Quantico, Virginia – March 22, 2024 – The Marine Corps Association successfully hosted the first “Behind the Camouflage Spouse Summit” in Albany, Georgia on March 14th, 2024, near Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany. This event marked a significant effort by the Marine Corps Association to foster camaraderie, support, and connectedness among Marine Corps spouses, while also providing valuable resources and networking opportunities.
The Behind the Camouflage Spouse Summit aimed to bridge the gap between Marine Corps spouses and their base and community resources. Held at the Merry Acres Inn, the event provided an inviting atmosphere for spouses to engage with one another and gain valuable insights into the Marine Corps community.
Panel Discussion at the 2024 Albany Spouse Summit: [From Left] Andrea Reventlow, military spouse, LaKisha Bruce, director of community relations, Dougherty County School System, Rashelle Minix, executive director, Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Barbara Rivera Holmes, CEO, Albany Area Chamber (Panel Moderator)
Attendees were treated to a catered luncheon, where they had the opportunity to connect and share experiences. The highlight of the summit was a panel of subject matter experts who provided valuable information and guidance on various aspects of military life, including family support, healthcare, and community support.
In addition to the panel discussions, spouses had the chance to interact with vendors from both the local community and Marine Corps Community Services. This allowed attendees to explore a wide range of resources and services available to them, enhancing their overall well-being and support network.
The Behind the Camouflage Spouse Summit in Albany is part of a larger initiative by the Marine Corps Association to host similar events across different Marine Corps installations. This year, additional summits are planned at Camp Lejeune, NC and in the National Capital Region, further expanding the reach and impact of these valuable gatherings.
“We are thrilled to have hosted the Behind the Camouflage Spouse Summit in Albany, Georgia,” said Marta Sullivan, Director of Engagement and Expositions at the Marine Corps Association. “These events are fantastic way for spouses to come together, find much needed support, and help one another thrive.
For more information about upcoming events and initiatives by the Marine Corps Association, visit www.mca-marines.org/events.
Contact: Marta D. Sullivan Director | Engagement & Expositions +1 703-640-0170 or [email protected]
Michael Armistead Director of Communications (703) 640-0111 [email protected] 715 Broadway St Quantico, VA 22310-087
Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA October 12, 2023: On Oct. 18, 2023, The Marine Corps Association will join the Defense Department Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program and Military Spouse Employment Partnership for an induction ceremony and annual event at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, Virginia. The Marine Corps Association joins more than 70 new partners to MSEP — bringing the number of employers to more than 700.
Military spouses have long struggled with maintaining employment due to Permanent Change of Station moves and other challenges associated with military life. Unemployment among military spouses stood at 21%, according to the 2021 Survey of Active-Duty Spouses. That same year, overall civilian unemployment was 5.3%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Military Spouse Employment Partnership connects military spouses with hundreds of partner employers who commit to recruiting, hiring, promoting and retaining military spouses. Since its inception in 2011, MSEP employers have hired more than 275,000 military spouses.
Providing opportunities to spouses for meaningful employment strengthens financial stability among military families, which promotes force retention and military readiness which are essential to national security.
“Partnering with MSEP provides a great opportunity for MCA to facilitate Marine Corps spouses finding employment opportunities, particularly since Marines often have a challenging operational tempo and tend to move every two years” said Marta Sullivan, MCA Director of Engagement and Outreach. “We’re extremely excited about this partnership and the positive impact it will have on our families.”
Carole Turner of Psych Armor, Marta Sullivan of MCA, Heather Escamilla of MCA, Jennifer Goodale of MOAA
For those interested in viewing The Marine Corps Association’s induction into the partnership, DOD will livestream the Welcome Remarks and Induction Ceremony on the Military OneSource and Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Facebook pages, and the Military OneSource YouTube channel at 2:30 p.m. EDT. Media interested in attending the ceremony can register here: 2023 Military Spouse Employment Partnership Annual Event (eventsquid.com)
The Defense Department established the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program to provide education and career assistance to military spouses worldwide, offering free comprehensive resources and tools designed to help spouses meet their career and education goals. Resources include free career coaching services, the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship, the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot and the Military Spouse Transition Program.
Michael Armistead Director of Communications (703) 640-0111 [email protected] 715 Broadway St Quantico, VA 22310-087
Combat Development and Integration, HQMC,Quantico, VA, 7 SEP 2023 – Two Marines and two Sailors were presented the 2023 Expeditionary Warfare Excellence Awards at a dinner hosted by the Marine Corps Association Sep 7.
The awards recognize those whose exceptional performance while serving in an expeditionary warfare assignment have significantly influenced the future of naval expeditionary warfare and amphibious capabilities, doctrine and training through innovative concepts, leadership and teamwork.
“These awards are highly competitive and showcase exceptional leadership within our ranks,” said BGen Marcus Annibale, Director of Expeditionary Warfare (OPNAV N95). “This year’s recipients are a direct reflection of selfless dedication to mission accomplishment by our Marines and Sailors.”
Capt Casey Lamar, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, was recognized as Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare Officer of the Year for enhancing the effectiveness of surface surveillance through experimental non-program of record collection capabilities and synchronizing complex, multi-domain operations.
“We were challenged to make a scalable and operationally relevant maritime sensing team. With the investment and trust of our leadership, we took that challenge from concept to reality, ultimately employing a full rehearsal of the capability during Balikatan ’23,” said Capt Lamar. “Working with Philippine partners, we proved that expeditionary maritime sensing teams can provide unique value to the maritime picture and improve lethality of the joint force.”
In addition, Capt Lamar authored comprehensive reports to assess the suitability of locations ashore for Marine Expeditionary Unit operations. “This award affirms my team’s hard work and creativity,” he said.
Recipients of the Expeditionary Warfare Excellence Awards, BMC Alfred Martinez, LCDR Ryan Cornforth, Capt Casey Lamar and GySgt Jeremy Kofsky, stand with presenters LtGen Charles Chiarotti, USMC (Ret), President of the Marine Corps Association; BGen Marcus Annibale, Director of Expeditionary Warfare (OPNAV 95); LtGen Karsten Heckl, Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration; Gen Eric Smith, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps; and SgtMaj Carlos Ruiz, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps during the awards dinner hosted by the Marine Corps Association. (Photo by Charles McClanahan)
GySgt Jeremy Kofsky, 2d Intelligence Battalion, was recognized as Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. “This award to me is akin to being recognized for the epitome of being a Marine. We have been an expeditionary organization throughout our history, and this award is a recognition of the importance of being ‘expeditionary’, in the myriad definitions of that word,” he said.
GySgt Kofsky led 130 Joint personnel operating in Iraq, Syria, and Kuwait, directing cross organizational integration to fuse information operations with human intelligence operations and a first-of-its-kind anti-terrorism red team initiative. In addition, he initiated a $1.2 million artificial intelligence project with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Air Force that will have theater-wide, persistent counterintelligence implications supporting force protection.
“My most significant experience was being centrally focused on my primary job but having the trust and confidence within a two-star combat command to do things not traditionally done in theater, especially in a joint/coalition environment, things a SNCO does,” GySgt Kofsky said. “Being a Marine was a tremendous advantage and allowed me to forge bridges and kick in doors where needed to get these programs running in the right direction.”
LCDR Ryan Cornforth, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, was recognized as the Navy Expeditionary Warfare Officer of the Year. “It’s truly humbling to be receiving this prestigious award. Being on the Navy and Marine Corps team is an honor,” he said. “Expeditionary Strike Group Seven (ESG 7) provided me with an opportunity with leeway to do everything I could to increase command and control of the amphibious force, and I am grateful for that.”
LCDR Cornforth worked to enhance interoperability throughout Task force 76/3 and increased capabilities between Joint forces and allied partners. This established the ability to command and control in the Integrated Littoral Warfare Center Watch Floor. “I was able to coordinate the first-ever expeditionary Link-16 network capability on USS MIGUEL KEITH (ESB 5), which provided a real-time
tactical air picture. This was critical to proving the platform’s utility as a command and control Flagship.”
Chief Boatswains Mate Alfred Martinez, USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49), was recognized as Navy Expeditionary Warfare Enlisted Sailor of the Year. BMC Martinez led the deck department through 94 launches and recoveries of landing craft with zero mishaps in a challenging joint amphibious environment. His efforts enabled the Harpers Ferry to successfully execute Joint Field Training Exercises Valiant Shield-22, Steel Knight-23 and San Francisco Fleet Week.
“Our Marines and Sailors continually demonstrate the determination, initiative and innovative spirit that drive us forward,” said LtGen Karsten Heckl, Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration. “I am extremely proud to be able to recognize these individuals for their hard work and dedication to the Navy-Marine Corps team.”
Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA July 26, 2023: The Marine Corps Association, in conjunction with Marine Corps Base Quantico, hosted the National Capital Region Professional Leaders Conference on Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Leaders, at the Clubs of Quantico, on 25 July 2023. The purpose of the conference was to inform participants about suicide-related issues and trends impacting Marines and Sailors that senior leaders, care providers and families can address in today’s Marine Corps.
The conference, attended by over 175 participants from across the region explored topics on awareness, intervention, and the prevention of suicide, the effects of trauma on individuals, and the resources and support available for leaders. This is the second MCA Professional Leaders Conference, this year. The first was in late March at Camp Pendleton with the next event currently scheduled for September in Okinawa, Japan. Mrs. Marta Sullivan, MCA Director of Engagement & Outreach Integration, stated that these conferences serve as an excellent opportunity for leaders to share information and best practices.
Dr. M. David Rudd PhD, speaks with Marines and Sailors about suicide awareness and prevention measures during the National Capitol Region Professional Leaders Conference at Marine Corps Base Quantico. (Photo by Stephen Collins)
“We’ve come together because we know that suicide within the services is a concerning phenomenon. So, we’re doing everything that we can at MCA to work with the Fleet Marine Force and our sponsors to provide resources and information about suicide prevention that could ultimately save the life of one of our Marines,” said Sullivan.
The conference included a group-oriented case study led by Colonel Melanie Bell-Carter and Dr. Sandy Morrison, Ph.D. from Headquarters Marine Corps’ Family Programs Division and a presentation by renowned expert Psychologist Dr. M. David Rudd, President Emeritus from the University of Memphis and Director of the Rudd Institute for Veteran/Military Suicide Prevention.
Additionally, Ms. Rebecca Cunningham, LCSW and Dr. Jessica Strickland, Psy.D. from the Quantico Behavioral Health Department, led a presentation and discussion on trauma-informed leadership. They were followed by Ms. Jackie Williams from Marine Corps Community Services who introduced the role non-medical counseling and associated resources available at MCB Quantico played in helping Marines.
Overall, the conference provided a unique and great opportunity to include both medical and non-medical resources for awareness and prevention. Gunnery Sergeant Kimberly Benjamin of Marine Corps Intelligence Activity, who is also the unit’s Suicide Awareness and Prevention officer, found immense value in the event.
“It was really in-depth, and there was a fantastic mixture of academia with a basic understanding for those who didn’t have a background in medical, behavioral health or neuroscience. It helps to relay these ideas in layman’s terms so that we can actually take this information back and apply it at our commands,” said Benjamin.
Resources and support for Marines in the National Capital Region can be found at MCCS Behavioral Health at 703 784-3502.
In severe cases for anyone battling mental health in silence, there is the Veterans Crisis Line at 1 800-273 8255.
Michael Armistead Director of Communications (703) 640-0111 [email protected] 715 Broadway St Quantico, VA 22310-087
