The United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association is an organization comprising active duty, reserve, retired and former Marines who served as Combat Correspondents or Combat Communicators on active duty or worked as a civilian in journalism, photography, broadcasting, graphic arts, advertising and public relations.

The USMCCCA is the only professional organization of its kind in the U.S. military services. Forming in 1947, the USMCCCA is a not-for-profit fraternal and patriotic organization dedicated to supporting the U.S. Marine Corps as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Council composed of affiliated organizations.

Within the stringent limits of eligibility for membership, the Association’s is a unique and elite band of active duty and former Marines, seasoned professionals in all aspects of mass communications.

What we do As its contribution to the capability and readiness of Marine Corps mass communication, the Association manages and executes various major programs: The Annual Merit Awards Program which provides recognition for professional achievements of active-duty Marines, The Gladys McPartland and USMCCCA Foundation Scholarship Funds for active duty Marines, members and dependents, and professional seminars to assist active-duty Marines in increasing their expertise as communicators.

Merit Awards are presented and seminars conducted annually during the Association’s annual conferences held at different locations throughout the country. CCs also have two other presentations: the Brigadier General Robert L. Denig Distinguished Service Award (DSA) given, when warranted, to an accomplished civilian communicator for a special and significant contribution to the Corps; and the Donald L. Dickson Memorial Award, presented to a member of the USMCCCA for notable achievement in support of the Association.