OO-RAH: JD Goes to Quantico

Time for a little palette cleanser, no?

SQUEEE!!

Cpl Vance had a chance to return to some Marine Corps soil yesterday, although he came in a bitchin’ ride and working a much spiffier gig than the last time he was on a USMC installation.

Marine band plays ahead of @VP’s arrival at Quantico: pic.twitter.com/z27Rvkewma

— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 26, 2025

The younger enlisted kids were pretty hep to hear he was coming, too. It is super cool to have a Marine as the Vice-President. And then to have a shot at meeting him? 

Like the one kiddo says, ‘Chance of a lifetime.’

Awaiting @VP’s arrival at Quantico, these young marines speak about their enthusiasm for Vance:

“It’s definitely going to be a breath of fresh air”

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet someone like him”

“Love to see the Marine Corps representing the United States” pic.twitter.com/fdYOdHGnp8

— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 26, 2025

JD got a warm welcome.

.⁦@JDVance⁩ addresses his fellow Marines at ⁦@MCB_Quantico⁩. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/h1wlv9nvlH

— Kristina Wong 🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) March 26, 2025

The Vice-President hit the massive Virginia base – also the site of our USMC officer candidate and basic training courses – a little later than he had meant to.

Vice President JD Vance arrived by helicopter at Marine Corps Base Quantico today to meet with Marines at HMX-1, the presidential helicopter squadron, at about 1:30 p.m. — nearly two hours later than scheduled.

Vance addressed the delay head-on during his remarks, joking with the crowd and recalling lessons from his time in the Corps.

“That is not Marine Corps time, my friends,” he said. “I remember Gunny Arledge always told me, if you’re five minutes early, you’re 10 minutes late… What does it mean when the Vice President is two hours late? I guess I’m on time, because who the hell is going to get me in trouble, right?”

He explained that his meeting with the President of the United States ran long, but he prioritized the visit to Quantico.

“I stood up and said, ‘Sir, I know we’re in the middle of something, but the Marines at Quantico are waiting on me.’ And he said, ‘Oh, I didn’t realize that. You’ve got to get out there,’” Vance told the crowd.

A transcript of his entire remarks to the group are also at the link. They were completely authentic JD-speak. 

A snippet:

…Now, some of you may know the Marine Corps did a lot of good things for me. When I joined in 2003, I was a directionless kid. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. And as you all know, the Marine Corps is good at giving direction to 18-year-old kids.

It also saved me from making one of the worst financial decisions I ever almost made. You know those used car dealerships outside of Marine Corps bases? I was about to buy a used Honda Civic with a 21% interest rate, until Gunny Arledge said, “Stop being an idiot. Go to Navy Federal Credit Union and get a better deal.” That’s what the Marine Corps does—it helps you make better decisions.

From the NCOs to the officers here, you all help form our young people into United States Marines. That is one of the best things the Marine Corps does for our country.

As General Chuck Krulak said, the Marine Corps does two things: it wins battles, and it makes Marines. That’s a damn good thing to do for the United States of America.

I’m proud of you, I’m proud to be here, and I’m proud of what you do. Most of all, I’m proud that under new leadership, the Marine Corps—and the entire U.S. military—is headed in the right direction. That’s why I’m here today: to talk a little bit about what we’re going to do, talk about President Trump’s vision for the military, and—after I serve some chow at the chow hall—I’m going to go shoot some guns…

Darned if they didn’t put him to work – at the threatened chow hall, no less, slinging hash.

Vice President Vance chats with Marines as he gets lunch with service members at Dwyer Chow Hall: pic.twitter.com/81lM324Jvi

— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 26, 2025

Vance has such an easy, accessible way with everyone he meets. It’s a pleasure watching him in action.

Although my inner Marine – and every single Marine in the comments – was screaming, ‘GET THAT COVER OFF YOUR HEAD INDOORS, JARHEAD!’ when we saw him grab a bite with Marines after his stint on the line.

I don’t care if he is the VP, get that cover off in the chow hall!

— Glenn 🇺🇲⚓️ (@gcanderson57) March 27, 2025

(There are some things you never forget.)

I’m guessing Vance didn’t dump any green beans on the deck or overfill a tray since they didn’t send him back to the scullery in disgrace. 

In fact, the Marines let him play with the pewpews for good behavior. Probably to see what he remembered.

If you listen carefully, you hear the rangecoach shout the call from the butts.

HIT! HEADSHOT!

.@VP on the range: pic.twitter.com/6wfYOQAfaU

— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 26, 2025

I guess he wasn’t too rusty after all. 

Just like ridin’ a bike.

Most based vice president in history. pic.twitter.com/68XRsjH0SP

— Kristina Wong 🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) March 26, 2025

Schweet.

🔥🔥🔥 With @VP @JDVance at a range at @MCB_Quantico: pic.twitter.com/RxGywcJ7qm

— Kristina Wong 🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) March 26, 2025

Having a Marine who is obviously so proud of his shared heritage with fellow Marines as vice president in an administration focused on a return to warfighting supremacy and lethality sure isn’t going to hurt recruiting. Or, hopefully, retention.

Signaling another prospective win for the new Trump administration, the U.S. Marine Corps is on pace to hit its fiscal year 2025 recruiting goals, The Federalist has learned.

Speaking with The Federalist, Marine Corps Recruiting Command spokesman Jim Edwards revealed that the branch is “on track” to meet its total force accession mission for this year, which is set at 32,835 recruits. That figure is “based on current manpower projections,” according to Edwards.

…Regarding the Marine Corps, Edwards noted that branch recruiters have seen a “steady increase in productivity” since January 2024, and that such “success” has continued into FY2025, which began in October. In fact, he added, “Marine Recruiters are [currently] outperforming” their recruiting numbers “when compared to the same timeframe in FY24.”

No woke. No DEI.

Marines.

This new Marine Corps ad featuring JD Vance will get you fired up🔥

No more woke quotas

No more DEI & diversity training

Just Marines being Marines again pic.twitter.com/fE2H2xjg0c

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) March 27, 2025

A vice president who is proud to be part of the greatest little gun club on Earth…

Semper Fidelis @USMC pic.twitter.com/aI9hYqdEWe

— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) March 27, 2025

…in the greatest country on Earth.

What’s so amazing about this is that a couple decades ago VP @JDVance was the junior enlisted guy taking pictures of the military VIP tour weapon demos. America is a wonderful and incredible place where anything is possible. I love this country. 🇺🇸
pic.twitter.com/irlqIQ83WI

— Sam Rogers (@RealSamRogers) March 26, 2025

You bet I voted for that.

Semper Fi.