Council History:

The concept of a National Marine Corps Council was established in 1969-1970 by Colonel Phil Schloss and Colonel John Kleinhans of the then community Relations Branch of Headquarters Marine Corps, with the full approval of General Lewis W. Walt, Assistant Commandant.

Several meetings were held during this period of time at HQMC without further action taken on forming a Council. When General Walt retired, no further action was taken until 1974 when Colonel Kleinhans (then retired) began talking about the need for a Marine Corps Council of Marine Corps Family Organizations to assist the Marine Corps in the years ahead.

With this in mind and with the help of Lt. Col. Richard J. O'Brien, then Commandant of the Marine Corps League, caucus of Marine Corps Family Organization was called on 16 November 1974, with nineteen (19) representatives in attendance, representing twelve (12) Marine Associations and Organizations, the Marine Corps Council was started. Col. John Kleinhans, was selected as Acting Chairman of the caucus. After each organization made known their position on guidelines, purpose, etc., of the proposed Council, a proposed "Principles of the Marine Corps Council" and a "Concept and Objectives" were discussed and put in writing for approval by the Associations and Organizations present.

The proposed "Concept and Principles" were mailed to Marine Corps oriented Associations and Organizations on 8 January 1976.

All of the twelve (12) Marine Corps Organizations present at the organizational meeting on 16 November 1974 approved both the "Concept and Objectives" and the "Principles of the Marine Corps Council."