To help the homebound Marines recover from COSR, the U.S. Marine Corps Support Group conducts homecoming preparations that include putting up message-board communities to discuss PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and WIA (Wounded in Action), as well as workbooks on this aspect. The workbooks are given out free to spouses and family members for use as a group to prepare well for the homecoming of their Soldier or Marine.

1. Keeping The Corps Spirit Alive
By: United States Marine Corps Support Group
As a way of paying back the US Marines for their service to the motherland, the US
Marines Corps Support Group has been quietly but efficiently working since 1960 for the
transition of the Marines back to their normal lives as their tours of duty ended. At the heart
of this support program is the effort to relieve the Marines of what is called post­traumatic
stress disorder, which is common among war­weary soldiers who come home from
combat zones. Without this support activity, troopers returning home from the war often
find difficulty adjusting to a normal, productive life. This is caused by the so­called COSR
or Combat and Operational Stress Reaction.
To help the homebound Marines recover from COSR, the U.S. Marine Corps Support
Group conducts homecoming preparations that include putting up message­board
communities to discuss PTSD (Post­Traumatic Stress Disorder) and WIA (Wounded in
Action), as well as workbooks on this aspect. The workbooks are given out free to
spouses and family members for use as a group to prepare well for the homecoming of
their Soldier or Marine.

2. The Marines and their families are also made conversant with GI Bill 2008 and how they
can avail of its benefits accruing to them. The family members receive instructions on how
to help their returning vet upon his return. Similarly, the United States Marine Corps
Support Group assists families in writing or lobbying with their lawmakers for an increase
in benefits of the returning Marines in terms of education and mental health, among other
things.
There are many web links set up for the Marines and their families to make their transition
to normal life faster and easier. The links include those specific for vets of the Iraq War.
The group behind this support activity is a non­profit foundation that provides service to
both active­duty and reserve Marines, their families and Marine veterans. It is a
social/fraternal organization and a designated educational and charitable foundation under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
In keeping with its mandate, the US Marine Corps Support Group keeps the spirit of our
Corps' motto, Semper Fidelis, alive through a series of events and activities keeping faith
with our Marine brothers and sisters. It actively supports the Marines through the Marine 4
Life Program; the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund; the local JROTC programs at Kentwood
High School in Covington, Snohomish Senior High, and Wilson High School in Tacoma.
More important, It maintains an emergency fund for Marines in need.
The high point of USMC Support Group’s work is the annual membership event which
commemorates the birthday of the US Marine Corps. In addition to the traditional
Commandant's message and a cake­cutting ceremony, the Group also presents the
Noncommissioned Officer's Swords to selected Marines­of­the­Year in local areas. The
latest recipient of the Officer’s Sword is a Marine graduate of the University of
Washington’s NROTC graduating class.
The USMC Support Group strives to keep Marine Corps history and accomplishments
before the public eye through appearances on radio talk shows and other public fora.