Photo By Shaehmus Sawyer | The 50th U.S. Vice President James D. Vance delivers a speech to about 1,000 personnel...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – The 50th U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his staff toured Quantico and met with Marines Mar. 26.
The purpose of his visit was to engage with Marines, reconnect with the Marine Corps, and experience firsthand the enhanced training that shapes the next generation of Marines.
When he arrived, Vance explained he wanted to discuss the White House’s vision of the United States’ military.
He continued, “We believe in a very simple principle.”
“We don’t care who you are, where you came from – we don’t care about the skin color you have – we care about excellence, and we care about patriotism.”
“We believe the real strength … in the United States Marine Corps, is that you all who come from every walk of life – every corner of America,” Vance explained, “and you have the strength and purpose to win this Nation’s wars, and that is what the Marine Corps is going to do, just like it has for … the last 250 years.”
The VP was escorted throughout MCB Quantico by base leadership as he met with Marines from across the 27 tenant commands on MCB Quantico.
“To know that we have a leader in the White House who has been in our shoes and experienced the same things we have experienced is super motivating,” said Lance Cpl. Casey Bonestroo, a graphics specialist with Communications Strategy and Operations, MCB Quantico.
COMMSTRAT is the product of two legacy military occupational specialties merging: combat correspondent and combat camera. Vance, who once served as an active-duty Marine, served as a combat correspondent and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Vance then served food to Marines at Dwyer Hall, a dining facility at MCAF and dined with those Marines.
The Mayor of The Town of Quantico, Kevin Brown, attended the VP’s visit also.
“Personally, as I see Vice President Vance at events across the country and abroad, you can definitely recognize the Marine in him,” said Brown. “It’s encouraging to know we have someone in the White House with that pedigree, advising the President.”
After serving and eating “chow,” Vance and his constituents then traveled to Weapons Training Battalion, one of the 27 tenant commands aboard the base, where he conducted a portion of the newest Marine Corps’ annual rifle qualification. Vance moved through several live-fire lanes, engaging targets and testing multiple weapon systems, including the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, M240B machine gun, M107 .50 caliber Special Applications Scoped Rifle, and M102 105mm Howitzer.
Vance also had the opportunity to observe a demonstration of the Skydio X2D reconnaissance drone and pilot a Nero’s Archer first-person view drone alongside Marines from WTBn’s Marine Corps Attack Drone Team. The MCADT was created in response to the rapid evolution of FPV drone technology and tactics observed in modern conflicts, particularly in Eastern Europe. These systems provide squad-level precision strikes out to 20 kilometers for under $5,000, offering a more cost-effective and capable alternative to traditional weapons systems. After piloting the drone, Vance was visibly impressed.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” said Vance.
Quantico is the bed of innovation and education for the Marine Corps, developing the future generations of warfighters, and home to 27 tenant commands that support the entire Fleet Marine Force. This year, MCB Quantico and the entire Corps celebrates its 250th birthday.
“From one Marine to another, let me just say we are excited to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary – 250 years of winning wars, 250 years of kicking ass and taking names.”
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2025 13:45 |
| Story ID: | 494388 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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