FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear MCA Member,
On 3 December, in conjunction with HQMC PP&O, we hosted the Marine Corps Association Foundation Ground Dinner, which provided attendees the opportunity to hear first hand accounts on the state of each of the four Marine Divisions from their Commanding Generals or his direct representative. I want to thank LtGen Tom Waldhauser, Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, BGen Joseph Osterman, Col David Fuquea, BGen James Laster and MajGen James Williams for taking time from their busy schedules to share their perspectives with us on the state of the ground combat community and their respective Divisions. Our professional dinners always provide a unique opportunity for Marines, MCA Members and friends of the Corps to get an inside view on the current issues from top level Marine leaders. Click HERE to see more pictures of this event.
Coming up in February, along with HQMC Installations and Logistics, MCAF will hold the 6th annual Ground Logistics Awards Dinner to honor the achievements of the top performing Marine logisticians of 2009. Always well attended, I encourage you to register for this event early to make sure you can reserve your seat! Click HERE for more information and to register and while you are please also visit our event schedule and take a look at the professional events we have coming up in the future.
The Christmas and seasonal holiday season fast approaches. On behalf of everyone at your professional association, I wish you, your families and ALL Marines EVERYWHERE the very best wishes and regards.
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 our new charitable organization, which enables our supporters to make tax-deductible contributions to aid important initiatives such as the MCAF Awards and Professional Events Programs as well as our new MCAF Unit Library program.
Need our contact information?
Here is our toll free number and our mailing address: 877-4MY-MCAF (1-877-469-6223)
MCAF
PO Box 1775
Quantico, VA 22134
Keep Your Corps Connection Rock Solid by Keeping your MCA Membership Active!
MCA membership includes 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. Both magazines focus on Marines, our history and activities. Reading both magazines regularly is an enjoyable way of staying informed.
Deploying Marines have special needs. They can't afford to haul around extra weight and don't deserve problems with missed or delayed mail. To overcome all this, MCA offers a flexible membership option, which provides continuous access even during overseas deployments.
Our flexible ONLINE-ONLY membership provides ONLINE access to BOTH magazines, and includes all other membership benefits at savings of about 24% off the print edition subscription rates. Marines who face operational deployments should strongly consider this easy 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 are full of interesting articles of real value to Marines and are largely written by Marines. Both feature timely, professionally relevant, and well-illustrated articles that keep Marines focused on the current issues and the continuing Marine Corps story.
Online editions of both magazines include the same material as the print editions but provide unique additions only available from the web environment. Searchable archives back to1916, audio and video feeds, dynamic image slide shows, interactive forums 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 dynamic features today! AND, in January, the Digital editions of our magazines are going to be even easier to use with:
- A Dynamic New Look
- Dramatically Improved Content Access
- Intuitive Navigation
- Easy Search Features
- One Click social Networking
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 NEMTN1209. Renewals mention code REMTN1209.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your Leatherneck team. We appreciate your support this past year and hope your 2010 is the best year ever.
In your first Leatherneck of the New Year, we include an article on the Marine security guards in Athens, a look into the Corps' recruiters' school at MCRD San Diego and, for those of you who asked for more on Marines in combat, we include a World War II article (the Battle of Hunt's Point-Peleliu), a Vietnam War article (Tet '68 NVA attack on Cam Lo) and an article on Marine artillery in Afghanistan. Let us know what you think: leatherneck@mca-marines.org.
The January issue of the Gazette will once again challenge readers with a Tactical Decision Game. Readers are invited to propose a solution to a tactical problem that is relevant to the current operating environment. In a look at the past, we highlight "The Marines Who Never Went to Boot Camp." Not possible you say. It is a true and interesting story. Finally, frequent author LtCol Mike Grice provides serious food for thought as he ponders how will Marine leaders respond if Don't Ask, Don't tell is repealed as law. His article is not provocative but thought provoking.
MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL NOTICES
We cherish our members and want to recruit more! More members means we can better support Marines through our professional development and awards programs! Supporting Marines is an important reason to join but here is another incentive to keep your membership active.
Renew your membership by the 10th of the month following your FIRST renewal reminder notice and your name goes into a drawing to win a bottle of USMC Semper Fi Cologne. We even have two drawings a month to increase your chances of winning!
Congratulations and Welcome Back to Our lucky November winners:
Sgt Richard T Molleo of New Bedford, MA
Mr Victor Donald Odermat USMCR (Ret) of Seattle, WA
You don’t have to win the drawing to get your own bottle of Semper Fi Cologne. Just click on the logo above to order your own bottle!
Tired of Renewal Notices? Want to Eliminate the Hassle of Renewing?
Now You CAN with EZ Pay!
We recently introduced the EZ Pay system so that members can authorize MCA to charge your designated Credit Card automatically every time your subscription expires. Its easy to set up and totally eliminates the bother of going through the membership renewal process each time it lapses. AND, using it means you ALWAYS have access to both of MCA’s Flagship magazines!
Click HERE to find out more about EZ Pay.
SPECIAL NOTICES
amazon.com
So Much MORE than just Books…And NOW, purchases you make at amazon.com when you access their site from the MCA portal gives a small percentage of the purchase to the MCA Foundation to helps support our Awards and Professional Development Programs.
NEW Offer for Washington, D.C. Area Vehicle Owners from TireVan
TireVan, DC area’s only mobile tire installation service, offers members of the Marine Corps Association a FREE membership in their car care program known as TireVan Advantage. This program not only helps keep our members and families safe but also helps caring for their cars easier and cheaper. Check out what TireVan has to offer and sign up today at www.advantage.TireVan.com. Use enrollment code: MA477ES
Advertise With US! If you would like a promotional ad for your business or organization in MCA Today, send us your request to promotions@mca-marines.org . MCA Today has over 44,000 monthly readers and is a valuable advertising resource.
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!
Showcase Gifts for December
Wood Chair with USMC Emblem
101397
Member Price: $490.00
Non-Member Price: $535.00
Browse from the comfort of your home:
www.marineshop.net
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
Discerning Marines Come to Us to Look Their Professional Best!
The MARINE Shop in Quantico, Virginia 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
MCAF PROFESSIONAL EVENTS:
MCAF professional events provide valuable professional development opportunities to Marines. They feature interesting guest speakers drawn from the top leadership of the Marine Corps, other services and Department of Defense and serve as a forum where these leaders provide their unique perspectives on the key 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 whenever you are able. Visit our web site here often to stay current with our evolving schedule. Here are highlights from our latest schedule:
Book Signing
MCA Bookstore
Camp Lejeune, NC
Col Keith Oliver, USMC (Ret) author of Command Attention
MCAF Annual Ground
Logistics Awards Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
MCAF Annual C4 Awards Dinner
Crystal City Hyatt
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - General James T. Conway, USMC
Commandant of the Marine Corps
MCAF Annual Ground Awards Dinner
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
Guest Speaker - TBD
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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 nearly 9,000 Marines and sailors for professional achievements this year alone!
---------------------------------- SEMPER FIDELIS SPONSOR: ----------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------- PREMIER PLATINUM: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER DIAMOND: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER GOLD: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER SILVER: ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- PREMIER
BRONZE: ----------------------------------
------------------- And to our Other Sponsors: -------------------
Platinum: Panasonic
Gold: Harris RF Communications, Harris IT Services Corporation, Navistar, Smartronix
Silver: Agility Logistics, AMSG, Ciena, Cobham, CTC, EMA, MITRE, Impact Resources Technologies, L-3 Communications, 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,
Publisher's Press, and Lincoln Military Housing
Become a Corporate Member today by calling 877-469-6223.
MCA membership offers much more than just a subscription to our flagship magazines, Leatherneck and / or Marine Corps Gazette as a benefit. There are many more. Member Value Pricing offered at MCA’s Online Store, our MCA Bookstore at Camp Lejeune and at The MARINE Shop at Quantico, Virginia is another key benefit. Member Value Pricing gives you exclusive price discounts on all of MCA’s professional reading and specialty gifts on most uniform items at The MARINE Shop.
Exclusive deals from well-known companies who provide discounted computers, 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 would YOU like us to offer? Email us at promotions@mca-marines.org with your suggestions.
Grantham University’s exclusive MCA members program is especially advantageous for several reasons:
- MCA members save up to 24% on tuition and educational material fees!
- Member dependents are ALSO eligible for the membership discount.
Grantham University’s programs are both flexible and portable and offer a variety of academic disciplines at the Associate, Bachelors and Masters levels. 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 on operational deployments that preclude participation in traditional education programs, Grantham University provides a first rate option that allows them to continue their quest for a descent education anywhere in the world.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 bright new Dell.
Visit www.dell.com/USMC or
call 1-866-257-4711. Member ID: DS62593492
MARINE TRIVIA QUESTION
Q. Where are these locations and what do they have in common?
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 November trivia question reprinted for ready reference:
Q. He commanded in one of the subunits of one of the two, pogey rope outfits at Tarawa, Guadalcanal and Saipan and received a Navy Cross and two Silver Stars for gallantry in action. In a subsequent war he commanded the other pogey rope outfit and received yet another Navy Cross and two additional Silver Stars for extraordinary heroism. Who is he and what units did he command?
A. Major General Raymond Murray commanded the 2nd Bn, 6th Marines during the Pacific campaign in World War II and then commanded the 5th Marine Regiment in the Korean war. Both the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments were recipients of multiple awards of the French Croix de Guerre and the Green braid device worn over the left shoulder is formally known as the French Fourragere and informally referred to as the “Pogey Rope.”Congratulations to Donald Perkins of Raleigh, North Carolina for being the first with the correct answer.
COMMENTS? Send us your suggestions for MCA Today to: comments@mca-marines.org. We would love to hear from you!
MCA MAILING LIST. Send us the names and email addresses of your comrades to customercare@mca-marines.org and we will include them on our MCA Today address list each month.
Semper Fidelis!
Robert Rubrecht
Director of Marketing and Communications
comments@mca-marines.org