Vice President JD Vance made headlines—and made Marines proud—this week with a visit to Marine Corps Base Quantico that was more than just a photo op. It was a full-circle moment for the former Marine turned second-in-command of the United States. And while the current administration continues to emphasize merit, mission readiness, and patriotic excellence, Vance’s boots-on-the-ground approach sent a clear message: the culture of combat effectiveness is back.
The reception was warm. The connection was real. These weren’t forced handshakes and scripted remarks. This was a Marine among Marines—someone who has worn the uniform, walked the walk, and now carries the torch from the White House to the frontlines of policy and morale.
Most based vice president in history. pic.twitter.com/68XRsjH0SP
— Kristina Wong 🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) March 26, 2025
Vance delivered a message straight from President Trump: “He wanted me to tell you two things: first, that he loves you. And second, that he’s proud of you.” Say what you will, but that hits different when it’s coming from someone who’s been down in the dirt with an MRE and a mission—not a speechwriter.
But Vance didn’t stop at words. He picked up a tray and served chow. Then he picked up a weapon—a few, actually. The M27. The M240B. Even the mighty M107. He fired an inert Howitzer and launched a drone. It wasn’t theater; it was a reaffirmation that the people making decisions in Washington finally understand the weight of the ones being made on the battlefield.
The United States is strong thanks to the strength of our Armed Forces.
President Trump and I want excellence in America’s military, and we are going to make sure our Marines are the best, most lethal fighting force in the world 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/sCPVFWpby2
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) March 27, 2025
And then came the speech—already the backbone of the new Marine Corps recruitment ad. It wasn’t filled with buzzwords or bureaucratic fluff. It was a clear, sharp declaration: Excellence is back. The mission comes first. No more quotas. No more DEI lectures. No more identity politics in the barracks.
“We believe the real strength and the real diversity in the United States Marine Corps,” Vance said, “is that you all come from every walk of life, come from every corner of America, and you have got the strength and the purpose to win the nation’s wars.”
🎥⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LJyrHLYwiY
— Madeline Leesman (@MadelineLeesman) March 26, 2025
That’s the kind of message that cuts through the noise.
Marines like Lance Cpl. Casey Bonestroo felt the impact immediately. “He was a Marine just like the rest of us,” she told Townhall. And that’s the key. This isn’t someone parachuting in with a speech about “understanding the troops.” This is someone who was one of them—who climbed from junior Marine to vice president, carrying leadership lessons from the Corps into the highest levels of government.
