Dear MCA Member,

I am pleased to report that MCA's dynamic 2008 professional event schedule is off to a great start. Yesterday, we conducted the second ever MCA Annual Dinner in Arlington, Virginia featuring the Honorable Gordon England, Deputy Secretary of Defense as the guest speaker. Proving a thoroughly enjoyable success, the dinner drew a near capacity crowd, including a notable fraction of the Corps' top leadership who came to hear the Deputy Secretary weigh in on national security issues. MCA thanks Deputy Secretary England for taking the time from his busy schedule to share his thoughts with MCA at the event. I encourage all of our readers to visit the MCA web site here to see coverage of the event.

And, while you are visiting our web site, I encourage you to check out the Schedule of Events page here to see what we have coming up. We feature MCA Luncheons at Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune and the northern Virginia area in April with Sergeant Major Carlton Kent, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Lt Gen John F.Sattler, and Maj Gen Dennis Hejlik respectively. Our complete schedule shows book signings with prominent authors of particular interest to Marines and our current dinner schedule through to September. Check the site often and if you are in the area of any of these events, I strongly encourage you to attend. It's a great way to stay connected to the Corps!

The cost of doing business seems to be rising everywhere and I regret to inform our members that the professional association for all Marines is not immune to the dynamic either. Significant increases in mail handling and paper costs at last forces us to raise our membership dues effective 1 April 2008. On the plus side however we have struck on a couple of creative ways to increase the value of your membership through the way we handle future subscriptions.

While print subscriptions to both of MCA's flagship magazines will increase for members and subscribers in April, the Online-Only membership subscriptions will remain at the current level. AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, now ANY print edition subscription or online subscription to either magazine automatically comes with Online access to BOTH magazines. The bottom line is that all MCA members will have Online access to both magazines after April 1st - No Matter How or When They Joined! We think this is a great value for your membership dues and we hope you will agree.

On a personal note, let me say that it is great fun being President of MCA. I have a hard working staff with challenging ideas and I thoroughly enjoy letting them know they have both my appreciation and that of our members. We just recently announced our Employee of the Year for 2007. On behalf of the Association, let me extend our warmest appreciation to Kristin Brown, MCA's hard working Mail Room Coordinator for her hard working efforts throughout 2007. Very much appreciated indeed!

Les Palm
Major General, USMC (Ret)
President and Chief Executive Officer

The April Gazette contains articles for every reader no matter what their MOS is or was. Many articles will be of interest because they inform about current operations and challenges. This month's issue includes articles that explain the promotion board process; a recommended change to the way we train our fighter attack pilots; an article that examines the role Marines played in training the Guardia in Nicaragua; and several articles on leadership -- with a focus on the role of the noncommissioned officer.

The Gazette also announces the winners of the 2007 Chase Prize Essay Contest in the April issue. The winning article provocatively examines the professional military education received by our platoon sergeants as compared to that received by infantry lieutenants and argues for radical change.

Effective 1 April subscription rates for the Gazette will increase for both officers and enlisted subscribers/members. This increase is announced with great reluctant because our readers have demonstrated great loyalty to the magazine. However, the increasing costs of paper, printing, and postage -- especially postage -- make this increase necessary.
As a way to show our appreciation for your continued support, all individuals who join the Marine Corps Association or subscribe to the Gazette online or print will also receive access to view both Gazette and Leatherneck magazines online at no extra cost.

Leatherneck's March issue features the II MEF (Fwd) accomplishments in Al Anbar these past 12 months and sets the stage for our upcoming coverage of the accomplishments of I MEF (Fwd) in the year ahead. Marines are still doing great things in the War on Terror and as a monthly magazine, Leatherneck's focus is to provide a more in-depth perspective, since we'll never break too many lead news items.

Looking ahead to our April magazine, stand by for a close look at Marines in North China after World War II, a commentary on General John A. Lejeune or is it LeJern, more on the Marine Corps Reserve's contributions in this long war, and thoughts on new gear. We think you'll find the print issue of interest, but do take a look at our Web coverage as, in cooperation with the Corps' oral history program, Leatherneck brings you a video interview with Sergeant Major Allan J. Kellogg Jr., as he describes the action which earned him the Medal of Honor.

We like our members and want to keep ALL of them. So here is an incentive! When your membership is up for renewal, do it early and get a chance to win some fine smelling cologne!

Renew by the 10th of the month after your FIRST renewal notice and you will automatically get included in a drawing to win a bottle of highly popular and fine smelling USMC Semper Fi Cologne.

Our lucky February winners are:

Invoice Category: Cpl James Bajewski of Saint Francis, Wisconsin
Renewal Category:MgySgt Donald R. Barnes USMC (Ret) of Santa Ana, CA

Marine Corps Association ONLINE Store
MCA's ONLINE Store carries the latest professional reading of interest to Marines. We feature the complete USMC Professional Reading Program, the Intelligence Reading Program list, as well as detailed histories of the Corps and the battles Marines fought. We also offer reading on hot topics like the war on terror, counter insurgency warfare, leadership and a host of other subjects. MCA's ONLINE Store has what Marines need to read!

Further... MCA's ONLINE Store also offers unique specialty gifts especially for Marines. From high quality apparel displaying Marine logos, to prints, plaques, jewelry and other items, our collection is what Marines want.

Here are just a few examples of the great gear offered at MCA's ONLINE Store:

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.

Marine Swords -- Lethal, distinctive and highly coveted! Now you can get a handsome replica of either the scimitar like Mameluke sword or the classic NCO sword in an 11 1/2" letter opener configuration -- BOTH of which are simply perfect for slashing open your bills and letters! Eye catching desk ornaments, our letter openers are as practical as they are motivational AND, they make a great gift for special Marines!

$59.95 Reg
$53.96 Member

Transitioning, or looking for Marines to employ? MCA can help with both!
Click here to visit MCA's Career Center!

Do you have what is needed to help fight the battle against cancer?

We care for our members, and we don't want to see your nest egg wiped out in just a few months. Don't be misled into thinking you have enough insurance to cover the medical cost of treating cancer. Many insurance companies may not cover all the costs to treat cancer. The statistics of being diagnosed with cancer in the U.S for a male are 1 out of 2, and for women they are 1 out of 3 during their lifetime. Don't be caught off guard.*

The MCA Cancer Care Plan was developed to help MCA members. We would like to send you cash benefits if you are ever caught in a battle against cancer.

• These benefits, up to a lifetime amount of $300,000.00**, could help with many aspects of your treatment including: hospitals, operations, doctors, medications, and more.***
• In this plan we'll pay you $30.00 for each insured member of your family so they may receive an outpatient diagnostic test for cancer this year, and each year afterward while you're in the plan.

You are guaranteed acceptance into this plan if you're an MCA member (or the spouse of a member), you're under 80 years of age (under 65 in CA), and you have not been medically treated for or advised of cancer (with the exception of skin cancer) for the last 5 years.

CLICK HERE to request more information about the MCA Cancer Care Plan, and find out why it makes sense for today's military family.

Underwritten by: Monumental Life Insurance Company, an AEGON company, Cedar Rapids, IA.

*Cancer, Facts & Figures, 2007.
**Plan pays up to $300,000.00 lifetime maximum subject to specific plan benefit schedules and individual benefit maximums.
*** This is a Cancer only policy.

Some exclusions and limitations may apply. Not available in all states.

3947608

Since 1951, Grantham University has contributed to the formal education of thousands of military service members and veterans. Its degree programs are flexible, portable and designed so you can fit education into your life instead of arranging your life around your education. In a new partnership initiative, Grantham offers all MCA employees, members and their families a special tuition rate of $250 per credit hour. Required textbooks and software are covered, at no additional cost to the student, by a Textbook and Technology Grant. Grantham offers associate, Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in a range of academic disciplines. For more information, please visit: www.grantham.edu/mca.

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."

http://apple.com/eppstore/mca

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

MCAS Beaufort Federal Credit Union
If you want a financial institution that offers you full-service, along with their full attention, then MCAS Beaufort Federal Credit Union is for you. With over 50-years experience in helping the community, you can rely on the friendly and knowledgeable staff at all three office locations. If you live or work in Beaufort County, you are eligible to be a member at MCAS Beaufort Federal Credit Union. For more information:

Visit -- Main Office (neaar MCAS Gate)
Port Royal Branch (Royal Oaks Shopping Center )
Midtown Branch (Parris Island Gateway) ...OR

Call -- 843-846-2266
Go Online -- www.mcasbfcu.com

MCA's 2009 Membership Directory. Here's some good news for MCA Members! Last published in 2005, the new 2009 Membership Directory will be published in time for Christmas of 2008! A great way to keep a line on your Marine Buddies who are MCA members and to help them to keep track of you, too, they also make a great present!

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