The 250th anniversary celebration of the United States Marine Corps was held over the weekend at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California, marking a historic milestone in American military history, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The event took place under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who have both emphasized restoring readiness, discipline, and pride to the armed forces.

General Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps, opened the ceremony by declaring, “The next fight is coming. Marines will be ready. Ready to fight. Ready to win.” His message reflected a renewed focus on strength and preparedness across all branches of the military.

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In his address at Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, last month, President Trump spoke about what he described as a “reawakening of the warrior spirit” throughout the armed services.

“We’re a team,” he told senior military leaders. “And so my message to you is very simple: I am with you, I support you, and as president, I have your backs 100%.”

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President Trump’s remarks outlined a shift away from policies implemented during the previous administration. “We’re bringing back a focus on fitness, ability, character, and strength,” he said.

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“The purpose of America’s military is not to protect anyone’s feelings. It’s to protect our republic.” He added that the Navy, Air Force, and Space Force have met or exceeded recruitment goals for the first time in several years, signaling what he called a turnaround in morale and commitment.

The President also criticized what he called the “apparatus of political correctness” that had replaced merit in military culture. “You can never be great if you’re going to do that,” he said.

“We will not be politically correct when it comes to defending American freedom. We will be a fighting and winning machine. We want to fight. We want to win. And we want to fight as little as possible.”

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered one of the event’s most direct addresses, telling Marines that their strength lies in unity rather than political slogans.

“I’m not supposed to say this, really not. But I think you guys might be my favorite,” Hegseth said. “The truth is, your diversity is not your strength. Never has been. Your strength is in your unity of purpose, in your shared mission, in your oath to the Constitution.”

He added, “It’s the bond that turns individuals into single-minded fighting units. You see, you are set apart. You’re not civilians. You’re devil dogs, leathernecks, United States Marines.”

Hegseth closed by reminding the Corps of its defining purpose: “You are set apart for a distinct purpose — to kill bad guys, break things, and close with and destroy the enemy for a livin’.”

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Vice President J.D. Vance also addressed the crowd, greeting Marines with, “God bless you, Marines,” and adding, “From one Marine to another, thank you for your service.”

He praised the ceremony’s display, saying, “I’ve also got to give a special shout out to the incredible display that we saw earlier today. It made my heart sing.”

The anniversary celebration coincides with renewed public appreciation for the nation’s armed forces as President Trump and his administration continue efforts to restore what they call the “warrior culture” of America’s military ahead of the country’s 250th Independence Day in 2026.