JD Vance Reconnects With His Marine Roots at Quantico

As Vice President JD Vance stepped onto Marine Corps Base Quantico this week, it was more than just a ceremonial stop it was a moment of genuine connection between a leader and the institution that helped shape him.

Vance, a former Marine himself, served from 2003 to 2007 before rising from a troubled upbringing in Appalachia to become one of the most influential figures in Washington. He credits the Marine Corps with teaching him discipline, purpose, and how to navigate life as an adult. And now, as vice president, he’s returning to that foundation with gratitude and a mission.

“You all know how big of a part the Marine Corps was of my life,” Vance told hundreds of Marines gathered in a Quantico hangar, flanked by both the American and USMC flags. “From one Marine to another, thank you for your service. We’re proud of you, and I’m proud to be here with my fellow Marines.”

The atmosphere was electric. Roughly 750 Marines assembled to greet Vance, many of them visibly energized by the presence of someone who’s walked in their boots. There were no cell phones in sight. Just camaraderie, banter, and a buzz of anticipation as classic rock echoed through the space.

• Marine recruitment is at an all-time high, driven by renewed national pride under the Trump administration.

• The Trump-Vance administration has prioritized military strength, pushing back against years of politicized “diversity training” and bureaucratic nonsense.

• A Pew Research Center report recently found that trust in military leadership is rising after years of decline under left-wing leadership.

One Marine put it plainly: “It’s good to have that representation for us, especially being the smallest branch… just having somebody to understand how we feel as Marines, it’s very important to me.”

Vance’s message was simple and powerful: the military is about excellence and patriotism not quotas, not woke ideology.

“No more ridiculous mumbo jumbo. No more diversity trainings,” he said firmly. “We believe the real strength and the real diversity in the United States Marine Corps is that you all come from every walk of life, from every corner of America… and have the strength and the purpose to win the nation’s wars.”

And when war comes, Vance said, the Trump administration is making sure our troops are ready.

“I promise you, from the president of the United States, we are going to send you, if we have to send you to war, with the best equipment, the best ammunition, the best weapons. And we are going to empower you to win.”

After his remarks, Vance joined the Marines for lunch in the chow hall — joking, listening, and showing the kind of presence that’s been missing from top leadership for far too long. Then came the fun: Vance hit the shooting range, laughing and high-fiving as he test-fired an M240B machine gun, a .50 caliber sniper rifle, and even a Skydio X2D drone.

Before leaving, he manned the M101 105mm howitzer. “Are we good? No projectiles?” he joked, nodding toward the press pool. “The media would never let me live that one down.” Then came a thunderous blast and a delighted “WOW” from the vice president.

For the Marines on base, this wasn’t a PR stunt. It was the first time in years they felt truly seen. As Lance Corporal Casey Bonestroo put it, “He was the one to get down and dirty for our country, the same thing that we are.”

And for Vance, the visit wasn’t just about nostalgia. It was about passing the torch and recommitting to the mission of restoring America’s military to its rightful place strong, focused, and feared by our enemies.

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