Dear MCA Member,

On 31 March 2009, MCA was fortunate to host BGen Ronald J. Johnson USMC, Director, Operations Division, Plans Policies and Operations Department, HQMC as the featured speaker at our first MCA Luncheon at Camp Lejeune this year. There was a great turnout for the luncheon and talk by BGen Johnson.

May will be a busy month for MCA as we present 3 major professional dinners in the northern Virginia area. We hope that you will be able to attend them.

The 6th Annual MCA C4 Awards Dinner will be held in Arlington, VA on 13 May to honor the professional achievements of the Corps' top performing C4 Marines with General James F. Amos, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on hand as our guest speaker and awards presenter.

On 19 May, we will conduct the MCA Combat Development Dinner in coordination with the Marine Corps Combat Development Command at The Clubs at Quantico.  The dinner features LTG Lloyd Austin, USA, Commanding General XVIII Airborne Corps and Commander Multi National Corps, Iraq as the guest speaker and provides a forum to address the theme of combat development.

Finally, to cap off a busy month, we will present the 6th Annual MCA Ground Awards Dinner on 27 May in Arlington, VA featuring General Alfred M. Gray, 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps as the guest speaker. The dinner serves as the opportunity to recognize the professional achievements of the top leaders in the ground combat community and features presentation of the Marine of the Year Awards to the recipient from each of the four Marine Divisions as well as presentation of the Leftwich, Chambers and Hulbert Trophies for Outstanding Leadership.

On 30 July, MCA is very fortunate to be able to present General David H. Petraeus, USA, Commander, U.S. CENTCOM as the guest speaker at our 3rd Annual MCA Annual Dinner. We feel that this event will be very well attended indeed.

I invite you to attend ALL of these events if at all possible. Our professional dinners offer the best in camaraderie, a thoroughly enjoyable means of staying connected to the Corps, a great meal, a chance to hear the candid views of some of our top leaders and, at two of these dinners, an opportunity to see some tremendous Marines receive well earned recognition. Click HERE to visit our complete event schedule for more information and to register for the events.

As a final note, let me once again encourage all of our readers to visit our web site and while there, visit the homepages for both of MCA's magazines -- Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette. The expanded features both magazines offer on their homepages and in the online editions of both magazines is a tremendous member value that needs to be experienced first hand! Offering fully searchable archives, which extend back to 1916 and include EVERY edition of both magazines, the archives are a remarkable research tool and offer amazing perspectives on the evolution of our Corps. Check out the constantly changing picture slide shows, podcasts and video feeds as well, to see dynamic pictures of Marines in action, and our leaders and legends of the Corps weighing in with fascinating stories and remembrances. Visit Gazette's Discussion Boards to feel the pulse of the Corps on a range of ongoing issues and controversies, AND, offer your own views as well!

Click HERE to visit MCA's homepage and use that as your springboard to visit both Leatherneck and Gazette!

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

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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.



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 .

Gazette leads off the May issue as we traditionally do with an emphasis on Marine Aviation. Insightful articles propose new aviation policies or make the case that the era of helicopter resupply is passing and the future is resupply by unmanned vehicle. In a provocative article entitled "Garbage, Lies and Uncertainties" noted author Bing West makes a strong case for the importance in honesty in the assessment of the situation and courses of action open to us in Afghanistan by examining how it went wrong in Iraq. In his review of "The Last Stand of Fox Company" Eric Chase provides not only a review of a superb book but a look at one of the pivotal events of the Korean War. Finally, defense analyst Frank Hoffman reviews noted theorist and advisor to GEN Petraeus -- David Killcullen's latest book "The Accidental Guerilla." May's Gazette has something for every Marine whether active duty or veteran.

This month, an informational mainstay for our readers who want more on the Marines in Afghanistan has been the web reporting of Marine veteran Stewart Nusbaumer. Stewart has been in Afghanistan for well over a month and will remain for a few more weeks. He has been traveling with Marine Embedded Training Team 2-7 and has now moved down to Southern Afghanistan where he plans to follow Marine Special Operations Command elements and at least one company of 3d Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Afghanistan..

We value our members and the more members we have, the better we are able to support Marines! Helping MCA in our mission of supporting Marines is a great reason for joining and remaining a member but here is another reason for you to stick with us.

Renew your membership by the 10th of the month after receiving your FIRST renewal notice and we will enter your name in a drawing to win a bottle of ever popular USMC Semper Fi Cologne. And, to increase your odds we hold two drawings with two winners each month.

Our lucky March winners are:

LtCol Travis M Allen of New Orleans, LA
LtCol John G. Buckman of Dahlonega, GA

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 Marines want.

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 The MARINE Shop at Quantico!
Click Here for Addresses

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!

Prized by generations of discerning Marines for providing the finest quality uniforms and accessories, The Marine Shop, is THE choice for Marines seeking to look their professional best. Established in 1962, the Quantico, Virginia based Marine Shop maintains a well-earned reputation for excellence based on applying only the finest and most exacting workmanship to the absolute best in uniform materials.

Acquired by the Marine Corps Association in early 2007, The Marine Shop joins the Professional Association for All Marines as an integral part of a new strategic partnership aimed at providing the best and most comprehensive support to Marines.

Quality products provided through quality service are key partnership concepts, shared by both MCA and The Marine Shop and the two organizations are now teamed together to better serve the entire Marine Corps community with the highest quality Marine uniforms and accessories, the best in professional reading of value to Marines and the widest variety of specialty gifts for Marines.

MCA Cordially Invites YOU to visit The MARINE Shop in person and Online:

The MARINE Shop
300 Potomac Ave
Quantico, Virginia
(703) 640-7195

Check Out Our Huge Selection of Specialty Gifts, Professional Reading, Marine Uniforms and a Whole Lot More ONLINE at:
www.marineshop.net

MCA Career Center

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 new U.S and Overseas jobs at MCA's Career Center and we continuously refresh our extensive database of resumes from highly experienced Marines. If you are looking for a job or for a successful Marine to fill a position, this is the place to start!

Featured Jobs for April:
Click on the link to check them out in detail

CH-46 PILOT - Delex Systems, Inc. - Camp Pendleton,
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3107894

Project Manager - Smartronix - Quantico, VA,
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3107895

Director of Landfill Operations - Waste Management Inc. - Arlington, VA
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3106685

Senior Research Fellow - China - The Heritage Foundation - Washington, DC,
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3101774

MAGTF Radar SME Logistician/Systems Engineer - AMSG Corporation - Quantico, VA
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3111411

ClearedJobs.Net Job Fair:
Thursday, May 7th, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Seminars offered throughout the day)
BWI Four Points Sheraton 7032 Elm Road Baltimore, MD 21240

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 - General Alfred M. Gray, USMC (Ret)





Many Thanks to General Dynamics Corporation, Ordnance and Tactical Systems for sponsoring this year's MCA Ground Awards Dinner commemorative coin, which will be provided to all dinner guests as dinner favors.

MCA Ground Dinner
TBD
Guest Speaker - TBD

The Marine Corps Association sincerely thanks our sponsors for their generous support of MCA's Professional Events and Awards Programs and welcomes additional sponsor support for our exciting 2009 schedule!

5 Mistaken Beliefs That Can Hurt a Family's Financial Security

Every day the news delivers more stories about lost income, home foreclosures and economic strain. Housing prices are down. Savings and investments have dipped dramatically in the last few months.

With so much uncertainty, it's natural to focus on the immediate financial challenges we're all facing.

So we're putting our financial houses in order. We're making short-term changes that we hope will help us weather the storm until better times return.

We're also learning an important lesson.

Building long term financial security for your family may be more complicated than we'd like to think. Things can still happen-completely out of your control. So it's wise to take some basic precautions to prepare in case the unthinkable happens.

Your Family May Avoid Unacceptable Risk
There are "5 mistaken beliefs" that can potentially harm your family's future financial security. How many of these important facts are you already aware of? And which are you overlooking?

One of Life's Biggest Questions...?
For a good part of your life you've been hard at work to generate income and build financial security for you and your family.

But if something unexpectedly happened to you, how well would your family be prepared to cope?

The future emotional and financial well-being of your family may depend on how well you can answer that question.

But far too many Americans share some mistaken beliefs that prevent them from taking the most basic steps to protect their family's financial security.

Here's the truth behind 5 common mistaken beliefs:

1. "I have plenty of insurance."
If something happened to you, would your family thrive? Or would they be forced to live with more uncertainty and greater financial strain than we're experiencing today?

Insurance should be part of your financial plans because it can help provide your survivors with cash for living expenses as well as paying off debt, any estate taxes you might owe or funeral expenses. As a rule, insurance pays your designated beneficiaries quickly, compared to any assets that go through probate.

But even though the importance of insurance seems obvious "68 million adult Americans have no life insurance at all and those with coverage have far less than most experts recommend to ensure a secure financial future for their families."*
* LIMRA, www.lifehappens.org/liam/ , viewed 03/19/09.

If you're among this group, please consider the following,

You may definitely need life insurance if you...

• Have others who rely on you financially
• Carry debt that others would have to pay
• Could face state and federal "death" taxes
• May leave final expenses such as administrative costs or unpaid medical expenses
• Wish to leave an inheritanc

2. "Life insurance may be too expensive. I can't afford it"
Over the last decade, term life insurance prices have dropped more than 30%.* Whether you're in the market for new or additional coverage there's never been a better time to buy.
*http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourLife/SuddenlyLifeInsuranceIsCheap.aspx , viewed 04/30/07.

3. "I have all of the protection I need with SGLI and VGLI."
Many MCA members enjoy the protection of SGLI, VGLI, or other insurance through an employer. But some SGLI and VGLI plans put a cap on coverage amounts. Active duty military personnel may also face reduced or cancelled coverage depending on the plan.

4. "I wouldn't even know what kind of insurance to buy...or how much."
Term Life insurance helps provide coverage for a fixed period of time. It's a popular and practical choice because it generally provides more coverage for the amount of premium paid.

Level term insurance helps to guarantee that your coverage will stay the same for the entire benefit period and that your premiums will also remain level -- even as the cost of living goes up.

How much coverage do you need? Depending on your situation, you should calculate a total amount of coverage that would be enough to replace five to ten times your yearly average income.

5. "I don't have the time to shop for the best insurance deal."
As an MCA member, you can buy insurance for yourself, your spouse and your dependents with the convenience of one-stop shopping" -- not to mention a great preferred price.

MCA's 10-Year Level Term Life Plan
Life insurance can be a powerful tool for achieving your financial goals and reaching a higher level of financial security. That's why MCA offers members 10-year Level Term Insurance to help you take care of your family if you can't be there for them.

Greater Affordability
10-year Level Term Insurance from MCA makes it even more affordable for members, their spouses and their families because it lets you purchase coverage at economical group rates.

You get more coverage for less money and you have the peace-of-mind that comes from knowing your price and coverage amount are locking in for 10 whole years.

We Honor Your Service
MCA's 10-Year Level Term Life Plan stands by your side with absolutely no restrictions placed on your military service. You're covered whether you're on Active Duty, Reserve, Veteran or Retired.

No Surprises
MCA's 10-Year Level Term Life Insurance Plan can provide you coverage that stays locked in for 10 years so 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 -- no matter what changes you may experience in your career or your health.

Some life insurance plans feature rates that increases as you get older. Coverage can start out less expensive in your younger years, but gets increases as you age. This "level" term life plan gives you peace of mind that comes from knowing your rates will stay the same for the next 10 years -- no matter what happens to your health.

Much More than a "Death" Benefit
Today, some life insurance policies provided select benefits that are offered in conjunction with term life insurance coverage

MCA offers an "Accelerated Living Benefit" that allows you to collect up to 50% of your life benefits right away if you're diagnosed as terminally ill with less than a year to live. Your beneficiary will receive the remainder of your life benefit after your death.

Convenient Enrollment
Many people put off applying for insurance protection because of concerns about medical exams, blood tests or a lengthy, time-consuming application process. But streamlined enrollment for MCA members lets you save valuable time. Rather than filling out endless forms, you can apply for life insurance in a matter of minutes.

Answer four simple questions to verify your good health and your enrollment is complete. No physical or blood work will be required.

MCA Endorsed
MCA's 10-Year Level Term Life Insurance Plan delivers solid protection at an affordable cost. This program stands above others on the market which is why we endorse it.

Your MCA group rates start as a good deal, based on the strong buying power of more than 80,000 Members.This plan can provide you up to $100,000.00 in coverage

Isn't it time to take one of the important steps that can provide greater financial security for your family? Click here to get started.

MCA's special program with Grantham University is a great deal for Marines. 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 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 wherever you are. For Marines who constantly face long 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

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

COMMENTS? We would love to hear from you. What would you like to see in MCA Today and how can we better serve your interests here? Send your comments and suggestions to: comments@mca-marines.org.

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