The Single Marine Program was founded in 1995 after a quality of life study showed that 43 percent of single, young Marines were dissatisfied with their overall quality of life and recreational opportunities available to them. Though the primary participants in the SMP are enlisted Marines and sailors living in the barracks, according to the SMP website, married Marines who are geographical bachelors, along with single parents and single officers, are also allowed to participate in the activities put on by the SMP staff.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary, numerous events have been planned at Marine Corps installations nationwide.

Here at Marine Corps Base Quantico, coinciding with Earth Day, SMP Marines participated in a day of service on April 22. Under the direction of Quantico Mountain Bike Club president Master Sgt. John Paul Cooley, "volunteers cleared nine miles of the [mainside] trail system of trash and debris. The recent storm had knocked a few trees over and several branches were strewn across the trail. This effort was instrumental in preparing for the 9 Hours of Cranky Monkey MTB race."

Cooley said the SMP members "also took efforts to channel standing water downhill for the trail to dry."

Quantico’s SMP coordinator, retired Sgt. Maj. Michael Moore, said he and his staff of nine recreational assistants work hard to provide quality programming and activities for the Marines.

The SMP team arranged a cruise to the Bahamas from April 16-20. Moore said the 36 participants had a great time, and while they did have to pay for their own cruise tickets, the SMP staff arranged for free transportation to the port of embarkation in Tampa.

More recently, 82 people showed



up at the SMP House for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight that was streamed



live via Pay-Per-View. Moore said upcoming events include zip-lining at the Richmond Zoo today and a trip to Virginia Beach May 30.

The staff is also hammering out the details for a trip to Niagara Falls in July and a cruise at the end of September to Mexico and the Cayman Islands.

For those just looking for something to do after work, Moore said the SMP House, located behind the Installation Personnel Administration Center, has three TVs, all the latest game systems, board games, a grill, a full kitchen and a karaoke system. The house also recently purchased six mountain bikes and loans them out to Marines free of charge. Moore said the bikes have been loaned out over two dozen times in the last week alone.