FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear MCA Member,
Our members and supporters made 2007 a memorable year for MCA. In particular, our professional event schedule grew with two new, annual dinner events that proved both enjoyable and of considerable professional interest to attending guests. The first MCA Annual Dinner featured Secretary of Defense, Dr. Robert M. Gates as the guest speaker while our inaugural MCA-MCCDC Dinner featured LtGen James N. Mattis. Both speakers provided a wealth of insights on the world situation, leadership and decision-making that our attendees would not have been able to duplicate in any other forum. MCA has retained summaries of their remarks at the MCA website located here and here. MCA is gearing up now to make our 2008 schedule just as memorable and I am happy to announce that our second MCA Annual Dinner will feature Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England as the guest speaker.
I am pleased to report that during our 1st year of having the Marine Shop as part of the MCA it has integrated well into the MCA. The Marine Shop's value to the MCA has met our expectations in terms of increased sales and increased membership and the future looks even brighter. In order to make your visit to The Marine Shop even more enjoyable, MCA's Board of Governors approved a proposal to perform the first renovation of the Marine Shop since 1979. We believe the "new look" will make everyone's visit much more than just being fitted for quality uniforms and accessories, they will also have access to the best in high-end apparel and Marine specialty gifts and all that in a warm club like atmosphere that is both solidly professional and uniquely Marine.
In other great news, MCA is honored to participate in the creation of the new Marine Gunner of the Year award, the Hulbert Trophy for Outstanding Leadership. An annual award recognizing the outstanding leadership and vital contributions Marine Gunners make to the infantry and ground combat element as a whole, the Hulbert Trophy is named in memory of Marine Gunner Henry Lewis Hulbert. A Medal of Honor recipient, Gunner Hulbert was killed in action at Blanc Mont Ridge in France, 1918. The trophy is designed and sculpted by former Leatherneck staff member John Chalk and sponsored by Talley Defense Systems. Each year the trophy will be awarded to the selected CWO-2 or CWO-3 Marine Gunner (battalion infantry weapons officer) and presented at the MCA Ground Awards Dinner. MCA looks forward to the first presentation of the award this fall.
Speaking of MCA's professional events, I hope to see you at some of them. They are a great way to stay connected to the Corps and they are fun. I encourage you to visit MCA's web site often to keep up with the schedule. Click here to check it out now.
As always, thanks for your support of the professional association for all Marines.Semper Fidelis,
Les Palm
Major General, USMC (Ret)
President and Chief Executive Officer
Membership in the professional association for all Marines is a GREAT way to stay connected to the Corps.
Membership includes a subscription to either the print and/or online edition of one of MCA's flagship magazines: either Marine Corps Gazette, the professional journal of U.S. Marines or Leatherneck, magazine of Marines. And if you really want to keep up with the Corps you will want to get them both!
MCA guarantees timely delivery of the print edition magazines, but the Online editions are ALWAYS available earlier. AND, choosing the Online-Only subscription option saves money. In fact it saves you 15% so we urge all members to switch to online delivery of your Leatherneck or Marine Corps Gazette when you renew. And the great thing is that the online editions provide exactly the same content as the paper magazines, but have additional features such as searchable archives and hot linked key words allowing further reading on a variety of interesting topics. Choosing the paper editions of MCA's flagship magazines allows access to the online versions as well.
Your membership also qualifies you for the 10% MCA member discount on all books and gifts at all MCA bookstores, at our Online Store and also at the Marine Shop.
If you are not a subscriber to either or both of the Marine Corps Association's flagship magazines yet, it's not too late to get on board. Call toll-free 866-622-1775, or go online at: https://www.mca-marines.org/JoinMCA/Step1.aspx.
New members mention code NEMTN108. Renewals mention code REMTN108.
The January Gazette should be in your mailbox whether that is paper or e-mail.
In a continuing series of stories on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) a young staff sergeant relates his own experience with wrestling with this significant medical problem. It is an article well worth reading.
Shortly, the February issue should arrive both by paper mail and in the online version. The cover article details the significant changes that IOC has made to better prepare lieutenants for combat in the current fight. Remember, if you subscribe to the paper edition of Gazette that you can also read the online Gazette at www.mca-marines.org/gazette. Digital only members save a significant amount on their annual MCA dues.
Many members may not realize that every article ever written in the Gazette is available to our members for free through our archives. Just click on the archives link on the left hand side of the Gazette home page and you can access any article ever published in Gazette. In addition, you can use the archives feature on the online version to archive any article published in the digital version since the November 2006 issue.The January issue of Leatherneck highlights the making of the latest Marine recruiting commercial which debuted on television's "American Idol" on 16 January 2008 and will also be shown during the Sunday, 20 January, NFL playoff games.
This is another in a line of advertising successes for Marine Corps Recruiting Command, JWT (the Corps' advertising company), and Hill & Knowlton of Washington, D.C. Read the January Leatherneck about the making of the commercial and then visit http://our.marines.com to learn more about the America's Marines media campaign. This will motivate you to see your local Marine recruiter to find out how you can assist in meeting the manpower necessary to grow the Corps to the Congressionally approved end-strength of 202,000.
As a heads up for the February Leatherneck, you'll find the cover an interesting bit of history. Our lead feature presents the Battle of Hue City on its 40th anniversary in a different way--employing tanks in a built-up area are a combat multiplier and Hue City provides a model. With Hue City the lead historical article, we chose a 40-year-old photo for the cover ... it's a tired, dirty leatherneck amid the rubble. Of course, the Feb. issue also updates you on the successes by our Marines in Iraq. So, read Leatherneck and visit the magazine web pages to keep up with your Marines and to revisit past glories.
MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL NOTICES
Renew early and win a chance to win some terrific cologne!Members who renew by the 10th of the month following receipt of their FIRST renewal notice, will automatically get included in a drawing to win a bottle of highly popular USMC Semper Fi Cologne. Our lucky December winners are:
Invoice Category: Cpl Maxie Brown, USMC veteran from Cape Coral, Florida
Renewal Category: MSgt Robert Jones, USMC (Ret), from Vista, California
Congratulations to our winners!Enjoy the cologne.
www.usmccologne.com
Most membership associations can go out on the open market to buy mailing lists they can use to solicit new members. But because MCA is in the business of supporting the military, we can't get these types of lists.
That's why we'd like to encourage ALL MCA members to get your Marine friends and acquaintances to join you as MCA members as well. In return, we'll add 3 more months onto your membership for each new membership you arrange! Plus for every 100 new members MCA receives through our new Recruit a Marine program, we'll enter your name in a drawing to win one of the following 3 prizes!
1st Prize - $100 MCA Gift Certificate
2nd Prize - $50 Pre-Paid American Express Card
3rd Prize - $25 Pre-Paid American Express Card
It's easy to recruit new members! Go to MCA's website here: (https://www.mca-marines.org/JoinMCA/step1.aspx) to find our membership application. Simply print out and forward the membership application to your fellow Marines and remind them to write your name on the line that says "Sponsor's Name/Who Introduced You to MCA!" Feel free to forward your friends an overview of member benefits as well:
http://www.mca-marines.org/benefits.aspIf you need assistance with recruiting new members, please contact our marketing department at 703-640-0174, 1-800-336-0291, ext. 374, or email promotions@mca-marines.org and we'll be happy to help you! If your friends have any questions before signing up, they're welcome to contact these numbers as well.
There's no limit to the number of new members you can sign up. Get enough Marines signed up and you may not have to pay to renew your membership for years! The membership extension(s) will be added as soon as we receive payment from your membership recruits.
Thanks in advance for your support in helping us recruit new MCA members! Your membership in MCA is greatly appreciated!
Visit one of our four locations:
QUANTICO, VA
715 Broadway Street
703-640-0136
CAMP LEJEUNE, NC
Building 84, Hadnot Point Exchange Annex
910-451-7500
CAMP PENDLETON, CA
Vandegrift Avenue, Building T-1100
Main Exchange Complex
760-385-0383
PARRIS ISLAND, SC
Bldg 283, Boulevard De France
843-522-9440
To order, Call (Mon-Fri 0800-1630 EST) Toll Free: 866-622-1775
OR
Check Out Our ONLINE STORE
Featured Items for January:
PIANO WOOD BOOKENDS
Our elegant bookend set comes in a rich mahogany finish lending sophistication and an instant professional cast to your eclectic collection of professional books. Tastefully graced with a brilliant gold USMC emblem medallion on each piece these bookends tastefully display and help protect the books you prize the most and look great doing it. They look even better when you have a set for each shelf on your bookcase. On the off chance that you don't have enough books worthy of display with bookends of this caliber MCA can help you with that as well. Check out our extensive collection of interesting professional books at an MCA Bookstore or at our Online Store. We have what you need!
103835
Member Price: $108.00
Non-Member Price: $120.00
PULSAR WATCH
In a world beset with alarming complexity, our sleek Pulsar analog watch stands out of the mainstream as a model of welcome simplicity. The rich gold and silver watchband features an adjustable clasp closure and the easy to see face proudly displays a large Eagle, Globe and Anchor in tastefully muted gold. Simple yet elegant our dress watch graces the wrist rather than is merely worn. These make great high end gifts to someone special.
103859
Member Price: $151.20
Non-Member Price: $168.00
COURAGE AND FEAR
From Medal of Honor recipient and renowned Marine Corps war fighting legend Wes Fox, comes a valuable book on how to overcome the fear that can overtake you not only in war, but also in stressful civilian circumstances as well. Derived primarily from his Marine Corps experiences, Colonel Fox shares practical and effective methods of handling thoughts, stress, actions, and reactions to fear and turning these into positive results.
1597971197
Member Price: $17.95
Non-Member Price: $19.95
Visit our ONLINE Store at the MCA website for much, much more. It is a great place to browse for Christmas and holiday gifts from the comfort of your home. Shop early for Christmas with us and let us take the hassle out of shipping your gifts!
*All Prices Subject To Change.
RETAIL OR MEMBERSHIP PROBLEMS?
If you experience problems with our Online Store, with telephone orders or with your membership, the following phone numbers can get you the assistance you need:
(Mon-Fri 0800-1630 EST)
1-866-622-1775
(Mon-Fri 0800-1630 EST)
1- 888-237-7683
THE MARINE SHOP
Visit Us In Person Or Online:
The Marine Shop
300 Potomac Ave
Quantico, Virginia
(703) 640-7195
www.marineshop.com
The Marine Shop is the Corps' most prestigious provider of professional Marine uniforms and accessories and has been helping Marines look their professional best since 1962.
STAY WARM -- Look cool with The Marine Shop's new Maxx Dri Turtleneck!
Check out the Marine Shop's extensive inventory of uniforms, accessories, formal and informal wear and specialty gifts online at www.marineshop.com.
The Marine Shop is pleased to now offer the 10% member discount to all Marine Shop customers who are MCA Members.
We encourage all transitioning Marines looking for employment to let our Career Center help you.
ALL Marines are welcome at MCA's Career Center and Marine job seekers do NOT have to be MCA members to post their resume. Our Career center has an expanding bank of resumes and continues to grow in influence with dynamic companies seeking Marines to employ in a range of responsible positions. Any Marine who posts with the Career Center has full access to search all of the jobs and can apply for them too.
Companies and businesses seeking high quality employees can't do better than a highly motivated and reliable Marine and MCA's Career Center helps you find them. Contact us now with your job openings. We offer unlimited job postings and resume searches for 3, 6, and 12-month increments and we offer significant discounts for members and MCA sponsors!Click on the Career Center to get details on the posted positions, to post your resume, or to post a job for your company.
Featured Jobs for January with Eagan, McAllister Associates Inc.
Logistics Specialist
Quantico, VA
Candidate provides direct logistical Subject Matter Expert support to the Tactical Radio Project Officer to accomplish routine logistical process/planning and documentation requirements for various radios. Plans, coordinates, and evaluates logistical actions to support projects.
Requirements: High school diploma / GED and 15 years experience. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. Experience in life cycle support of USMC C4ISR systems and equipment.
Logistics Specialist II
Stafford/Quantico, VA
Candidate provides acquisition logistics support to the Marine Corps Systems Command's Program Manager and Intelligence (PM Intel) at the Integrated Team Solutions Facility (ITSFAC) in Stafford. Supplements and assists PM Intel and Team Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Logistics Officer in planning, production, development and coordination of TROJAN SPIRIT and Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS) logistics efforts.
Requirements: Prefer Bachelor's degree in logistics or related discipline plus one year of experience. Seasoned logistics background with knowledge and experience in life cycle maintenance and logistics plus working knowledge of Marine Corps TROJAN SPIRIT platforms and operational level.
Go to the MCA Career center to read the complete descriptions and to see MANY other similar positions. Browse by company name or by functional area to find the jobs posted here!
MCA PROFESSIONAL EVENTS:
MCA sponsors an exciting series of professional events as a means of providing professional development opportunities for Marines. Right now MCA is completing the 2008 event schedule with professional dinners and lunches featuring dynamic guest speakers from the Corps' and the nations top leaders. Additionally, we plan on bringing first-rate writers of military history and world affairs to our MCA Bookstores for meet the author, book signing events.
Here are the key events planned so far. Visit here for the complete schedule and additional information.
Hard Corps Cafe, Bldg 564, MCAS Beaufort
Speaker: Lt Gen James F. Amos, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration
Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
Speaker: The Honorable Gordon England, Deputy Secretary of Defense
Specific location TBD, Camp Pendleton
Ralph Peters author of Wars of Blood Faith and
Never Quit the Fight
Specific location TBD, MCAS Miramar
Ralph Peters author of Never Quit the Fight and
Wars of Blood and Faith
Hilton Mark Center, Alexandria, VA
Speaker: MajGen Dennis J. Hejlik, Commander U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command
Doubletree Hotel, Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker-TBD
Clubs at Quantico, Quantico, VA
Guest Speaker-TBD
18 September 2008
Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker-TBD
MCA membership is much more than just a subscription to one or both of our flagship magazines and
member discounts on books, gifts and uniforms at MCA bookstores and the Marine Shop.
MCA membership also includes access to great deals from a number of well-known companies providing our members with travel and computer discounts and special deals on credit cards and insurance policies.
Check out the deals available to you through the links below. AND, help us help you! Tell us what other member benefits you would like us to offer. Email us at promotions@mca-marines.org with your suggestions.
An MCA-Sponsored Safety Net That Locks In For 10 Full Years!
Now you can set up solid Life Insurance Protection for your loved ones with MCA's 10-Year Level Term Life Insurance Plan. This plan gives you up to $250,000.00 in coverage with two important guarantees:
- Coverage Stays Locked In For 10 Years. No matter what changes in your career or health, you can rest assured that the coverage you set up today will be the same coverage that is still standing by your loved ones a decade later.
- Rates Stay Locked In For 10 Years. Your MCA group rates start as a good deal, based on the strong buying power of more than 90,000 Members. But the MCA took that financial advantage even further by negotiating your 10-Year Rate Lock (that means that your rates on day 1 will be the same ones you're entitled for 10 years).
Of course, you can rest assured this blanket of protection includes NO military war clauses or exclusions. That's an important peace-of-mind consideration for every current Marine Corps Association member.
Check out the MCA 10-Year Level Term Life Insurance Plan and see the advantages for yourself: MCA's 10-Year Level Term Life Plan gives you affordable term life protection -- guaranteed to stay the same for the next 10 years.
*All benefits are subject to terms and conditions of the policy. Policies underwritten by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company detail exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued.
Underwritten by:
Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company Simsbury, CT 06089
18840
MCA has a new benefit coming your way! If you want to start working on a degree or have a dependant who will be then consider Grantham University. Grantham provides a premier online education that allows you to learn from home or while deployed and has a wide range of academic programs from which to choose. And the great news is that MCA members and their dependents save a hefty 25% on their tuition payments. Additionally, MCA will shortly receive a small number of scholarships from Grantham, which we will offer our members as well. Monitor MCA's web site for the details. Click on the Grantham University logo to visit their web site.
MCA
MASTERCARD AVAILABLE TO YOU NOW....
COMPUTER SAVINGS
Apple
Member Purchase Program
Apple continues to improve the Member Purchase Program (MPP) for MCA members. Check out the new MPP Store and when you get there, click on the graphic entitled “Exclusive Offer for EPP Customers.” Members will easily find and view all exclusive MPP offers on this page.
Dell also gives quality discounts to MCA Members. Throw out your clunky old junk and make way for a kicking new Dell.
Visit www.dell.com/USMC or
call 1-866-257-4711. Member ID: DS62593492
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPONSORS
The Marine Corps Association Sincerely Thanks Our Sponsors For Their Generous And Enthusiastic Support!
Our sponsors helped make MCA’s 2007 professional event schedule the BEST Ever!
PREMIER DIAMOND:
PREMIER SILVER:
PREMIER
BRONZE:
And to our Individual Event Sponsors:
Gold: Harris, Oracle, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Smartronix
Silver: EMA, MITRE, Oracle, Raytheon, Impact Resources Technologies
Bronze: Alion Science & Technology; AM General; AT&T Government Solutions; BAE Systems; BearingPoint; Bell Helicopter/Textron; Boeing; CACI, Int'l; Cisco; Columbia Research; CTC; Deloitte Consulting; EFW, Inc.; Eagan, McAllister Associates, Inc.; Exeter; Force Protection; General Dynamics ATP; General Dynamics IT; Hartford Insurance; Honeywell; IBM; International Truck; Keane Federal Systems, Inc; L-3 Titan; MDS-PRAD Technologies Corporation; The Meltzer Group; Merrill Lynch; Mitre; Oshkosh Truck Corp.; Professional Solutions; R. Phillips Enterprises; Raytheon C4; Raytheon (Quantico Ofc); SAIC; Sprint; SRA International; Stanley, Inc.; Talley Defense Systems; Tandberg; Telos; Thales Communications; Verizon; Wackenhut Services; Whitley, Bradley & Brown, Inc.; W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Corporate Sponsors: Bank of America; DHS Systems; Earl's Body Shop; First Citizens Bank; JOEMC; Logis-Tech; Main Street; Marine Federal Credit Union; MCAS Beaufort FCU; Pacific Marine Credit Union; Spectrum; Supply Core
The Marine Corps depends on MCA support for programs for which appropriated funds cannot be used. In turn, MCA's professional development support of Marines depends on corporate sponsorships. We hope you will encourage your company to get involved in 2008 Marine Corps Association events.
MCA would like to extend a HUGE thank you to our 2007 sponsors. This year saw us add the MCCDC Dinner and the MCA Dinner (featuring Secretary of Defense, Dr. Robert M. Gates as the speaker), in addition to our golden standards - the C4 Awards Dinner, the Ground Logistics Awards Dinner, and the Ground Awards Dinner.
2008 will see a few changes in our schedule. Instead of a Ground Dinner, we'll have a Ground Report event which will commence with a luncheon, followed by the Ground Report, and then a reception following the report. For more details and updated dates, please check out our schedule for 2008 at the following link: www.mca-marines.org/events.asp
A new sponsorship opportunity has been added for those who enjoy seeing people have a good time at our receptions. We thought it would be nice to feature hors d'oeuvre stations at future events.
And we're always looking for companies to help us feed the band, too!
Agility Defense & Government Services
Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, Agility Defense & Government Services (DGS) is Agility's public sector arm, providing complete end-to-end supply chain solutions to meet defense and government customers' needs to quickly move supplies worldwide to remote locations. With access to more than 550 offices in 100 countries, Agility DGS combines a vast network of warehousing facilities with proven risk-tolerant global land, sea and air transportation capabilities.
Agility DGS offers defense and government customers, including the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, US Army Air Force Exchange Service, and the Department of State, the convenience of one-stop supply chain solutions and a commitment to quality services.
About Agility
Agility is a leading global logistics provider with more than 29,000 employees, and over 550 offices in 100 countries around the world. A publicly traded company, with $5.6 billion in annual revenue, we have three key operating units - Global Integrated Logistics (GIL), Defense & Government Services (DGS) and Investments. Through GIL, we focus on offering customers truly personalized service and flexible supply chain solutions tailored to meet their individual business needs, supported by a comprehensive network of warehousing facilities, transportation and freight management services. Our customers span a range of industries from technology and retail to defense and government and oil and gas.
For more information about Agility, visit www.agilitylogistics.com.
W. L. Gore
Building on the tradition of GORE-TEX® fabric, GORE™ Military Fabrics continue to play a vital role in the production of best-in-class protective clothing products for all branches of the U.S. Military - products our military personnel have come to trust for more than 25 years.
Since 1958, W. L. Gore & Associates, makers of Gore Military Fabrics, has developed products, which have set new standards in such diverse categories as high-performance outerwear, vascular repair, electronic cabling and industrial filtration.
With GORE™ Military Fabrics, U.S. troops benefit from the knowledge of innovative scientists, engineers, and product experts who are committed to understanding the evolving functional needs of the warfighter in harsh and demanding environments around the world. Whether that need be durably waterproof, windproof and breathable protection, flash fire burn resistance, or chemical and biological hazard protection, the military looks to Gore for creative, dependable solutions.
When it comes to critical gear and equipment, military forces have relied on products made with GORE™ Military Fabrics where it really counts—in the field.
Advertise on MCA's Home Page! MCA now accepts advertising on our home page. With over 90,000 members and over 75,000 web site visits each month, our web site is a GREAT place to advertise! If you would like us to put up a banner ad for your business or organization on our home page, send your request to promotions@mca-marines.org .
MCA at My Space & MeetUp.Com. Check out our many friends, supporters and Marine related special sites at MCA's page on the My Space.com site: http://www.myspace.com/mca_marines and also check out the happenings at MCA's spot at Meet Up.Com here: http://marine.meetup.com/12/?gj=sj10. Meet Marines and stay connected!MARINE TRIVIA QUESTION
Q. One group perambulates without benefit of actually being alive while the other group is grand and splendid to be sure, but of highly dubious parentage. To what nicknames do we refer and whom do they describe?
A. ___________________ and _____________________
A. ___________________ and _____________________
The first person to e-mail the correct answer to comments@mca-marines.org will receive an exclusive MCA Coin. Please include your name and address in your e-mail. Good luck!
Here's our November trivia question for ready reference:
Q: Recklessly brave, always outspoken and frequently embroiled in political controversy, this well decorated Marine and outspoken anti-interventionist once rather infamously described his career as a Marine in these statements "In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism." And "Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents." Who am I ?
A: Major General Smedley Darlington Butler
Congratulations to Carolyn Pruitt of Virginia Beach, Va for being the first one to respond with the correct answer.
Yet again we had considerable interest in our trivia contest again with an unprecedented number of correct answers. This month, the incorrect answers proved very amusing in several cases. Of course one answer we always get NO MATTER WHAT THE QUESTION is Chesty Puller. Chesty Puller was even submitted as an answer for our Gama Goat question in November. Go Figure! The names of two well-known Marines of more current vintage were submitted causing some amusement. Both retired General Peter Pace, our last Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and also retired LtCol Oliver North got one vote each as the author of the quote. Interesting!
One of our contestants responding to the "gangster for capitalism" line in our trivia question pointed out that Smedley Butler "...even had his gang tat on his torso, an eagle globe and anchor from throat to belly button." It was certainly a different age when General Butler was around!
COMMENTS? Please address your feedback to comments@mca-marines.org
MCA MAILING LIST. Would you like to be on the MCA Email mailing list? Send your name, address and email address to customercare@mca-marines.org. Nominate your friends while you are at it...
Semper Fidelis!
LeeAnn Mitchell
Director of Marketing and Communications
comments@mca-marines.org