To support the United States and Japan’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, 12th Marine Regiment will redesignate to 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) on November 15, 2023. The redesignation will mark the next historic chapter in the Marine Corps’ commitment to designing a force that is prepared to effectively respond to the challenges of the contemporary global security environment and serves as a testament to the regiment's role in the Marine Corps' global employment.

This redesignation follows the Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) which announced that 12th Marines would remain in Okinawa and redesignate to 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) by 2025. The statement affirmed the MLR’s purpose to “bolster deterrence and provide a stand-in force that is able to defend Japan and quickly respond to contingencies.”

The Marine Corps remains committed to the basic tenets of the 2012 Defense Policy Review Initiative Realignment Plan. No new units will be added to Okinawa under the agreement. This is strictly a redesignation of an existing unit on Okinawa in accordance with Marine Corps modernization efforts.

12th Marine Regiment is currently participating in exercise Resolute Dragon, which takes place from October 14-31 across multiple locations in Japan. During Resolute Dragon, 12th Marines will distribute in a similar manner to what is designed for the MLR: They will deploy to Japan’s Southwest Islands, Kyushu, and Hokkaido, provide sensing capabilities in a simulated battlespace, and integrate joint force firepower with our Japanese ally’s capabilities.

Media members are invited to attend the November 15 redesignation ceremony on Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. To RSVP for this event, please email 3DIV_COMMSTRAT@usmc.mil no later than November 8. Media are also encouraged to attend exercise Resolute Dragon events from October 14-31 and should email IIIMEFMEDIA@usmc.mil so your access and coverage can be coordinated.

Following the redesignation ceremony, the regiment will continue to train and evolve to be ready to fight as part of 3d Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. We hope you will join us for this historic step in the process of redesignating 12th Marine Regiment to 12th MLR.