Marine Corps Gazette, the MCA professional journal for all Marines is NOW fully online. This month's online edition of Gazette includes the Marine Corps planning guidance formulated by the newly appointed Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway. Included with the text of the planning guidance are a series of inspiring action shots of Marines in action and training in various parts of the world. 

In addition to the fact that our members can access the online version of Gazette from anywhere in the world, the online version includes some key features that the print version does not. Gazette articles in the online version include numerous hotlinks that allow the reader to instantly access similar articles or to view more comprehensive details relating to key words, concepts, equipment and issues. Similarly, the online version provides access to our powerful archive search engine allowing detailed topic searches tailored by the reader.

Visit the Marine Corps Gazette home page TODAY to access the ONLINE version of Gazette. (Click here to navigate to the Gazette Home Page where the link resides: www.mca-marines.org/gazette/ .)

The December issue of Gazette includes two articles of particular value to Marines who are about to deploy. 
Exercise Mojave Viper written by the Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group at 29 Palms addresses key skill sets needed by Marines in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The article provides comprehensive treatment of the 30-day pre-deployment training exercise and will prove an invaluable orientation tool for units and individuals making preparations.

Another article, Operation Red Wings, by Col Andrew R. MacMannis and LtCol Robert B. Scott describes the difficulties involved in the fire support coordination operational theaters where both conventional and special operations forces commingle.

Visit the new MCA web site and check out the changes! New MCA Logo and tagline look more dynamic than the older version and proclaim our purpose. "Marine Corps Association-The Professional Association for All Marines." Enticing graphics and frequently changing pictures combine with improved organizational layout and clear writing on each page spice up the look and make browsing in the site a breeze.

We cordially invite you to visit us at the new MCA web site at www.mca-marines.org.
In particular, MCA invites our members and viewers attention to our UPCOMING EVENTS section, which remains on the right side of our home page.

MCA is pleased to announce an entirely new web site feature and member benefit that will prove advantageous to Marines seeking jobs following retirement or release from active duty. The Career Center allows MCA members seeking jobs to post their resumes for employers to peruse. The site will also display employment positions available from prominent companies featuring job opportunities all over the world.  MCA is really excited about the new Career Center and expects this to be of value to many of our members, but it is open to ALL Marines to assist with their employment needs. Many of the employer/advertisers will post positions specifically because they seek Marines as employees.

MCA offers introductory discounts for advertisements from member/advertisers and they will have ready and continuous access to the member/job seeker resume bank.  

Special Career Center Notice. Last month, we announced a $50.00 gift certificate drawing for those who posted their resumes with MCA's new Career Center by 10 November. We had great results with over 140 Marines posting resumes in order to take advantage of this new career center service. The winner of the drawing is Michael Slate of Albertville, Alabama.  Congratulations and Semper Fi from all of us at the Marine Corps Association.

With over 150 posted resumes in our growing database and more postings every day, the newly activated Career Center is really picking up steam. Here are some comments we have received from those now using the service:

• "Just a quick note to thank you for your e-mail in reference to posting of resumes to the new MCA career website... Transition/retirement thus far is a full time job in itself, any assistance is very appreciated..."

• "...I appreciate you going out of your way to assist me."

• "Thanks for sending me this email.  It's great to see nice people like yourself looking out for us devil dogs (oooraah)."

• "Hello, I would like to sincerely thank you for the email.  I posted my resume on your web site..."

MCA Career Center Job of the Month. The December job of the month has been posted by Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. They seek a Financial Expert to work in the Stafford, Virginia area.

Click here to review the complete posting.

Career Center access is through the Career Center at www.mca-marines.org/careercenter.asp.  Check it out.

On 29 & 30 November, MCA was pleased to host renowned journalist, military historian and author Max Boot to a series of book signings and PME events at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Quantico. Well known for his frequent commentaries on national security and foreign policy issues published in main stream journals, his book, The Savage Wars of Peace focused extensively on Marine Corps operations in small wars and has been included in the Marine Corps Professional Reading List.  Spending two days at Quantico, Max addressed the subject of his new book, War Made New: Technology, Warfare and the Course of History 1500 to the Today at a series of presentations.  Click here for a summary of his remarks or here to go to the ONLINE Store for his books. 

On 4 December, Max Boot was featured in an interview about his new book on FRONTPAGEMAG.com a leading Web Log.  If you would like to read the interview, visit this link: http://www.frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=25795

MCA sponsors a range of interesting events that support Marines and, of course, our members. Here is a list of some of the key events coming up. We cordially invite our readers to visit our web site for a complete and updated list.  Visit http://www.mca-marines.org/profdev/events.htm to stay current.

Book Signing at Camp Lejeune
On 13 December 2006, from 1100-1300, the MCA Bookstore at Camp Lejeune will host Patrick O’Donnell author of We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines that Took Falujah, for a book signing.
Author O’Donnell served as an embedded journalist with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines during the tumultuous battle of Fallujah in November 2004.  His vivid, first hand account accurately chronicles the flow of events of the largest urban conflict since World War II and vividly portrays a unit and it’s Marines who bore one of the heaviest fighting loads. For more information, visit our Upcoming Events section of our web site at www.mca-marines.org or call the bookstore staff at 910-451-7500.

Book Signing at Quantico
On 18 December 2006, from 1130-1300 the MCA Bookstore at Quantico will host Mark Moyar, author of Triumph Forsaken: The Vietnam War, 1954-1965 for a book signing.  The book is a revisionist history at it's best.  A comprehensive and exhaustively researched history of America’s longest overseas war, the book continuously challenges widely accepted "Truths" and exposes many myths, long held by a majority of the post war generation.  Arguing convincingly, that the war was a worthy enterprise, badly executed, Moyer stirs a swirling witches’ cauldron of controversy throughout.
For more information, visit our Upcoming Events section of our web site at www.mca-marines.org or call the bookstore staff at 703-640-6161 ext 336.

Book Signing at Parris Island
On 21 December 2006, from 1430-1630 the MCA Bookstore at Parris Island will host Lt Col David Brown USMC (Ret), author of Battlelines for a book signing. Author Brown tells the gritty story of the Marines of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines during their tumultuous, 5 year struggle in Viet Nam. A story of exceptional courage throughout, Brown captures the camaraderie, humor and humanity of the Marines while weaving a first rate history.  For more information, visit our Upcoming Events section of our web site at www.mca-marines.org or call the bookstore staff at 843-522-9440.


MCA Luncheon-Washington DC Area
On 22 January 2007 the Marine Corps Association will host the first of several MCA Luncheons in the Washington DC metropolitan area.  Formerly known as MCA Retiree Luncheons, the events provide an opportunity for the areas Marine community, both active duty and retired, to gather in a fraternal setting and  listen to informed leaders addressing the current issues affecting national security, generally and the Marine Corps specifically.  MCA is pleased to announce that the guest speaker for the first luncheon is the newly appointed 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway, USMC.

Sponsored by

For more information and to schedule your reservation, please visit our web site at
www.mca-marines.org/programsLuncheons-DCJan07.asp.

Do you have what is needed to help fight the battle against cancer?

We care for our members, and we don’t want to see your nest egg wiped out in just a few months.  Don’t be misled into thinking you have enough insurance to cover the medical cost of treating cancer.  Most insurance companies don’t cover all the costs to treat cancer. The statistics of being diagnosed with cancer in the U.S for a male are 1 out of 2, and for women they are 1 out of 3. Don’t be caught off guard. *

The MCA Cancer Care Plan was developed to help MCA members.  We would like to send you cash benefits if you are ever caught in a battle against cancer. 

• These benefits, up to a lifetime amount of $300,000.00**, would help with many aspects of your treatment including: hospitals, operations, doctors, medications, and more. 

• In this plan we’ll pay you $30.00 for each insured member of your family so they may receive an outpatient diagnostic test for cancer this year, and each year afterward while you’re in the plan.

You are guaranteed acceptance into this plan if you’re an MCA member (or the spouse of a member), you’re under 80 years of age (under 65 in CA), and you have not been medically treated for or advised of cancer (with the exception of skin cancer) for the last 5 years.

CLICK HERE to request more information about the MCA Cancer Care Plan, and find out why it makes sense for today’s military family.

Underwritten by: Monumental Life Insurance Company, Baltimore, MD
*The American Cancer Society, Facts & Figures, 2005.
**Plan pays up to $300,000.00 lifetime maximum subject to specific plan benefit schedules and individual benefit maximums.
Some exclusions and limitations may apply.
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The MCA World Points Platinum Plus MasterCard is available to MCA Members. Click here for more information and to apply.

MBNA's recent merger with Bank of America means additional member benefits to you. Greater financial options for your consideration will be forthcoming. We will soon be offering American Express cards to our members. Look for more information in upcoming issues.

Apple Member Purchase Program
Marine Corps Association members and their families can now take advantage of the Apple Member Purchase Program (MPP).

With the Apple Member Purchase Program (MPP), you can purchase Apple products at a substantial savings for your own personal use. This includes items like the popular iPod music player and our award-winning PowerBook, iMac, iBook, screamingly fast Power Mac G5 and MacBook Pro. Members will also enjoy savings on Apple software and other third-party products, including a multitude of speakers, cases and other accessories made for your iPod.

MCA Members receive:
• Special MCA Member discounts on Apple products, including iPods
• Free standard shipping on all orders over $50
• Free laser engraving on all iPods
• Quarterly promotions
• Online custom product configuration

Members click here to log-in to visit the MCA/Apple Government MPP online store and receive your discount.

Or call 1-800-MY-APPLE (and mention that you're an MCA Member).

Dell also gives quality discounts to MCA Members. With the holidays here, these offers might be hard to pass up.

Visit dell.com/ghc/flyer or call 1-866-257-4711. Member ID: DS62593492

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:

Membership orders and inquiries - 1-800-336-0291
Retail order inquiries - 1-800-336-0291
Place a retail order - 1-888-237-7683
Fax - 703-630-1446
E-Mail - customercare@mca-marines.org