Fellow MCA Member:

In April, the MCA launched its four redesigned websites.  If you have not had an opportunity to check them out please do so.  I think you’ll like the fresh look and will find them easier to navigate. Let me know what you think. On 29 April, General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, was on hand to help recognize the professional achievements of the Corp’s top performing Marines in the C4 community at the 7th Annual MCAF C4 Awards Dinner. 

Click HERE for an overview, pictures and videos of the event.

During the first week of May the MCA/ MCAF team traveled to Boston to support Marine Week Boston by hosting two luncheons.  The first, at the Taj Hotel on 5 May was a General Officer Panel that focused on Marine Corps energy, equipment, and organizational needs in the face of current operational and budgetary challenges. The panel featured Marine Generals, BGen Michael Brogan, BGen Robert Hedelund and BGen Larry D. Nicholson.

An overview of the event along with pictures and a video is posted to the MCAF website HERE.

The second luncheon, at the Harvard Club on 6 May, focused on Afghanistan: Past, Present, and Future. The program began with a perspective on operations and logistics in Afghanistan by Boston native LtGen Joseph F. Dunford, Commanding General, I MEF and Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command.  The panel discussion followed featuring Bing West, author of The Strongest Tribe, Dr Mark Moyar, author of A Question of Command: Counterinsurgency from the Civil War to Iraq and Captain Andrew Terrell, USMC. The panel members shared their open and frank insights and perspectives with the luncheon audience.

Visit the MCAF website HERE to see an event synopsis, along with pictures and a video.

On 15 May, we hosted the MCAF – MCCDC Combat Development Dinner. BGen Lawrence D. Nicholson again joined us as our guest speaker to share his perspectives on the operational environment and challenges facing our Marines in Afghanistan.

View more pictures of the event and BGen Nicholson’s presentation along with an overview and videos HERE.

I want to thank the General Officers and distinguished guest speakers, panel members and forum moderators for taking the time from their busy schedules to participate in our professional events.

Future dates to jot down: 2 June, MCAF Luncheon at Camp Lejeune with LtGen Dennis J. Hejlik, Commanding General II Marine Expeditionary Force, 3 June the MCAF Ground Awards Dinner in Arlington recognizing the Marine of the Year from each Division, and the Leftwich, Hulbert, and Chambers officer leadership awards, and 10 June, the MCAF Ground Logistics Awards Dinner will be held in Arlington to recognize the professional accomplishments of the Corps’ top logisticians for 2009.

Our professional events are a great way to stay connected to the Corps and they provide the opportunity to stay abreast of important issues affecting our Corps. MCA and MCAF members receive reduced event rates. Visit the MCAF website HERE for details on our upcoming professional events. 

Semper Fidelis,

Edward G. Usher, III
Major General, USMC (Ret)
President and Chief Executive Officer

     Gen Conway speaking

     General Officer Panel in Action (L-R)
     BGen Hedelund, BGen Brogan, Panel
     Moderator Col Pat Garrett,
     USMC (Ret) and BGen Nicholson
     speaking

     Afghanistan Forum during Q&A (L-R)
     Capt Terrell, Mackubin Owens,
     Dr. Mark Moyar and Bing West

    BGen Nicholson Presentation

    LtGen Hejlik

Member Section

• Congratulations to MCA’s LONG TIME MEMBER and West Coast Area Representative, Sgt Maj Frank Pulley, USMC (Ret)! Frank just got appointed to the Secretary of the Navy’s Retiree Council. Here he is with Sgt Maj Gene Overstreet, USMC (Ret) (12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps) and VAdm John Totushek, USN (Ret) who also serve SecNav on the Council as advisors on retiree affairs and issues.

• MCA Poll. Have YOU participated in MCA’s latest poll? Click HERE for MCA’s home page and scroll down and to the right.  The poll question is changed frequently and we want your opinion to better serve you. Take the Poll TODAY.

• Other Sites of Interest to Marines. Visit the MCA homepage (www.mca-marines.org) and scroll to the toolbar at the bottom. The link to Other Sites of Interest leads you to a very comprehensive listing of organizations related to Marines.

• MCA Birthday Ball Catalog – Available in June!  Click HERE to order yours NOW.           

Of Interest to Marines

• Military pay raise for next year? Read a perspective on the associated political and economic issues from the Military.com website. http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,214881,00.html

• What’s up with Mullah Omar?  Mullah Omar, one of the top political and spiritual leaders of the Afghan Taliban and colleague of Osama Bin Laden is rumored to have been apprehended  last week. BlackFive, a noted Milblog, has several postings on the subject along with some interesting speculation as to reasons why the probable apprehension is so low key.  Also check out the coverage of the Counter Insurgency (COIN) symposium.http://www.julescrittenden.com/2010/05/14/great-game-big-move/ 

• Pajamas Media has a timely story discussing the future of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle and how Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense may decide to cancel it. 
  http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/gates-may-scrap-marines-ship-project-%e2%80%94-as-he-should/

• Leatherneck’s Corps Daily News keeps you connected with an even more comprehensive article on the EFV and related forcible entry and Marine amphibious lift issues and the political and budgetary underpinnings.  http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/gates-anti-ship-barrage-likely-to-land-first-on-marine-corps?a=1&c=1171

• And a third one on the related subject of shrinking seapower assets in the face of increasing operational needs for more naval and the increasing challenge from China. http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/major-speech-on-shrinking-u-s-seapower-goes-ignored/

• Kings Dominion’s “Tribute to the Armed Forces!” Kings Dominion theme park in Virginia offers FREE ADMISSION to active, retired and former US military personnel on Sunday and Monday of both the Memorial Day and July 4th weekends. Check this website for details: http://parkfeedback.com/t/7465200/10856631/3105/0/

• Keep up with the latest news from and about your association with our MCA News and Announcements section on the MCA, Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck web sites. We update constantly so check back often!

• MCA staff get lots of calls from Marines and veterans wanting information on the National Museum of the Marine Corps and many are surprised to find that the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation which manages the Museum actually has it’s own website and also an eNewsletter which announces new exhibits and provides information on their active event schedule. You can sign up for their eNewsletter by visiting their homepage: www.marineheritage.org
  
  
• Marinestan by Vistor Davis Hanson
  http://article.nationalreview.com/434537//marinestan/victor-davis-hanson
  
  

Question: The capture of a national weapons facility by civilian activists led to a successful rescue effort by an 86 strong Marine detachment commanded by an Army officer who would very soon thereafter become famous as an inspiring leader and general. When and where did this rescue effort occur and who is the general who led the Marines?

Answer:

Be the first to send the correct answer to comments@mca-marines.org and we will send you an MCA Commemorative Coin. 

Here’s our trivia question from the April 2010 edition of the Member Update:

Question. Fun with code. Fun with critters. Fun with antique but still cool Marine Gear. Unscramble the code below to come up with the designators for three pieces of USMC utility equipment.

Our Code to bemuse you: M57614121M5M

Our three-part question to confound you (Each character is only used once):

A. Obsolete equipment named for an imaginary animal created for the popular cartoon Popeye.

B. Obsolete 6 wheeled all-terrain, amphibious cargo equipment named after a nimble creature from the caprinae family combined with what appears to be a Greek letter but is actually a corruption of the designer’s name.

C. Loud and somewhat slow, but able to negotiate very rough terrain, this practical equipment carrier was designed to accompany the infantry and carry excess loads. Looks like a big coffee table with wheels.

Answer.
A. M151  Jeep
B. M561 Gama Goat
C. M274 Mechanical Mule

Congratulations to Colonel John Pope of Fairfax, VA. ( a repeat winner!) for being first with the answer for our April contest.

There was some controversy about the M151 with many contest players quoting a Wikipedia posting that stated the M151 was termed the Military Utility Tactical Truck or MUTT. The term "Jeep", which seems to have originated with the Popeye imaginary cartoon character, Eugene the “Jeep,” lived on through various improved vehicle series with Marines.  The “Olive Drab” web site devoted to militaria depicts the M151 series as “…the last of the ¼ ton jeeps that started in World War II…” Check out their web site: http://www.olive-drab.com/
We are sticking with M151 Jeep as the correct answer.

Congratulations to Mark Spring of Saint Anne, Illinois for being first with the “Correct” answer for our March 2010 contest. We omitted plugging that in to our April edition. Sorry about that.

EVERY membership / subscription option includes ONLINE access to BOTH Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette! 

Visit Each magazine’s website TODAY. It’s EASY!  Just click on their links below.

Leatherneck
The June Leatherneck will be out soon and it's focus is education and transition. The vast majority of active-duty leathernecks take their experience and move on--never forgetting, but building on those Devil Dog experiences across America. There is a "vast network of support" out there for you and our articles on the Marine Executive Association, the Yellow Ribbon program and advanced education opportunities will help you more toward a more informed future. 

And as you think of your future, read our June article, "Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum: His Journey From Connecticut Schoolboy to Living Marine Corps Legend." This brother-in-arms, Medal of Honor Marine will make you even more proud to be called, "Marine."

Leatherneck Lingo
You walked the walk at boot camp but can you still talk the talk?  Get a Marinespeak refresher and a Sea Service language tune up at Leatherneck Lingo on Leatherneck’s website: http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/lingo

http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/

Marine Corps Gazette
The June Gazette has an eclectic mix of articles designed to inform and foster debate.  In an article titled "Climate Change" Col J.D. Canty looks at rising sea levels from a national security and maritime service perspective.  HIMARS is highlighted in an informative article by Lt Col Joseph Russo. The second of the "Attritionist Letters"  is provocative and thought provoking. In "Embrace Maneuver Warfare"  Maj Jason W. Heuer provides a counterpoint to the suggestion that aviation assets should be put in direct support of ground maneuver elements. We hope you find the June issue informative and interesting.  Please let us hear from you. If you disagree with an author join the debate. Email us a letter at gazette@mca-marines.org.

Left: HIMARS is uniquely capable of destroying reinforced mud/brick positions without causing extensive collateral damage. Photo by LCpl Ronald Stauffer. The photo is from the article, "HIMARS," by LtCol Joseph J. Russo, MCG, June 2010.

Right: A DS relationship could deny aviation for support to other units. Photo by LCpl Brian D. Jones.  Photo is from the article:  "Embrace Manuever Warfare," by Maj Jason W. Heuer, MCG, June 2010

Win a Free Book!  Gazette holds a weekly book drawing that any visitor to their web site can enter.  It’s EASY to enter – Just send Gazette an email message with “Book Drawing” in the subject line along with your name and mailing address in the message Go here to get the details: http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/bookdrawing

http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette

This Month in Marine Corps History
Foreign navies began staging ships and forces along the coast of northern China in response to the growing instability of the Boxer rebellion in the Spring of 1900 and in May a contingent of naval forces from eight countries, including a contingent of U.S. Marines, landed at Taku for subsequent transportation to Peking to serve in the defense of the foreign legation compound.

The following month, the Boxers were able to convince the Dowager Empress of China to declare war on the foreign powers residing in Peking causing diplomats, foreign civilians, soldiers and Chinese Christians to retreat to the Legation Quarter where the Boxers subsequently besieged them for 55 consecutive days until a force of 20,000 armed troops from Europe, Japan and the U.S. arrived to suppress the Boxers.

From the Photo Archives

Marines marching in formation in China during the Boxer rebellion.

Marines serving in the defense of the Legation compound in Peking in 1900.

“Boxers” under guard during the rebellion.

In May 1946, prisoners at the infamous Alcatraz prison seized a cell block from guards in a bloody attempt to fight their way outside to the prison dock and escape on the prison’s launch. Thwarted in the attempt, the prisoners succeeded in wounding several guards with captured weapons leading to the prison warden requesting military reinforcements, which he got in the form of two platoons of Marines led by Army General “Vinegar” Joe Stillwell.  The Marines, employed a barrage of mortars, machine guns and grenades to succeed in quelling the prisoners and with the help of the prison guards recaptured the cell block.

Smedley Darlington Butler, a legend of the Corps and two time Medal of Honor recipient served in China during the Boxer Rebellion and received the “Brevet” medal and promotion to Captain of Marines 2 weeks before his 19th birthday for gallantry in action at the battle of Tientsin. Our archival picture of him is from later life after his promotion to MajGen.

SgtMaj Dan Daly, another legend of the Corps and two time Medal of Honor recipient also served in China during the Boxer Rebellion and was awarded his first Medal of Honor for inflicting around 200 casualties while single handedly defending his position against repeated attacks by the Boxers.

Alcatraz during the prison riots in 1946 smoking from the Marine onslaught.

MCAF is The Marine Corps Associations 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which enables our members and supporters the ability to make tax-deductible donations in support of programs for Marines like the MCAF Awards and Professional Events Programs and the Unit Library Program. 

Here are our upcoming professional events:

• 27 May – Booksigning with Richard S. Lowry at The MARINE Shop in Quantico, VA
• 2 June – MCAF Camp Lejeune Summer Luncheon
• 2 June – Book Signing with Thomas Petri at The MARINE Shop in Quantico, VA
• 3 June – MCAF Ground Awards Dinner – Arlington, VA
• 10 June – MCAF Ground Logistics Awards Dinner – Alexandria, VA

Visit the MCAF website:  www.mcafdn.org for more information.

Your Marine Corps Association Foundation is the benefactor of a donation of state of the art gun cleaning equipment from Otis Technology, Inc. and we’d like to offer the gun cleaning systems to the highest bidders.

All proceeds from the auction will be used to support the MCAF Unit Library Program, which provides professional military education reading material to requesting Marine units throughout the Corps.

Listed below are the items, the number available, and the starting bids.  We are beginning the auction by email, so please send your bid to mcaf@mca-marines.org subject line - "Auction."  We will be closing the auction on 28 May, so get your bids in early.  We’ll keep you appraised of the bidding on our home page at www.mcafdn.org under the News section.

Happy Bidding!

Starting Bid

$90.00

$30.00

$100.00

Details on all items can be found at http://www.otisgun.com/cgistore/store.cgi?page=/new/catalog.html&setup=1cart_id=

Items will not be sold for less than the starting bids.  First to bid on the items at the highest levels will be the winners. Any questions, please email us at mcaf@mca-marines.org.

Thanks to our MCAF Sponsors for Supporting Marines!

Need to get in touch with us?  Here are some of the more commonly used MCA contacts you may need:

Marine Corps Association
715 Broadway St
Quantico, VA 22134
(M-F / 0800-1630 EST)
Toll Free: 1-(800) 336-0291
Tel: (703) 640-6161
Fax: (703) 640-0823
www.mca-marines.org

Want to join The Professional Association for ALL Marines? Call us toll free at 866-622-1775 or click HERE!

Already a member and want to RENEW your membership? Click the member login at the top of the MCA homepage and if you are within 4 months of membership expiration then a Renew Option will be one of the menu choices available.   If you would like to renew farther out than 4 months from expiration then you can call our member services office at the number above to effect your renewal.

Mailing List
Get on MCA’s mailing list. Send us the names and email addresses of people who would like to receive MCA’s Member Update to: https://www.mca-marines.org/feedback/  We welcome new readers!

Comments
COMMENTS?    Send them to: comments@mca-marines.org.  What is your reaction to the Member Update? What would you like to see in it? Let us know.

Disclaimers 
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Neither the U.S. Marine Corps nor any other component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed or authorized this newsletter.