MCA&F Attends 2012 Spring Commanders’ Course
On 23 March, select staff from the Marine Corps Association & Foundation attended the Commanders’ Course 2012 Spring Resource Fair held at the Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS), Quantico, VA.
The Commanders’ Course is a two week seminar, offered twice a year that is designed to help educate commanders in identifying, evolving and enduring issues that will affect Marines in their new commands, and prepare commanders to successfully lead by providing relevant tools. The first week, commanders are briefed on techniques and programs that contribute to a successful command tour. The second week their spouses join them and both are briefed on their spousal roles implicit in commanding Marines. For example, commanders and their spouses are briefed on family readiness, mental stress of combat, personal health, children’s education and childcare.
MCA&F Marketing Coordinator, Sherry Linhares speaking with Maj John Gutierrez
Well attended, there were 280 Marines and spouses attending the 2012 Spring Resource Fair, the largest group the Course has ever had. MCA&F’s Area Representative, SgtMaj Kevin Bennett, USMC (Ret), shared memories with these Marines, and spoke about how their professional association, MCA&F, supports them and their units through the Commanders’ Unit Library Program. This program provides commanders and their units with vital intellectual resources primarily from the Marine Corps Professional Reading List, helping Marines develop professionally.
SgtMaj Bennett sharing a story with LtCol Day
In addition, MCA&F raffled off a set of books of interest to Marines for commanders and their spouses in attendance. The winner of the package: Six Essential Elements of Leadership by Col Wesley L. Fox, USMC (Ret), Brown Side Out and Green Side Out by Maj H.G. Duncan, was LtCol John Thurman.
LtCol’s and Majors signing up for the MCA&F Raffle
Congratulations LtCol Thurman and thank you for your participation and your continued support!
Support our Marines by simply joining their professional association. Membership dues provide valuable funding for programs such as the Commanders’ Unit Library Program. With access to Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck magazines, which come with every membership, you can stay informed on the issues affecting Marines as well as on unfolding Marine history. Through the support of our MCA&F members, and revenue from our retail activities by The MARINE Shop, and MarineShop.net, MCA&F recognizes deserving Marines, and supports their professional development through another key program, the Marine Excellence Awards Program.
Members receive many benefits, including access to magazines, discounts with affinity partners and member value pricing at MCA&F retail locations. You can also support Marines by making a tax deductible donation to the Foundation here.
Member Oorahs!
You have been the easiest person I have ever dealt with since I have started MWR out here. You were very quick to respond to my every question and very knowledgeable about your work for an order over a phone that was my greatest experience. If you were in the Marine Corps Skylar I would write you up for a meritorious promotion. I will surely write it in my books to pass the word to the next MWR rep to continue the membership with you guys.
Sgt Richard Colmenarez
It is ALWAYS a pleasure to work with a consummate professional such as SgtMaj (Ret.) Frank Pulley. As the company 1stSgt for Hotel Company, MCT, SOI (West), I’ve attended a number of his briefs and one can visually see a positive change in the student’s attention levels as the SgtMaj delivers his presentation. The SgtMaj truly cares about the Marines and the Marine Corps and represents the MCA in an extremely admirable manner. It has been my experience that all Marines (including myself) benefit from the experience of attending a MCA presentation. And regardless of rank or years of experience, Marines should always seek to increase their level of proficiency and knowledge and MCA briefs provide us with that opportunity.
I received them this morning. Thank you so much for your help! you guys are awesome and you will have my business for any uniform or military need in the future as well as a hearty recommendation via word of mouth to anyone who wonders where they should purchase uniforms from!
I want to relay my many thanks to everyone at Marine Corps Association and Military Historical Tours for providing me the opportunity to experience such a wonderful trip to Russia. Had I not won this trip through MCA I may have never taken advantage of such fantastic travels. The group, the Russian Tour guide (Oleg Alexandrov) and Charlie Dunn were wonderful companions during the trip. It will be a memory I will cherish all of my remaing days on this earth.
Again, Many thanks and Semper Fidelis!
I received my Dress Blues I ordered from The Marine
Shop in the mail today. And I just wanted to write and tell everyone there
that you all did a great job! Everyone from the tailors, to the customer
service reps. I am highly impressed with the quality and tailoring of your
uniforms. I will definitely keep coming back to The Marine Shop in the
future for uniforms!
Colonel Ford, I have to pass this on because I'm in shock that I was able to Connect (on the first Ring), Chat and concluded my business with "Sharon" in less than 30 seconds, at the MCA-Office. I was taken by surprise. Why, I'm Not used to anyone answering the phone especially on the first ring. AND...a human being...a lovely lady with a disarming voice, which at first I thought was a recording. WOW! I commend THE MCA for doing such an outstanding service for its members...make me proud. Just think...I was not asked "if I knew my parties Extension."?
Wish I had a Blog...I would spread around how delighted I am. What transpired to me today is Rare, just doesn't happen anymore. See, I'm so impressed I'm blitzing you here.
S/F
My Name is Sergeant Major Juan. M. Hidalgo, Sergeant Major of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) out of Camp Pendleton, CA. Sergeant Major (Ret.) Frank Pulley is one of my mentors and is someone that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. The MCA and SgtMaj Pulley do a phenomenal job in helping us recognize our Marines and Sailors and they continually demonstrate that they are always more than ready to support; anytime...Anyplace! And on behalf of the entire 13th MEU, I thank you very much!
Christina,
Thank you for all your help over the phone today. Planning a Marine Corps Ball is a lot of time, energy and work.
Timothy C. Summers
Louise,
I just wanted to say thanks so much for making sure the uniform got back
to me in time for my commissioning class's photo. It fits me well and I am so excited for commissioning which takes
place in 17 hours! Thank you again!
Very Respectfully,
I received my blouse last Friday and want to thank you for your efforts
in getting things done. Also, please thank the tailors involved in
making everything right and please give my sincere thanks to those who
made the decision to make the necessary corrections at no charge to me.
That in itself says a lot about your organization. The blouse fits
like a glove and actually looks and feels like new.
Thank you and all the staff who had a hand in correcting a problem and making an old man happy. Semper Fi
Sincerely,