Our Projects
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Carabiners For Every Marine
Night vision goggles are essential for nighttime operations, but standard-issue gear does not include the carabiners needed to attach them securely to helmets or flak jackets. Without these attachments, Marines often purchase them out of pocket and face logistical challenges traveling to supply centers, particularly when personal transportation is limited.
The 1/1 Foundation purchased and distributed carabiners to every Marine in the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. This direct support eliminated personal expenses for hundreds of Marines, reduced barriers to equipment access, and ensured full readiness for training and operations, delivering meaningful improvements in safety and efficiency.
Earpieces for Radio Communications
Marines rely on communication radios during live-fire training, but standard hearing protection can make it difficult to hear critical instructions. Without specialized earpieces, Marines are forced to choose between protecting their hearing and maintaining clear communication, creating unnecessary risk in high-intensity training environments.
To address this need, the Foundation funded and delivered dozens of in-ear radio earpieces designed to fit comfortably beneath hearing protection. This equipment allows Marines to communicate clearly while preserving hearing safety, resulting in safer, more effective training and a lasting investment in both performance and long-term health.
Leadership & Mindset Development
Leadership is central to every Marine’s development, and the 1/1 Battalion sought to create a learning opportunity focused on accountability and teamwork through Jocko Willink’s Extreme Ownership. However, the unit lacked the resources to provide each Marine with a copy of the book.
In response, the Foundation purchased and donated a copy of Extreme Ownership for every participating Marine in a battalion-wide PT session and leadership discussion on November 13. This shared experience strengthens leadership culture across the unit, reinforcing responsibility, teamwork, and discipline while demonstrating the community’s belief in the growth of each Marine as both a warrior and a leader.
Emergency Family Assistance
Two Navy corpsmen assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marines suffered serious injuries that required prolonged hospitalization, including intensive care. Family members traveled urgently from out of state to be by their sides, creating an immediate and critical need for nearby lodging during an already overwhelming time.
Within hours of the battalion’s request, the 1/1 Foundation committed $3,200 to secure a full week of hotel accommodations near the treating hospitals, providing private and comfortable rooms for each family without delay. This swift response eased significant financial and logistical stress, allowing families to focus entirely on recovery and being present with their loved ones while reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring no Marine, corpsman, or family faces crisis alone.
Dunkin Donuts Gift Cards
Following intensive training exercises and field operations, Marines of 1st Battalion, 1st Marines benefit from structured opportunities to gather, decompress, and strengthen unit cohesion. These informal gatherings help boost morale and camaraderie but often require personal, out-of-pocket contributions from junior Marines and leaders to organize.
To support these efforts, the 1/1 Foundation donated $1,200 in Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards to sponsor four post-training company-level gatherings. These events provided a welcoming space for Marines to relax, reconnect, and rebuild the interpersonal bonds essential to readiness and resilience, while reinforcing that the Foundation and its supporters stand behind them throughout every stage of service.