Become a Civilian Marine: The Headquarters Marine Corps Onboarding Guide

I am a Civilian Marine

I am a unique member of the United States Marine Corps.

I do not wear the uniform of an active duty Marine. I will not be called upon to go to a foreign shore and fight a battle or wage a war against the enemies of freedom and human dignity. I will not be taken from my family to preserve an unstable ‘peace’ and the democratic way of life, as this country relies on the warriors of the United States Marine Corps to do.

Some would say then that I am not a ‘true’ Marine. They are wrong. I am there always to support. I know how very important my contribution is to the Corps and to the individual Marine with whom I work side by side. . . .

The 31st Commandant of the United States Marine Corps has said I am the soul of the Marine Corps. God bless him for that statement of recognition. I may not always be recognized as such, but I am a ‘true’ Marine. I am a Civilian Marine. Semper Fidelis!

- Margaret L. Carter, MCLB Barstow, CA

Have you been selected for a position with Headquarters Marine Corps?
Click on the "Welcome Aboard" button to your right to begin your onboarding experience.

Are you the Supervisor of a New Hire?
Click on the "Supervisor's Onboarding Guide" button to your right for onboarding information and guidance.

Who Are the Civilian Marines?

In 2000, General Charles Krulak, 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps, first used the term “Civilian Marines.” Since then, it has come to describe the special service that the civilian workforce provides to the Marine Corps Total Force structure.

Civilian Marines are in integral part of the Marine Corps structure and, as such, they are uniquely positioned to contribute special talents and capabilities in support of our nation’s defense. Each Civilian Marine makes a unique contribution to his or her command’s specific mission.

Civilians allow the Marine Corps to remain the nation’s “force in readiness” and to continue fulfilling its Congressionally-mandated mission of “being the most ready when the nation is least ready.” Without civilian support, the mission of the Marine Corps would be severely compromised. In partnership with Marines, Civilian Marines will continue to play an important role in support the Marine Corps mission worldwide.

(To learn more, register for the acclaimed Marine Acculturation Program)

The Civilian Marine Badge

What You Need to Know:

Navigating the Onboarding Guide

Follow the links in the menu above. You'll find it on the right-hand side of each page.

The Onboarding Guide Home Page ("Become a Civilian Marine") will always be at the top of the list and displayed in • RED. Clicking on that link will always take you back here.
Chapter headings of the Guide will be shown on the menu directly under the Home page, and displayed in ○ BLUE. Clicking on any of these links will take you to the beginning of that chapter of the Guide.
Subsections of the Guide (if there are any) will appear when you move your cursor arrow over any Section title. Clicking on the Subsection title will take you to that page.
You can return to whatever page you just left by using the back arrow at the top of your browser window

Is the text hard to read? You can adjust the size of the print on any page by changing the print size in your browser (under "View" in your browser toolbar), or if you have a wheel mouse, you can zoom in or out by holding down the control key (<CTRL>) and turning the mouse wheel forward or backward.

Official U.S. Marine Corps Web Site