FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear MCA Member,
MCA just held our second professional luncheon event in the Washington DC area for the year featuring LtGen Joseph Dunford, the newly installed Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations (PP&O) as the guest speaker. We had the best turnout in recent memory with over 180 in attendance, the audience was fortunate to hear General Dunford's keen insight first hand and MCA deeply appreciates the time he took from his busy schedule to attend.
Speaking of events, the MCA Professional Event schedule is about to go into high gear! On 25 September we will hold the 4th Annual MCA Ground Logistics Awards Dinner in Arlington, VA, featuring LtGen Ronald S. Coleman, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs as the guest speaker. One of MCA's key annual events, this dinner serves as the occasion to recognize the Corps' top performing logisticians.
On 15 October, we will hold the 2nd Annual MCA-MCCDC Dinner at the Clubs of Quantico with Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations as the guest speaker. This event is certain to be sold out! The very next day, on 16 October, our MCA Luncheon series at Camp Lejeune features LtGen Richard F. Natonski, Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Command as the guest speaker. Great leaders and great speakers ALL, if you are in the area of any of these events, I enthusiastically encourage you to take the time to attend and to bring a friend if you can.
For those of you who have added a donation to your invoice, donated online, or contributed through one of the card, note, and calendar programs to support the delivery of Leatherneck and the Gazette to Wounded Warriors, I am very pleased to report that your generosity has resulted in over 1,000 editions of our magazines to be sent to raise the morale and keep Marines connected to the Corps while in treatment across the country. Additionally, many of our corporate sponsors have provided additional support as well, resulting in MCA being able to bring large numbers of wounded Marines to our professional events and also providing such items as sizable quantities of NASCAR Race tickets to raise morale. On behalf of the entire Marine Corps Association, I extend our most sincere thanks to all who have given to these causes.
On some administrative notes I want you to be aware that our 2009 MCA Calendar will be sent to members in October. The pictures are GREAT and really do a tremendous job of showcasing the Marine Corps in all its pursuits and in every clime and place. I know you will really treasure it. In November, members will receive a package of exquisite Christmas cards with our standard annual donation solicitation but in 2009 we have decided not to send out the greeting cards for a spring solicitation. One set of cards is enough and we hope you will strongly consider giving your generous support to MCA when the calendars and Christmas cards arrive.
As a final note, let me remind you that November and the 233rd birthday of our Corps is fast approaching. If you have not yet ordered your Birthday Ball event supplies and mementos or taken action to get your medals mounted it is still not too late. Visit MCA's web site HERE to visit MCA's ONLINE store where you can access our 2008 Birthday Catalog and medal mounting services.
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
Special Thanks to GEICO for sponsoring the donation of MCA's flagship magazines, Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette to the Beirut Veterans of America who will attend the October remembrance service at Camp Lejeune.
Advertise in MCA Today! We send MCA Today to over 44,000 loyal readers each month. If you would like an ad to promote your business or organization in a monthly edition of MCA Today send your request to promotions@mca-marines.org .
MCA Calendar's To Be Sent Soon! Here is some good news! MCA's 2009 Calendar will be sent out to all of our members in early October. We are excited about it and think it is our most dynamic calendar yet with lots of action shots of Marines serving, training and in action all over the globe! We know you will prize this edition. Do give us a call if you don't get yours in October.
In related news, we will send our members the customary set of Christmas cards made by Barton-Cotton again this year. Their design is being finalized now and they will be mailed to MCA members in early November in plenty of time for use before the holiday. Included with the cards will also be the customary MCA gift solicitation and we hope you will favorably consider making a donation. In that regard, MCA decided to do something a little different this year. In previous years we have sent both a Christmas and a spring solicitation along with seasonal cards as a gift. This year we decided to discontinue the spring season cards and solicitation and will only request your help at Christmas. We hope you will.
Marines WANT to stay connected to the organization they served. The best way to stay connected to the Corps and keep informed about its ongoing activities and glorious history is to join the professional association for ALL Marines -- The Marine Corps Association!
Your membership includes 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 Marines.
MCA's membership options are flexible and recognize the special needs of a force where so many deploy for extended periods to places where mail delivery is problematical. To that end, MCA now offers an ONLINE-ONLY membership option, which allows ONLINE access to BOTH magazines and all regular membership benefits at about 24% off the print edition membership rates. With this option deployed Marines don't have to worry about late mail delivery and can access both magazines online from anywhere in the world. We strongly urge all active duty Marines to consider this option when they join or renew their membership and for deployed Marines, this is the way to go!
Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck feature high quality, interesting and creatively illustrated articles written by Marines about Marines. Both are tremendous vehicles for keeping current with professional issues and the Marine Corps story. Our Online magazine editions provide the same content as the print editions, but have exciting additional features only available in a web based format. These include complete, searchable archives extending back to 1916, PODCASTS, interactive discussion boards where ANY reader can join the debate and hot linked key words that allow additional reading on favorite topics.
With an MCA Membership, YOU also give back to the Corps! Your membership dues directly supports the MCA Awards Program, which provides incentive awards to over 7,000 Marines annually for professional and academic achievement. As the largest awards provider in the Corps, chances are that if you know a Marine who got an award, MCA's Awards Program provided it with support from YOUR membership!
If you are not a member now it's not too late. Call toll-free 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 NEMTN908. Renewals mention code REMTN908.
GREAT NEWS -- MCA SUPPORTING MARINES IN IRAQ!
MCA recently arranged FREE Online Access to both of our Flagship Magazines, Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck to ALL Marines deployed in Iraq! NOW, any Marine deployed there enjoys complete access to both magazines and can instantly access the wide variety and the most recent articles of real value to Marines in combat. All Marines in Iraq are automatically treated as MCA Members for Online magazine access purposes while deployed and benefit from the tremendous advantages MCA's Online Magazines bring to bear on Professional Military Education (PME).
Online magazine access while in the Iraq combat zone allows instant access to extensive archives on fighting counterinsurgency, dealing with cultural issues, avoiding IED's, patrolling and related vital issues of real value to Marines in the theater. Both magazines feature articles generously laced with hot linked key words that lead readers to additional reading on specific topics of interest and concern, and most articles conclude with generous lists of additional article titles addressing similar issues and include convenient links allowing the reader instant retrieval. Additionally, readers enjoy access to Gazette's Discussion Boards allowing them to read and contribute to ongoing debates on a wide variety of key operational issues of crucial interest to Marines in combat.
This is new and exciting and MCA is proud to carry on our support mission by being able to provide the Marines deployed in Iraq with a means to continue their professional military education on a 24 / 7 / 365, real time basis with articles and information of value to them even while in the midst of an active combat zone. We intend to extend this support to Marines deployed elsewhere as communications assets allow.
Looking ahead, the October Leatherneck will contain special features on: Marine security guards in Copenhagen, Denmark; Operation Immediate Response-Marines training in Georgia just prior to the August Russian invasion; the San Diego Padres unique support of Marines; a Marine major who translated during the World War II war crimes trial of Japanese Lieutenant General Tomoyuki Yamashita and more. However, the magazine's emphasis, from cover to a lengthy feature article, will be on the 1983 Beirut bombing of Battalion Landing Team 1/8 and how America may have initially missed the significance of that attack. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 23 October 1983 bombing of the Marines in Beirut, so our focus is that attack by terrorists and what it signaled.
The October Gazette adds to the debate about several key issues that are facing the Corps in the immediate future. In one article an author sounds alarm bells about the state of artillery training in the Marine Corps. The shift of the mission of artillery units to other tasks necessary to support current operations has created some risk in our ability to conduct combined arms. Another author questions the decision not to procure a two seat version of the Joint Strike Fighter. Finally one of the Corps' historians has an illuminating piece on the role of Marine Close Air Support in the battle of Fallujah. Read this issue of the Gazette to stay abreast of the issues and our current operating techniques.
MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL NOTICES
We prize our members! And, the more members we have, the more resources MCA has for supporting Marines! Here is another incentive for you to stick with us. Renew your membership early when renewal time comes up and we will give you a chance to win some great Semper Fi Cologne!
Here is the deal... Renew by the 10th of the month after receiving your FIRST membership renewal notice and we will include you in a drawing to win a bottle of highly popular and fine smelling USMC Semper Fi Cologne. And, to increase your odds, our drawing will have two winners each month.
Our lucky August winners are:
LCpl Richard E. Wittenauer, Sr. USMC of Millstadt, Illinois
MSgt Albert L. Strohm, USMC (Ret) of Brookhaven, PA
Congratulations to our winners and we hope you enjoy the cologne. Even if you didn't win you can still get some Semper Fi Cologne for yourself! Just click on the logo above!
www.usmccologne.com
Marine Corps Association ONLINE Store
MCA's ONLINE Store carries the best professional reading of interest to Marines and also features specialty gifts for Marines. From high quality apparel displaying Marine logo's, to prints, plaques, jewelry and other items, we have what Marines want.
Browse our ONLINE Store from the comfort of your home! Check it out at:
WWW.MCA-MARINES.ORG
Featured Gifts for Marines
EAGLE, GLOBE & ANCHOR BACKPACK
As rugged as the Marine who uses it, our Nylon/Canvas backpack features multiple pockets, padded straps for comfortable wear and a boldly colored Eagle, Globe & Anchor embroidered on the front. At 12" x 7" x 17" it makes a great overnight bag. This special order item drop ships from the manufacturer and requires 2-3 weeks for delivery.
104014
Member Value Price: $47.25
Non-member Price: $52.50
PEWTER KNIFE
Featuring a pewter colored steel handle with an embossed Marine Corps emblem and a belt clip for secure wear, our highly sharpened knife includes a semi serrated edge for extra cutting power. As sturdy as it is handsome, it makes a great gift and is ideal for utility purposes. NOTE: Must be at least 18 years old. Shipments only deliverable to street addresses. All packages require adult signature upon delivery.
100985
Member Value Price: $30.15
Non-member Price: $33.50
PEWTER TANKARD
Holding a generous full pint of your favorite specialty brew, our solid tankard is rendered in satin finished pewter in the traditional tankard style. It proudly displays a hefty 3 dimensional Eagle, Globe & Anchor to flaunt your Marine Corps Pride every time you hoist it!
101926
Member Value Price: $40.50
Non-member Price: $45.00
CROSSED FLAGS AMMO BOX
Crafted in well joined hardwood with a screened design of your two favorite flags across the top, our Ammo Box is perfect for stowing occasional and accent pieces and accessories. At 14" x 9 1/2" x 5" it holds what you need without overwhelming a desk or chest.
101579
Member Value Price: $43.20
Non-member Price: $48.00
SEMPER FI: THE DEFINITIVE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE U.S. MARINES
Richly illustrated with maps, paintings and photographs, Semper Fi details the unique and triumphant story of the Marines, their uniforms, equipment, battles, campaigns and legendary heroes from their origin up to the current campaigns in Iraq. A fascinating journey, you will thumb through it compulsively and often!
1402730993
Member Value Price: $26.98
Non-member Price: $29.98
Marine Corps Association Book Stores
To 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.
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
Visit Us In Person Or Online:
The Marine Shop
300 Potomac Ave*
Quantico, Virginia
(703) 640-7195
www.marineshop.com
*Currently Co-Located with MCA's Quantico Bookstore due to Renovations at 715 Broadway St.*
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.
Over the summer, The Marine Shop has been experiencing a total, interior and exterior makeover while store operations have been consolidated with MCA's Quantico Bookstore. In early October, The Marine Shop will move back into its own renovated building and will reopen with the MCA Bookstore incorporated into store operations.
Poised to become THE Flagship MCA Store, The Marine Shop will truly feature One Stop Shopping for Marines and will offer the most well tailored uniforms, a galaxy of professional reading, member services such as medal mounting and business cards and an expanded selection of high quality specialty gifts, gear and apparel for Marines.
With a refreshingly new but totally traditional Marine Corps look, inside and out, the focus is on providing Marines with what they need from one location to look, and develop into their professional best. It will start at the very entrance where the emphasis is on professional development with a huge selection of professional books and computers for customers to access MCA's flagship magazines online and this focus on Marine professionalism continues throughout the store from the decor and retail selection to the customer service oriented, professional staff.
We plan on a grand celebratory reopening of The Marine Shop on 15 October and we hope to see you there!The Marine Shop offers member value pricing to all MCA Members.
MCA Career Center
Helping MARINES Get Jobs!
Click here to Check It Out NOW!
We post exciting new jobs in the USA and Overseas almost every day at MCA's Career Center and we maintain a large and constantly growing resume bank from highly experienced Marines who seek responsible employment. MCA's Career Center is well positioned to help Marines and Employers who need them. If you are looking for a job or looking for a successful Marine to fill a position, let MCA's Career Center help you with your professional needs!
Featured Jobs for September:
Click on the link to check them out in detail
Military Advisors - Weapons Intelligence Teams - Overseas - NEK Advanced Securities Group
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=2978294
Cultural Specialist - 29 Palms, CA - Professional Solutions
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=2977284
Transition Team / Port of Entry Police Trainer - Camp Pendleton - Mobius Industries LLC
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=2975589
Project Manager - Rockville, MD - GlobalNet Services, Inc.
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=2974733
MCA PROFESSIONAL EVENTS:
MCA sponsors professional events in the Washington, D.C. area and in the vicinity of all our MCA Bookstores as a means of providing Marines with unique professional development opportunities.
NOTE that we were forced to change the dates of several of our scheduled events as indicated below:
MCA Bookstore
Camp Lejeune, NC
John Poole, author of Tequila Junction: 4th Generation Counterinsurgency and Militant Tricks: Battlefield Ruses of the Islamic Insurgent
(Changed from
18 Sept)
MCA Ground Logistics Awards DinnerCrystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - LtGen Ronald S. Coleman, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
(Changed from
20 Aug)
MCA-MCCDC Dinner
Clubs at Quantico
Quantico, VA
Guest Speaker - Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, Vice Chief of Naval Operations
MCA LuncheonParadise Point Officer's Club
Camp Lejeune, NC
Guest Speaker - LtGen Richard F. Natonski, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command
MCA Ground Awards Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - LtGen Joseph F. Dunford, Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations
One of the most important benefits of MCA membership is your subscription to one or both of MCA's flagship magazines, Leatherneck and / or Marine Corps Gazette. Both of these magazines help you to stay connected to the Corps and keep you abreast of the current issues affecting Marines today. A great benefit, it just got better, because no matter what kind of subscription you chose you NOW have ONLINE access to both magazines as well.
In addition to your subscription, membership means other benefits including Member Value Pricing at MCA's bookstore, ONLINE Store and The Marine Shop, on our extensive selection of books, specialty gifts and uniforms. Membership also enables access to great deals from well-known companies who provide our members with computer discounts and special deals on credit cards, insurance policies and educational programs.
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.
Many thanks to Thrifty Car Rental for sponsoring our June magazine Electronic Magazine Publications message!
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.
Are you looking for a great way to save some money on tuition for you or your children? Look no further than MCA's special program with Grantham University. You'll save up to 25% on the tuition hours and earn a first rate education at the same time.
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 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 Grooup; CTC; CSC; Deloitte Consulting; DFW Marine Families; EG&G; Elbit Systems of America; eNTEGRITI; Exeter; FLIR; Force Protection; Fox News; Geico; Hartford Insurance; Honeywell; Kollsman; L-3 Titan; Microsoft; Motorola; Nammo Talley; Navistar; Professional Solutions; R. Phillips Enterprises; Rockwell Collins; SAIC; Shee Atika Tech; SRA International; Stanley, Inc.; Tandberg; Telos; Tesoro Corp.; Tompkins Builders; 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
The Marine Corps has many important needs for which taxpayer-appropriated funds may not be used and that is where non-profit organizations like the Marine Corps Association fill a critical role. A key case in point is the MCA Awards Program. This program is totally funded by member dues and sponsor support and gives the Marine Corps the resources to recognize the professional achievements of Marines in a large variety of worthy circumstances.
Annually, the MCA Awards program provides leadership, performance and academic recognition to over 7,000 deserving Marines and sailors with funding provided by member and corporate sponsor support.
Additionally, another key initiative shouldered by the Association, the MCA Professional Events program provides professional development opportunities with key Corps and national level leaders with partial funding provided by 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.
MARINE TRIVIA QUESTION
Q. Initially published at the height of and as a result of the Marine Corps experience in the Banana Wars, this enduringly useful study was recalled and ordered destroyed as a result of diplomatic pressure from a foreign government until it was resurrected for use in Vietnam and is currently back in print. What is this publication and which foreign government was instrumental in its recall?
A. Publication Name? __________________________________________________
Foreign Government that helped suppress it? ________________________________
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 August trivia question reprinted for ready reference:
Congratulations to John Hopkins of Columbia, SC for being the first correct answer!Q. Captured with his family by the Japanese on his Pacific island home as a child, he later escaped and while foraging for food, was captured by elements of a Marine infantry regiment who first thought him Japanese. Released from captivity by the Marines, this young boy helped them on patrols against the Japanese. Attending college later in the USA he was commissioned as a Marine 2nd Lt upon his graduation from Notre Dame and later served 3 tours with the same regiment that liberated him as a child, ultimately commanding the regiment. Following his retirement as a General Officer, he subsequently returned to his island home, taught at the island's university and was then elected to the U.S. Congress as a delegate where he served 4 terms. Who is he?
A. BGen Vincente Blaz
COMMENTS? What do you like, or not like and what would you like to see in MCA Today? Send your comments and suggestions to: comments@mca-marines.org and let the current flow!
MCA MAILING LIST. Want to get on our mailing list? Send us your name, address and email address for those you would like us to add to customercare@mca-marines.org. We will be delighted to send you, and anyone you nominate, MCA Today each month to help you stay connected.
Semper Fidelis!
LeeAnn Mitchell
Director of Marketing and Communications
comments@mca-marines.org