Become a Member

A. Regular Membership. Only the following may be regular members of the MCL:

  1. Marines who are serving or have served honorably* in the United States Marine Corps or the United States Marine Corps Reserve;

  2. U.S. Navy Personnel

    1. who are serving or have served honorably* in the United States Navy and who have trained with Marine FMF units in excess of ninety (90) days and earned the Marine Corps device (clasp) worn on the Service Ribbon, (i.e.: Southwest Asia Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, etc.); or

    2. earned the Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist Device (FMFEWS) (1 Oct 2006 to present) or the Fleet Marine Force Officer (FMFQO) Insignia (1 Jan 2006 to present) which must be noted on the DD214 form. An Award of the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon (FMF Ribbon) (1 Sept 1984 - 30 Sept 2006), the FMFEWS or FMFQO may serve as prima facie evidence of eligibility.

Note * - “Served Honorably” is determined by the last DD Form 214 or certificate of discharge that the applicant received. A General Discharge under Honorable Conditions is acceptable.

Annual membership dues are $45, which includes a subscription to Semper Fi Magazine.

Regular Membership

Associate Membership

Those individuals not qualified for regular membership in the Marine Corps League who espouse the principles and purposes of the Marine Corps League as contained in its Congressional Charter and meet the criteria in Section 515 §B., below may upon application to a detachment be accepted for associate membership in the Marine Corps League. Upon acceptance, associate members will BL - 9 16 Aug 2024 pay dues in the same amount as prescribed for regular members, including initiation fees.

1. Enrollment Criteria

a. Individuals must have reached the statutory minimum age for enlistment into the armed forces of the United States;

b. Individuals may join who have never served in a branch of the armed forces of the United States;

c. Individuals who are serving or have served honorably in other branches of the armed forces of the United States;

2. Join Detachment. Individuals applying for associate membership must join through a Marine Corps League detachment only. Associate members can not directly join the Marine Corps League as a “Member at Large.”

3. Rights. Associate members shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, and benefits of a regular member unless otherwise prohibited as listed Section 515 §B., 4. and 5. below.

4. Voting

a. Associate members shall not vote on a regular or associate membership application;

b. Associate members shall not participate in the nomination process and/or voting for elected officers; and

c. A department or detachment, by provisions in the bylaws and/or administrative procedures, may allow an associate member to vote on its internal affairs if such vote does not affect a policy of the MCL, such as bylaws or bylaw changes.

5. Elected Office . Associate members shall not hold an elective office.

Honorary Member

Detachments, departments, and the National may, at the discretion of the respective commandant, issue honorary membership to those persons who have been of extraordinary service to the Nation, the United States Marine Corps, or the MCL. The honorary member will not be entitled to the rights, privileges, and benefits available to a regular or associate member. A suitable certificate will be issued to honor the occasion by the organization making the award. Payment of dues or initiation fees is not required; however, an honorary member will not be entitled to the official publication of the MCL except as directed by the National BOT or paid subscription. All “Honorary Memberships” are for a one-year period only and must be renewed each year by the detachment, department, or National.