FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear MCA Member,
First, many thanks to Richard Botkin and Colonel Timothy Geraghty, USMC (Ret) for coming to The MARINE Shop and to MCA's Camp Lejeune Bookstore respectively for our October Meet The Author events. Additionally, we thank MajGen Mastin Robeson, USMC for taking time from his very busy schedule and being the guest speaker at our early October Marine Corps Association Foundation (MCAF) Luncheon at Camp Lejeune.
Looking forward to the immediate future, the MCAF is very fortunate to have MajGen Robert E. Schmidle, USMC, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources as our guest speaker at our 5 November MCA Luncheon in Springfield, Virginia. We look forward to his insights about the Quadrennial Defense Review and think this will be a memorable and lively lunch. If you are within driving distance, I strongly encourage you to attend. Additionally in November, we are very fortunate to have a Meet the Author event with Harvard and Cambridge universities trained historian, Dr. Mark Moyer, author of A Question of Command: Counterinsurgency from the Civil War to Iraq. His books have all received wide acclaim.Visit our professional event schedule HERE to view our complete schedule and to register. MCAF professional events have become "Must Attend" events and offer a unique blend of camaraderie and insider perspectives on key Corps issues. Plan on attending AND bring a friend!
Recently we announced the creation of MCA's new 501(c)(3) public charity, the Marine Corps Association Foundation (MCAF) in MCA Today. I enthusiastically encourage our members and readers to help us spread the word. The Foundation now enables MCA to more fully accomplish our important missions of supporting Marines in our awards, professional development, unit professional library and other programs that exist to provide real, tangible support for Marines.
In addition to MCAF donations helping Marines in myriad ways, your donations are now tax-deductible. I encourage you to visit MCAF's new web site www.mcafdn.org to find out about all the support programs the foundation runs and the various ways you can support our new programs. And, I ask our readers to consider making a tax-deductible donation on the web or through our recent notepad direct mail appeal.
I am very pleased to announce that MCA has just entered into an agreement with USAA and that it is now MCA's signature Semper Fidelis Sponsor. USAA is a diversified financial services group of companies and is among the leading providers of financial planning, insurance, investments and banking products to the U.S. military and their families. Rated among the top two "Customer Service Champs" by BusinessWeek magazine, the credibility USAA has earned in the military community makes them a natural partner for MCA. Click HERE to read our detailed press release on our new agreement with USAA and how it will benefit our members.
With November fast approaching let me wish all Marines a very happy 234th birthday in advance and let me also thank ALL veterans for their service to our country. Thank you for all you do and all you have done.
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
MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION
The Marine Corps Association Foundation is MCA's newly established charlty that enables our members, sponsors and donors to make tax-deductible contributions to aid important support programs such as the MCAF Awards and Professional Events Programs as well as our new MCAF Unit Professional Library program.
Visit MCAF's website HERE (www.mcafdn.org) to read about the Foundation's purpose and what it does to support Marines. We welcome support from both individuals and businesses.
Click HERE to learn about how you can make a tax deductible donation yourself and also how to join MCAF as an individual or corporate member!
And, if you would like to call us to explore ways to get more directly involved, here is our new MCAF toll free number: 877-4MY-MCAF (1-877-469-6223) Give us a call - we would love to hear from you! And, if you would like to make a donation to the Foundation, here is the mailing address:
MCAF
PO Box 1123
Quantico, VA 22134
The Foundation does accept memorial gifts -- and we thank those members who have thought of MCAF in order to help the memory of their loved ones live on through our programs for Marines.
The Marine Corps Association Foundation 2010 Calendars were mailed out to our members in early October. We hope you received yours already and if you have not, we ask that you call 1-866-622-1775 to request yours.
MCA membership is the most effective, and enjoyable means of keeping your Corps connections strong!
A subscription to one or both of MCA's magazines: Marine Corps Gazette, the professional journal of U.S. Marines and /or Leatherneck, magazine of the Marines, is included along with your MCA membership. Both magazines maintain a solid focus on the Marine Corps, and all of its activities. Reading both magazines regularly is an invaluable means of remaining informed.
Marines routinely deploy for extended periods, creating special needs for those deployed. They can't afford the luxury of extra weight and don't deserve problems with missed and delayed mail delivery. To help with these problems, MCA offers a flexible membership option, which provides continuous support even during disruptive operational deployments.
Our ONLINE-ONLY membership provides ONLINE access to BOTH magazines anywhere in the world via the Internet, and includes all other membership benefits at savings of about 24% off the print edition subscription rates. Active duty Marines who face operational deployments should strongly consider this membership option when joining or renewing.
No matter what subscription option you chose, you get ONLINE access to BOTH magazines at no extra charge!
Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette publish articles of real value to Marines. With articles written largely by Marines, both magazines feature timely, professionally relevant, and highly illustrated articles that keep Marines abreast of current issues and the continuing Marine Corps story.
Our Online magazine editions include the same material as the print editions but provide valuable additions only available on the web. Searchable archives all the way back to1916, audio and video feeds, graphic slide shows, interactive discussion boards on controversial issues that ANY reader can join and hot linked key words, allowing additional reading on topics that interest you are among the enhanced features Online readers enjoy!
We invite you to log on to read the digital versions of Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette and check out all these extra featurestoday! We know you will be pleased.
Did you know that YOUR membership dues, directly supports the MCAF Professional Awards Program, which provides incentive awards and professional recognition to over 8,600 Marines annually for professional and academic achievement? The MCAF is the largest awards provider in the Corps thanks to support from YOUR membership!
Not an MCA member? We invite you to join! Call toll-free at 866-622-1775, EMAIL us at mca@mca-marines.org, or go online at: http://www.mca-marines.org/join.asp.
New members mention code NEMTN1009. Renewals mention code REMTN809.
Your Leatherneck team adds it wishes for a great Marine Corps Birthday--Happy 234th and thank you for all you do to support Leatherneck and the Corps.
We hope you enjoy your Birthday Leatherneck. It's our tribute to today's elite Marines as well as those who made the illustrious history of the Corps. Each article is meant to build your knowledge of the heritage of the Corps and we test that knowledge with a special trivia challenge. Features on Vietnam's Team Box Score, today's Marine Corps Special Operations Command, the Marine Corps Historical Co, the meaning of Semper Fidelis and a private organization's efforts to assist in winning hearts and minds (Spirit of America: http://www.spiritofamerica.net ) help make this issue special. Plus, we include our annual insert showing the senior general officer, enlisted and civilians leading the Corps.
Looking ahead to our December magazine, we'll bring you the first of several Afghanistan updates from Andrew Lubin, embedded with Marines in the south. In his first convoy experience, a vehicle hit an improvised explosive device so his article, "Keeping the Convoys Rolling: With Route Clearance Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion" provides you a first hand look at the Marines' reaction. He shot some video, so when our digital edition is posted at the end of November, you can go online, read the article and see the video.
Also in the December issue is 90-year-old World War veteran and frequent contributor Cy O'Brien's article "The Raid on Koiari." During the World War II Battle of Bougainville, Major General Roy Geiger, commanding I Marine Amphibious Corps, decided to land the Marine Parachute Battalion, reinforced with a Raider company, behind the Japanese lines to accelerate the offense . . . the problem was the Marines landed right in the middle of a major Japanese position.
We cap the December issue with articles on the Marine security guards in Athens; an overview of this year's Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame induction; an article on Marine Corps Systems Command's "Gruntworks" where gear and tactics are tested; and a short tribute to the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program.
Remember to check out Corps Daily News each day for the latest on the Corps by visiting us on the web at www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck
The November Gazette is the traditional issue that highlights the history and Esprit de Corps of Marines. Among the historical and esprit articles are combat reminiscences and a little known tale of the raising of the Stars and Bars over Shuri Castle during the Battle of Okinawa. Also included this month is the storied history of rum in the Navy and Marine Corps and, just in time for the birthday, the recipe for rum punch. The Commandant's birthday message is also reproduced. The online magazine and the Gazette website also include a link to the Commandant and Sergeant Major's video birthday message. The November Gazette looks to the future with the publication of the Schultze Essay. In this year's essay Lt. Col. Frank Hoffman looks at the future and proposes three future Marine Corps to meet the challenges ahead.
MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL NOTICES
We cherish our members and want to keep the ones we have. The more members we have, the better we can support Marines through our professional development and awards programs! Supporting Marines is a superb reason to join but here is another reason to keep your membership.
Renew your membership by the 10th of the month following your FIRST renewal reminder notice and we will put your name goes into a drawing to win a bottle of the ever popular USMC Semper Fi Cologne.
We have two drawings each month to make your odds of winning better!
Congratulations and Welcome Back to Our lucky September winners:
1st Sgt Siggy K Letheby USMC (Ret) of Lake Barrington, IL
CWO2 A J Speck Jr USMC (Ret) of San Marcos, CA
SPECIAL NOTICES
MCA Member Discounts at Fox Creek Leather. Fox Creek Leather, a family run business that produces high quality motorcycle leathers, is now offering MCA members a special promotional discount on some of their products. They offer a $25.00 discount on all leather jackets or saddlebags and $10.00 off chaps, vests and overpants. Visit their web site by clicking on the Fox Creek Leather banner on MCA's web site. To get your MCA discount, call them and let them know you are an MCA member or type in "MCA Discount" in the message section of the online order process (The order would not reflect the discount immediateily -- FCL will manually adjust the order before credit card processing).
MCA's amazon.com Portal
If you are an amazon.com Online shopper then we invite you to access their website through the new amazon.com portal on MCA's home page. amazon.com offers much more than just books. It is also a great source for toys, casual apparel, tools, gadgets and a whole lot more.
SAVE MONEY by using MCA's New Website Feature!
For deep savings on a variety of popular consumer products try out MCA's One-Stop Shopping Center Today!
OLD NAVY'S NEW MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
Old Navy, makers of fine casual apparel, now feature a monthly Military Appreciation Day on the first of every month at all of their stores. They offer a 10% discount to all active, retired and reserve Military Personnel and their family members who present a valid Military ID card on the first of every month as a means of expressing their appreciation to those who serve with honor and courage daily.The offer is not valid at oldnavy.com and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts.
SPECIAL SAVINGS ALERT - Walt Disney World Special Ticket Offer for the Military Community
Walt Disney World now offers large discounts on ticket packages to all active duty and retired military during the period 4 Jan - 23 Dec 2009. Click HERE for details.
NEW Offer for Washington, D.C. Area Vehicle Owners from TireVan
TireVan, DC area's only mobile tire installation service, is offering members of the Marine Corps Association a FREE membership in their car care program known as TireVan Advantage. This program could not only help keep our members and their families safe but also help caring for their car easier and less expensive.
TireVan provides A Better Way to Get New Tires. You can select from virtually any brand of tire brand made, purchase over the phone at 877.847.3826 or through www.TireVan.com at guaranteed low prices and then relax as TireVan's highly trained technicians bring your new tires to your car and professionally install them on the spot!
When you need new tires, membership in TireVan Advantage will net you a 20% installation discount (savings not available to the public). But membership is valuable even when you don't need new tires, by giving you access to money saving benefits such as automotive recall monitoring service which keeps you up-to-date on important safety and non-safety recalls issued by the auto manufacturer, important state inspection reminders and inflation/tread wear reminders. Independent websites charge as much as $50-$100 per year for similar services, all of which are available to Marine Corps Association members through TireVan free of charge!
Sign up today at www.advantage.TireVan.com and use enrollment code: MA477ES
Many thanks to TireVan for donating a brand new Magellan Maestro GPS system for MCA to raffle off at the September Modern Day Marine Expo. Much Appreciated!
Special Deals Honoring Northern Virginia's Veterans in November
Colonial Williamsburg is offering free admission during the 6-11 November period to all Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retirees and Dependents. Additionally, they will conduct a military parade on Veterans Day.
Applebee's is offering a Free Meal on November 11th to all currently serving or retired Veterans, including members of the National Guard or members of armed forces Reserve components. Must show proof of military service.
Golden Corral is hosting free dinners to all armed forces veterans currently serving, Retired, Reserve and National Guard on Monday, 16 November from 1700-2100.
ADVERTISE IN MCA TODAY! With over 44,000 monthly readers, MCA Today is a valuable advertising resource. If you would like a promotional ad for your business or organization in MCA Today send us your request to promotions@mca-marines.org.
The Marine Corps Association's ONLINE Store
Featuring all the in-print USMC Professional Reading Program titles, and a large selection of other professional reading of interest to Marines, MCA's ONLINE Store also offers a large range of unique specialty gifts for Marines. We have what Marines want and need!
WWW.MARINESHOP.NET
It's Easy -- Click the link and this is where you go!
Click on what interests you and go from there!
Featured Gifts For Marines!
BOXED WINE SET
An elegant pair of 12 oz wine goblets, a handsome and fully functional bottle chiller and a pewter bottle stopper in a decorative storage box makes a superb presentation set for special occasions.
104449
Member Price: $100.00
Non-Member Price: $112.00
NCO SWORD LETTER OPENER
104063
Member Price: $53.96
Non-Member Price: $59.95
OFFICER SWORD LETTER OPENER
104062
Member Price: $53.96
Non-Member Price: $59.95
It's NOT TOO LATE...
Get Your Marine Corps Birthday Ball Supplies Now!
Start by Down Loading MCA’s 2009 Birthday Ball & Gift Catalog
http://www.mca-marines.org/birthdayball2009.asp
Marine Corps Association Stores
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
NEED HELP WITH RETAIL OR MEMBERSHIP PROBLEMS?
If you experience problems with our Online Store, with telephone orders or with your membership, the following phone numbers can get you the assistance you need:
(Mon-Fri 0800-1630 EST)
1-866-622-1775
(Mon-Fri 0800-1630 EST)
1- 888-237-7683
THE MARINE SHOP
MCA's Flagship Store!
Where Helping Marines look their Professional Best is Our Full Time Mission!
ESPECIALLY in Support of the Marine Corps Birthday!
We Specialize in Professional Medal Mounting!
The Quantico, Virginia based 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, current professional reading or a special gift a Marine will treasure The MARINE Shop is your first choice!
The MARINE Shop
300 Potomac Ave
Quantico, Virginia
(703) 640-7195
www.marineshop.net
The MARINE Shop just enjoyed it's one year remodeling anniversary on 15 October 2009.
Here are some photos of visitors at the festive anniversary celebration:
MCA Career Center
Helping Marines Find Employment is our Primary Mission BUT we also Help Employers Find Marines!
Click here to Visit MCA's Career Center!
Exciting new jobs in the USA and overseas and new resumes from well-qualified Marines posted regularly to our easy to use database! If you are looking for employment or for a hard working Marine to fill a responsible position, MCA's Career Center is where to start!
Featured Jobs for October:
Cleared Job Fair, 29 October at BWI, details can be found at:
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3215622#
Aircraft Assembler - Schweizer Aircraft - Horseheads, NY
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3211672#emp
Logistician - AMSG - Norfolk, VA
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3211316
MCAF PROFESSIONAL EVENTS:
MCAF professional events provide valuable professional development opportunities to Marines and feature guest speakers drawn from the top ranks of Marine, other service and Department of Defense leaders who provide their insider perspectives on issues important to Marines.
MCAF professional events include dinners, lunches, PME presentations, seminars, as well as "Meet the Author" and book signing events.
We invite you to attend our professional events whenever you are able. Visit our web site here often to stay abreast of the constantly evolving schedule. And, for your convenience, here are highlights from our updated schedule:
Book Signing
The MARINE Shop
Quantico, VA
Mark Moyar, author of A Question of Command:
Counterinsurgency from the Civil War to Iraq
MCAF Luncheon
Springfield Hilton Hotel
Springfield, VA
Guest Speaker -- MajGen Robert E. Schmidle, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources.
MCAF Ground Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCAF Ground Logistics Awards Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCAF C4 Awards Dinner
Crystal City Hyatt
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCAF Ground Awards Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCAF CORPORATE SPONSORS
Thanks to our sponsors for their generous support of the MCAF's
Professional Events and Awards Programs
The Marine Corps has a number of legitimate needs for which the use of public funds is not appropriate. The MCAF Awards Program is an important example. The program is totally funded by MCA member dues and MCAF sponsor support and provides the assets needed to recognize the professional achievements of a large number of Marines in categories formally specified by the Marine Corps.
The MCAF Awards Program provides leadership, performance and academic awards to deserving Marines and succeeded in recognizing over 8,600 Marines and sailors for professional achievements in 2008.
The MCAF Professional Events and Marine Unit Professional Book Library Programs are other examples of programs that are primarily supported by corporate sponsors whose generosity provides the Foundation with the resources to fund these critical support programs.
The Marine Corps Association Foundation welcomes corporate support for our professional event program and invites potential sponsors to contact LeeAnn Mitchell at l.mitchell@mca-marines.org for more information.---------------------------------- SEMPER FIDELIS SPONSOR: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER PLATINUM: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER DIAMOND: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER GOLD: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER SILVER: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER
BRONZE: ----------------------------------
------------------- And to our Individual Event Sponsors: -------------------
Gold: Harris RF Communications, Harris IT Services Corporation, Navistar, SAIC, Smartronix
Silver: Agility Logistics, AMSG, Ciena, Cobham, CTC, EMA, MITRE, Impact Resources Technologies, L-3 Communications, Leupold, Rheinmetall
Bronze: AFCEA; AT&T Government Solutions; BAE Systems;
CA, Inc.; Cisco; Columbia Group; CSC; Deloitte Consulting; DSC; EG&G; Exeter; Geico; Hartford Insurance; Honeywell; JWF Defense; Kollsman; Motorola; Navy Federal Credit Union; Professional Solutions; R. Phillips Enterprises; R&W Construction; Tandberg; Taser; Telos; Tesoro Corp.; Thales Communications; Tompkins Builders; Trader Construction;
Wackenhut Services
Marine Corps Association Foundation Corporate Members:
ClearedJobs.net, CSC, JWF Defense, Modus Operandi, K2 Solutions, BRTRC,
and Publisher's Press
Become a Corporate Member today by calling 877-469-6223.
Your subscription to MCA's Flagship magazines - Leatherneck and / or Marine Corps Gazette is a key membership benefit. Another key benefit is Member Value Pricing offered at all of MCA's stores, including MCA's ONLINE Store, The MARINE Shop at Quantico, Virginia, as well as at our Camp Lejeune Bookstore. Member Value Pricing gives you significant discounts on all of MCA's professional reading and specialty gifts and includes discounts on many uniform items at The MARINE Shop.
Exclusive access to great deals from well-known companies who provide discounted computer prices, special deals on credit cards, insurance policies, rental cars, travel, educational programs and a whole lot more also comes with MCA membership. Check out the links below for additional information.
What other member benefits would YOU like us to offer? Email us at promotions@mca-marines.org with your suggestions.
Grantham University's special program for MCA is an especially good deal for MCA Members for several reasons:
- Cost -- MCA members receive a substantial discount and save up to 24% on tuition and educational materials fees!
- Eligibility - MCA member dependents as well as the member are ALL eligible for the MCA membership discount.
Grantham University's academic programs are both flexible and portable and offer a wide range of academic disciplines at the Associate, Bachelors and Masters levels. All programs are conducted entirely ONLINE and at the convenience of the student. Take the courses you want, when you want and wherever you are.
For Marines making lengthy deployments that interfere with the ability to participate in traditional education programs, Grantham University provides a first rate option allowing them to continue their education anywhere in the world.
Letter from Grantham University President
Subject: Grantham University Honors All Veterans and Service Members
Dear MCA Member,
After nearly 60 years of serving military and veteran students around the world, we are proud to continue our support of and partnership with MCA.
As Veteran's day approaches, we wish to thank you for your service. In keeping with our long tradition of working with and for military members and veterans like you, we'd like to make you aware of a couple different opportunities:
- Grantham University's Blue Star Flag program -- providing FREE Blue Star Flags to service members and their families since 2006: http://www.mybluestarflag.com.
- Why Wait to Earn you Degree? - Grantham University offers great scholarships and grants for service members and veterans. $30 Enrollment processing fee waived for all active duty and veterans enrolling before December 28, 2009. http://www.grantham.edu/mca/
Don't just take our word for it. See what others have to say about what makes Grantham University the choice for military and veteran students.
From all of us at Grantham University -- Thank you for your service and dedication to our Nation.
Sincerely,
John LaNear JD, PhD
President
COMPUTER SAVINGS
The ultimate all-in-one iMac desktop computer is now even faster and offers the most powerful graphics ever available in an iMac. At speeds up to 3.06GHz, the latest-generation dual-core Intel processors powering iMac are faster than ever, offering greater performance for everything from enhancing photos to playing games and more.
Dell also gives quality discounts to MCA Members. Throw out your clunky old PC and make way for a kicking new Dell.
Visit www.dell.com/USMC or
call 1-866-257-4711. Member ID: DS62593492
MARINE TRIVIA QUESTION
Q. Not content to rest on his laurels after serving as a Marine in Vietnam, this war veteran switched gears after his retirement to briefly fight America's enemies, and indeed humanity's enemies as a squad leader in 1986. Here is a picture of the enemy leadership. Who is that squad leader and in what venue was the fight?
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 Drew Cocker of Annapolis MD for winning the September contest.Q. A tool and die machinist and golden gloves boxer from Ohio, he salvaged a .30 caliber machine gun from a downed Navy plane on a Pacific island and converted it into a man-portable machine gun with a much higher rate of fire than the version issued to ground troops. Months later, on another island he used his improvised machine gun, which he referred to as his "stinger", to heroically combat the Japanese leading to his subsequent, posthumous award of the Medal of Honor. Forty-five years later, a building on MCB Camp Pendleton was named after him. Who is he? What is this building that was named in his honor and what significance does this building have to his improvised machine gun?
A. The Medal of Honor recipient was Corporal Tony Stein, USMCR and the building is the moving target simulator building used to train "Stinger" gunners.
COMMENTS? What would like to see in MCA Today? Send us your suggestions to: comments@mca-marines.org. We seriously consider all reasonable suggestions!
MCA MAILING LIST. Send us the names and email addresses for those you would like us to add to our mailing list to customercare@mca-marines.org and we will include them. Getting MCA Today in your email box every month is a great way to keep up with events at YOUR professional association!
Semper Fidelis!
Robert Rubrecht
Director of Marketing and Communications
comments@mca-marines.org