5th Marine Regiment
A
1st Marine Division
Camp Pendleton, California
 

On order, 5th Marine Regiment deploys as the Ground Combat Element (GCE) for the 1st Marine Division in support of crisis response operations and provides mission capable battalions in support of enduring and emerging operational requirements in order to meet operational commitments across the range of military operations.

The activation of the Fifth Marines dates back to June 1917, just prior to the U.S. force deployment to France during World War I. The Regiment won its nickname, the “Fighting Fifth,” on the battlefields of western Europe. So fierce were its efforts in the Battle of Belleau Wood and subsequent victories that the French government awarded the Regiment the Croix de Guerre with two palms and one gilt star. Today, each Marine serving in the Regiment also wears the Fourragere, a French unit award, on the left shoulder of their uniform to recognize the legacy and valor of their predecessors.

Briefly deactivated, the Regiment was reactivated in June 1920, to guard the delivery of the U.S. Mail against domestic bandits. While they were on the job, not one Marine was killed and not one piece of mail was lost to thieves. In March 1927, the Regiment deployed to South America and fought in support of the Nicaraguan government against rebel bands until April 1930. Shortly thereafter, the Regiment was again briefly deactivated. Troubled times and small conflicts in the Americas however, led to the Regiment’s reactivation on 1 September 1934.

After further service in the U.S. and in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Fifth Marines deployed to New Zealand in 1942 as part of the U.S. Pacific Campaign against Japan. During the course of World War II, the Regiment further distinguished itself in action at Guadalcanal, Eastern New Guinea, Peleliu, and Okinawa. The post-war years found the Regiment on occupation duty in North China until May 1947, when it relocated to Guam. In August 1950, it moved to its current home, Camp Pendleton, California.

The country again called upon the Fifth Marines in August 1950, when the Regiment found itself in combat on the Pusan Perimeter in Korea. During the next three years the Regiment fought at Inchon and Seoul, the Chosin Reservoir, and on both the East Central and Western Fronts. The Fifth Marine Regiment returned to Camp Pendleton in March 1955, and remained there for the next eleven years.

In May 1966, the Fifth Marines arrived in the Republic of South Vietnam where it would remain until April 1971. Vietnam-era Marines added the names Rung Sat, Chu Lai, Phu Bai, Hue, Khe Sahn, An Hoa, Tam Ky, and Da Nang to the Regiment’s long list of distinguished battle actions.

In August 1990, the nation again called on the “Fighting Fifth” – this time in support of Operation Desert Shield. On 26 January 1991, while embarked with the largest amphibious task force since World War II, Regimental Landing Team (RLT) 5, in conjunction with RLT-2, conducted heliborne and surface assaults for Exercise Sea Soldier IV in Southern Oman. On 25 February 1991, the Regiment disembarked in direct support of Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait. Less than three months later, Fifth Marines received an executive order to conduct humanitarian assistance and relief operations in Bangladesh. The Regiment returned to Camp Pendleton on 29 June 1991.

In the decade following Operation Desert Storm, the Regiment deployed to Yellowstone National Park; the Umatilla National Forest in Oregon; and Clear Creek, Idaho to combat wildfires. Simultaneously it sourced the battalion landing teams for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).

In January of 2003, the Fifth Marines deployed to Kuwait to take part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 21 March, the Regiment became the first unit to cross the line of departure into Iraq as it moved to seize the Rumayllah Oilfields. During the course of the next few weeks, the Regiment repeatedly distinguished itself in combat actions as it continued the offensive to liberate Baghdad and collapse the regime of Saddam Hussein. During much of the attack north, the Regiment led the 1st Marine Division in the deepest attack in Marine Corps history during 33 days of combat operations..

Regimental Combat Team (RCT) 5 once again deployed to Iraq in February 2006 assuming control of the Fallujah area in the Al Anbar Province from Eighth Marines. During a deployment that continued until January 2007, RCT-5 conducted combat operations while training and advising Iraqi security forces. The deployment concluded when Fifth Marines was relieved in place by Sixth Marines; the first time these two storied regiments had been together on the battlefield in 94 years.

Less than a year after returning home, RCT-5 deployed to the Al Anbar Province in December 2007 to assume control of the Al Assad area from RCT-2. During this time, RCT-5 partnered with RCT-1 during the formative "Anbar Awakening" period resulting in the eventual return of the province to Iraqi control. In January 2009, the Regiment was relieved in place by RCT-8 and returned to Camp Pendleton.

In August 2011, the Regiment deployed as RCT-5 to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After relieving RCT-1, RCT-5 took control of the Marjah, Garmsir, and Nawa districts within the province while based out of Camp Dwyer. During this period, the Regiment conducted combat operations across the province while mentoring and training local partnered Afghan forces to include the Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army. RCT-5 was relieved in place by RCT-6 in July 2012 and returned to Camp Pendleton in August 2012.

The latter part of the decade saw the Regimental Headquarters composite Command Elements for the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) for three separate deployments. During three separate deployments supporting this requirement, the Regimental Headquarters deployed to Kuwait to command and control forces across the Middle East. These deployments occurred from May 2014 to April 2015, April 2016 to December 2016, and again from April 2018 to December 2018. During the SPMAGTF-CR-CC deployments, the Regiment supported bi-lateral training, crisis response, and combat operations throughout United States Central Command and in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Today, the Regiment continues to participate in exercises and contingency deployments with the 1st Marine Division, and to prepare forces for deployment with Marine Expeditionary Units, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, and the SPMAGTF. Ever ready to answer the nation’s call, the “Fighting Fifth” is recognized as the Marine Corps’ most highly decorated regiment.

Airport Arrival Information:

San Diego International Airport
The United Service Organization (USO) is in Terminal 2 of the airport and is open 6 a.m. to midnight 365 days a year. The facility offers active-duty members, their family members and retirees referrals for shuttle service to Camp Pendleton, directions to base and hospitality services. The facility contains a television lounge and sitting area, video games, movies, Internet service, an ATM, showers, coffee and refreshments. For more information, call (619) 296-3192.

Los Angeles International Airport
The USO is across from terminals 1 and 2 at Bob Hope Hollywood USO at LAX, 203 World Way, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90045. The facility has a television lounge, sitting area, Internet service, showers and refreshments.
For more information, call (310) 645-3716.


Getting Here Via Car:

If you are coming from San Diego, take Interstate 5 north toward Los Angeles. Once in Oceanside, take the Camp Pendleton exit (Exit 54B), which will lead you to the main gate. To get to Camp San Mateo, continue north on Interstate 5 and take the Cristianitos Road exit (Exit 72), which will lead you to the Cristianitos gate and directly into Camp San Mateo.

If you are coming from Los Angeles, take Interstate 5 south toward San Diego. Once in San Clemente, take the Cristianitos Road exit (Exit 72), which will lead you to the Cristianitos gate and directly into Camp San Mateo.  If the Cristianitos gate is closed take Interstate 5 south and take the next exit, Basilone Road (Exit 71) and make a left to the Basilone gate.  Continue on Basilone Road 3.4 miles and turn left on San Mateo Drive which will lead you directly into Camp San Mateo.

5th Marine Regiment Religious Program

 

Regimental Chaplain:

Chaplain Gregory Coates

CDR, USN

Gregory.Coates@usmc.mil

Office: (760)725-7330

 

Important links:

Camp Pendleton Religious Services

Marriage/Personal Enrichment Retreats (CREDO)

Chaplain Care Website

 







 

 

 

 

Deployment Readiness Coordinator: Mark Sperling

Office:  (760) 763-1561

Cell:  (760) 277-3491

Email:  mark.sperling@usmc.mil

Uniformed Readiness Coordinator: Sergeant Blake Janisch

Office: (760) 763-8430

Cell:  (760) 468-9175

Email: blake.janisch@usmc.mil

Marine & Family Life Counselor (MFLC):

Office: (760) 573-0343

 

Regimental Contacts

Command Duty Officer: (760) 763-8066

Family Assistance Numbers

American Red Cross Message: (800) 951-5600

Operation Homefront: (866) 424-5210

Armed Forces YMCA (760) 385-4921

Aid Life Suicide Hotline: (800) 479-3339

CREDO/Marriage Retreats: (760) 725-4954

OneCall Now Phone Messages: (800) 342-9647

Other Contacts

Naval Hospital (Camp Pendleton) (760) 725-1288
Naval Hospital (San Diego) (619) 532-6400
TriCare (888) 874-9378
Dental (800) 866-8499
DEERS/ ID Cards (760) 725-2442
Base Information (760) 725-4111
Animal Shelter (760) 725-8120
Base Housing Office (760) 725-5995/5217
Military Housing Emergency Assistance (888) 578-4141
Commissary (20 area) (760) 430-1701
Commissary (51 area) (760) 725-7136
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (760) 725-5337
JRC (760) 725-2106
MilitaryOneSource (800) 342-9647
PMO (760) 725-3888
Base Locator (760) 725-6662
ASYMCA (760) 385-4921
TMO (760) 725-8848/8174
Base Legal (760) 725-6172
Base Counseling Center (760) 725-9051
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
MiltaryOneSource Hotline (800) 869-0278
San Diego Suicide Hotline (800) 479-3339
National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233
DoD Safe Helpline (877) 995-5247
Camp Pendleton 24/7 Sexual Assault Helpline (760) 500-1707
CP Naval Hospital Emergency Room (760) 725-3258
American Red Cross (877) 272-7337 or (760) 725-6877

5th Marines Equal Opportunity Advsior

Gunnery Sergeant Tyler Seavy

(760) 681-0866 (C)

tyler.w.seavy@usmc.mil 

Building 62433, Room 138B

"Every Marine and Sailor of 1st Marine Division will be treated with decency, dignity, and respect, and will be provided full and equal opportunity for professional development and success. We are an elite institution of warriors. It is our shared responsibility to ensure the continued health of our collective soul and identity"

click here: NAVMC 11512 Complaint FORM
click here: NAVMC 11513 OFFENDER FORM

 

 

5th Marine Regiment Leaders

Commanding Officer, 5th Marine Regiment

Colonel B. T. Mulvihill

Colonel Mulvihill was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps as a second lieutenant in May 1997 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation from the State University of New York, Maritime College....

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Sergeant Major, 5th Marine Regiment

SgtMaj G. G. Kirkby

Sergeant Major Kirkby is a native of LaFargeville, New York. He reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC for Basic Training in August of 1998....

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1st Marine Division