Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
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 and I
"The Oldest Post of the Corps"
Photo Information

Cpl. Sean Breheny, rifle inspector with the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, gets promoted to the rank of corporal during a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., June 4.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Larry Babilya

Estero native gets promoted to rank of corporal

4 Jun 2013 | Lance Cpl. Larry Babiliya Marine Barracks

A native of Estero, Florida was promoted to the rank of corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps during a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Jun. 4.

Cpl. Sean Breheny, 25, enlisted in the Corps April 2010, and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. He arrived at the Barracks Sept. 2010 and currently serves as a squad leader and rifle inspector for the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.

The rank of corporal is the first noncommissioned officer rank in the Corps and is an important position of leadership. NCOs obtain their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks.

When asked what it meant to be promoted to corporal, Breheny responded with a quote by Mark Clement: “Leaders who win the respect of others are the ones who deliver more than they promise, not the ones who promise more than they can deliver.”

“I think that quote sums up how I feel about myself as a leader,” said Breheny.

While stationed at the Barracks, Breheny serves as a mentor for the Marines within his squad and also performs in a majority of SDP performances as a rifle inspector, traveling with the unit all over the United States and abroad.

Breheny plans on reenlisting in the Corps and potentially moving on to pursue a career in private security.

His awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and two Certificates of Commendation.

Barracks Marines support ceremonial and security missions in the national capital region. Each year, the Marines support more than 30 parades and hundreds of ceremonies and functions to include funerals and sporting events across the country and globe while maintaining proficiency in their respective military occupations and meeting their annual Marine Corps training requirements.