the Marine Corps Flag Manual to learn how to properly display the Marine Reserve service flag alongside the American flag.
You can also thank a Marine Reservist for her or his service, or even consider a visit to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia which includes more than 100 years of Marine Corps history.
Another option is to consider supporting the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, which partners with the Navy and Marine Corps to provide “financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Service of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need; and to receive and manage funds to administer these programs,” according to the official site.
A Google search of “Marine Corps Reserve Birthday Events” will turn up more results for the Marine Corps Ball than for a birthday celebration of the Reserve. The Marine Corps Reserve participates in that event every year to celebrate the creation of the Marine Corps as a whole, active duty and Reserve.
Some organizations (including Marine Reserve Associations and Marine-related charitable organizations) may have local chapters that organize golf tournaments, barbecues, or other gatherings to honor Marine Reservists. These will likely be advertised in the local area on Facebook and other social media platforms.
Joining The Marine Corps Reserve
The Marine Corps Reserve is open to qualified candidates between 18 and 29 years old. Prospective recruits may be permitted to join at 17 as long as there is documented parental consent. All Marine Corps Reserve candidates must have a high school diploma, though some GED holders are permitted to join on a limited basis if the candidate has high enough scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test (ASVAB).
Those who are in college and interested in becoming a Marine Corps Reserve officer should see if the campus offers a Navy ROTC program.
Marine Corps Basic Training For Reservists
All Marine Corps recruits, active duty, and Reservists alike will experience 12 weeks of Recruit Training at Parris Island, South Carolina, or receive basic training at the Recruit Training Depot in San Diego, California.
Basic training/Recruit Training is a physically and mentally demanding process that instills Marine Corps values and teaches new recruits how to function as a team. The Marines are very proud of the fact that new recruits are trained the same no matter if they are active or Reserve.
Marine Reservists learn combat training including marksmanship, close combat, and physical training which is meant in part to prepare the new recruits to navigate the Marine Corps confidence course which is run twice in the training phase.
Upon graduating from Basic Training, Marine Reserve Recruits will be trained in an occupation which can be directly combat related but may also include support services such as Intelligence, Law Enforcement, Cyber, and much more.
Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter for Air Force Television News
