Stories

Fleet Marine Band Program

U.S. MARINE CORPS

Stories

Fleet Marine Band Program

U.S. MARINE CORPS

U.S. Marine Cpl. Aidan Ehrlich (left), a bassoonist with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, performs alongside local musicians during the Japan – U.S. Joint Concert, Jan. 17, 2026, at the Okinawa SUNTORY Arena, Okinawa, Japan. The event was hosted by the Okinawa Defense Bureau, Ministry of Defense, and featured performances from local middle schools, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 15th Brigade Band, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Southwestern Band. The Marines performed alongside the attending bands to build and strengthen their relationships with the local community and their partner organizations. Ehrlich is a native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Shannon Doherty) - U.S. Marine Cpl. Aidan Ehrlich (left), a bassoonist with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, performs alongside local musicians during the Japan – U.S. Joint Concert, Jan. 17, 2026, at the Okinawa SUNTORY Arena, Okinawa, Japan. The event was hosted by the Okinawa Defense Bureau, Ministry of Defense, and featured performances from local middle schools, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force 15th Brigade Band, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Southwestern Band. The Marines performed alongside the attending bands to build and strengthen their relationships with the local community and their partner organizations. Ehrlich is a native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Shannon Doherty)

U.S. Marine band plays in Japan – U.S. Joint Concert

Early into the afternoon of Saturday, January 17, 2026, a thrumming crowd of students, teachers, mentors, and military musicians stand at the center of the Okinawa Suntory Arena as they prepare for the Japan – U.S. Joint Concert.The event was hosted by the Okinawa Defense Bureau, Ministry of Defense, and featured performances from local middle

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The Quantico Brass Band performs after the closing ceremony for Chicago Marine Week 2025 at the Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, July 13, 2025. Marines from around the Corps and the people of Chicago attended Marine Week Chicago to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, which consisted of live performances, music, ceremonies, events, and displays of equipment, and aircraft. - The Quantico Brass Band performs after the closing ceremony for Chicago Marine Week 2025 at the Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois, July 13, 2025. Marines from around the Corps and the people of Chicago attended Marine Week Chicago to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, which consisted of live performances, music, ceremonies, events, and displays of equipment, and aircraft.

Marine Week Chicago: A Windy City Welcome

U.S. Marines hosted Marine Week Chicago from June 9 to 14, 2025, in commemoration of the Corps’ 250 years of service. For one week, Marines from across the country came together in the Windy City to immerse themselves in its community through volunteering, outreach and service. Assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) 250, the Marines participated in a wide range of activities to include visiting the local Boys & Girls Club and hosting morning physical training sessions with locals, including members of the Chicago Police Department.

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The U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Aaron K. Carpenter and Master Sergeant Monica A. Preston - U.S. Marines with the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band pose for a unit photo in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 25, 2025. The MARFORPAC Band performs throughout the Indo-Pacific at more than 400 events each year, including ceremonies and parades. The band’s primary mission is to provide musical support for military and civic ceremonies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Conor Ragland)

Marines, ANZACs Share Special Bond

Honolulu – There is a long-standing, strong relationship that exists between the Australian and New Zealand militaries and the U.S. Marine Corps. This bond extends far back in our respective histories when we fought side-by-side helping to defend Australia and New Zealand in World War II, and extends to today as Marines and soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand militaries train and serve side-by-side around the world. Additionally, the Marines Corps' 20th century history has been shaped, in large part, by the Australia-New Zealand Army Corps. The ANZACs' battle for Gallipoli in World War I was the only major amphibious assault of that war. In the 1920's and 30's, the Marine Corps carefully studied that campaign, and those studies directly impacted the Corps' amphibious doctrine put into successful play in the island-hopping campaigns of the Pacific in World War II. The battle for Gallipoli is still taught today at the Marine Corps' Expeditionary Warfare School.

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