Modern Day Marine 2026

Latest in Modern Day Marine 2026

Header Image: U.S. Marine Raiders assigned to Marine Forces Special Operations Command conduct live-fire training during Arctic Edge 2026 (AE26) on Fort Greely, Alaska, Feb. 21, 2026. AE26 is a NORAD and U.S. Northern Command-led homeland defense exercise designed to improve readiness, demonstrate capabilities, and enhance Joint and Allied Force interoperability in the Arctic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Trey Hutcheson)

Marines set up new rotational force in Alaska

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 9, 2026

U.S. Marines with Basic Reconnaissance Course cover each other with sand for camouflage during clandestine landing and withdraw training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, Oct. 30, 2019. BRC is one of the many courses taught by the staff at Reconnaissance Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry - West. The course provides students with the basic knowledge of reconnaissance doctrine, concepts, and techniques with emphasis on amphibious entry and extraction, beach reconnaissance and reconnaissance patrolling skills. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Cortez)

The Marine Corps is overhauling its Recon training

By Nicholas Slayton, Jeff Schogol

Posted on May 1, 2026

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cesar Ramirez, a warehouse clerk with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12 pours a canteen of water on his head after a conditioning hike at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 23, 2019. Marines with MAG-12 hiked as part of a continuous effort to improve their physical fitness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Seth Rosenberg)

Marines in hot barracks getting portable air conditioners

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 29, 2026

Amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) steams through the Pacific Ocean, April 8, 2026. John P. Murtha is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations supporting NASA’s Artemis II mission, retrieving the crew and spacecraft following their return to Earth and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. NASA’s Artemis II mission sent four astronauts on a flight around the moon in the Orion space capsule, marking the first time humans journeyed to deep space in over 50 years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Melseth)

The Marines may need 40 amphibious warfare ships, general says

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 29, 2026

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, speaks to Marines at Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, March 10, 2026. Ruiz visited the facility as part of the SMMC Force Level Summit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Van Hoang)

A firefight is too late to start trusting the new Corps, say senior Marines

By Jeff Schogol, Kyle Rempfer

Posted on Apr 28, 2026

A U.S Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Tsushima Strait, Sept. 18, 2024.

Fighter Aircraft

How the F-35 is changing Marine airpower

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast rope out of a U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 25, during a fast rope exercise in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 12, 2026. Marines and Sailors conducted fast-rope training to enhance air-to-ground insertion capabilities for operations in support of the 31st MEU. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola)

This is what we know about the Maritime Raid Force used to seize Iranian vessel

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

Marines on way to Middle East seen using rifles with anti-drone smart scope

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

Marine Expeditionary Unit

Amphibious Operations

Here’s what Marine Expeditionary Units are designed to do

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 1, 2026

Marine pistol qualifications

Marines can now use optical sights with pistols for qualifying

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 20, 2026

Marine swim qualifications

Marine Corps swim qualification tests are about to get tougher

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 6, 2026

A painting by Charles Waterhouse of Marine Capt. John W. Ripley, who braved enemy fire for more than three hours planting explosives on the Dong Ha Bridge on April 2, 1972. Congress cleared the way last month for Ripley to receive the Medal of Honor.

Marine who crawled under bridge to plant explosives approved for Medal of Honor

Posted on Mar 5, 2026

Senate authorizes Trump to award Recon Marine the Medal of Honor

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 4, 2026

Candidates with Lima and India Company, Officer Candidate School (OCS) perform their initial Physical Fitness Test aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., May 24, 2016. The mission of OCS is to educate and train officer candidates in order to evaluate and screen individuals for qualities required for commissioning as a Marine Corps officer. (U.S. Marine Corps Combat Camera photo by Cpl. Laura Mercado/Released)

Marines remain the few, the proud, the skinny under new standards

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

Marines not interested in switching from M27 to Army’s M7 anytime soon

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Feb 13, 2026

U.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, prepare to execute a live-fire platoon attack on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 12, 2026. Live-fire training increases Marines’ marksmanship skills, strengthening small-unit leadership and overall combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Lucas Lu)

Experts warn moving Marines away from Okinawa would play into China’s hands

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Feb 9, 2026