When Vice President JD Vance stood before roaring F-35s and artillery fire at California’s Camp Pendleton on 18 October 2025, it was not merely a patriotic display — it was a return to his origins. Once a Marine corporal documenting the Iraq War, Vance is now the second-most powerful man in the US, using the symbolism of military might to project strength amid rising political discord. The event drew thousands of protesters across California, as they claimed the demonstration was an unnecessary show of force that politicised the military and overshadowed pressing domestic issues, including the ongoing government shutdown and public safety concerns.From Vance’s perspective, the demonstration was both a celebration of the Marines’ legacy and a signal of federal resolve. He described the display — live artillery, parachuting troops, and naval exercises — as a “testament to the corps’ strength and unbeatable power” and said it made his “heart sing as your vice president.” Framing the event politically, he also criticized congressional Democrats for the government shutdown, pledging that troops would continue to be paid despite broader federal funding challenges.
JD Vance’s marine past
Vance enlisted in the US Marine Corps immediately after high school, seeking structure and purpose at a pivotal moment in his life. He trained rigorously at Parris Island, enduring the demands of boot camp and the discipline required to become a Marine.He was deployed to Iraq, serving as a public affairs officer with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. In this role, he documented operations, reported on missions, and communicated with both military and civilian audiences — experiences that honed his communication skills and reinforced his sense of duty.
His military service became a defining element of his personal narrative, most prominently featured in his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy. In it, Vance credits the Marines with instilling discipline, resilience, and direction, framing his time in uniform as a transformative period that reshaped his life trajectory. “It was the first place where failure wasn’t the end,” he wrote, reflecting on how the Corps offered stability and purpose when his early life was chaotic.After completing his service, Vance leveraged the GI Bill to attend Ohio State University, later earning a degree from Yale Law School. His time as a Marine continues to influence his political messaging, particularly his focus on patriotism, national strength, and disciplined leadership, themes that were unmistakably foregrounded during the Camp Pendleton event.On 18 October 2025, Vice President Vance presided over a live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton, California, celebrating the US semiquincentennial. Marines fired 155-millimetre artillery shells over a closed stretch of Interstate 5, while paratroopers descended and Navy SEALs swam ashore in a choreographed show. The exercise prompted California officials to close the heavily traveled freeway for hours due to safety concerns, although the Marines initially planned to fire multiple rounds over the highway before. scaling back amid state-federal negotiations.The event drew thousands of protesters across cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego, voicing opposition to the Trump administration’s domestic agenda. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the exercise as an “absurd show of force” and “dangerous”, arguing that federal authorities had failed to provide adequate notice or consultation. Vance’s aides countered that Newsom was stoking unnecessary fear and that the exercise posed no threat.
Vance leveraged the event politically, framing congressional Democrats as responsible for a government shutdown, dubbing it the “Schumer shutdown”, and pledging that military personnel would continue to be paid. His remarks cast the armed forces as victims of partisan gridlock and progressive cultural agendas, reinforcing his image as a leader aligned with nationalist and veteran-oriented messaging.
why it matters
The episode highlights three intersecting dimensions of significance.First, it demonstrates the politicization of the US military in an era of domestic polarization. While the exercise was officially commemorative, its timing and scale — including live ammunition and highway closures — blurred the line between celebration and political messaging.Second, it underscores the administration’s emphasis on visual displays of power. By showcasing military strength in a liberal-leaning state during a government shutdown, Vance signaled federal authority while appealing to conservative voters and reinforcing the administration’s populist narrative.Third, it illustrates the re-emergence of veteran identity as political capital. Vance’s trajectory from Marine corporal to national leader resonates with segments of the population that value service as a marker of authenticity, authority, and leadership in public life.
What’s next
The California demonstration underscores both the opportunities and risks of blending military identity with political authority. Supporters see a vice president affirming national strength; critics see a leader blurring civil-military boundaries and politicizing military spectacle.Analysts suggest that Vance’s next challenge lies in translating his Marine ethos — order, loyalty, and discipline — into effective governance, while navigating both domestic dissent and the scrutiny of liberal states.Looking ahead, the 18 October 2025 Camp Pendleton display signals that Vance will continue leveraging military imagery to bolster his political profile. How effectively this resonates with voters, while maintaining public trust and operational safety, will shape perceptions of his leadership and influence the trajectory of the Trump administration’s populist strategy.
