FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear MCA Member,
Our professional event schedule is off to a great start this spring with highly successful MCA Luncheons held recently to large crowds in Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune and also for the greater Washington, D.C. metro area in Arlington.
Our 25 March, Camp Pendleton luncheon, organized by MCA's West Coast Area Representative, retired Sgt Maj Eusebio "Gonzo" Gonzales, featured Sgt Maj Carlton Kent, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps as the guest speaker and predictably drew in a large contingent of enthusiastic NCO and SNCO guests eager to hear his motivating remarks and refreshing perspectives on Corps challenges today.
The MCA Luncheon at Camp Lejeune on 4 April, ably organized by our East Coast Area Representative, retired Lt Col Al Karle, featured Lt Gen John Sattler, Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, The Joint Staff, as the guest speaker. His witty and incisive remarks were well received by the sizable lunch crowd.
Finally, our 16 April MCA Luncheon in Alexandria,VA, showcased guest speaker Maj Gen Dennis Hejlik, Commander U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command providing insider perspectives on the issues facing Marines in the Special Operations arena world wide. Click here (Windows Media or Quicktime) to view a video of his presentation.
MCA professional luncheons and dinners offer one of the best opportunities ever to stay connected to our Corps and always feature top Corps and Defense Department leaders offering candid remarks that you just can't hear anywhere else. MCA will continue to ensure scheduling of these exciting events in a variety of locations to provide the broadest possible access to the greater Marine Community. If you are in the vicinity of any of our professional events, I urge you to make a commitment to attend. The opportunity for enjoyable camaraderie with the Marine community attending as well as the chance to hear our dynamic guest speakers is something you don't want to miss. Click here to view MCA's Professional Event Schedule on our web site and visit it often!
It's always good to see MCA staff in the news. Click here to read a great story in South Carolina's Bluffton Today newspaper about MCA's Parris Island Book Store manager and former drill instructor, Jennifer Bailey and the development of women Marines.
As I've mentioned before, rising paper and mail handling costs have forced MCA to raise membership dues effective in April 2008. To offset those increased dues, effective immediately - all members now receive ACCESS to both ONLINE MCA magazines - at no extra charge - no matter whether you are a print subscriber or an online only subscriber! And you can save money by renewing with the Online-Only subscription option - enlisted members save $6.00 (online only is $18.95 for a year versus $24.95 for print and online) and officers save $8.00 (now just $29.95 for online only memberships versus $37.95 for print and online editions) on your memberships!
As always, thanks for your support and do 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
MARINES--
Have you or one of your friends ever received an award from the Marine Corps? Chances are that MCA provided that award. MCA provided over 7,000 awards for Marines in 2007 alone! So we hope you'll continue to support MCA and these wonderful awards for Marines!
Your membership includes a print or ONLINE-Only subscription to MCA's flagship magazines: Marine Corps Gazette, the professional journal of U.S. Marines and/or Leatherneck, magazine of Marines.
A print subscription to either magazine gets you timely delivery of the print edition of the magazine you selected AND as of 1 April -- gives you access to BOTH magazines online at no extra cost! With our new ONLINE-Only subscription, you automatically get access to BOTH magazines as well!
Choosing the Online-Only subscription option saves money. As it saves you at least 21% and we urge all members to consider switching to online delivery of your magazines when renewing.
MCA's online magazines provide the same content as the print editions, but have exciting additional features including searchable archives and hot linked key words allowing further reading on select subjects. With the Online magazines you now have access from anywhere in the world and at anytime you can reach the Internet -- so being deployed is not an obstacle to reading your subscription WHEN and WHERE you want to and you don't have the hassle of missing your magazine due to late mail deliveries and you don't have to change your address when you move for continued access! For Marines who are constantly being deployed, this is the way to go!
Membership also qualifies you for MCA Member Value Pricing on all books and gifts at all MCA bookstores, at our Online Store and also at MCA's Marine Shop.
If you are not a member now it's not too late. Call toll-free 866-622-1775, or go online at: https://www.mca-marines.org/JoinMCA/Step1.aspx.
New members mention code NEMTN408. Renewals mention code REMTN408.
Leatherneck's upcoming May issue focuses on Marine aviation: today, yesterday and tomorrow. From an artist's original painting of the F-35B Lightning II on the cover and the feature article on the development and testing of that aircraft, to what Marine aviation is up to now, to a story about those daring pilots who pushed their aircraft to new records in the 1920s, we think this issue will be a real keeper for those interested in the Corps' air arm. Of course, we also include other scoop on the Corps--Marines in Mongolia, the new Security Cooperation MAGTF, a special feature on Marine camaraderie and another feature that highlights some of those Marines who parlayed their early Marine experiences into success in the business world.
Looking ahead to June, the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Woods, we will focus on World War I with two feature articles and a review of the book, "Through the Wheat: The U.S. Marines in World War I" by (the late) Brig. Gen. Edwin Howard Simmons, USMC (Ret) and Col. Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (Ret). Add these to Leatherneck's regular fare and you won't want to miss this issue.
The May issue of the Gazette while it contains articles of relevance to all elements of the MAGTF does have a special focus on Marine aviation. In addition to the "State of Marine Aviation" provided by the Deputy Commandant for Aviation, there are articles that provocatively ask are we headed in the right direction in the near and distant future. Of particular note are articles on the MEU Force Fires Coordination Center and operationalizing cultural awareness. The Gazette continues to provide information on the large issues facing the Corps and a forum to debate those issues.
MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL NOTICES
MCA really likes our members -- In fact...MEMBERS R US! Now here is an incentive to keep you ALL! When your membership is up for renewal, do it early and we will give you a chance to win some fine smelling cologne! This stuff smells even better than that cordite smell of victory in the morning we keep hearing about!
Renew by the 10th of the month after receiving your FIRST membership 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 March winners are:
Invoice Category: Colonel Thomas Collins USMC of Jacksonville, NC
Renewal Category: PFC John Toms USMC (Ret) of Caldwell, NJ
Congratulations to our winners and we hope you will enjoy the cologne. But hey, even if you didn't win you can still get yourself some Semper Fi Cologne for yourself! Just click on the logo above!
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 more... 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.
WWW.MCA-MARINES.ORG
Slash open your letters and bills with elan, esprit and dashing style with our new Marine Corps sword letter openers and get your growing key collection organized in MCA's handsome wood key cabinet!
NCO SWORD LETTER OPENER
104063
Member Price: $53.96
Non-Member Price: $59.95
WOOD KEY CABINET
103764
Member Price: $54.00
Non-Member Price: $60.00
Special Notice: Be sure to visit our ONLINE Store for the long awaited return to print of the humorous series of Marine sea-story books like Green Side Out and Brown Side Out by Major Gene Duncan!
Marine Corps Association Book StoresTo order, Call ( Monday -- Friday 0800-1630) Toll Free: 1-888-237-7683
Visit MCA's Book Stores at Quantico, Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton and Parris Island.
Click Here for Addresses.
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 NEWEST ADDITION!
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.
Visit our web site to see the extensive inventory of uniforms, accessories, formal and informal wear and specialty gifts we offer!
Get the Marine Shop's shiny brass blazer buttons and USMC emblem cufflinks and show the same pride in the Corps as you do in uniform and look great while you do it!
Button Set, Blazer
Non-Member $99.50
Member $89.55
Brass Cufflinks
Non-Member $33.50
Member $30.15
The Marine Shop offers member value pricing to all MCA Members.
Are you a transitioning Marine who needs a job?
OR...
Are you a company who needs a responsible employee?
We Can Help!
Click here to visit MCA's Career Center!
Marines AND their dependents who seek employment are welcome to use MCA's Career Center free of charge and don't have to be MCA members to do so!
FEATURED JOB OF THE MONTH
Territory Manager (Americas) with Allen Vanguard
Click HERE for a complete position description
Job Seekers should also check MCA's Home page located at www.mca-marines.org for additional featured jobs
MCA PROFESSIONAL EVENTS:
MCA sponsors a variety of events in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area and in the vicinity of all our MCA Bookstores as a means of providing Marines with unique professional development opportunities.
Doubletree Hotel, Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker-General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps
MCA Bookstore, Quantico, VA
Nicholas Warr, author of
Phase Line Green The Battle for Hue, 1968
Springfield Hilton, Springfield, VA
Overview on Ground Combat Element issues facing the Marine Corps by LtGen Richard F. Natonski, Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations followed by State of the Divisions brief by the Commanding General of each Marine Division.
Clubs at Quantico, Quantico, VA
Guest Speaker-TBD
One of the best benefits of MCA membership, of course, is your subscription to one or both of MCA's flagship magazines that directly help keep you connected to the Corps. And that just got better because whether you choose a print edition or ONLINE-Only subscription, ALL members NOW have ONLINE access to BOTH magazines as well.
• FREE access to MCA's Career Center where you can post resumes or advertise for Marines • Discounts on Dell and Apple Computers • Special offers on rental cars through Hertz, AVIS, and Dollar/Thrifty • Special pricing on group insurance including life insurance with NO WARTIME EXCLUSIONS! • 10% discounts on Military Historical Tours, Inc. • Low-Interest Credit Cards • Savings on credit hours taken through Grantham University • Member Value Pricing on retail items purchased through MCA's online store, The Marine Shop, and at MCA Bookstores • And the ability to help provide awards to other Marines!
Do any of the following apply to you?
- You take a vacation at least once a year
- You're on a PCS move, traveling to another base
- You plan to visit a foreign country this year
If so, please read on. Because you are entitled to an MCA Member benefit that can help you handle almost any crisis when you're away from home, even if you're outside the U.S.A.
As an MCA Member, you are guaranteed acceptance for you AND your family in the MCA-endorsed Emergency Assistance Plus (EA+) program. With it comes peace-of-mind for virtually any medical emergency 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, anytime you're away from home!
For example, EA+ gives you...
- Medical Evacuation by air or by ground to move you to an appropriate medical facility or Center of Excellence so you can get the care you need.
- Transportation for your return home or to a medical facility nearer your home.
- Emergency medical monitoring with an EA+ professional to monitor your hospitalization and make sure you get the best care.
- Doctor-Emergency Room-Dentist-Attorney 24-Hour Locator Service to make certain you get competent help and guidance, wherever you are. No frantic searching through the Yellow Pages in a town you don't know!
- One round-trip ticket for your spouse or a family member so they can get to your bedside quickly if you're traveling alone and going to be hospitalized for more than seven days.
- Return home travel expenses for your dependent children or grandchildren if left unattended because of illness or injury -- even if you're in a foreign country!
- Vehicle return arranged and paid for if you can't drive home because you're too sick or hurt.
- Pet care and return assistance provided if you become unable to care for your pet (a dog, a cat, horses, etc.) due to an accident or illness while traveling.
- Prescription replacement helps you get your lost or stolen medicines replaced quickly.
- Emergency message relay gives you, your family and your physician a private, 24-hour emergency hotline that you can call and leave messages for each other. No cell phone connections to worry about, or multiple numbers to remember!
Are you planning to travel out of the country? It can be hard to get help away from home even when you speak the language. But imagine if you're somewhere where you don't! Your EA+ services help you get what you need.
There is far more to EA+ than I can tell you in this message.
Take a moment to look over these special features and consider what EA+ could do for you. Enrollment is for MCA Members AND their families only, and is available to you regardless of your age, your health, your driving record, or how often you travel. Plus it's affordable -- your MCA group rate is only about $5 a month.
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.
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."
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 Support!
---------------------------------- PREMIER DIAMOND: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER GOLD: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER SILVER: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER
BRONZE: ----------------------------------
------------------- And to our Individual Event Sponsors: -------------------
Gold: Harris, Oracle, Lockheed Martin, Smartronix
Silver: EMA, MITRE, Impact Resources Technologies
Bronze: AFCEA; Alion Science & Technology; AT&T Government Solutions; BAE Systems; Bell Helicopter; Boeing; CACI, Int'l; Cisco; Columbia Research; CTC; CSC; Deloitte Consulting; DFW Marine Families; Elbit Systems of America; Exeter; FLIR; Force Protection; Fox News; Harris; Honeywell; Kollsman; L-3 Titan; MDS-PRAD Technologies Corporation; Merrill Lynch; Microsoft; Motorola; Nammo Talley; Navistar; Professional Solutions; R. Phillips Enterprises; Rockwell Collins; SAIC; Sprint; SRA International; Stanley, Inc.; Tandberg; Thales Communications; Verizon; Wackenhut Services; The Weekly Standard; Whitley, Bradley & Brown, Inc.; W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Corporate Sponsors: First Citizens Bank; JOEMC; Logis-Tech; Main Street; MCAS Beaufort FCU; Pacific Marine Credit Union; Spectrum
MCA supports programs for which Marine Corps appropriated funds cannot be used. The MCA Awards Program is the best example of this kind of program and provides leadership, performance and academic recognition to over 7,000 deserving Marines and sailors annually with funding provided through MCA membership dues and corporate sponsorship.
Additionally, the MCA Professional Events program provides professional development opportunities with key Corps and national level leaders with partial funding provided corporate sponsors. MCA welcomes your company's support and involvement in our 2008 Marine Corps Association events schedule.
For information on becoming a corporate sponsor, contact LeeAnn Mitchell at l.mitchell@mca-marines.org.
Advertise on MCA's Home Page! With over 90,000 members and 75,000 web site visits each month, MCA's web site is a GREAT place to advertise! If you would like a banner ad to get additional visibility for your business or organization on our home page, send your request to promotions@mca-marines.org.
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!
MARINE TRIVIA QUESTION
Q. I served as an advisor to the British General who led the invasion of Washington D.C. and was directly responsible for the burning of many public buildings in the fledgling capitol but spared the Marine Barracks reputedly because of their courage at a major battle earlier in the day under the command of Joshua Barney. Later I conveyed the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte to exile on Saint Helena and finished my service as Admiral of the Fleet and First Sea Lord. Who am I and what battle led to the Marine Barracks being spared?
A. Name:________________________
Battle:________________________
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 March trivia question reprinted for ready reference:
Congratulations to Robert Morris of Aurora, Colorado for being the first to respond correctly.Q. This hard drinking, hard living veteran Marine made two amphibious assault landings on Japanese held islands during WWII. Subsequently becoming an actor he made a surprising hit recording singing a tune from a humorous musical movie where he was one third of a polygamous mining camp relationship. The only Hollywood actor who ever played a double role and won an Oscar for the effort, he is also well known for his incredibly expensive, non-marital breakup having coined a new term for payoffs to non spouses. Who is he, for what movie did he receive an Oscar and what is the name of the song he sang in another movie that became a best selling hit?
A. Lee Marvin, WW-II Marine Veteran, won an Oscar in the movie Cat Ballou for playing the dual roles of broken down gunfighter Kid Shalleen and of his evil twin, Tim Strawn. The hit song was "I was born under a wandering star" which he sung in the hit musical, Paint Your Wagons.
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