News

Quantico Middle/High School staff and students visited the White House to participate in a special Grammy Museum educational workshop, “Stars and Stripes Forever: A History of Music and the Military.” - Quantico Middle/High School staff and students visited the White House to participate in a special Grammy Museum educational workshop, “Stars and Stripes Forever: A History of Music and the Military.”

Quantico Middle/High School students visit the White House

One perk of living near Washington, D.C., is the thought that you might get to visit the White House. Most are still waiting for that invitation, but 46 Quantico Middle/High School students can check the White House off their bucket lists. QMHS staff and students visited the White House to participate in a special Grammy Museum educational workshop, “Stars and Stripes Forever: A History of Music and the Military.”

Read More

U.S. Marines and Civilians participate in the Marine Corps Base Safety Division kick off at the Clubs at Quantico on MCB Quantico, Nov. 20, 2014. The safety kick off event was the start of the Voluntary Protection Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Samuel Fernandez/Released) - U.S. Marines and Civilians participate in the Marine Corps Base Safety Division kick off at the Clubs at Quantico on MCB Quantico, Nov. 20, 2014. The safety kick off event was the start of the Voluntary Protection Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Samuel Fernandez/Released)

Voluntary Protection Program kicks off

On Nov. 5 representatives from Marine Corps Base Quantico signed a charter committing the base to a workplace safety improvement effort known as the Voluntary Protection Program. James Whitaker, a safety specialist with Base Safety Division, made opening remarks and said that VPP will be incorporated into current work practices to improve communication and safety for all employees.

Read More

V ice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. James Winnefeld Jr., left, observes the preparation for a mortar live-fire event aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico with Capt. Charles Broun, deputy director of the Infantry Officer Course, and Maj. George Flynn, director of IOC. - V ice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. James Winnefeld Jr., left, observes the preparation for a mortar live-fire event aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico with Capt. Charles Broun, deputy director of the Infantry Officer Course, and Maj. George Flynn, director of IOC.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visits Quantico

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. James Winnefeld Jr. visited Marine Corps Base Quantico on Nov. 4 to view Infantry Officer Course training. Formerly the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command–U.S. Northern Command, Winnefeld is in his second two-year term as vice chairman and the second-highest-ranking officer in the Department of Defense.

Read More

Navy chief Troy Biggham, a wounded warrior from Fort Belvoir, shows off the 7-point buck he shot on Nov. 8 during the muzzleloader hunt about Marine Corps Base Quantico. - Navy chief Troy Biggham, a wounded warrior from Fort Belvoir, shows off the 7-point buck he shot on Nov. 8 during the muzzleloader hunt about Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Wounded warriors take part in hunt at Quantico

On Nov. 7 and 8, Marine Corps Base Quantico, in conjunction with the Quantico Injured Marine Sportsman Association, hosted a muzzle-loaded rifle hunt for wounded warriors. Through support from sponsors, QIMSA provides an expense-free weekend for wounded warriors from both within and outside the local area. QIMSA covers the cost of transportation, lodging, hunting license fees and meals for the participants and provides them with hunting clothing, gear and weapons if they do not have their own.

Read More

Sgt. Gustavo Antonio Arroliga-Lopez, a Marine recruiter in Woodbridge and a native of Nicaragua, takes the Oath of Allegiance during Monday’s naturalization ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Four Marines were among the 26 newest citizens hailing from 20 different countries. - Sgt. Gustavo Antonio Arroliga-Lopez, a Marine recruiter in Woodbridge and a native of Nicaragua, takes the Oath of Allegiance during Monday’s naturalization ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Four Marines were among the 26 newest citizens hailing from 20 different countries.

Four Marines among those receiving citizenship

Four Marines were among the group of 26 candidates from 20 different countries to officially become American citizens during Monday’s naturalization ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Leon Rodriguez, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, administered the Oath of Allegiance and presented each of the candidates for naturalization before a large crowd of family and friends.

Read More

Sgt. Jennifer Suarez has much to smile about these days: she has beaten brain cancer and returned to active duty in the Marine Corps. She is now serving as the commanding officer’s driver at The Basic School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. - Sgt. Jennifer Suarez has much to smile about these days: she has beaten brain cancer and returned to active duty in the Marine Corps. She is now serving as the commanding officer’s driver at The Basic School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Marine beats brain cancer and returns to active duty

Sgt. Jennifer Suarez has looked death in the face and said “I am not ready to go yet.” Currently serving as the commanding officer’s driver at The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, she was medically retired as a corporal in 2007 due to brain cancer. After surgery, months of radiation and chemotherapy, and a lengthy convalescent period, she is back on active duty today, serving in a full-duty status.

Read More

Carol Wilander receives the Penguin Award from Col. David W. Maxwell, commander, Marine Corps Base Quantico, signifying that she was the last official finisher of the 39th Annual Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 26. - Carol Wilander receives the Penguin Award from Col. David W. Maxwell, commander, Marine Corps Base Quantico, signifying that she was the last official finisher of the 39th Annual Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 26.

MCCDC employee honored at MCM

Carol Wilander saw the gathering of people at the finish line as she closed out her fifth Marine Corps Marathon and didn’t think much of it. The Marine Corps Combat Development Command employee had no idea that she was about to be recognized by Col. David W. Maxwell, base commander, Marine Corps Base Quantico, with the Penguin Award that is presented to the last official finisher of the race. With her time of 6 hours, 59 minutes, 41 seconds, Wilander just beat the cutoff of seven hours allotted to runners wishing to have their times officially recorded.

Read More

Quantico Middle/High School senior Emily was selected as a National Merit Scholarship Commended student for her high score on the PSAT. - Quantico Middle/High School senior Emily was selected as a National Merit Scholarship Commended student for her high score on the PSAT.

Quantico Middle/High school student earns national honors

Quantico Middle/High School senior Emily was recently selected as a commended student in the National Merit Scholarship Program. According to QMHS principal Michael Johnson, Emily is the first commended student for QMHS in at least the last eight years.

Read More

Elsa showed up at Little Hall on Halloween with a smile for everyone and a purple pumpkin to fill with candy. - Elsa showed up at Little Hall on Halloween with a smile for everyone and a purple pumpkin to fill with candy.

Little Hall hosts trick-or-treating event for preschoolers

A few dozen tiny versions of Elsa and Anna from Frozen, along with a variety of other characters such as Captain America, Iron Man, Minnie Mouse, and various princesses descended on Little Hall for the annual trick-or-treating event for preschoolers on Oct. 31. They were greeted on the front steps by firefighters in silver suits handing out candy. Inside the lobby and theater, numerous base organizations had displays and activities for children, with candy prizes for their efforts.

Read More

Retired Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, commanding general, First Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks about the 2004 Battle for Fallujah at Little Hall on Oct. 30 as part of the Gen. Graves B. Erskine Distinguished Lecture Series sponsored by both the Marine Corps University and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. - Retired Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, commanding general, First Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks about the 2004 Battle for Fallujah at Little Hall on Oct. 30 as part of the Gen. Graves B. Erskine Distinguished Lecture Series sponsored by both the Marine Corps University and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

Fallujah recalled 10 years later

It was a key campaign in Iraq most characterized by its sheer ferocity, but the Second Battle for

Read More