FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear MCA Member,
MCA's 2009 Professional Event Schedule is off to a tremendous start. On 26 February, MCA was fortunate to have BGen Mike Brogan, Commander Marine Corps Systems Command, speak at our first MCA Luncheon of the year in Springfield, VA. MCA thanks BGen Brogan for taking the time from his very busy schedule to provide our members and supporters with his candid views. Visit MCA's homepage HERE - to access pictures and a video of the event will be posted to our home page shortly.
Looking forward, at the end of March, MCA will host a professional luncheon at Camp Lejeune featuring BGen Ronald J. Johnson, Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations Department, HQMC as the guest speaker, and in May, MCA will host the highly popular MCA C4 Awards and MCA Ground Awards dinners in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area to recognize the professional achievements of some of the Corps' finest Marines. I encourage all of our members, readers and supporters to make every effort to attend these memorable events if at all possible. Visit MCA's website here to view our complete professional events schedule including the Combat Development Dinner -- just scheduled for 19 May and the ever popular Ground Awards Dinner on 27 May.
I want to let our members know that we included MCA's 2008 Annual Membership Report in the March editions of both of MCA's flagship magazines, Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette. I encourage you to read our Annual Report to review our accomplishments last year and to see where YOUR association intends to go this year and forward to the future! AND, if you have mislaid your March magazine then you can read it by visiting MCA's web site here!
One key milestone projected in our Annual Report which I would like to showcase, was the unification of the MCA Online Store and The MARINE Shop's online business systems. I am proud to report that MCA achieved this milestone in early March as projected and our new Online store looks as good as it works. It is much easier to use, better organized and, easier to navigate than before! I invite you to check it out yourself here.
As always, thanks for your support and please let me hear from you. You can do that by emailing MCA at comments@mca-marines.org.
Semper Fidelis,
Les Palm
Major General, USMC (Ret)
President and Chief Executive Officer
Advertise in MCA Today! With a monthly readership of over 44,000, MCA Today is a great place to advertise. If you would like a promotional ad for your business or organization in a monthly edition of MCA Today send your request to us at promotions@mca-marines.org .
MCA's New Website Feature SAVES YOU MONEY! For super deals on a variety of popular consumer products try out MCA's One-Stop Shopping Center Today!
and more!
Including access to Name Brand electronics, apparel, pet supplies, travel, and a host of other in-demand products, MCA's One-Stop Shopping Center connects YOU with great deals ONLINE. And, when you use the service, you not only SAVE money but your purchase directly helps support MCA's Awards Program. Click on the link above to check it out today!
MCA's New West Coast Area Representative. MCA welcomes SgtMaj Frank Pulley, USMC (Ret) as our new Area Representative for the West Coast. Frank's mission as MCA's Area Representative is to increase awareness of MCA and its roles and missions, encourage MCA membership with West Coast Marines and to promote the MCA Awards Program.
Here are some shots of Frank presenting Marines in 3d MAW and 1st Mar Div with plaques recognizing their achievements under the MCA Professional Awards program established in MCO 1650.31G.
MCA congratulates these Marines and welcomes our new representative, Frank Pulley aboard!
SPECIAL SAVINGS ALERT - Walt Disney World Special Ticket Offer for the Military Community
Available to all active duty and retired military, Walt Disney World is offering deep discounts on ticket packages during the period 4 Jan - 23 Dec 2009. Click HERE for details.
MCA Membership Directory. Many MCA members purchased the 2009 Marine Corps Association Membership Directory but were unable to post some of their material in the directory by the time it was published. To redress this situation, MCA's website now features a page where we post corrections and material that inadvertently did not make it into the Directory. HERE is the direct link, which you can also reach from our homepage.
MCCS Single Marine Program Conference. The Single Marine Program (SMP) was established to provide a forum for Marines to identify quality of life ideas and issues and recommend solutions. The organization is holding an annual planning conference in Orlando, FL during the week of 26 April -- 2 May 2009 and seeks input on strong motivational speakers who would be suitable as featured speakers at the event. To get a feel for what the organization does, visit their web site at http://www.usmc-mccs.org/smp/index.cfm?sid=ml&smid=1 and if you have any ideas for recommended speakers who live in Orlando, please send them to promotions@mca-marines.org .
Military History Tours Drawing. Enter MCA's drawing for a FREE tour to a famous battlefield on Military History Tours Inc's exciting tour schedule during 2009. With expertly guided tours to places like Vietnam, the WW-I Battlefields and WW-II invasion beaches in France, numerous Pacific Island battlefields made famous by Marine landings, and tours of European battlefields in Russia (Kursk and Stalingrad), Italy (Anzio, Salerno...) and a China Marine Tour of China, this is the opportunity of a lifetime!
To enter the drawing, send MCA a message to promotions@mca-marines.org which includes your name, email and mailing address and your daytime phone number. MCA will hold the drawing on 1 May 2009 and will notify the winning entrant by email. No purchase necessary to win.
The prize is a single person tour on the open MHT Inc tour of your choice during 2009 and includes everything as specified in the MHT Inc. Terms and Conditions page on their website. Check out their website for tour dates and additional information and limitations.
Staying connected to the Corps and its activities is important to Marines. The best and easiest way to stay connected is through membership in The Professional Association for ALL Marines -- The Marine Corps Association!
Included with your membership is a print or online subscription to one or both of MCA's flagship magazines: Marine Corps Gazette, the professional journal of U.S. Marines and /or Leatherneck, magazine of the Marines. These are the absolute best publications for keeping Marines in touch with the Marine Corps and all of its activities.
Recognizing the special needs of regularly deployed Marines, MCA developed flexible membership options to provide uninterrupted support even while deployed. Specifically, MCA's ONLINE-ONLY membership option provides ONLINE access to BOTH magazines from ANYWHERE in the world a Marine can access the Internet, and includes all other membership benefits at a generous savings of about 24% off the print edition membership rates. All active duty Marines should strongly consider this option when they join or renew their memberships.
Both Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck feature interesting, and highly illustrated articles of real value to Marines, written largely by Marines. Both are tremendous vehicles for keeping current with professional issues and the unfolding Marine Corps story.
Our Online magazine editions provide the same content as the print editions, but have enhanced features only available in a web based format. These include complete, searchable archives extending back to 1916, audio and video feeds, graphic slide shows, and interactive discussion boards where ANY reader can join a debate on a range of controversial issues. Hot linked key words, facilitating additional reading on favorite topics, is also a key feature of the Online editions.
You get a lot with your membership but it is important to note that your membership also allows you to GIVE Back! Your membership dues, directly supports the MCA Awards Program, which provides incentive awards and professional recognition to now over 8,600 Marines annually for professional and academic achievement. MCA is the largest awards provider in the Corps thanks to support from YOUR membership!
We invite you to join YOUR professional association if you are not a member. Call toll-free at 866-622-1775, EMAIL us at mca@mca-marines.org, or go online at: http://www.mca-marines.org/joinrenew.asp.
New members mention code NEMTN309. Renewals mention code REMTN309.
The April Gazette contains a wide spectrum of articles that should interest readers. One of particular note is the publication of an after action report that MajGen O.P. Smith sent directly to the commandant after the Chosin Reservoir campaign. It contains not only a factual recounting but some interesting insights. It is a model of clear writing by a superb Marine. In the online version of the magazine there are links to other articles on the Chosin Campaign that have appeared in past issues of both Leatherneck and Gazette. In addition to historical interest there are articles on contemporary operations that give great insight into how we are currently operating and suggestions on how we should be organized and operating.
Coming up in the April Leatherneck are articles on equipping or "gearing up" Marines--the focus is on the selection of a new automatic rifle for the Corps' infantry units; optics that Marine Corps Systems Command has fielded in the past three years to aid the infantryman; an update on the testing and projected fielding of the expeditionary fighting vehicle; and an overview of the sniper rifles built and maintained by the precision weapons section of Quantico's Weapons Training Battalion. And, we won't leave out a strong leavening of Marine Corps history. We'll wrap up the two-part article on the Battle of Dai Do and present a photo essay on the Battle of Okinawa--Operation Iceberg--which kicked off on 1 April 1945, April Fools' Day.
MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL NOTICES
We value your membership and the more members MCA has the more resources we have available for supporting Marines! But, here are a couple of other incentives to encourage our members to stick with us.
Renew your membership by the 10th of the month after receiving your FIRST membership renewal notice we will enter your name in a drawing to win a bottle of highly popular USMC Semper Fi Cologne. And, to increase your odds we hold two drawings with two winners each month.
Our lucky February winners are:
LtCol Ricky F. Brown USMC of Jacksonville, NC
GySgt A. L. Fogel USMC of Sussex, WI
Congratulations to our winners! AND, if you didn't win you can still get some Semper Fi Cologne for yourself! Just click on the logo above!
The Marine Corps Association's New
ONLINE Store
MCA's New ONLINE Store carries the best professional reading of interest to Marines, including all in-print titles in the USMC Professional Reading Program and also features a wide range of specialty gifts for Marines. From high quality apparel with Marine logos, to prints, plaques, jewelry and other items, we have what Marines want.
WWW.MARINESHOP.NET
Featured Gifts For Marines!
5 PIECE GIFT SET
The perfect set of accoutrements for a gentleman, our five piece gift set comes complete with a pen and a Rollerball pen engraved with "U.S. Marine Corps" and also includes a practical key chain, a handy money clip and a business card holder all tastefully engraved with the USMC emblem.
104103
Member Price: $35.96
Non-Member Price: $39.95
MANTLE CLOCK
At 14" wide by 6" high, our finely finished mantle clock features a wide, easy to read clock face and a gold Marine Corps emblem gracing the front. Visit MCA's ONLINE store for details on how to personalize your clock!
103181
Member Price: $170.55
Non-Member Price: $189.50
DIRECTOR'S CHAIR
Regal yet entirely comfortable, our sturdy Director's Chair is lovingly crafted from beautiful and durable hardwood and features smooth, satin finish arms and back panel with gold colored, USMC emblem engraved on the chair back. Superb for a study, library or even for the head of the dining room table! Note that this item ships directly from the manufacturer and requires 3-4 weeks for delivery.
101397
Member Price: $472.50
Non-Member Price: $525.00
USMC PENDANT
Artfully rendered, our jewel of a pendant is crafted in exquisite red with a 24k gold vermeil finish and features a showy Eagle, Globe and Anchor with gold "USMC" on the reverse. (Chain sold separately.)
104271
Member Price: $157.50
Non-Member Price: $175.00
Marine Corps Association Books
To order, Call ( Monday - Friday 0800-1630)
Toll Free: 1-888-237-7683
Fax: 703-630-1446
Email: customercare@mca-marines.org
Visit the MCA Book Store at Camp Lejeune or our Flagship Store -- The MARINE Shop at Quantico!
Click Here for Addresses
NEED HELP WITH 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
MCA's Flagship Store!
The MARINE Shop is THE most prestigious provider of Marine uniforms and accessories in the Corps.
Whether you need the best Marine or Marine Corps League Uniform, the best in formal civilian wear, the most current professional reading or a special gift a Marine will treasure The MARINE Shop is where you want to go!
MCA Cordially Invites YOU to visit The MARINE Shop in person and Online:
The MARINE Shop
300 Potomac Ave
Quantico, Virginia
(703) 640-7195
www.marineshop.net
The MARINE Shop offers member value pricing to all MCA Members on select items.
MCA Career Center
It's Critical to Have Expert Help with an Economy This Tight!
HELP is WHAT We Do!
We Help Marines Looking for Jobs
We also help employers find the BEST possible employees -- MARINES...
Click here to Check Out MCA’s Career Center NOW!
We regularly post exciting, new U.S and Overseas jobs at MCA's Career Center and we constantly update our large database filled with resumes from highly experienced Marines seeking responsible employment. If you are looking for a job or for a successful Marine to fill a position, this is where you want to look!
Marines AND their dependents are welcome to use MCA's Career Center free of charge and don't have to be MCA members to do so!
Start Your Search with MCA's Career Center!
Featured Jobs for March:
Click on the link to check them out in detail
Vice President, Business Development -- Land Systems - Elbit Systems of America - Fort Worth, TX
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?Job=3088815
Acquisition Logistician - ITT - Quantico, VA
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3089837
Liaison to USMC Logistics Command - Serco - Albany, GA
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3080847
JOB FAIR -- Check out the job fair at Cleared Jobs on 9 April 2009 from 1100-1500 at Westin Tysons Corner
7801 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043. For more information visit the web site at www.clearedjobs.net
MCA PROFESSIONAL EVENTS:
MCA holds professional events in the Washington, D.C. area, at Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton and other select areas. Our professional events include dinners and luncheons which feature top Marine, and civilian leaders as guest speakers and our book signing / "Meet the Author" events showcase well-known authors who write about Marines, their battles, and the contemporary issues affecting Marines and national security. MCA professional events provide Marines with unique professional development opportunities and have become "Must Attend" events for all Marines within driving range.
1100-1300
Book Signing
The MARINE Shop
Quantico, VA
Meet William B. Hopkins, author of The Pacific War: The Strategy, Politics and Players That Won the War
MCA Luncheon Paradise Point Officers Club
Camp Lejeune, NC
Guest Speaker - BGen Ronald J. Johnson, USMC, Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations Department, HQMC
C4 Awards Dinner
Hyatt Crystal City,
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCA-MCCDC Combat Development Dinner
The Clubs at Quantico
Quantico, VA
Guest Speaker - LTG Lloyd Austin, USA, Commanding General XVIII Airborne Corps and Commander Multi National Corps Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq.
MCA Ground Awards Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott,
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCA Ground Dinner
TBD
Guest Speaker - TBD
Your subscription to one or both of MCA's flagship magazines, Leatherneck and / or Marine Corps Gazette is your most important membership benefit. Both magazines keep you connected to the Corps and informed about the key issues facing Marines. And, did you know that no matter what kind of subscription option you chose, MCA gives you ONLINE access to BOTH magazines as well?
Membership comes with other valuable benefits including Member Value Pricing at all of MCA's stores, including The MARINE Shop -- MCA's flagship store at Quantico, Virginia and ONLINE, as well as at our bookstore at Camp Lejeune. Member Value Pricing means exclusive member discounts on our extensive selection of professional reading, specialty gifts and on many uniform items.
Membership also gives you access to great deals from well-known companies who provide our members with computer discounts, special deals on credit cards, insurance policies, rental cars, travel, educational programs and a whole lot more. Check out the links below for additional information. 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.
Since the I.R.S. lets you file your taxes jointly as one, shouldn't your Life Insurance Coverage Do the Same Thing?*
Exclusive MCA Program Helps Married Members Save As Much As 50%
You file taxes jointly. You share checking accounts and credit cards. So why should you pay TWO TIMES for your family's life insurance?
Now you can reduce your life insurance costs -- with MCA's 2-in-1 Life Plan.
In a nutshell, it's a big financial break for married MCA members:
- Instead of paying two premiums for two separate life policies for you and your spouse, you can now build a family financial safety net of up to $200,000.00 in Life Insurance Coverage -- payable if something happens to either you or your spouse.
- And if the worst were to happen... and you and your spouse were both lost in an accident, your loved ones would collect full benefits for each of you (up to $400,000.00 cash benefits).
Plus, you can rest assured that there are NO military war clauses or exclusions. This is rock-solid affordable protection -- not available on the civilian market -- tailored to the needs and budgets of today's military families.
Click this link for more information on MCA's 2-in-1 Life Plan today. There's no need to pay two premiums for two different policies when you can lower your life insurance bills by as much as 50% with the MCA 2-in-1 Life Plan.
*All Benefits are subject to the 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, Connecticut 06089
Policy Form #SRP-1333 A (HLA) (1741)
What is so great about MCA's special program with Grantham University tuition program? First, it is inexpensive -- MCA members save up to 24% on tuition and educational materials fees, which is a huge savings for you. Second, the program extends eligibility to MCA member spouses and children as well as to the member. Third, Grantham University academic programs are flexible and portable, offering a wide range of in demand academic majors at the Associate, Bachelors and Masters levels with all programs conducted entirely ONLINE at the convenience of the student. Take the course load you want, when you want and where you want. For Marines who constantly face lengthy operational deployments that would disrupt a traditional education program, Grantham University is a first rate program that supports Marines and their dependents with the opportunity to continue their education anywhere in the world.
TUITION SAVINGS IDEA - A great way to save even if you or your children are enrolled at another school is to take some of those college courses on-line - instead of all of them at a brick and mortar university! And, did you know you can save money on testing and time in the application process as well at Grantham because they don't require either the ACT or the SAT in the admissions process!
COMPUTER SAVINGS
The ultimate all-in-one iMac desktop computer is now even faster and offers the most powerful graphics ever available in an iMac. At speeds up to 3.06GHz, the latest-generation dual-core Intel processors powering iMac are faster than ever, offering greater performance for everything from enhancing photos to playing games and more.
Dell also gives quality discounts to MCA Members. Throw out your clunky old PC 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 support throughout the busy 2008 professional event schedule, and welcomes additional sponsor support for our exciting 2009 schedule
---------------------------------- PREMIER DIAMOND: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER SILVER: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER
BRONZE: ----------------------------------
------------------- And to our Individual Event Sponsors: -------------------
Gold: Harris, Smartronix
Silver: EMA, MITRE, Impact Resources Technologies
Bronze: AFCEA; Agility Logistics; AT&T Government Solutions; BAE Systems; Cisco; ClearedJobs.net; Columbia Group; CTC; CSC; DCS; Deloitte Consulting; DSC; EG&G; eNTEGRITI; Exeter; Force Protection; Geico; Gyrocam; Hartford Insurance; Honeywell; Kollsman; L-3 Titan; Microsoft; Motorola; Nammo Talley; Navistar;
Professional Solutions;
R. Phillips Enterprises; Rheinmetall; SAIC; Shee Atika Tech; Sodexo; SRA International; Stanley, Inc.; Tandberg; Taser; Telos; Tesoro Corp.; Tompkins Builders; Trader Construction; Wackenhut Services; Whitley, Bradley & Brown, Inc.; W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Corporate Sponsors: First Citizens Bank; Logis-Tech; Pacific Marine Credit Union
Taxpayer-appropriated funds are inappropriate for a number of important Marine Corps needs and that is where a non profit, support organization like MCA is able to fill an important role. The MCA Awards Program, created and governed by Marine Corps Order, is an excellent example. Totally funded by member dues and sponsor support, the program gives MCA the resources to recognize the professional achievements of a large number of Marines in a variety of worthy circumstances formally established by the Marine Corps.
A large program, which impacts many Marines, the MCA Awards program provided leadership, performance and academic recognition to over 8,600 deserving Marines and sailors in 2008.
As an additional example, the MCA Professional Events program is also supported through member dues and corporate sponsor support providing MCA with the resources to host professional development opportunities with key Corps and national level leaders. MCA welcomes your company's support and involvement in MCA's professional event schedule.
For information on becoming a corporate sponsor, contact LeeAnn Mitchell at l.mitchell@mca-marines.org.
MARINE TRIVIA QUESTION
Here is the question for the March contest.
Q. As a Marine I was credited with 26 in 44 days and probably got 16 more. After the Corps I served in another service and then went on to become a State Governor, President of the NRA, Commissioner of a football league and host of a popular TV show. Who am I ?
A.
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 February trivia question reprinted for ready reference:
Congratulations to Col John Pope USMC (Ret) of Fairfax, VA for being the first with the correct answer!Q. What do these three American cities (Raleigh, Vancouver, LaSalle) share in common that is of interest to expeditionary Marines?
A. The three ships of the Raleigh Class of Landing Platform Dock (LPD) are named for these three cities.
COMMENTS? Send your comments and suggestions to: comments@mca-marines.org . What would you like to see and what do you not like about MCA Today? Let us know so that we can serve you better.
MCA MAILING LIST. Add yourself AND someone you know to MCA's mailing list and get MCA Today each month. It's a GREAT way to stay connected and it is easy to do! Just send us the names, mailing and email addresses for those you would like us to add to customercare@mca-marines.org and we will include them.
Semper Fidelis!
LeeAnn Mitchell
Director of Marketing and Communications
comments@mca-marines.org