Hot off the VIRTUAL press! Read Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette - ONLINE!

The February DIGITAL editions of Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck await your close inspection NOW!

Both magazines come enhanced with dynamic features and expanded content not available in the print editions and EVERY member has ONLINE access to BOTH magazines!

The February editions continue our commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of the Marine Corps Association with both magazines featuring re-printed articles of enduring interest along with exciting images of Marines and their activities from our archives.

Leatherneck kicks off the February edition with a look at Marine operating forces training around the globe while continuing the gritty struggle against terrorism in Afghanistan. Other feature articles look at Operation Steel Knight 2013 – the 1st Marine Division's largest, Division level, combined arms, live-fire exercise in nine years; examine the efforts to build and keep open the main supply route into the vital Khe Sanh Combat Base during the war in Vietnam and another showcases the efforts of Explosives Ordnance Disposal Marines in the current era of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's). Reaching back into the archives to 1947 and in further remembrance of MCA's 100th Anniversary, Leatherneck reprints an exciting article about the battle of Iwo Jima and the first flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. Finally, a story on The Basic School's "Warrior Day" highlights the training and equipment of Marine Lieutenants with a wealth of pictures that will appeal to all Marine families.

Marine Corps Gazette starts with a historic leadership article by legendary Marine and 13th Commandant MajGen John A Lejeune reprinted from our archives in commemoration of our 100th Anniversary. Feature articles include an examination of the future of IED's and what it will take to deal with the growing threat; A pair of articles on counterinsurgency warfare advocate strategic measures for improving odds for success in Afghanistan through encouraging local, political autonomy while the other offers practical tips for combat logistics patrol security. On the operational front, the Air-Sea Battle concept is detailed in an article advocating that Marines refocus efforts on validating their utility in the amphibious warfare role within the concept while another article explores Australia's emerging capability as a III MEF partner in amphibious operations. A bevy of articles provide food for thought and practical suggestions in training, medical, aviation, fire support and joint operations, ethics for today's leaders, Inspector-Instructor duty and much more.

Click the links to revel in the ongoing story of our Corps and to delve into the key issues affecting Marines today: www.marinecorpsgazette.com and www.leatherneckmagazine.com and then give us some feedback!

Regards and Semper Fidelis from the Professional Association for ALL Marines,

Col Walt Ford, USMC (Ret)
Marine Corps Association & Foundation
Publisher & Editor, Leatherneck
w.ford@mca-marines.org

Col John Keenan, USMC (Ret)
Marine Corps Association & Foundation
Editor, Marine Corps Gazette
j.keenan@mca-marines.org

*The print editions of the magazines (for those of you who are print subscribers) will be arriving within the next 7 - 10 days. P.S. If you have not ever registered on our site, the steps are outlined for you when you click on your magazine (at the top of this email) or on the home page of our website at www.mca-marines.org. Your membership number is needed for the initial registration process. If you do not know it, please call Member Services at 1-866-622-1775.