Camp Lejeune

In the spring of 1941, plans for the construction of a Marine Corps base on 11,000 acres of land in Onslow County, North Carolina, was approved. This base was named Camp Lejeune, in honor of Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Camp Lejeune now boasts 156,000 acres of training grounds. To prepare for amphibious operations, 11 miles of these training grounds are on the beach. The mission at Camp Lejeune is still the same as it was in the beginning: “to maintain combat-ready units for expeditionary deployment.” A convenient location between Wilmington and Morehead City (both deep-water ports) makes Camp Lejeune well-positioned for fast deployments. Camp Lejeune has receieved the Commander-in-Chief’s Award for Installation Excellence six times.

Major Units

The Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, II Marine Expeditionary Force, II Marine Expeditionary Force IMA Detachment, 2nd Marine Air Wing, Marine Corps Installations East (MCIEAST), 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, School of Infantry, and the Weapons Training Battalion are just a few of the commands that call Camp Lejeune home.

Population

Camp Lejeune and the surrounding community of Jacksonville, North Carolina is the home of approximately 180,000 active duty, retired military, civilian employees, and military dependents.

Housing & Schools

Temporary housing for those new to Camp Lejeune is available at the Lejeune Inn. The Lejeune Inn has 90 rooms, all of which contain two double beds, a kitchenette, cable TV, and other amenities. The Inn is open 24 hours a day.

The Family Housing Division assists Marines and their families in finding suitable housing on- and off-base. There are 14 family housing neighborhoods on Camp Lejeune. The Housing Office offers a Rental Partnership Program to help military personnel find and qualify for rental properties off-base. Construction of 190 family housing units and three 5-story bachelor enlisted quarters is currently underway on Camp Lejeune, scheduled for completion in the summer of 2012.

Camp Lejeune has its own school system, Camp Lejeune Dependents Schools. There are seven schools on base: three elementary schools, one primary school, one secondary school, one middle school, and one high school. The students at these schools are all dependents of military personnel, and must live on base or be on a waiting list to live on base in order to attend.

Services on Camp Lejeune

The Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune serves active duty military members, retirees, and their family members.

The commissary offers a deli, bakery, fresh lobster, sushi, and fresh sandwiches to go. The large Exchange will meet most of a Marine’s shopping needs, offering electronics, clothing, jewelry, housewares, toys, and more. Services also available at the Exchange include alteration services and a pharmacy. There are 12 Marine Marts (convenience stores/gas stations) on base, and several service stations.

For golfers, the Paradise Point Golf Course has two golf courses and two driving ranges. A bowling alley, two community centers, six recreation centers, three hobby shops, five pools, two movie theatres, and a marina offer more fun activities for personnel and their families.

There are also banks and credit unions, fitness centers, and a library on base for the convenience of those living or working on Camp Lejeune.