What does HQMC consist of?

• A. The Commandant of the Marine Corps and staff agencies that advise and assist him
• B. The Joint Chiefs of Staff
• C. The Marine Corps Recruiting Command
• D. The Secretary of the Navy

Answer: (A)

HQMC refers to Headquarters, Marine Corps—the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the staff agencies that advise and assist him in running the Marine Corps. This is the administrative and policy-making center that supports the Commandant. The Joint Chiefs of Staff, while a crucial DoD body that coordinates matters across the services, is not part of HQMC. The Marine Corps Recruiting Command is a subordinate command under HQMC that handles recruitment, but HQMC itself is defined by the Commandant and the advising staff, not by that single component. The Secretary of the Navy is the civilian head of the Navy and Marine Corps; HQMC operates under the Secretary but is not equivalent to him.