The Marine Corps Systems Command originated from the Marine Corps Equipment Board, established in 1933. The Boards purpose was to evaluate industrial equipment for use in amphibious operations. Later combined with the Tactics and Techniques Board, these two organizations formed the Landing Force Development Center. In 1963, the name was changed to the Development Center. In November 1987, the Marine Corps Research, Development and Acquisition Command (MCRDAC) was established. This command incorporated elements of Headquarters, Marine Corps and elements of the former Marine Corps Development and Education Command.

The Marine Corps Systems Command of today was created on Jan. 13, 1992, from the four-year-old MCRDAC. With developments brought about by the Packard Commission, the Goldwater Nichols Act, and the publication and implementation of the Department of Defense 5000 series instructions, the change to a Systems Command concept was a natural evolution.

MCRDAC was originally headquartered in Washington, D.C., with the bulk of its personnel and physical plant at Quantico, Va. The entire Command is now headquartered at Quantico.