Vice President-elect JD Vance marked a milestone over the weekend, celebrating the 249th birthday of the United States Marine Corps with a message to his fellow Marines.
“Happy Birthday to my fellow Marines! 249 years and counting!” he posted on X, honoring the branch he served in before his rise to political prominence. Vance, 40, made history as the first Marine to hold the vice presidency.
Vance served in the Marine Corps as a combat correspondent from 2003 to 2007, achieving the rank of E-5 (sergeant).
His service took him to Iraq for a six-month deployment and earned him several commendations, including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
His journey from the Marine Corps to the political arena has set him apart as a leader, particularly as the first enlisted Marine to become vice president, following in the footsteps of Al Gore, the last enlisted vice president, who served in the Army.
Happy Birthday to my fellow Marines! 249 years and counting!
— JD Vance (@JDVance) November 10, 2024
Vance has often reflected on his time in the Corps, describing the transformative role it played in his life. In his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, Vance wrote, “The Marine Corps demanded that I think strategically about these decisions, and then it taught me how to do so.”
He explained that joining the Marines helped him find purpose, discipline, and direction at a time when he was uncertain about his future. “When I joined the Marine Corps, I did so in part because I wasn’t ready for adulthood… Now I knew exactly what I wanted out of my life and how to get there,” he shared.
Vance’s background as a Marine has shaped his approach to leadership, imbuing him with a sense of responsibility and resilience that has resonated with voters. His military service has also reinforced his focus on supporting veterans and strengthening national security, priorities he has pledged to uphold as he assumes the vice presidency.
JD Vance is the first Marine Veteran to serve as Vice President.
That’s historic! pic.twitter.com/tweYWMxk0S
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) November 9, 2024
