FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear MCA Member,
I am very pleased to report that after, over a year of planning and a busy summer of construction work, The MARINE Shop, MCA's new Flagship store, re-opened for business in early October and held a Grand Re-Opening Ceremony on the fifteenth to wide acclaim and substantial crowds. Merged with our Quantico Bookstore to provide an expanded service operation from one key location, The MARINE Shop still features the highest quality Marine Uniforms, expertly tailored with all the accessories, and now also includes MCA's complete inventory of professional reading and appealing specialty gifts, as well as casual apparel designed with Marines in mind. On behalf of the Association, I cordially invite ALL Marines to come in and visit if you are in the Quantico area. And, if you are not, then visit us Online!
The MCA professional event schedule continues to grow in popularity and on 25 September we were very pleased to hold the MCA Ground Logistics Awards Dinner in Arlington, VA. A very special event for the ground logistics community, the dinner featured LtGen Ronald S. Coleman, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs as the guest speaker and awards presenter. The highlight of the evening was the award presentations to the Corps' top performing logisticians who were on hand for public recognition and to receive their awards. MCA thanks LtGen Coleman for being on hand to preside at the event and offers hearty congratulations to the hard working logistics award recipients. We thank you for your hard work and for your service to the Marine Corps!
The second MCA Combat Development Dinner held at The Clubs of Quantico on 15 October and conducted in cooperation with the Marine Corps Combat Development Center at Quantico, featured Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, USN, the Vice Chief of Naval Operations as the guest speaker. Very well attended, the dinner guests as well as the Marine Corps Association were thankful to Admiral Walsh for taking the time from his busy schedule to provide his candid views.
On 16 October, LtGen Richard F. Natonski, Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Command spoke at our MCA Luncheon at Camp Lejeune. The event proved both interesting and enjoyable and MCA thanks LtGen Natonski for taking the time to offer his perspective to our luncheon guests.
Also on 16 October, MCA was fortunate to host Bing West, acclaimed author of The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics, and the Endgame in Iraq and No True Glory: Fallujah and the Struggle in Iraq at a thronged book signing at the freshly re-opened Marine Shop.
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 Sprint. Sprint donated 50 NASCAR tickets to MCA for the 6 September race held in Richmond, VA. MCA raffled off several to Marines on base and provided the rest to Wounded Warriors. This was really a great deal as all of the tickets involved full VIP treatment with special seating and access to the VIP hospitality tent and a great meal included. Many thanks to Sprint for their generosity to Marines.
Special Thanks to GEICO for sponsoring the donation of Leatherneck to the Beirut Veterans of America who will attend the October remembrance service at Camp Lejeune.
Special Thanks to The Columbia Group & Geico for sponsoring donations of MCA's Flagship magazines, Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette to visitors to the MCA booth at the September 2008 Modern Day Marine Expo at Quantico!
Special Thanks to the Inn at Meander Plantation for donating a night's stay at their lovely Bed & Breakfast Inn for MCA prize drawings at both the Modern Day Marine Expo and also at The Marine Shop's Grand Re-Opening Extravaganza!
Special Thanks to Tire/Van for donating a GPS system for MCA's prize drawing at the Modern Day Marine Expo!
Advertise in MCA Today!
MCA Today has over 44,000 loyal readers each month and is a great place to advertise. If you would like us to include a promotional ad for your business or organization in a monthly edition of MCA Today send your request to promotions@mca-marines.org .
MCA Calendar's Have Been Sent Out! By now our members should have received the new 2009 MCA Calendar. We think this year's design is the best yet and we know you will enjoy it. Please notify us at comments@mca-marines.org if you did not get yours!
Holiday Cards. In related news, we will send our members a set of Holiday cards made by Barton-Cotton again this year. 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. We decided to discontinue the spring card assortment, which will make the holiday cards the only set of cards you'll receive in 2009.
Marines WANT to stay connected to the Corps. The best way to stay connected and keep informed about its ongoing activities and on-going story 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 extended deployments and problematical mail delivery is the reality. 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!
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.
The November Gazette contains an eclectic mix of reminiscences of Marines from the past as well as provocative articles on where we are as a Corps and where we should be going. The historical articles highlight that even though almost a century separates the Marines of World War I from today's Marines, the similarities are striking. In the annual Schulze essay, retired Colonel Gary Anderson gives a sobering assessment of the current state of the amphibious fleet. In another compelling article Master Gunnery Sergeant Barry Walker opines that in combat competence is everything and it is time we had policies that recognized that fact. Enjoy an issue that will bring back memories and provoke thought.
Making the November Marine Corps Birthday issue a "special" issue is always a pleasure for the Leatherneck team. With the dedicated assistance of HQMC, we once again include our insert picturing the officer, enlisted and civilian "Senior Leaders of Our Corps." However, anchoring this upcoming issue, in tribute to the 90th anniversary of the ending or World War I, we include features by Marine historian Colonel Joe Alexander, USMC (Ret), "World War I: 90 Years Ago -- The U.S. Marines in World War I" a unique pictorial presentation,
"A Footnote in History: WW I Shoulder Patches of the 4th and 5th Marine Brigades" from the pen of Lieutenant Colonel Richard "Wild Bill" Cody, USMC (Ret); and, harkening back to our June issue wherein we noted that there were no known photos of WW I Medal of Honor Marine, GySgt Fred Stockham, we bring you, "Until Now," by Mark Ryan. Ryan found a treasure trove of WW I info, including a photo of Stockham, in a small metal box. These WW I tributes plus a 65th anniversary look at the Battle of Tarawa round out Leatherneck's tip of the hat to those who have gone before. These, plus an exclusive interview with Sergeant Major Carlton Kent, 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, an article on combat art, an update on Marines in the War on Terror and the Commandant's Birthday message, all combine to bring you a special Leatherneck treat for the 233rd Marine Corps Birthday ... and Happy Birthday to all from Leatherneck.
MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL NOTICES
Members are the lifeblood of MCA. And, the more members we have, the more resources we have for supporting Marines! But, here is another reason 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 enter your name in a drawing to win a bottle of highly popular USMC Semper Fi Cologne. And, to increase your odds, our drawing will have two winners each month.
Our lucky September winners are:
Mr. Charles Der of Pleasant Hill, California
MSgt Michael Woodard USMC (Ret) of Murrieta, California
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 logos, 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
USMC EMBLEM LAMP
Our Stately Lamp artfully blends elegant black marble with gold and features a gold plated brass USMC emblem on the base front. At 28" high with a black lampshade, it has sockets for two standard size bulbs, each with its own pull chain. This is a special order item, which drop ships directly from the manufacturer. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
103834
Member Value Price: $216.00
Non-member Price: $240.00
BLACK MARBLE BOOKENDS
Matching the USMC Emblem Lamp, our Bookend set comes in polished black marble, which showcase the USMC emblem in gold on both pieces. Heavy, at 7" tall x 5 1/2" in diameter they provide sturdy support for your growing library collection and make a perfect adornment to any bookshelf. This set is a special order item, which drop ships directly from the manufacturer. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
103845
Member Value Price: $134.06
Non-member Price: $148.95
WEDGE SET
An ideal gift for the truly passionate golfer, our wedge set comes boxed in a fine, cherry finish wood box with screened USMC Emblem and includes three finely balanced wedges with angled heads at 60, 56, and 52 degrees for precision shots. This is a special order, non-returnable item which drop ships directly from the manufacturer. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
103654
Member Value Price: $179.10
Non-member Price: $199.00
USMC CRYSTAL BOWL
Our hand-cut crystal bowl displays a prominent and finely etched USMC emblem on the front and a showy scalloped top. At 5 3/4" in diameter x 4" high, it is ideal for showing off dinner mints, potpourri or for similar purposes in a formal setting.
103848
Member Value Price: $112.50
Non-member Price: $125.00
Marine Corps Association Book Stores
To order, Call ( Monday - Friday 0800-1630)
Toll Free: 1-888-237-7683
Fax: 703-630-1446
Email: customercare@mca-marines.org
Visit MCA's Book Stores at 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
The MARINE Shop has Re-Opened as MCA's Flagship Store!
Extensively refinished over the summer, The MARINE Shop re-opened in October to serve Marines again, and more effectively with their uniform, professional reading, specialty gift and casual apparel needs in a warm and streamlined setting rich in the tradition Marines prize.
Whether you need the highest quality, most expertly tailored Marine uniforms, the best and latest professional reading or a special gift a Marine will treasure The MARINE Shop is the place you want to go! And don't forget we sell blue blazers and tuxedos!
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.com
The Marine Shop offers member value pricing to all MCA Members.
MCA Career Center
We Have 2 Simple Missions:
Help MARINES Get Great Jobs!
Help Employers Find Great Marines to Employ!
Click here to Check It Out NOW!
We post exciting, new U.S and overseas jobs almost every day at MCA's Career Center and we constantly update a large and growing resume bank from highly experienced Marines who seek responsible employment. If you are looking for a job or for a successful Marine to fill a position, MCA's Career Center can help you!
Marines AND their dependents seeking employment are welcome to use MCA's Career Center free of charge and don't have to be MCA members to do so!
Featured Jobs for October:
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
Legislative/Public Affairs Specialist - Quantico, VA - MCCS
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3001495
Subject Matter Expert - (NALCOMIS System) - Norfolk, VA - CACI
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3000444
Small Arms Weapons Instructors - Gulfport, Ms - NEK Advanced Securities Group, Inc.
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=2993152
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.
The MARINE Shop
Quantico, VA
Celebrating the Grand Re-Opening of The MARINE Shop -- MCA's Flagship Store! The Event features daily prize drawings, great Sales and membership incentives. FREE and the public is cordially invited.
MCA Bookstore
Camp Lejeune, NC
Bing West, author of The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics, and the Endgame in Iraq and No True Glory: Fallujah and the Struggle in Iraq
MCA Bookstore
Parris Island, SC
Bing West, author of The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics, and the Endgame in Iraq and No True Glory: Fallujah and the Struggle in Iraq
MCA Ground Awards Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
A key benefit of MCA membership is your subscription to one or both of MCA's flagship magazines, Leatherneck and / or Marine Corps Gazette. Both magazines help you to stay connected to the Corps and keep you abreast of the current issues affecting Marines. A great benefit, it just got better, because no matter what kind of print or Online subscription you chose MCA NOW gives you ONLINE access to BOTH magazines as well.
In addition to your subscription, membership means other benefits including Member Value Pricing at MCA's stores, including our newly re-opened Flagship Store The MARINE Shop as well as MCA's ONLINE Store. Member Value Pricing means MCA members receive exclusive member discounts on our extensive selection of books, specialty gifts and on many uniform items. 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, rental cars, travel 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.
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, Smartronix
Silver: EMA, MITRE, Impact Resources Technologies
Bronze: AFCEA; Alion Science & Technology; AT&T Government Solutions; BAE Systems; Bell Helicopter; CACI, Intl; Cisco; ClearedJobs.net; Columbia Group; 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. This war horse commanded at every level in combat from Platoon, Company, Battalion, Regiment and Division, was awarded the Navy Cross and a Silver Star in the Great War, served at Guadalcanal, Tinian and Iwo Jima in World War II, ultimately became a 4-Star General and Commandant of the Marine Corps and following his tenure as CMC reverted to 3-Star to continue to serve on active duty and was re-promoted to General upon retirement. Who is he?
NOTE: Many thanks to Previous DISTINGUISHED MCA Today Trivia Contest Winner - Major John Hopkins, USMC (Ret) of Columbia, SC for suggesting this month's trivia question.
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 September trivia question reprinted for ready reference:
Congratulations to Delroy Cline of Greencastle, Pennsylvania for being the first correct answer!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. The Small Wars Manual caused consternation with some of our Latin American neighbors and led to the Government of Mexico lodging protests through diplomatic channels. The result was that the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordered up all copies of the Manual for destruction.
You can read the story on page 159 of Semper Fi: The Definitive Illustrated History of the U.S. Marines which is a major source of MCA's trivia contest questions AND, you can get that book, as well as The Small Wars Manual at any MCA bookstore or at our ONLINE Store!
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