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Cpl. Kyle Trajkovski, Grounds Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, operates a lawn vacuum in the Marine and Family garden at the Home of the Commandants', Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. May 13, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Varney/ Released) - Cpl. Kyle Trajkovski, Grounds Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, operates a lawn vacuum in the Marine and Family garden at the Home of the Commandants', Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. May 13, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Varney/ Released)

In the Shadows of the Barracks

The atmosphere of the Barracks accurately mimics the pride and precision of the Marine Corps and helps the “Corps’ Oldest Post” fulfill its mission of representing all Marines worldwide. A lot of work goes on at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., in order to make the magic happen every Friday night. Most of this work is unseen, and the Barracks’

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Cenon Naval II stands at attention on Center Walk with Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., commandant of the Marine Corps, and Col. Benjamin Watson, commanding officer, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., during honors at the Friends and Family Evening Parade, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., April 24, 2015. Naval has attended every Sunset and Evening Parade since 1985 and was honored for his three-decade dedication to the “Corps Oldest Post”. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Varney / Released) - Cenon Naval II stands at attention on Center Walk with Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., commandant of the Marine Corps, and Col. Benjamin Watson, commanding officer, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., during honors at the Friends and Family Evening Parade, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., April 24, 2015. Naval has attended every Sunset and Evening Parade since 1985 and was honored for his three-decade dedication to the “Corps Oldest Post”. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Varney / Released)

The Barracks’ biggest fan

Perhaps the Corps’ most iconic events are the parades of Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. During the summer months in the Nation’s Capital, tens-of-thousands of guests make their way to either the Barracks or Arlington National Cemetery to witness the spectacle, but one guest has spent the last 30 years attending each and every Sunset and Evening

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Lance Cpl. Noel Mayorqa of First Platoon “Ready First”, Alpha Company talks about the Home of the Commandants during crowd education training at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. Crowd educators are Marines from across the installation who volunteer to speak with Friday Evening Parade guests before the parade. Mayorqa wanted to make a difference in his platoon and share the knowledge he learned from the crowd education program with his peers and leadership. - Lance Cpl. Noel Mayorqa of First Platoon “Ready First”, Alpha Company talks about the Home of the Commandants during crowd education training at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. Crowd educators are Marines from across the installation who volunteer to speak with Friday Evening Parade guests before the parade. Mayorqa wanted to make a difference in his platoon and share the knowledge he learned from the crowd education program with his peers and leadership.

Alpha Company volunteers for crowd education

With parade season drawing near, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.’s crowd educator program sparked up again. In motivated Alpha Company, two devil dogs have devoted their time to speak with the parade crowds about their experiences at the Corps’ Oldest Post and the rich history of the Marine Corps within the Nation’s Capital. Crowd educators are

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Three Sodexo chow hall employees at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., listen to an award citation before Col. Benjamin T. Watson, Commanding Officer, MBW presents them with a Letter of Appreciation, March, 18. In early March, a snowstorm shut down government agencies, roads and buisnesses, but several Sodexo employees made it to the chowhall on time to ensure it was up and running and Marines were fed. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christian Varney/ Released) - Three Sodexo chow hall employees at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., listen to an award citation before Col. Benjamin T. Watson, Commanding Officer, MBW presents them with a Letter of Appreciation, March, 18. In early March, a snowstorm shut down government agencies, roads and buisnesses, but several Sodexo employees made it to the chowhall on time to ensure it was up and running and Marines were fed. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christian Varney/ Released)

Dedication to Duty

Stories of Marines wholly devoted to duty are not uncommon. All across the Marine Corps, every single day, Marines go above and beyond what is expected of them. Just like the Marines, the civilian support staff at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., does an exceptional job at taking care of Marines and sailors and supporting the Barracks.A large

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Marines from Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. engage a target during a company-sized Combat Marksmanship Program live-fire training exercise in Quantico, Va. - Marines from Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. engage a target during a company-sized Combat Marksmanship Program live-fire training exercise in Quantico, Va.

Brave Co. CMP shoot

Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. kicked off calendar year 2015 with a company-sized Combat Marksmanship Program live-fire training exercise in Quantico, Va. Sixty Marines from first, second, and third platoons shuttled from the Barracks on a chilly January morning to accomplish this one-day training exercise at Range 15 aboard Marine

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Backbone of Alpha Company

In the past I’ve written stories about the junior enlisted men of Alpha Company, but this story is about the platoon sergeants who serve as the backbone of A Co., Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. As I witness the company’s sergeants and staff sergeants working with young Marines, I can see a mission in their faces. It is not just the mission of

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Guard Marines from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., prepare to fire their weapons during a live fire range at Quantico, Va., Feb. 12, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christian J. Varney/Released) - Guard Marines from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., prepare to fire their weapons during a live fire range at Quantico, Va., Feb. 12, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christian J. Varney/Released)

Guard Company: Train Like You Fight

Marines are always ready for any challenges they may face.In order to be ready for those challenges, Marines must constantly train andstay thoroughly prepared. Guard Company, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., is noexception. The mission of Guard Company is to guard and protect theMarines and Sailors of Marine Barracks Washington D.C.To protect the

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Lt. Col. Brian R. Taylor, commanding officer, Marine Corps Institute, presents awards during the Marine Corps Institute 95th birthday celebration at the Washington Navy Yard, on Feb. 4, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Mallory S. VanderSchans/Released) - Lt. Col. Brian R. Taylor, commanding officer, Marine Corps Institute, presents awards during the Marine Corps Institute 95th birthday celebration at the Washington Navy Yard, on Feb. 4, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Mallory S. VanderSchans/Released)

MCI celebrates 95 years

For more than 95 years Marine Corps Institute Company, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. has supported the learning and advanced education of each and every Marine as well as members of all military branches. Marine Corps Institute’s history began in November 1919 when Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune issued a post order establishing three new schools:

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Marines from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., converse with Iwo Jima Veterans after a lecture series in Arlington, Va. Feb. 21, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christian Varney/Released) - Marines from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., converse with Iwo Jima Veterans after a lecture series in Arlington, Va. Feb. 21, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christian Varney/Released)

Same Breed

Honoring and remembering theMarines that came before has always been a time honored tradition of the UnitedStates Marine Corps. Usually the tales of warriors’ pasts are learned throughclasses and literature. Last week, Marines from Marine Barracks Washington,D.C., were afforded the opportunity to meet Marines who served on Iwo Jima.Thursday, Feb.

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Cpl. Micah Rissler, Lance Cpl. Marcus Allen, and Lance Cpl. Jose Rodriguez serialize M1 Garand wooden stocks at the Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. armory. - Cpl. Micah Rissler, Lance Cpl. Marcus Allen, and Lance Cpl. Jose Rodriguez serialize M1 Garand wooden stocks at the Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. armory.

A day in the life of a Barracks armorer

It’s 4 a.m. at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. The guards are standing post, duty is standing watch, and the barracks are full of sleeping Marines. At 4:15 a.m., the Marine standing duty decides it is time to rove the barracks to make sure everything is in order. As he makes his customary rounds through the third deck hallway, he bumps into one of

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