Marines

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Established in 1801, Marine Barracks Washington, is the "Oldest Post of the Corps" and has been the residence of every commandant of the Marine Corps since 1806. The selection of the site for the Barracks was a matter of personal interest to President Thomas Jefferson, who rode through Washington with Lt. Col. William Ward Burrows, the second commandant of the Marine Corps, in search of a suitable location. The site now occupied was approved due to its proximity to the Washington Navy Yard and because it was within easy marching distance of the Capitol.

8th & I

"Oldest Post of the Corps"

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The U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard retires the National and Marine Corps Colors at the conclusion of a Marine Corps Worship Service at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington D.C., Nov. 12, 2017. The service was held to commemorate the 242nd Anniversary of the Marine Corps. The 19th Chaplain of the Marine Corps, Rear Adm. Brent W. Scott, addressed his message to the guests in attendance. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

The U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard retires the National and Marine Corps Colors at the conclusion of a Marine Corps Worship Service at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington D.C., Nov. 12, 2017. The service was held to commemorate the 242nd Anniversary of the Marine Corps. The 19th Chaplain of the Marine Corps, Rear Adm. Brent W. Scott, addressed his message to the guests in attendance. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

Marines with “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, perform during a cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 242nd birthday at the Russell Senate Office Building, Washington D.C., Nov. 15, 2017. The guest of honor for the ceremony was the Senator of Indiana, the Honorable Todd Young, and the hosting official was the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Marines with “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, perform during a cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 242nd birthday at the Russell Senate Office Building, Washington D.C., Nov. 15, 2017. The guest of honor for the ceremony was the Senator of Indiana, the Honorable Todd Young, and the hosting official was the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

Marines with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., support a cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 242nd birthday at the Russell Senate Office Building, Washington D.C., Nov. 15, 2017. The guest of honor for the ceremony was the Senator of Indiana, the Honorable Todd Young, and the hosting official was the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Marines with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., support a cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 242nd birthday at the Russell Senate Office Building, Washington D.C., Nov. 15, 2017. The guest of honor for the ceremony was the Senator of Indiana, the Honorable Todd Young, and the hosting official was the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Damon McLean

Corporal Andre Bastian, narrator, “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, speaks during the 242nd Marine Corps Birthday Gala aboard the USS Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, New York City, NY, Nov. 8, 2017. Every year, the Barracks travels throughout the National Capital Region and numerous other locations to honor and celebrate the birthday of the Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Corporal Andre Bastian, narrator, “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, speaks during the 242nd Marine Corps Birthday Gala aboard the USS Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, New York City, NY, Nov. 8, 2017. Every year, the Barracks travels throughout the National Capital Region and numerous other locations to honor and celebrate the birthday of the Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

A cake cutting detail with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., presents the birthday cake during the 242nd Marine Corps Birthday Gala aboard the USS Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, New York City, NY, Nov. 8, 2017. Every year, the Barracks travels throughout the National Capital Region and numerous other locations to honor and celebrate the birthday of the Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

A cake cutting detail with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., presents the birthday cake during the 242nd Marine Corps Birthday Gala aboard the USS Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, New York City, NY, Nov. 8, 2017. Every year, the Barracks travels throughout the National Capital Region and numerous other locations to honor and celebrate the birthday of the Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

The oldest Marine present, retired Col. Jonathan Mendes, shakes hands with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, during the 242nd Marine Corps Birthday Gala aboard the USS Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, New York City, NY, Nov. 8, 2017. Every year, the Barracks travels throughout the National Capital Region and numerous other locations to honor and celebrate the birthday of the Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

The oldest Marine present, retired Col. Jonathan Mendes, shakes hands with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, during the 242nd Marine Corps Birthday Gala aboard the USS Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, New York City, NY, Nov. 8, 2017. Every year, the Barracks travels throughout the National Capital Region and numerous other locations to honor and celebrate the birthday of the Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

The Marine Corps Color Guard presents the National and Marine Corps Colors during the Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

The Marine Corps Color Guard presents the National and Marine Corps Colors during the Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Damon McLean

Sergeant Kyle Menz, bugler, “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle, renders honors after performing Taps during a wreath laying ceremony at the Congressional Cemetery, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Sergeant Kyle Menz, bugler, “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle, renders honors after performing Taps during a wreath laying ceremony at the Congressional Cemetery, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

Sergeant Kyle Menz, bugler, “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle, plays Taps during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Sergeant Kyle Menz, bugler, “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle, plays Taps during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

A wreath for Brig. Gen. Archibald Henderson, fifth and longest-serving Commandant of the Marine Corps, was laid at his gravestone during a wreath laying ceremony at the Congressional Cemetery, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

A wreath for Brig. Gen. Archibald Henderson, fifth and longest-serving Commandant of the Marine Corps, was laid at his gravestone during a wreath laying ceremony at the Congressional Cemetery, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

Guests attending the Marine Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony bow their heads as the invocation is given at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

Guests attending the Marine Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony bow their heads as the invocation is given at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Damon McLean

Marching companies with Marine Barracks Washington D.C. render honors during the Marine Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

Marching companies with Marine Barracks Washington D.C. render honors during the Marine Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Damon McLean

The official party returns from laying the wreath at the Pacific Arch of the World War II Memorial during the Marine Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

The official party returns from laying the wreath at the Pacific Arch of the World War II Memorial during the Marine Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Damon McLean

The official party of the Marine Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony stands at the position of attention as the ceremony comes to a close at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

The official party of the Marine Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony stands at the position of attention as the ceremony comes to a close at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Damon McLean

Captain Kaitlin E. Kleiber, officer with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., and Lance Cpl. Luke Givens, Body Bearer, Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington D.C., pause for a moment of silence before laying a wreath at the gravestone of Gen. Leornard F. Chapman, 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Captain Kaitlin E. Kleiber, officer with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., and Lance Cpl. Luke Givens, Body Bearer, Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington D.C., pause for a moment of silence before laying a wreath at the gravestone of Gen. Leornard F. Chapman, 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

Captain Kaitlin E. Kleiber, officer with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., lays a wreath at the gravestone of Gen. Thomas Holcomb, 17th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Captain Kaitlin E. Kleiber, officer with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., lays a wreath at the gravestone of Gen. Thomas Holcomb, 17th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

Captain Kaitlin E. Kleiber, officer with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., and Lance Cpl. Luke Givens, Body Bearer, Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington D.C., render honors during the playing of Taps after laying a wreath at the gravestone of Gen. Thomas Holcomb, 17th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Captain Kaitlin E. Kleiber, officer with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., and Lance Cpl. Luke Givens, Body Bearer, Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington D.C., render honors during the playing of Taps after laying a wreath at the gravestone of Gen. Thomas Holcomb, 17th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

Captain Kaitlin E. Kleiber, officer with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., and Lance Cpl. Luke Givens, Body Bearer, Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington D.C., pause for a moment of silence before laying a wreath at the gravestone of Gen. Thomas Holcomb, 17th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Captain Kaitlin E. Kleiber, officer with Marine Barracks Washington D.C., and Lance Cpl. Luke Givens, Body Bearer, Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington D.C., pause for a moment of silence before laying a wreath at the gravestone of Gen. Thomas Holcomb, 17th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

A parade marching staff with Marine Barracks Washington D.C. stands at the position of attention during the Marine Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

A parade marching staff with Marine Barracks Washington D.C. stands at the position of attention during the Marine Corps’ Birthday Wreath Laying Ceremony at the World War II Memorial, Washington D.C., Nov. 10, 2017. The wreath laying ceremony is an annual event held to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ birthday and honor those who gave the last measure of devotion to country and Corps. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Damon A. Mclean/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Damon McLean