Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., also known as “8th & I,” is the oldest active post in the Marine Corps. On this date, LtCol Commandant William W. Burrows rode with president Thomas Jefferson to look for “a proper place to fix the Marine Barracks on.” President Jefferson was a personal friend of the Commandant, and deeply interested in the welfare of the Corps and accompanied Burrows on horseback on the morning of 31 March. They chose a square in Southeast Washington, bounded by 8th and 9th streets, and G & I streets, because it lay near the Navy Yard and was within easy marching distance of the Capitol.