Marines mark 250th birthday at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton amid demonstrations, controversy

A reported 15,000 Marines and sailors gathered on Saturday for a major celebration of the United States Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, marked by a large-scale amphibious demonstration, remarks by top defense officials, and a clash with California officials over highway closures.

The amphibious demonstration was a joint Navy–Marine Corps operation conducted by the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) with support from Expeditionary Strike Group 3 and Navy Amphibious Ready Group units.

Navy personnel operated the ships, hovercraft, and aircraft that delivered Marines to the beach during the live-fire landing exercise at Red Beach. The event highlighted what the Department of the Navy calls the “blue-green team” — the traditional partnership between the Navy and Marine Corps for sea-based force projection and crisis response. Vice President Vance and Secretary Hegseth both acknowledged sailors in their remarks, thanking them for their constant support and shared sacrifices at sea and ashore.

Speakers praised the Marines and their families for their commitment to their country. The celebration was one of many that have already taken place and will continue until Nov. 10, the actual 250th Marine Corps Birthday. Planning for the event began on Super Bowl Sunday 2023.

The weekend event featured an “Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration” on the base’s Red Beach, including coordinated air, land, and sea operations, live-fire artillery, and thousands of uniformed personnel, organized well in advance as part of the year-long semiquincentennial commemoration of the Marines’ founding in 1775.

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Camp Pendleton’s 250th Birthday Demonstration was designed to show the full spectrum of modern amphibious warfare and joint Navy–Marine operations.

It was also an impressive air show throughout the day with MV-22 Ospreys, CH-53E Super Stallions, and AH-1Z Vipers conducting air-assault and close-air-support runs, joined by F/A-18 Hornets and KC-130J tankers for refueling and cargo drops.

In addition, Marine and Navy parachutists from the elite Leap Frogs and Silent Drill Team units performed precision free-fall jumps over the demonstration area, landing with ceremonial flags.

Taped messages were played throughout the day on large screens with uplifting messages to the Marines and in commemoration of the celebration.

One message said, “Since the birth of war, we have answered the call to every battle in every place. No matter the odds or obstacles, we adapt, we overcome, enclose, and destroy the enemy. We know the future will not be the same, but the one thing we know will always remain is the Marine. For 250 years we have formed ranks and kept the line — and we will for the next 250.”

Another video stated, “For 2½ centuries we have shouldered the responsibility of freedom on behalf of our nation. Every battle fought, every sacrifice made has been etched into our legacy. We are adaptable to whatever the situation is. We do more with less. It’s by far the greatest institution on the planet. We don’t join the Marine Corps. We are the Marine Corps.

“The character of war has and will continue to change. We have adapted, evolved, and innovated, but our warrior spirit remains consistent. We will be called to fight again, and we will be ready.”

Chief of Naval Operations Charles Caudal spoke about how the integrated land, air, and sea operations demonstrated that day were part of a single coordinated and organized fight. He said they stand together and that in January they were given a clear charge by President Trump to “defend the homeland, deter aggression, and project strength through an all-domain integrated force.” He added, “That’s what they’ve been doing, day in and day out. We are leading from the front.”

Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith, during his remarks, said, “Standards, discipline, accountability, war fighting, lethality — they live in the Marine Corps.”

U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan thanked everyone involved in the display of maritime power and discussed the beginnings of the Marines at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia 250 years ago.

The introduction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was met with thunderous applause. He said he did PT with the Navy SEALs that morning and understood why President Trump says U.S. troops are the most lethal, prepared troops on the planet — and that he agrees.

Sec. Hegseth remarked that during previous administrations, when other departments wavered or went “woke” or lowered standards, the Marine Corps stood strong and was the backbone of the U.S. military. “Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)!” he said. “Your strength has never been in your diversity. It is in your unity of purpose, your shared mission, and oath to the Constitution. It’s the bond that turns individuals into single-minded fighting units. You have a distinct purpose — you kill bad guys and break things for a living. You are set apart for a distinct purpose. You destroy the enemy for a living.”

He said President Trump appreciates their service and fights for them, as does Vice President JD Vance, who enlisted after high school and served as a Marine in Iraq and continues to fight alongside the President. “He knows and shares the dedication of this force,” Hegseth said. “Your president and vice president have your back.”

John “Jocko” Willink, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, podcaster, author, and leadership instructor who served in the SEALs for 20 years, was also a speaker. He said, “It is an honor to be here and call you all brothers. That is also why I know that despite all the people who fear the rise of evil in the world and all the people concerned about freedom and the fate of our great nation, I can tell you this — I am not concerned at all because I know that no matter what happens, there are some men — there are a few good men and women called Marines — and I know that you will never back down, you will never surrender, you will uphold the heroic ideals of this blessed country, and I know that with fire, sweat, steel, and blood, every one of you will uphold the ideals of the United States Marine Corps. Happy Birthday! Guns up! Semper Fi!”

At the podium, Vice President JD Vance addressed the assembled troops, praising their service.

To a backdrop of loud applause and “Oorah!” Vance said, “God bless you, Marines. God bless Camp Pendleton. It’s such an honor to be here to celebrate 250 years of the United States Marines.” After thanking those who made the day possible, the vice president spent most of his time recognizing and expressing gratitude to participants.

Speakers said the demonstration was meant to showcase the superiority of the U.S. military — not only to Americans, but also to adversaries who were certainly watching. It served as a morale booster to the men and women in attendance, and loud cheers were prevalent throughout the day.

The loudest shouts came when Vance assured the troops that the President was finding the money to pay them, even though Democrats were keeping the government shut down.

The day wasn’t without controversy, however. Critics on social media claimed that the highly coordinated Marine and Navy demonstration was meant to distract from the “No Kings Protests” held nationwide on October 18, in opposition to what organizers describe as growing authoritarianism in the Trump administration. However, No Kings began organizing in May 2025, while the Marine Birthday demonstration was planned far in advance of their protests.

On the same day at Camp Pendleton, California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered a three-hour closure of a 17-mile stretch of Interstate 5 between Los Angeles and San Diego for the Marine exercise, citing public-safety concerns over live artillery fire near a civilian freeway.

In a statement from Camp Pendleton’s Public Affairs Office before the event, the Marines wrote: “All activities will take place within designated range areas. No public highways or civilian infrastructure will be impacted.”

After the closure was ordered, a Marine spokesperson reiterated that the Corps had coordinated months in advance with Caltrans, CHP, and state authorities, and that safety measures were already in place to avoid interference with civilian traffic.

Unofficially, Marines on-site expressed frustration that the closure created confusion and overshadowed the carefully planned anniversary celebration. They emphasized that the freeway shutdown was a state decision, not a military requirement.

Military officials had earlier said the training would be conducted on ranges and that the freeway would not need to be closed. Newsom called the exercise a “profoundly absurd show of force” and accused the federal government of using the military to intimidate dissenting voices during a politically charged weekend.

However, again, the demonstration was planned well in advance of any protests.
Some critics pointed to the timing — an October event tied to that November date — as problematic, noting the birthday is officially Nov. 10. Supporters countered that the semiquincentennial celebrations span a full year of events, so the October demonstration was simply part of a longer commemoration.

Organizers say planning for the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary began two years ago, long before the scheduling of the No Kings protests and before the freeway controversy erupted — though the overlap has fueled political criticism.

Supporters portray the event as a vivid reminder of the Marine Corps’ enduring legacy of “honor, courage, and commitment.” In his remarks, Hegseth underscored the heritage of the Corps and its role in America’s defense, while Vance emphasized the need to refocus the military on readiness rather than political or diversity agendas.

While Saturday’s showcase drew attention, the 250th anniversary celebrations continue through November 10 and beyond — including regional events, a formal Birthday Ball, and local ceremonies across all 50 states.

For the Marines and their supporters, the message was clear: whether on Red Beach or at a mess hall, the Corps is marking 250 years of service — and, as Vance and Hegseth put it, “the legacy passes to you.”