Marines continue their professional education in every clime and place

Marines Read to Lead

Success in the next battle depends upon preparation today. General Al Gray instituted the Commandant’s Professional Reading List and the requirement that all Marines read and enhance the breadth of their professional knowledge.  He believed that Marines fight better when they fight smarter.

These libraries allow Marines of all ranks to access books that are on the Commandant’s Professional Reading List, enhancing their professional military education.  Without access to the libraries, Marines, and in particular our junior Marines, would be expected to find these books and pay for them on their own. Our Commanders’ Unit Library Program gives Marines the tools they need to develop as leaders and critical thinkers.

If you are a Marine interested in enhancing the professional library in your unit, please fill out the form below. Once your completed form is received by MCAF, you will receive correspondence which specifies the amount of support, current book list with pricing, and further instructions. These funds, when offered, constitute an unconditional gift and require the Commanding Officer or Commanding General to accept the offer under the authority of MCO 5800.16-V8 (Legal Support and Administration Manual).
For questions or additional information, please contact MSgt Preston Mitchell, USMC (Ret) at [email protected], 703-640-0144.

NOTE: Once approval is given, units have 30 days to make your selection and return the completed book selection request form back to this office for the amount gifted to your unit. After 30 days, a Predetermined selection of books from the CMC list will be sent to your command up to the gifted amount.
Units are eligible, with a new request form, to renew their libraries one (1) year from MCAF ship date. Don’t Delay!