DLA Weapons Support salutes 251 years of Marine readiness

The Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support workforce marked the 251st birthday of the United States Marine Corps with observances held at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, and its headquarters at Defense Supply Center Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 10.

The DSCC and DSCR events were steeped in tradition, blending the past and the present with an eye toward continued Marine Corps readiness and lethality. The ceremonies included a reading of the historic birthday message from Marine Corps Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, the 13th commandant and "architect of the modern Corps," followed by a broadcast of the 2026 Marine Corps birthday video.

DLA Weapons Support Commander Navy Rear Adm. Julie M. Treanor delivered opening remarks at DSCC, emphasizing the unbreakable bond between the Navy and the Corps.

"We have shared the same decks, braved the same seas and fought side-by-side in every major conflict in our nation's history," Treanor said.

She praised the integrated capabilities of the Weapons Support workforce as the backbone behind continued Marine Corps readiness, calling the partnership a testament to the entire joint force.

"Valor and bravery win battles, but as any seasoned commander will tell you: logistics wins wars," Treanor said. "Our strategic partnerships and global supply chains are what keep our front-line forces lethal, agile and ready."

Those partnerships were further highlighted by the Columbus event's keynote speaker, Marine Corps Col. Joseph R. Petkus, commanding officer, 4th Marine Corps District.

Having been a logistics officer for most of his career, Petkus emphasized that DLA has been an essential mission partner in sustaining Marine Corps readiness for 65 years.

"Behind those Marines (on the front lines) are countless individuals, like all of you here today at DLA, whose work makes that mission possible," he said. He noted that while their contributions may not always be as visible, they are no less important to the Marine Corps' ability to accomplish its mission.

"The Marine Corps depends on the results of your work here at DLA," he continued. "The reputation of the Marine Corps for being ready when the nation calls does not belong to Marines alone; it rests on the efforts of the people across the defense enterprise, including all of you here today."

Following the keynote presentation, Marine Corps Lt. Col. Christopher Jones, deputy director of Combat Arms Customer Support Directorate at DLA Weapons Support, joined Petkus on stage to present a commemorative memento on behalf of the command and delivered the event's closing remarks.

Meanwhile, DSCR's celebration featured remarks by Marine Corps Col. Scott Martin, chief of the Marine Aviation Customer Facing Division, Naval Aviation Directorate, who highlighted the reoccurring theme through the birthday message and video: the individual Marine.

"Marines, whether in Vietnam or Iraq or current operations today, are doing great things and do so because they want to uphold the legacy of a Marine and not let the Marine beside them down," he said. "The video also displayed some impressive aviation platforms that everybody in this room - the Marines and civilians alike - work really hard to support. We do the hard stuff here, so the Marines are really prepared to do more difficult things in combat. Despite all the technological advances and impressive platforms, we've always demonstrated that the real difference in decisive advantage is the individual Marine."

Following the formal remarks, both events held the traditional cake-cutting ceremony with the first piece of cake presented to the keynote speaker, followed by the oldest Marine present who passed a piece of cake to the youngest, symbolizing the passing of history, experience, tradition and knowledge from one generation of Marines to the next.

Both events culminated in the playing of Anchors Away and The Marines' Hymn, followed by traditional cake receptions and group photos celebrating DLA's support to the Marine Corps.

(Amy Perry, DLA Weapons Support Public Affairs, also contributed to this article.)