National Museum of the Marine Corps

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years later, September 11, 2001 remains a day etched into the memory of our Nation.

On that morning, nearly 3,000 lives were lost, and the world as we knew it changed forever. In the days and years that followed, Americans across the country answered the call to serve, carrying with them a commitment to defend our Nation and the freedoms we hold dear.

Today, we honor the 2,977 lives lost on 9/11 and remember the thousands of Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen who served in the Global War on Terror in the years that followed.

Their stories are a part of our Nation’s history, and preserving those stories is a responsibility we carry forward here at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

On this 25th anniversary, we remember their courage, honor their sacrifice, and remain committed to ensuring their stories are never forgotten.

Never forget.

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

🇺🇸Honor Flight North Central West Virginia is coming to the National Museum of the Marine Corps!🇺🇸

Join us on Friday, September 11, from 1:00PM-2:30PM as we welcome these deserving veterans to the Museum.

📍National Museum of the Marine Corps
🗓️September 11, 2026
⏰1:00PM-2:30PM
🎟️Free & open to the public

Come join the line and give our veterans a greeting they’ll never forget!

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

Important Visitor Update ‼️📢

While portions of Marine Corps Base Quantico are currently closed due to a water main break, the National Museum of the Marine Corps is OPEN today and operating during normal hours from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Museum today! 🇺🇸

🕘 Open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

09/07/2026

09/05/2026

Submissions for the 2027 Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Annual Awards program open on September 15th!

09/04/2026

Eight Good Reasons to Get Out…or Maybe Not?

The Museum recently acquired a large collection of Marine Corps recruiting posters dating from the 1970s and 1980s. The artifacts provide colorful insight into how the Corps approached career planning and retention.

One of the more humorous posters was created by legendary illustrator and cartoonist Jack Davis, best known for his long-running work with Mad Magazine. Before making generations of readers laugh, Davis served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he put his artistic talents to work creating cartoons for The Navy News.

Around 1975, Davis brought his signature cartoon style to the Marine Corps with a recruiting/re-enlistment poster titled “8 Good Reasons to Get Out.” Yes, you read that correctly. The poster presents eight very convincing reasons a Marine might want to leave the Corps:

💼 “Get a better job”�
🫡 “Nobody to give you orders”
�🙋 “Be an individual again”
�💰 “Earn big money”�
😴 “More sack time”�
💃 “Improve your social life”
�💇 “Let your hair grow”�
🛣️ “Hit the road”

Sounds pretty good, right? Well…there’s a catch –And the cartoons show it!

The final cartoon panel shows our Marine back in civilian clothes—and apparently back at the recruiter’s office. The message? Before you trade your Eagle, Globe, and Anchor for civilian life, have a conversation with your Career Planner first.

It’s a great example of how the Marine Corps used humor to tackle a serious issue: retention. And with the talented Jack Davis behind the artwork, the message was hard to miss.

Nearly 50 years later, this poster still manages to make us laugh—and reminds us that some things never change. Marines may dream about getting out… but sometimes they just need a little career counseling first.

09/03/2026

🌊 What’s afloat? Let’s explore! ⚓️

Calling all little explorers! Join us for our next Pre-K Playdate at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Tuesday, September 8th at 10AM as we dive into the world of things that float!

Through hands-on activities, exploration, and plenty of fun, little ones can discover what floats, what sinks, and how Marines have used floating vehicles and vessels throughout history.

🛟 Pre-K Playdate
📅 Tuesday, September 8
⏰ 10 AM
📍 National Museum of the Marine Corps

Come ready to float, explore, and discover! 🌊