Established in 1775 as a branch of the Navy, the Marine Corps is the smallest military branch, alongside the Coast Guard. Their task was to guard beaches on behalf of the Navy. In 1798, they were commissioned as an official branch of the military and branded the Marine Corps.
Although they still have an aviation unit, the Navy offers air and sea services to support the Marines. Currently, there are more than 179,000 active Marines around the world ready to execute orders. They have a popular slogan: “The few. The Proud. The Marines.” Through their different bases, they continue to offer faithful service to the nation.
In this post, we will be looking into the different Marine Corps bases in the US. On a side note, if you’re looking at this list as a potential Marine, it’s not an extensive list of where you may be stationed. As a Marine, it’s possible to have a short tour at a Navy base or any other Joint Command base, but for 90% of your career, these are the places that you might find yourself.
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| Arizona California District of Columbia Georgia | Hawaii North Carolina South Carolina Virginia |
Marine Corps Bases in Arizona
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Overall Mission: This serves as a premier training base for Marine pilots. It is where most of the air-to-ground aviation training for Marines is conducted. It supports multiple military squadrons.
Official Website: https://www.mcasyuma.marines.mil/
Marine Corps Bases in California
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center – Twentynine Palms
Location: Twenty-nine Palms in San Bernardino County, California
Overall Mission: Also known as 29 Palms, Stumps, or TwentynineStumps, this is the largest Marine Corps base in the US. The unit provides services and managing facilities to the operating forces and also ensures promptness of resident commands and tenants in the Combat Center.
Official Website: https://www.29palms.marines.mil/
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Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Location: Oceanside, California
Overall Mission: It acts as a training ground for many reserves and active Army, Marine, and Navy units. Several local, stage, and national agencies also use it as a training facility. It hosts I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Official Website: https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow
Location: Barstow, California
Overall Mission: It enables operational readiness through infrastructure, logistics, and services in order to support the Marine Corps and other government components.
Official Website: https://www.mclbbarstow.marines.mil
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Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
Location: San Diego, California
Overall Mission: This is where Marine recruits living west of the Mississippi River are trained. Over 21,000 recruits are trained here every year. This base hosts Recruiter School for Marine Corps.
Official Website: https://www.mcrdsd.marines.mil/
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Location: Miramar, San Diego, California
Overall Mission: MCAS Miramar’s mission is to operate the air station while providing the training, services, and materials support needed for the combat readiness of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Official Website: https://www.miramar.marines.mil/
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Marine Corps Bases in the District of Columbia
Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Overall Mission: The D.C. Marine Barracks were established in 1801 and are a National Historic Landmark. It was founded by Thomas Jefferson and prides itself on being the oldest active Marine post in the US. It is the home of several ceremonial units, as well as providing security details throughout the nation’s capital.
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Marine Corps Bases In Georgia
Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany
Location: Albany, Georgia
Overall Mission: Is dedicated to supporting its tenant commands by providing high-quality, cost-effective installation support services.
Official Website: https://www.albany.marines.mil
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Marine Corps Bases In Hawaii
Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Location: Kaneohe Bay, on Oahu, Hawaii
Overall Mission: It offers sustainable and secure training as well as support and facilities to help Operation Forces carry out their mission. It produces readiness and provides support to Operation Forces by launching lethal force when called upon.
Official Website: https://www.mcbhawaii.marines.mil/
Marine Corps Bases in North Carolina
Marine Corps Air Station New River
Location: Jacksonville, North Carolina
Overall Mission: This serves as a tilt-rotor and helicopter base in Jacksonville. It supports and enhances readiness for combat-ready units of the Marine Corps Aviation Combat Element.
Official Website: https://www.newriver.marines.mil/
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Location: Jacksonville, North Carolina
Overall Mission: This base acts as a home for combat-ready units preparing for expeditionary deployment. It is home to II Marine Expeditionary Forces.
Official Website: https://www.lejeune.marines.mil/
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Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Location: Havelock, North Carolina
Overall Mission: This Marine Corps base hosts the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. It operates and maintains the assigned aircraft. Through the Fleet Marine Force, this base provides personnel in the fields of passenger and freight transportation.
Official Website: https://www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/
Marine Corps in South Carolina
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Location: Beaufort, SC
Overall Mission: This is home to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. It provides aviation facilities and support to enhance the combat readiness of Marines and Sailors who are defending the US in the region.
Official Website: https://www.beaufort.marines.mil/
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Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Location: Parris Island, South Carolina
Overall Mission: It acts as a Marines’ recruitment base where qualified young men and women are given rigorous basic training to teach them of Marines’ shared legacy, commitment to core values, and the need to serve the US.
Official Website: https://www.mcrdpi.marines.mil/
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Marine Corps Bases in Virginia
Joint Base Myer – Henderson Hall
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Overall Mission: this is a military installation base of the US Marine Corps. It offers support in technology, construction, and accounting for Marines.
Official Website: https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Agencies/Headquarters-and-Service-Battalion//
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Marine Corps Base Quantico
Location: Quantico, Virginia
Overall Mission: This base provides services and facilities to the military, tenant commands, and civilian personnel to sustain and promote training readiness.
Official Website: https://www.quantico.marines.mil/
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Marine Corps bases in the US?
You’ll find Marine Corps bases in 16 locations in the US, located in Arizona, California, D.C., Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Which is the largest US Marine Corps base?
29Palms in San Bernardino County, California, is the largest Marine Corps base in the U.S. Sometimes called “29Stumps,“ it covers over 998 acres of desert and boasts a total population of over 25,000 residents.
What is a PDS in the Marine Corps?
Aside from Recruit Training, occupational training, and deployments, Marines are assigned to a Permanent Duty Station, or PDS. This may be in the US or abroad.
Where do Marines train?
Marine Corp Recruit Training (Basic) is conducted at either Parris Island, SC, or San Diego, CA, depending on you where you enlist.
How many bases does the Marine Corps have overseas?
How many bases does the Marine Corps have overseas? The Marines have two overseas bases, Camp S.D. Butler and Air Station Iwakuni, both in Japan.
Check out some of our other military base lists below:
See Also
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