Friday, November 3, 2023
1600: Photos commence (adjacent to the ball room)
1800: Cocktail hour commences (cash only)
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

Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 920-3230.

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 by Friday, October 20, 2023 

Room Price:
• King or Double Bed Standard Room: $139 + Taxes (14.25%).
• Junior Suite Bedroom, 1 King: $189 + Taxes (14.25%).
• Start Date: Friday, November 3, 2023.
• End Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023.

Parking:
• Discounted self-parking of $20 per car on night of the event for attendees.
• Discounted self-parking of $30 per car for overnight guests.
Please note that the hotel is connected to Crystal City Metro Station and free parking is available in the Crystal City Underground.

Crystal Gateway Marriott Website 

Tickets

Join the Marines of H&S Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, as they celebrate the 248th birthday of their beloved Corps.

Tickets are on sale until October 27 at midnight. 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: $85.
• E6–E8, O1-O3, W1-W3, GS6-GS11, and NAF4 & 1st. guest: $75
• GS1-GS5, and NAF2-NAF3 & 1st. guest: $65.
• E1–E5 and below: $25.
• E1-E5 1st. guest, NAF1 & 1st. guest: $55.
• Kids (who are occupying a seat and eating a kid's meal): $35.
• Additional Guests: $75.

Buy your tickets here:

Menu

One of the following entrée plus sides of three cheese potato souflle and seasonal julienne vegetables:

• Panko and Herb Crusted Chicken with Sundried Tomato Pesto.
• Filet Mignon with Chimichurri Sauce and Roasted Cipollini Onions (Gluten free).
• Pan Seared Salmon with Crayfish Butter (Gluten free).
• Vegan Option (Dairy & Gluten free).
• Kid's meal includes chicken tenders, fries, fruit cup and milk or soft drink.

Guest of Honor

Sergeant Major Stephanie K. Murphy

Sergeant Major Stephanie Murphy was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. In May of 1988, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. She went to boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. She was transferred to Fort Eustis, Virginia where she was ordered to military occupational specialist training at the United States Army Transportation School, where she was assigned the MOS of 3112, Traffic Management Specialist.

After completion of school, she was assigned to Beach and Port Terminal Operations Company, 3rd Landing Support Battalion, Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan as a Traffic Management Specialist. During her tour in Okinawa, she deployed to Camp Fuji, Japan with Combat Service Support Detachment Fourteen for three months. Private First Class Murphy was promoted to Lance Corporal in April 1989.

In November 1989, Lance Corporal Murphy transferred to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California as a Traffic Management Specialist. She was promoted to Corporal in January of 1992 and remained in El Toro until May 1993.

Corporal Murphy transferred to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, assigned as a Traffic Management for 2 years. While stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, she was promoted to Sergeant in November of 1994.

In October of 1996, Sergeant Murphy reported to Drill Instructor School at Parris Island, South Carolina. She graduated December of 1996 and was assigned to Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. In April of 1998, Sergeant Murphy was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. During her assignment she was assigned as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Series Gunnery Sergeant.

In December 1999, Staff Sergeant Murphy transferred to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, Georgia where she was assigned as Traffic Management Office chief. In April 2001, Staff Sergeant Murphy received an accelerated promotion to Gunnery Sergeant.

In September 2001, Gunnery Sergeant Murphy reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL to train Naval Officer Candidates. After completing Drill Instructor School for the second time, Gunnery Sergeant Murphy served as a drill instructor for three years. After the completion of her first class, Gunnery Sergeant Murphy was awarded a Congressional Record proceedings and debates of the United States of America, by the 107th Congress Second Session, Volume 148, Number 104, Washington. The Senate honored her as the First Female Drill Instructor at Naval Officer Candidate School.

Gunnery Sergeant Murphy was frocked to the rank of First Sergeant in January 2005 and reported to Inspector & Instructor Staff Indianapolis, Indiana immediately to Detachment Communications, Communication Company Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division and Detachment Two, Electronics Maintenance, 4th Marine Logistics Group. During this tour of duty, First Sergeant Murphy served in numerous collateral billets.

In June of 2007, First Sergeant Murphy reported to First Radio Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California as the First Sergeant of Headquarters and Service Company and February 2008, First Sergeant Murphy deployed in support of Iraqi Freedom.

During January 2009, First Sergeant Murphy was frocked to the rank of Sergeant Major and immediately reported to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina for duty as the 4th Recruit Training Battalion Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Murphy served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for two Battalion Commanders and at the time, for the only all enlisted-female Recruit Training Battalion in the DoD. She was directly responsible for the thorough indoctrination of over 4,600 new Marines to meet the challenges of the future operating environment. 

In July 2012, Sergeant Major Murphy deployed to combat in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 12-2 with Combat Logistics Battalion Two, 2nd Marine Logistics Group and returned to then report to Officer Candidates School, Training Command, Quantico, Virginia for duty. Sergeant Major Murphy was responsible for the professional and leadership development of drill instructors and over 3,200 officer candidates. Notably, Sergeant Major Murphy was the first female Sergeant Major to covet this assignment.

In June 2015, Sergeant Major Murphy posted as the Marine Corps Logistics Command Sergeant Major, Albany, Georgia. She served her final three years of service and retired with a culmination of thirty years of service.

Sergeant Major Murphy’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Gold Stars in lieu of fourth award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with 2 Gold Stars in lieu of third award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with 1 Gold Stars in lieu of second award).

Sergeant Major Murphy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Degree from the University of West Florida and a Master of Business Administration degree from the American Military University. She has obtained a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Murphy completed her research in the area of Mentoring in the Military. Her dissertation was on Cross-Gender Mentoring Experience of a Few Good Women.

Formal Photos

Digital photos are FREE and available 5 business days after the ball. Physical photos can be purchased through Google Photo after the photos become available. Adaptive Creative will be located onsite for formal pictures from 1600.

360 Video and Mirror Photo Booths

L.I.T Events are a team of experienced and talented professionals that will be providing a FREE 360 Video Booth and a mirror photo booth with red carpet and props to use.

Click here to read more.

Memento