Top 3 NOVA Locations for Promotion Or Re-enlistment Ceremony

DC & Northern Virginia’s Best Places for Marine Corps Ceremonies

Forget the conference room or parade deck!

See more photo inspiration for military ceremonies

Top Venues Around Quantico for USMC Ceremonies:

1. The Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) in Arlington, VA
2. National Archive in DC (Home of the original Declaration of Independence)
3. National Museum of the Marine Corps, just outside MCB Quantico in Triangle, VA
4. BONUS! Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, VA

1. The Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) in Arlington, VA.

Enough said for the Marine Corps.

Side note: Marines in uniform are celebrities at the Memorial. Check out the promotion ceremony I did last fall. Bus loads of veterans rolled through one after the other, including an Iwo Jim Veteran who passed just weeks after we shook hands.

• Beware you need to get a special permit!
• $50 Special Use Permit, non refundable
• Contact: National Park Service George Washington Memorial Parkway
• Phone: 703-289-2513
• Site: Marine Corps War Memorial Permits & Reservations Info

2. National Archive in Washington DC

The Rotunda is the permanent home to the original Declaration of Independence. (Remember the scene from National Treasure?!)

• Indoor
• No seating
• The whole where-to-park scramble
• Phone: 202-357-5020
• Email: A1Visitors@nara.gov
• Site: https://www.archives.gov/dc/host-an-event

3. National Museum of the Marine Corps

I can’t get enough of this place. Their gallery surpasses the Smithsonian in my humble opinion.

• Reservation required, but no permit fees
• 30 minute time slots for promotion or re-enlistment
• 1 hour slots for retirements *Covid update: 1 hour to include set up and break down, chapel included.
• Option of Outdoor Parade Deck or Indoor Leatherneck Gallery (main atrium area)
• Fewer than 10 guests can be hosted in the historical galleries (exhibit spaces)
• Lots of options for flags, podiums, eating, even music.
• After ceremony options for food and drink on site
• Phone: 1.877.653.1775
• Site: https://www.usmcmuseum.com/military-ceremonies-at-the-museum.html

4. BONUS! Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel

COVID Update as of spring 2022: The Museum is allotting one hour for all ceremonies, including set up and tear down, both inside the museum and the chapel. I think it’s absurd and unfortunate. It’s still a viable option for pinnings and re-enlistments, but not for retirements.

The chapel is managed by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation which has its headquarters inside the USMC Museum. They’re connected, but different, meaning different reservation points of contact.

• Indoor
• Padded seats
• Beautiful views, especially in the fall!
• Pricey. Second hand information quoted $300 for 2 hours, but they had the option for $150 for one 1 hour too.
• Contact: Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
• Phone: 703-649-2350
• Email: events@marineheritage.org
• Site: https://www.usmcmuseum.com/military-ceremonies-at-the-museum.html

See More Military Ceremony Photo Inspiration

At the end of a career, all that will be left are the photos and uniforms. I pray you have photos! If not for yourself, for your kids.