MCL Programs
The Department of Alabama Marine Corps League has over 1,000 members of which about 85% served or are serving in the United States Marine Corps or as an FMF Navy Corpsman or Chaplain. Our 15 Detachments ranges in size from 25 or 30 to several hundred. The programs each Detachment and the Department participates in is up to the membership. Two activities every Detachment participates is Marines Helping Marines and Toys for Tots,
Marines Helping Marines (Local Level)
Every Detachment lives by this credo; Marines Helping Marines. Each Detachment and the Department of Alabama supports Marines and their families regardless if they are currently serving or have served honorably in the past, this includes FMF Corpsmen and Chaplains. Along with support from the Department of Alabama, Detachments takes care of Marines locally.
This is a primary reason for the existence of the Marine Corps League; to care of our own and their families. Assistance comes in many forms. It may be financial, physical assistance, job assistance, or simply someone to talk with who understands your concerns. The bottom line is that we do what we can. Many Detachments also support veterans of other services.
We exist to serve Marines, past and present. As best we can we support other veterans . We also strive to contribute and be good members of our communities.
Young Marines
The mission of the Young Marines is to positively impact America’s future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls that nurtures and develops its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Motto is “Strengthening the Lives of America’s Youth”. There a four Young Marine organizations in Alabama.
Legislative
The Marine Corps League is a member of The Military Coalition, an organization comprised of 28 member organizations representing more than five million members of the uniformed services – active, reserve, retired, survivors, veterans – and their families. In addition to Marine Corps League-specific legislative initiatives, it makes every effort to participate with the larger group on most issues.
By simply being a member in good standing, you strengthen our voice on important veteran issues.
Professional Development
The Marine Corps League Professional development Program is used as a guide in developing newer members. It covers a wide swath of topics from leadership, to how to hold a meeting, proper protocol, uniforms, etc. It is a valuable training source and all Detachments should conduct Professional Development training on an annual basis.
Professional Development Manual
Good Citizenship Award for Eagle Scouts
Upon request this certificate is presented by the Marine Corps League to those young men in the Boy Scouts of America who have achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout.
Awards
The Marine Corps League has awards at Detachment, Department and National levels to recognize service above and beyond even our Marine standards. Additionally, awards are available for non-members such as citizens who support the League or veterans. There is a wide variety of awards available.
Marines Helping Marines National Foundation http://www.MarineshelpingMarines.org/
In addition to local support, there is also a national program for Marines Helping Marines. It was established in the Spring of 2003 at the Bethesda Naval Hospital to provide extensive support for injured Marine Corps personnel and Navy FMF Corpsmen returning from the war on terror. Since then the program has grown to include Balboa Naval Hospital , San Diego- Brooke Army Hospital, San Antonio- Walter Reed Hospital, Washington DC and the Wounded Warrior Regiment at both Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune.
In addition to personal comfort items, the Marine Corps League provides; financial assistance to the families who are visiting their Marines (taxi vouchers, restaurant vouchers, phone cards and limited housing funding) outings to professional baseball games for “outpatient” Marines (they are recognized by the PA announcer), C-D players, C-Ds, DVD movies, television sets and DVD players for the rooms (due to a shortage of TV’s in the hospital). Airline tickets and travel money to wounded Marines for emergency leave. We hold monthly cookouts on the hospital grounds for the walking wounded their visiting families and the hospital staff to lift their spirits and speed there recovery.
Military Order of the Devil Dogs http://www.moddkennel.org/
The Military Order of the Devil Dogs observes, obeys and supports the Constitution, Bylaws and all Rules and Regulations of the Marine Corps League, Inc. We preserve and strengthen the principles and ideals of the Marine Corps League, Inc. We render aid and assist in the accomplishment of all programs and objectives of the Marine Corps League, Inc.
As the Fun and Honor Society of the Marine Corps League, Inc., promoting sociability, comradeship and good-fellowship, to provide amusement and entertainment at all gatherings of the Marine Corps League, Inc. when and where proper and advisable.
We maintain true allegiance to the United States of America and its Constitution and laws; to foster and extend American institutions of Freedom; and to defend America against all enemies whomsoever.
Marine Corps League Foundation http://mclfoundation.org/
The Marine Corps League Foundation is the charitable subsidiary of the Marine Corps League. The Foundation was formed in 1989 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational and charitable entity for the Marine Corps League. The Foundation has grown considerably in recent years because of your generous support of the Holiday Label program. Your generosity has greatly enhanced the Foundation’s ability to support the scholarship and youth programs of the Marine Corps League.
The Foundation is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a non-profit charitable organization and has been granted 501(c)(3) tax exempt designation by the IRS. The Foundation is administered by a board of seven directors who are appointed by the National Commandant with the advice and consent of the National Board of Trustees of the Marine Corps League. Contributions to the foundation are tax deductible.
Marine Corps League Auxiliary http://www.nationalmcla.org/
The Marine Corps League Auxiliary was chartered on September 4, 1937 as a subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League. On August 25, 1950, the Auxiliary was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia as an affiliate of the Marine Corps League. The Auxiliary was formed for the purposes of promoting the interests of the U. S. Marine Corps, the Marine Corps League and to protect and advance the welfare of Marines and their dependents. Auxiliary members participate in a wide variety of programs that benefit and preserve the fundamental rights and freedoms of every person of this Nation, young and old.
Toys for Tots http://toysfortots.org/default.aspx
MISSION: The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
GOAL: The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.
United States Marines Youth Foundation http://usMarinesyouthfoundation.org/
From a one-high school test program in 1958, the Marine Corps’ Youth Physical Fitness Program has grown into a major national athletic event. Recruiting Station New York City conducted the first program and patterned it after the Marine Corps’ physical fitness test administered at recruit depots. School administrators enthusiastically received the program and the late Lieutenant Colonel John A. Dowd, officer in charge of Recruiting Station New York City began plans to encourage more high schools to participate. These plans were immediately successful and the Marine Corps’ Youth Physical Fitness (YPF) Program was born.
The YPF Program can be incorporated into the regular educational curricula of the schools – public, parochial and private. Its aim is to provide the incentives, motivation, organization and machinery necessary to encourage schools to adopt the fitness program with optimum participation by all students. The program’s purpose is to encourage the self-improvement of all our country’s youth – physically, morally and mentally. The same philosophy that the program was originally built upon still holds true today.
Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation http://www.fourchaplains.org/
Four U.S. Army Chaplains gave up their life jackets and prayed together when their transport ship, the U.S.A.T Dorchester was torpedoed eighty miles south of Greenland on February 3, 1943. The Chaplains came from different faiths and backgrounds.
The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation’s vision is to impart the principles of selfless service to humanity without regard to race, creed, ethnicity, or religious beliefs.
The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation exists to further the cause of “unity without uniformity” by encouraging goodwill and cooperation among all people. The organization achieves its mission by advocating for and honoring people whose deeds symbolize the legacy of the Four Chaplains aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester in 1943.
The organization was dedicated on February 3, 1951 by President Harry S. Truman. In his dedication speech, the President said, “This interfaith shrine… will stand through long generations to teach Americans that as men can die heroically as brothers so should they live together in mutual faith and goodwill.”
For more than sixty years the Chapel of the Four Chaplains has told the story of their faith, courage and interfaith cooperation through a variety of programs and events. One important program publicly recognizes and honors outstanding members of society whose lives model the giving spirit and unconditional service to community, nation, and humanity without regard to race, religion, or creed exemplified so dramatically by the Four Chaplains.
Wounded Warrior Regiment http://www.woundedwarriorregiment.org/
The Wounded Warrior Regiment provides leadership and enables non-medical care to combat and non-combat Wounded, Ill, and Injured Marines, sailors attached to Marine units, and their family members in order to maximize their recovery as they return to duty or transition to civilian life.
Marine Military Academy http://www.mma-tx.org/
Marine Military Academy is a private, college-preparatory boarding school for young men in grades 8-12 with an optional post-graduate year.
Our Mission is to develop disciplined, morally strong, college-ready young men who are prepared for responsible leadership.
Our Vision is to provide a wholesome, patriotic and invigorating atmosphere in which students are inspired toward maximum achievement. Cadets are developed using a whole-man concept through carefully coordinated academics, military, athletics and spiritual programs. The Academy provides education and training which prepares a young man for college and responsible citizenship in a free and competitive society.
Our Values:
- Honor
Cadets are held to the highest ethical and moral standards. Respect for others is essential. - Courage
Cadets will face their fears and overcome them. They will do what is right no matter the consequences. - Commitment
Cadets strive for excellence and never give up. Duty to others is fundamental.
