August 29, 1916

Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps Reserves. Here is a little information about this branch of service.

The Marine Corps Reserve is currently the largest command in the United States Marine Corps, with approximately 40,000 Reserve Marines and 184 Reserve Training Centers located throughout the United States. The mission of the Marine Corps Reserve is to augment and reinforce active Marine forces in times of war, national emergency or contingency operations, provide personnel and operational tempo relief for the active forces in peacetime, and provide service to the community (such as through Toys for Tots around Christmas time). The United States Marine Corps Reserve was established when Congress passed the Naval Appropriations Act of 29 August 1916 and is responsible for providing trained units and qualified individuals to be mobilized to carry out these duties.

The Marine Corps Reserves is comprised of two groups of Marines and Sailors: the Selected Marine Corps Reserve and the Individual Ready Reserve. The first group are Marines who belong to reserve units and attend drill one weekend a month and a two-week training each year, typically during the summer months. The Individual Ready reserve is composed of Marines who have finished their active duty or Selected Marine Corps Reserve obligations, however, their names remain on record and they may be called up in case of war or another emergency. While they do not have to attend monthly training, Individual Ready Reserve Marines still participate in annual musters or check-ins with the Corps. Reserve Marines are equipped and trained to the same standards as active Marine forces to ensure they are ready for battle if the need arises.