250th USMC Birthday Ball

This event is currently in the planning stages, and general details are not yet available. As soon as information becomes available, it will be posted here. Please check back soon for updates — we appreciate your interest and patience!

Join us in celebrating the 250th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps at the 2025 Marine Corps Birthday Ball, hosted by Headquarters & Service Battalion, Headquarters of the United States Marine Corps on Henderson Hall.

Please note: This is not the Commandant’s Ball, but a proud and distinguished event honoring the legacy, valor, and traditions of the Corps within our own Henderson Hall community.

Friday, November 14, 2025
1600: Photos commence (adjacent to the ball room)
1800: VIP Cocktail Hour starts
1800: Cocktail hour commences
1845: VIP Cocktail Hour ends
1850: Move into the ball room
1855: All Marines and guests seated
1900: Ceremony/Speeches commences
2000: Dinner served
2045: Dancing commences
2330: Ball ends

Location

Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 418-1234.

Accommodations:
A block of 35 rooms with the below special price has been set aside for those who have bought tickets and wish to stay over night.

Reserve your room here (coming soon) 

Room Price:
• Single or Double Bed Standard Room: $149 + Taxes (14.25%).
• Start Date: Friday, November 14, 2025.
• End Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025.

Parking:
• Discounted valet-parking of $20 per car on night of the event for attendees.
• Discounted valet-parking of $30 per car for overnight guests.

In addition to the hotel’s parking facilities, attendees will also have access to an adjacent paid parking lot located just around the corner from the hotel – Concord Crystal City, 2600 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202.See Map.

Hyatt Regency Crystal City Website 

Tickets

Join the Marines of H&S Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, as they celebrate the 250th birthday of their beloved Corps.

Tickets will go on sale September 22 at 8:00am. Tickets are not refundable.

Ticket prices are:
• Contractors, Civilians, Retirees and their guests: $100
• E9, O4-O6, W4-W5, GS12-GS15, and NAF5 & 1st. guest: $90.
• E6–E8, O1-O3, W1-W3, GS6-GS11, and NAF4 & 1st. guest: $80
• GS1-GS5, and NAF2-NAF3 & 1st. guest: $70.
• E1–E5 and below: $50.
• E1-E5 1st. guest, NAF1 & 1st. guest: $55.
• Kids (who are occupying a seat and eating a kid's meal): $45.
• Additional Guests: $75.

Buy your tickets here starting September 22 at 8:00am:

Menu

• Caesar Salad with Romaine Lettuce & Parmesan Cheese.
• Herb Crusted Chicken Breast with Chardonnay Cream, Asparagus, Roasted Tomatoes, and Mashed Potatoes. Gluten free.
• Dill Crusted Salmon, Asparagus, Roasted Tomatoes, and Mashed Potatoes. Gluten free.
• Vegan Roasted Vegetable Ravioli, Sautéed Spinach, Caponata Sauce. Dairy free.
• Kid's Meal: Grilled Chicken Nuggets with French Fries.
• Almond Apple Tart.

Guest of Honor

Alford L. McMichael
14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

Sergeant Major Alford L. McMichael was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 27 August 1970 and attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California.

In June 1971, after completing Infantry Training School and Basic Infantry Training at Camp Pendleton, California, SgtMaj McMichael was assigned to Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In May 1973, he was transferred to 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton.

In December 1973, SgtMaj McMichael returned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego where he served as a drill instructor, series gunnery sergeant, and battalion drill master. In December 1975, he was transferred to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton.

In January 1978, SgtMaj McMichael transferred to the 3d Marine Division where he served as a shore party chief with the 3d Division Support Group.

In January 1979, SgtMaj McMichael received orders to Marine Security Guard School and, upon completion of the school, was assigned to the American Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. In May 1981, he returned to Quantico, Virginia to serve as an instructor for the Marine Security Guard School.

In May 1983, SgtMaj McMichael was assigned to the University of Minnesota where he served as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor for the NROTC Program.

In December 1984, after completing the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy Advanced Course, SgtMaj McMichael was transferred to Okinawa, Japan, to serve as the first sergeant of Company C, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion. In January 1986, he was ordered to Marine Barracks, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, to serve as the barracks' first sergeant.

Sergeant Major McMichael served as the director of the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, from May 1989 to May 1991 after having served as the school's deputy director since August 1988.

In May 1991, SgtMaj McMichael was transferred to Quantico, where he served as the Sergeant Major of Officer Candidates School.

In June 1994, SgtMaj McMichael returned to Okinawa, where he served as the Sergeant Major of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit until July 1995 when he was reassigned as the Sergeant Major of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

From January 1997 to June 1999, SgtMaj McMichael served as the Sergeant Major for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Division, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps.

Sergeant Major McMichael assumed his post as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on July 1, 1999. He left the position on 26 June 2003 to become a senior enlisted advisor to NATO, a newly created post.  He retired from the Marine Corps in October 2006.

Sergeant Major McMichael's personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star.

Formal Photos

Greenwood Photography photographs interested attendees and have them pay for their packages. Greenwood Photography picks the best expression, apply light retouching, print the packages and mail them directly to their residence. This process takes approximately two weeks from the time photographs are taken. Click here for more information.

360 Video Photo Booth

Wonder Flash is a team of experienced and talented professionals that will be providing a FREE 360 Video Photo Booth with red carpet and props to use.

Click here to read more.

Memento