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For the 1978 Israeli–Egyptian peace agreement, see Camp David Accords.
Main Lodge at Camp David during the Nixon administration, February 9, 1971
Naval Support Facility Thurmont, popularly known as Camp David, is a mountain based military camp in Frederick County, Maryland used as a country retreat and for high alert protection of the President of the United States and his guests.
First known as Hi-Catoctin, Camp David was originally built as a camp for federal government agents and their families, by the WPA, starting in 1935, opening in 1938.[1] In 1942 it was converted to a presidential retreat by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and renamed U.S.S. Shangri-La. Camp David received its present name from Dwight Eisenhower, in honor of his grandson, Dwight David Eisenhower II.[2]
The camp is very isolated and quiet. The compound consists of several cabins hidden throughout the woods, connected only by small mulch walking paths. These cabins are all named after various trees, plants, and flowers. There is only one main road on the compound, essentially cutting the camp in two parts: one side in which the Marines and Naval personnel live, eat and train; and the other side consisting of all the guest cabins and presidential recreational facilities. Camp David is a United States Navy installation, commanded by a Naval Commander. Sailors are mostly Seabees and most officers are in the civil engineering field. The Navy Seabee Detachment performs maintenance and beautification. The sailors must undergo a "Yankee White" level background check, which involves passing the most rigorous background check conducted by the Department of Defense (DOD). The sailors are hand-picked for their service at Camp David, and represent the best of the U.S. Navy. Some of the sailors include: grounds and maintenance personnel, electricians, carpenters, corpsmen, and the President's cooks (mess specialists). The Camp is alleged to be one of the most secure facilities in the world, as reported by a Department of Defense journal in 1998. The Facility is guarded by one of the United States Marine Corps' most elite units, MSC-CD (Marine Security Company, Camp David). Each Marine is hand-picked from the infantry and sent through a battery of psychological and physical tests. The chosen Marine must then undergo specialized security training at the Marine Corps Security Forces School in Chesapeake, Virginia. The candidate then reports to the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. Assuming the Marine successfully completes all of their schooling, they still must undergo the "Yankee White" background check. Only then will the candidate be eligible for the assignment at Camp David. After 12 months of service at Camp David, a Marine is awarded the Presidential Service Badge. Typically tours at Camp David are 18–20 months. Every president since Franklin Roosevelt has made use of Camp David. Roosevelt hosted Sir Winston Churchill in May of 1943.[3]
Dwight Eisenhower held the first cabinet meeting here. John F. Kennedy and his family often enjoyed horseback riding and other recreational activities. Kennedy often allowed White House staff and cabinet members to use the retreat when he or his family was not there. Lyndon Johnson often met with important advisors at the retreat and hosted Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt. Richard Nixon was a frequent visitor and did much to add and modernize the facilities. Gerald Ford often rode his snowmobile around Camp David and hosted Indonesia President Suharto.[4]
Jimmy Carter brokered the Camp David Accords here in September 1978 between Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.[5]
Ronald Reagan visited the retreat more than any other president. Dorothy Bush Koch the daughter of George H.W. Bush was the first person ever to be married here in 1992. Bill Clinton increasingly used Camp David more as his tenure in office progressed. George W. Bush hosted dignitaries including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2007.[6] As of late June 2009, Barack Obama seldom finds time for Camp David because of the busy schedule of his daughters, but said "If Michelle and I had our way we'd go there every weekend".[7]
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