FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear MCA Member,
The holiday season is upon us and I want to wish all Marines, and all MCA members and their families our very best wishes during this season and throughout the New Year! God bless you all.
In early December, MCA conducted the last of our professional dinners for the year – the MCA Ground Awards Dinner. Attended by a record number of guests, the dinner served as the opportunity to recognize the professional achievements of some truly remarkable Marines in the ground community and MCA was very grateful to have General James L. Jones, Jr. USMC (Ret), former Commandant of the Marine Corps and Supreme Allied Commander-Europe, as the guest speaker.
The Marine of the Year for each of our four Marine Divisions received a highly coveted NCO sword in a shadow box presentation case in honor of their selection and the officers selected as recipients of the Leftwich, Chambers and Hulbert Awards for Outstanding Leadership were presented with their trophies as well. MCA has organized the dinner where the Leftwich Trophy is presented for several years but this is the first year the Chambers and Hulbert Awards have been presented here. The Leftwich Trophy is presented annually to the selected, Marine Captain in the active duty component in command of a company or battery for outstanding leadership. The Chambers Award recognizes outstanding leadership of a company grade officer within the Reserve component and the Hulbert Award, of which this dinner represented the first ever presentation of that award, recognizes outstanding leadership in the Marine Gunner community.
In other professional event news, MCA featured Dr. E. Bruce Heilman, author of An Interruption that Lasted a Lifetime: My First Eighty Years at a well-attended book signing at The MARINE Shop in early December. Dr. Heilman is a World War II era Marine who has long been an influential friend of the Corps and well respected educator. Additionally, MCA held book signings for Maj Gene Duncan, USMC (Ret), author of the refreshingly humorous books on the Corps, Brown Side Out, Green Side Out and Dunc’s Almanac at Camp Lejeune and Quantico.
In reflection, 2008 has been a banner year for MCA’s professional event program. I want to thank every Marine and MCA Member who supported our program this year with attendance at any of our professional events. And, especially I want to thank our sponsors for their generous support. We hope to do even better with our program next year and encourage you to attend as many of the events as you are able. They help you stay connected to our Corps and are great opportunities to socialize with other Marines! Visit the event schedule on MCA’s web site here to stay abreast of the schedule.
On a more somber note, I regret to inform our members and readers that MCA will be closing our Camp Pendleton and Parris Island Bookstores at the end of December. While we have relished the opportunity to support Marines where they serve in these two locations, our continued presence at both is not economically viable presently. I want to thank the many Marines and their families and friends who have supported our Bookstores with their patronage at these two bases and I especially want to thank our hard working MCA staffs at both locations for their dedication and loyalty. MCA will continue to support the Marine community at both Camp Pendleton and Parris Island with professional event sponsorship as opportunities allow and we look forward to enhanced retail support from the combination of MCA’s new Flagship Store, The MARINE Shop, and our upgraded Online Store.
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
MCA's New One-Stop Shopping Center SAVES YOU MONEY! For super deals on a HUGE range of consumer products try out MCA's One-Stop Shopping Center Today! Including access to Name Brand clothing, electronics, apparel, pet supplies, travel and a range of other sought after products, MCA's One-Stop Shopping Center is a portal that connects YOU with great deals ONLINE that you can't get through the companies' websites, offering convenience and significant savings to the shopper who uses it. And the good news is, when you use the service, you not only SAVE money on high quality products but your purchase directly helps support MCA's Awards Program which provides professional recognition to Marines all over the Corps. You can't beat that. Click on the link above to check it out today!
and more!
FTD – MCA Featured One-Stop Shopping Center Company for December
It’s ALWAYS a great time to give or receive flowers but with the holiday season coming, it’s an even better time! And with FTD you can always count on the widest range of the most beautiful, the freshest and best arranged flowers available. And, EVEN Better – MCA Members get a 15% discount when using FTD from our One-Stop Shopping Center! Click the Logo to Check out FTD today!
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.
Keeping up with the Corps and its ongoing activities is important to Marines. The best way to stay connected and informed about the Corps is to join the Marine Corps Association – The Professional Association for ALL Marines!
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 comes with your membership.
MCA recognizes the special needs of Marines who routinely face extended deployments and problems with late mail delivery and, accordingly, has developed flexible membership options to provide better and uninterrupted membership support. To that end, MCA offers ONLINE-ONLY memberships, an option which allows ONLINE access to BOTH magazines, and includes all regular membership benefits at about 24% off the print edition membership rates. With this option deployed Marines don’t need to worry about late mail delivery and can access both Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette online from anywhere in the world. All active duty Marines should strongly consider this option when they join or renew their memberships.
Both Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck feature high quality, and creatively illustrated articles of real value to Marines, written largely by 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 enhanced features only available in a web based format. These include complete, searchable archives extending back to 1916, PODCASTS, and interactive discussion boards where ANY reader can join a debate on a range of operational issues. Hot linked key words facilitating additional reading on favorite topics is also a key feature in the Online editions.
You GET a lot with an MCA Membership, but membership also lets You GIVE Back to the Corps! Your membership dues, directly supports the MCA Awards Program, which provides incentive awards and professional recognition to over 7,000 Marines annually for professional and academic achievement. MCA is the largest awards provider in the Corps, so if you know a Marine who got an award, chances are that MCA’s Awards Program provided it with support from YOUR membership!
If you are not a member now, we encourage you to join us. 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 NEMTNC08. Renewals mention code REMTNC08.
The cover article in the January issue of the Gazette is an update on the Marines at the United States Naval Academy and their efforts to recruit the top midshipmen into the Marine Corps, The January issue also continues the publication of the essays that won awards in the 2008 Hogaboom Leadership Essay Contest. As our efforts in Iraq transition into largely an advisory role, Gazette authors highlight lessons learned in advising and preparing local forces. Finally there is a feature article on Fifth Generation War and the challenge of defeating an enemy who will not go "toe to toe" with us and will attack us "not with a club, but with a stiletto." There is something in the January issue for every reader.
Upcoming in the January issue, Leatherneck will have an expansive tribute to General Robert Hilliard Barrow, 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps and Giant of the Corps; an article updating readers on the Corps' Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF); an overview of the Devil Pups program; and an article on the recent first operational deployment of USS San Antonio (LPD-17); plus much more from the ongoing War on Terror. The Leatherneck team appreciates your support this past year and, as we look forward to enjoying similar support this next year, we wish each and everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ---or simply Happy Holidays.
MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL NOTICES
MCA exists to support Marines. And, the more members we have, the more we thrive and, more importantly, the more resources we have available for supporting Marines! But, we have another great reason for you to stick with us – A chance to win something! Renew your membership early when renewal time arrives and you get a chance to win some great Semper Fi Cologne!
Here is how it works…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 November winners are:
Col John D Adams (FPO address)
Roy Goodman of Frederick, Maryland
Congratulations to our winners! AND, if you didn’t win you can still get some Semper Fi Cologne for yourself! Just click on the logo above!
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
Last Minute Gifts for Marines
CRYSTAL BOWL
An etched Eagle, Globe and Anchor graces the front of our elegant hand-cut crystal bowl. At 5 3/4" x 4" high it is perfect for mints and salted peanuts at get-togethers for Marines. This is a special order, non-returnable item and requires 2-3 weeks for delivery.
103848
PULSAR TWO-TONE WATCH
Our two-tone, Gold and Silver Pulsar watch is the perfect dress accent for a Marine. Featuring a gold colored Eagle, Globe and Anchor on an easy to read, white face, the watch is rugged, keeps highly accurate time and includes an adjustable clasp closure.
103859
USMC ESPRIT DE CORPS LAMP
Short of a green star cluster, you can’t get illumination with more of a Marine Corps theme than this Lamp. At 16” tall, with a sturdy wood base, our Esprit de Corps Lamp features a huge Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem with a sculpted rendering of the Iwo Jima flag raising superimposed in front. The words “Honor,” “Courage” and “Commitment” are screened in gold on the navy blue lamp shade.
103707
FRAMED BULLDOG PRINT
A Marine bulldog in impeccable dress blues flanks the Marine's Prayer on our matted and gold framed print to make a showy yet reverent accent piece for your wall. Dimensions - 31" x 21" Gift wrapping is not available for this product.
102611
BLACK MICRO FIBER JACKETGreat for casual wear on brisk or windy days, our polyester, micro-fiber jacket features a polar fleece lining and polyester lining for extra comfort. And, to show off your pride in the Corps, "Marines" is tastefully embroidered in scarlet script on the left chest.
103337
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 The MARINE Shop in Quantico and 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
Due to the holidays, call volume is high, so please be patient or email us at:
customercare@mca-marines.org
THE MARINE SHOP
MCA's Flagship Store!
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!
MCA Cordially Invites YOU to visit The MARINE Shop in person and Online:
In Uniform or in Mufti -- The MARINE Shop Helps Marines Look Their Professional Best
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 on select items.
MCA Career Center
We Are Here To Help…
We Help Marines Find Jobs AND We Help Employers
Find Marines to Work for Them!
It’s a Win-Win Situation for Everyone!
Click here to Check It Out NOW!
We continuously post exciting, new U.S and Overseas jobs at MCA’s Career Center and we constantly update our large database filled with resumes from highly experienced Marines seeking responsible employment. If you are looking for a job or for a successful Marine to fill a responsible position, MCA’s Career Center is the resource of choice for you!
Start Your Search with MCA’s Career Center FIRST!
Featured Jobs for December:
Click on the link to check them out in detail
Automotive Engineers - Quantico - ITT
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3043797
Logistics/Supply Specialist - Maryland - NEK Advanced Securities Group
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3039533
Human Resources Specialist/HR Development - Quantico - MCCS
http://careers.mca-marines.org/jobdetail.cfm?job=3043774
MCA PROFESSIONAL EVENTS:
MCA sponsors dynamic professional events with top Marine, and civilian leaders as guest speakers. We hold luncheon, dinner and book signing 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. MCA’s 2008 Professional Events schedule proved highly successful as well as quite enjoyable and we plan to do even better in 2009.
Visit our web site here regularly to stay abreast of updates, to get additional information and to see event photos and review guest speaker comments.
Here are some highlights from but a few of our professional events this year:
Your subscription to one or both of MCA’s flagship magazines, Leatherneck and / or Marine Corps Gazette is the most important membership benefit. Both magazines help you to stay connected to the Corps and keep you informed about the current issues Marines face. Good news though…this benefit, just got better, because no matter what kind of print or Online subscription you choose, MCA NOW gives you ONLINE access to BOTH magazines as well.
Membership comes with other benefits including Member Value Pricing at MCA’s stores, including The MARINE Shop, as well as at MCA’s ONLINE Store. Member Value Pricing means MCA members receive exclusive member discounts on our extensive selection of professional reading, 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.
Avoid the common loopholes in civilian programs:
4 MCA Life Insurance Plans perfect for active duty, Reserve and retired Marine Corps families
Nailing down solid life protection isn’t easy for Marine Corps families. Civilian companies seldom cover military duties. Most plans for the general public exclude acts of war.
But the MCA made sure you could add the life coverage your loved ones need … with 24-hour worldwide protection – even when you’re on active duty or in the Reserves.
- MCA’s 10 Year Level Term Life Plan – Now you can set up solid Life Insurance Protection for your loved ones with MCA’s 10-Year Level Term Life Plan. This plan gives you up to $250,000.00 in coverage with two important guarantees:
- Coverage Stays Locked In For 10 Years. No matter what changes in your career or health, you can rest assured that the coverage you set up today will be the same coverage that is still standing by your loved ones a decade later.
- Rates Stay Locked In For 10 Years. Your MCA group rates start out at a good deal based on the strong buying power of more than 90,000 Members. But the MCA took that financial advantage even further by negotiating your 10-Year Rate Lock (that means that your rates on day 1 will be the same for the whole 10 year term).
- MCA’s 50+ Life Plan – A great way to combat the life coverage gaps created by inflation and age-related benefit cutbacks in employer or other life insurance plans. Specifically designed for MCA Members over age 50, simplified enrollment privileges mean there are no medical exams required. *This Plan is subject to approval.
- MCA’s 2-in-1 Life Plan – For young Marine Corps families. You can cut your life insurance costs up to 50% because one plan protects both you and your spouse for one affordable price.
- MCA’s Group Term Life Plan – Take advantage of MCA group rates! And help add to your family’s future financial security by up to $100,000 in term life benefits. Plus, MCA has added an extra bonus of $25,000 lump sum Accidental Dismemberment coverage.
Whether you’re setting up a solid safety net for your loved ones…or looking to add to the life coverage you bought years ago, MCA’s exclusive Life Plans are a great deal for you. The immense buying power of more than 90,000 Marine Crops Association Members helps you save money with lower group rates.
Check out MCA’s life plans today.
All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Policies underwritten by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company detail exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued.
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.
TUITION SAVINGS IDEA - A great way to save even if you or your children are enrolled at another school is to take some of those college courses on-line - instead of all of them at a brick and mortar university! And, did you know you can save money on testing and time in the application process as well at Grantham because they don't require either the ACT or the SAT in the admissions process!
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
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: -------------------
Platinum: Nammo Talley
Gold: Harris, 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; ClearedJobs.net; Columbia Group; CTC; CSC; DCS; Deloitte Consulting; DFW Marine Families; DSC; EG&G; Elbit Systems of America; eNTEGRITI; Exeter; FLIR; Force Protection; Fox News; Geico; Gyrocam; Hartford Insurance; Honeywell; Kollsman; L-3 Titan; Microsoft; Motorola; Nammo Talley; Navistar; Professional Solutions; R. Phillips Enterprises; Rheinmetall; Rockwell Collins; SAIC; Shee Atika Tech; Sodexo; 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; Logis-Tech; 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 2009 Marine Corps Association events schedule.
For information on becoming a corporate sponsor, contact LeeAnn Mitchell at l.mitchell@mca-marines.org.
MARINE TRIVIA QUESTION
The November trivia contest received unprecedented attention and a record number of responses. Most were exactly correct too. Many thanks to all who participated.
Q. Dr. Grant tries to call Dr. Sattler while in the process of trying to keep from drowning or being eaten in the process but he only reaches young Charlie who gets distracted watching Barney on the tube while en-route to tell his mother. Later, the survivors barely make it to the beach to find Dr. Sattler figured the situation out and made rescue efforts-which bore fruit. Who shows up on the beach at the end to help save the day, what do they arrive in and what movie is this?
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!
Our MCA Coins are truly unique. Each one comes crafted in three of the more popular dimensions, having height, width AND depth and is meticulously stamped in actual metal mined from the Sun’s third planet by the indigenous creatures who dwell there. Durable, each coin will last several lifetimes of normal usage and, short of an asteroid strike or the winner putting it on railroad tracks to widen it out for grins, it will be a treasured heirloom to bequeath to your descendents. AND, each coin has arcane, martial, totemic symbols firmly stamped on both the reverse and obverse sides (got that? Two sides…Just like Stereo-Only better) to keep the bearer firmly motivated no matter which angle he views it. Further, each one has had several of Quantico’s best seer’s, palm readers and a yoga guru mutter incantations over it to ensure perpetual good luck to the bearer. Certified by a prominent university paranormal research department to be effective at warding off undesirable denizens from the ectoplasm, conversely they are also immersed for long duration in pheromones to make the bearer irresistible in the eyes of significant others. Finally, the sub-molecular structure shorts out any attempts by space aliens to read your mind. Basically, these are way cool and if you don’t have one, you are going to want to win one soon so keep reading up on Marine Corps history and keep entering the contest!
Here’s our November trivia question reprinted for ready reference:
Q. Born of the cataclysmic forces of unrestrained vulcanism and the scene of epic, and equally cataclysmic strife, fittingly, my name means sulfur, and I am in places over 50 feet higher than I was during the conflict where I became known to the world and, to this day, I remain a revered iconic symbol for the Corps. What am I?
A. Iwo Jima is the answer. Iwo Jima means “Sulfur Island” in Japanese. Mt Suribatchi was the second most popular answer but does not fit the part about “my name means sulfur…”
Congratulations to James E. Hill of Charlotte, North Carolina for being first with the correct answer!
COMMENTS? Tell us what you like AND what you don’t like about MCA Today! Suggestions for the improvement of MCA Today are always welcome. Send your comments and suggestions to: comments@mca-marines.org and we will strongly consider them.
MCA MAILING LIST. Stay Connected by getting yourself AND your friends on our mailing list! It’s EASY to do! Send us the names, mailing and email addresses for those you would like us to add to customercare@mca-marines.org. We will be delighted to send all your nominees their own copies of MCA Today each month to help them stay connected.
Semper Fidelis!
LeeAnn Mitchell
Director of Marketing and Communications
comments@mca-marines.org