Our Mission

The 1st Marine Division is the oldest, largest and most decorated Marine division. Headquartered at Camp Pendleton, California, the Division is a force of 22,000 men and women organized to conduct combat operations. The 1st Marine Division is an adaptable expeditionary force in readiness; generating, deploying and returning forces in support of global force management. The Division stands ready to conduct contingency response requirements and is prepared to deploy as a scalable ground combat element to defeat peer, near-peer and hybrid threats across the range of military operations.

80 years later, Marine remembers Guadalcanal

”When we were on Samoa, we would hear stories from the ships stopping at Guadalcanal, and of what was happening there. So we were fully prepared for what faced us. When we got aboard ship, we knew where we were going, and we were prepared for it. I was part of a very important time in the Marine Corps. It makes me very proud. The Marine Corps taught me everything I know. Taught me to be a good man." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Destiny Dempsey)

1st Marine Division Change of Command

The Blue Diamond says farewell to MajGen. Roger B. Turner, Jr., who commanded the 1st Marine Division from Sep 2020 - Jun 2022. MajGen. Turner relinquished command to the incoming commanding general, MajGen. Benjamin T. Watson on 8 June, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Melissa Marnell)

MWX Range 400

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. William Mathis, an infantry officer with India Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, relays a command while conducting Range 400 as a part of Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 3-22 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, April 10, 2022. ITX is a month-long training evolution comprised of multiple ranges to refine combined arms maneuver in offensive and defensive combat operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brayden Daniel)

Small Boat Raids

U.S. Marine Corps scout swimmers with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, execute a small boat raid at Camp Pendleton, California, March 24, 2022. Gaining proficiency in small boat tactics increases the unit's capability to operate in the littoral environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Skyler M. Harris)

Integrated Training Exercise

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Peter Osborne, a rifleman with Kilo Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, calls for his fireteam during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 3-22 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, April 25, 2022. ITX is a month-long training evolution comprised of multiple ranges to refine combined arms maneuver in offensive and defensive combat operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brayden Daniel)

Maritime Domain Awareness

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom performs air operations during Maritime Domain Awareness Integration Exercise off the coast of Camp Pendleton, California, March 30, 2022. The purpose of this training evolution was to increase the unit's proficiency in utilizing joint terminal attack controllers in the maritime domain, demonstrating littoral capabilities for future deployments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brayden Daniel)

2/5 Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel Course

U.S. Marines and a U.S. Navy Sailor with Weapons Company, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5), 1st Marine Division, secure a simulated casualty to a Sked Basic Rescue System while conducting a recovery mission during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) Course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 2, 2022. The Marines of 2/5 participated in the TRAP Course to gain competency in expeditious search and rescue operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Destiny Dempsey)

1st Marine Division Colors Rededication Ceremony

U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Division Band perform during the Division’s 81st Anniversary Ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 11, 2021. Veterans and active duty Marines and Sailors who served in the division participated in the ceremony celebrating the oldest, largest and most decorated division in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jailine L. AliceaSantiago)

ACV Operations

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ethan Blair, an Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) crew member with 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, mans a remote weapon system in an ACV during a shore-to-ship and ship-to-shore training evolution at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 8, 2022. This training evolution marked the first platoon-level ACV exercise with embarked troops, demonstrating capability and competency during waterborne operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jailine L. AliceaSantiago)

Video by Sgt. Jacob Yost

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Reel: 1st MARDIV remains always ready, always lethal, always faithful

1st Marine Division
Jan. 20, 2023 | 0:43

A social media reel created to highlight U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Division training in various exercises across multiple locations Jan. 20, 2023. The division stands ready to conduct contingency response requirements and is prepared to deploy as a scalable ground combat element to defeat peer, near-peer and hybrid threats across the range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Jacob Yost)

1st Marine Division Leaders

Major General Benjamin T. Watson

Commanding General, 1st Marine Division

Maj. Gen. Watson graduated from Cornell University in 1991 with a BA in history, and was commissioned through the NROTC program.

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Brigadier General James A. Ryans

Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division

Brigadier General Ryans enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1988 and was commissioned in 1995.

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Sergeant Major M. J. Fouss

Sergeant Major, 1st Marine Division

Sergeant Major Fouss of Summit, NJ, enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1995.

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CMDCM Richard E. Bolton

Command Master Chief, 1st Marine Division

Master Chief Petty Officer (Submarine Warfare/Surface Warfare/Fleet Marine Force) Richard Bolton is a native of California.

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