The Navy and Marine Corps Council (NMCC) was established in 1967 by then Secretary of the Navy, Paul H. Nitze. His desire was to establish a Council composed of organizations that support the Navy and Marine Corps. The Council was designed to give the Secretary of the Navy, and the rest of Navy and Marine Corps leadership, one place to go to address issues of importance to the Navy Department, that would also be of interest to these organizations and their membership. Today, the NMCC consists of 22 organizations that represent over 500,000 constituents.
              Representatives of each organization meet quarterly for briefings from various Navy and Marine Corps organizations and commands, as well as to share information with each other. Also attending the meetings are representatives from the Navy Secretariat, Navy Office of Information (CHINFO), Marine Corps Public Affairs and Community Relations Branch, and the Navy Recruiting Command (CRUITCOM).
               Annually the council holds a briefing by the Secretary of the Navy for the member organizations. The day also includes briefings by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC), Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, or their representatives. It culminates with a luncheon with the Secretary or one of the other distinguished speakers.
                The Annual Meeting has become an interchange between member organizations, SECNAV, and other Navy/Marine Corps leadership. SECNAV briefs the Council on his goals and objectives and how the organizations can help him achieve those objectives. This is an opportunity for an exchange of information, questions, and suggestions between all parties.