Dear MCA Member,

The warmer weather is bringing a surge of activity for MCA. During the first week in May, MCA hosted Sgt Maj Brad Kasal at book signings at Quantico, Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune. A Navy Cross recipient for gallantry in action at the battle of Fallujah and the subject of a book about the battle, My Men Are My Heroes: The Brad Kasal Story, he was met everywhere with enthusiastic crowds and spent considerable time talking with each visitor as he autographed their books. MCA thanks Sgt Maj Kasal for his time and for his gracious support of MCA during his book signing tour.

On 7 May, Expeditionary Warfare School at Quantico, held a special plaque unveiling ceremony, honoring the school graduates who lost their lives in action during the Korean War. MCA sponsored the plaque and I was fortunate to present it and assist in its unveiling. The Plaque hangs in the "Warrior Room" at EWS along with other plaques honoring the school's students who made the supreme sacrifice in other wars and campaigns. Visit the MCA website here for additional details of the event.

MCA continues to schedule great professional events with dynamic guest speakers. In the Washington D.C. area, join us, and co-host HQMC C4 Division, on 15 May for the 4th annual MCA C4 Awards Dinner and watch some deserving C4 Marines and supporting civilians get some well deserved recognition for superior performance during 2006. This dinner features General Alfred M. Gray, 29th Commandant and noted C4 expert as the guest speaker. MCA is grateful for the generous support from EDO, BAE, AT&T and Sprint who are the event's award sponsors. Visit the MCA website for more information: www.mca-marines.org/events.asp

The MCA Awards Program directly benefits thousands of Marines each year. Comprehensive in scope, it requires a 40 page Marine Corps Order to catalog the wide range of awards provided by MCA to deserving Marines. The program provides awards such as unit level Marine, NCO, Drill Instructor and Recruiter of the Quarter and Year awards, school honor graduate awards and top level awards presented annually at MCA professional events such as the MCA Ground Awards and C4 Awards Dinners. Costly to maintain, the awards program runs over $200,000 each year to purchase the awards. You can help! MCA has a Donations Program that allows you to contribute to a range of programs that directly help Marines, including the MCA Awards Program. Visit the MCA website here and check out the donation options.

MCA's flagship magazines, The Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck, continue to explore the significant issues facing Marines and tell the Marine Corps story with insight not found elsewhere. I urge you to check out the online editions of both magazines. Both showcase specialty features not available in print media. Check out the discourse on operational and professional issues at Gazette's online Discussion Boards and visit Leatherneck online to check out their Podcast library featuring interviews with prominent Marines and special coverage of Marine Corps historical events.

Les Palm
Major General, USMC (Ret)
President and Chief Executive Officer

We hope you are continuing to enjoy Leatherneck, "Magazine of the Marines," as we focus on telling the Marine Corps story -- yesterday, today and tomorrow.

The upcoming June issue holds true to the traditional content with a large segment devoted to the war in Iraq. In addition to several short articles on the war, the June Leatherneck presents an article by CWO-3 Bill Hutson titled, "Small Unit Action in the City of At Turbah." Marine combat artist Major Alex Durr's painting of a Super Cobra coming off a target in this battle is our June cover. The author is a member of the Marine Corps' Field History Branch and he has done a superb job of telling this story of a Marine Forces Reserve unit in combat. Readers can see gun camera footage from this fight in Leatherneck's June online magazine at www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck.

The June issue also includes articles on the recently activated Wounded Warrior Regiment; Chesty XII, the mascot of Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.; Vietnam War action in the Que Son basin; and a special vignette on Judy, the "war" dog that survived the Battle of Iwo Jima. These features are anchored by the ever-popular "Leatherneck Laffs" and "Gyrene Gyngles."

So, stand by for the June issue. We think it's a good one and we look forward to your feedback. E-mail Leatherneck at leatherneck@mca-marines.org or call toll free: 800-336-0291, ext 311.

The Marine Corps Gazette is the professional journal for ALL Marines and is now accessible in its entirety ONLINE so our members and subscribers can read it any time and anywhere that they can access the Internet.

We know our readers will enjoy the next issue of Marine Corps Gazette. The June issue features a provocative article entitled "Fear of Flying" which discusses the unintended consequences of not being able to pre-plan Marine air support in Iraq. Another article lays out three essential tasks that every small unit leader should accomplish in the 30 days after they return home from combat. The issue also includes a very poignant article by a young officer who acted as a casualty assistance officer for the first time.

We urge all of our members to visit Gazette online frequently to check out the new Discussion Boards we have set up there. Professional discussion on a range of important topics is constantly updated there. Get involved and contribute. It is the professional thing to do!

And if you are not a subscriber to either or both of the Marine Corps Association's flagship magazines yet, GOOD NEWS... it's not too late to get on board. Call toll-free 866-622-1775, or go online at: www.mca-marines.org/JoinMCA/Step1.aspx.

Through the month of July, members who renew their membership by the 10th of the month following receipt of their FIRST renewal notice, will automatically get their names included in a random drawing to win a bottle of USMC Semper Fi Cologne. Our lucky March winners are:

In the Invoice Category, our winner is: Mr. Donald P. Kavals of Georgetown, PA.
In the Renewal Category, our winner is: LCpl Daniel B. Raatz, USMC of West Allis, WI.

Congratulations to our winners! Enjoy the cologne.

www.usmccologne.com

MCA's Overstock Extravaganza Continues Until 31 May 2007
Click Here To Check Out Some GREAT Deals!

To order, Call (Mon-Fri 0800-1630 EST) Toll Free: 866-622-1775
OR
Check Out Our ONLINE STORE

Want an MCA Gift Catalog?
Call 1-888-237-7683 (Mon-Fri 0800-1630 EST) or e-mail customercare@mca-marines.org to get yourself, your friends, your family or ANYONE else you like, on our catalog mailing list.

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:

The Marine Shop is the Corps' most prestigious provider of professional Marine uniforms and accessories and has been helping Marines look their professional best since 1962.

The Marine Shop now features the best in civilian formal wear!

The appeal of this upscale tuxedo with its natural feel and fashionable styling is unmistakable. The single breasted coat features a satin notch lapel, two satin trimmed double besom pockets, a single boutonniere hole and telescopic sleeves to insure fit. The "no pleat" trousers have a single satin stripe. Made from a 100% wool fabric and fully lined. The cost is $225.00 for the coat and trousers.

Recommended Items to accompany your new tuxedo:

Tuxedo Shirt, with wing tip or lay down collar - $27.50
Black Cummerbund - $10.00
Black Bow Tie - $5.25
Cuff Links / Stud Set - $19.95
Black Vest (Backless) - $35.00
Black Vest (Full Back) - $40.00
Black Shoes - $25.95

The Marine Shop always made Marines look sharp. Now we are doing it for retirees and civilians as well.

Visit Us In Person Or Online:
The Marine Shop
300 Potomac Ave
Quantico, Virginia
(703) 640-7195
www.marineshop.com

Click here to visit MCA's dynamic website. Check out our Schedule of Events section to view the latest MCA sponsored events. We have something for EVERY Marine on our website. Access our Gazette and Leatherneck homepages and check out a sample ONLINE only version of these flagship magazines. Check out the MCA Awards program and learn how this program offers meaningful recognition to thousands of deserving Marines each year. And MUCH, MUCH MORE!

With a growing bank of resumes from transitioning Marines, the MCA Career center continues to grow in influence with new companies seeking Marines as employees. Marine job seekers do NOT have to be MCA members to post their resume with the MCA Career Center. Any Marine who posts with the Career Center will have full access to search all of the jobs and can apply, too. The MCA Career Center exists to support Marines so ALL Marines are welcome. If you are a transitioning Marine searching for employment, check us out First!

Companies and businesses seeking high quality employees to work for them, can't do better than a highly motivated, competent, responsible and reliable Marine and the MCA Career Center can help you find them.
Introductory rates are still available so contact us now with your job openings. We offer unlimited job postings and resume searches for 3, 6, and 12-month increments and we offer significant discounts for members and MCA sponsors! Employment advertisements purchased by participating companies help support the MCA Awards program which provides recognition to deserving Marines. Check out the MCA Awards program here.

Here is a quick snapshot of just one of the available jobs posted on the Career Center in May:

The Tatitlek Support Services Corporation (TSSI), a technological support services corporation specializing in project management and system integration services, which serves as a prime contractor to MARCORSYSCOM, seeks an on-site Project Manager at 29 Palms, California to support the USMC COB training project. The project manager directs corporate employees and subcontractors in providing services to the Tactical Training Exercise Control Group (TTECG). The position requires a Bachelor's degree, 10 years project / program management experience and active duty military experience at the field grade level. The salary range is $120,000 - $145,000.

Click on the Career Center to get details on the position summarized above, to post your resume, review the jobs, or to post a job for your company.

MCA sponsors a range of interesting events that support Marines. Here is a list of some of the key events coming up.  Visit here for the current schedule.   (link to http://www.mca-marines.org/events.asp )

If you are unable to attend one of our MCA book signings but would like to get a signed copy of one of the books, call one of our bookstores. The bookstore staff can arrange your book purchase, author autograph and then ship it to you.  Phone numbers for each of our bookstores are provided above.  Don’t miss out just because you can’t attend!

4th Annual MCA C4 Awards Dinner – Washington D.C. Area
On Tuesday, 15 May 2007, MCA and HQMC C4 division will co-host the 4th annual C4 Awards Dinner at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.  The guest speaker is General Alfred M. Gray, USMC (Ret), 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps.  The event features award presentations to the most deserving Marines, civilians and support units in the C4 community for the year.  For more information or to register, visit the event information page on the MCA website here.

It's too late to register online, so call Jennifer Blundell to see if seats are still available at 703-640-0174.

(Awards presented at C4 Awards Dinner)

Book Signing Quantico
On Friday, 18 May 2007, MCA will host Richard Lowry, author of Marines in the Garden of Eden: The Battle for An Nasiriyah for a book signing at the MCA Bookstore in Quantico from 1100 – 1230.  The book traces the Marines who blitzed their way up to the strategic city of Nasiriyah, Iraq and fought with courage and determination through the city streets to seize the Euphrates river bridges and ultimately rescue Jessica Lynch.
For more information, visit our website here or call the bookstore staff at (703) 640 7195.

Book Signing Parris Island
On Thursday, 24 May 2007, MCA will host Larry Smith, author of The Few and the Proud: The Marine Drill Instructors in their Own Words for a book signing at the MCA Bookstore at Parris Island from 1430 – 1800.  The book details what is unique about USMC recruit training by focusing on the trainers who loom larger than life to the recruits they mold.  For more information, visit the MCA website or call the bookstore staff at (843) 522 9440.

Book Signing Camp Pendleton
On Friday, 25 May, MCA will host, John Nolan who is the author of the book The Run-Up to the Punchbowl a book about the author’s combat experience as a Marine Lieutenant in 1951 Korea. The book signing will be at the MCA Bookstore from 1000-1200.  For more information contact the bookstore staff at (760) 385 0383.           

Book Signing Parris Island
On Thursday, 31 May 2007, MCA will host a joint book signing with two prominent authors who chronicle the recruit training experience at Parris Island.  The event features Jay Stephens, author of Court Martial on Parris Island: The Ribbon Creek Incident and Eugene Alvarez author of Images of America: Parris Island. For more information, visit the MCA website or call the bookstore staff at (843) 522 9440.

The First Annual MCA Dinner – Washington D.C. Area
On Wednesday, 18 July 2007, the Marine Corps Association, will co-host the first ever MCA Annual Dinner at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.  MCA is pleased to report that our guest speaker is the Honorable, Dr. Robert M. Gates, the Secretary of Defense.

And, MCA will be co-hosting a dinner with MCCDC at the Clubs at Quantico on August 22. Mark your calendars.

As you get older, your health needs change.  As a member of the Marine Corps Association, you are eligible to take part in the MCA Endorsed Group Benefits Program’s new package of products that offers plans tailored especially for mature Marine Corps Association members.  This program is designed for Marines by Marines. It includes affordable health care plans that have been customized with your changing needs in mind. 

If you currently have TRICARE, you may want to get TRICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE. It could save you thousands in unpaid expenses and you can enroll for TRICARE SUPPLEMENT Online!  To help you protect your savings, we also offer INDIVIDUAL LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE. You can even choose a plan with lifetime benefits.  If you currently have Medicare coverage, MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT will help protect your assets by picking up where Medicare leaves off.  Or, call now to apply for the new CANCER CARE plan that provides you with benefits amount up to $300,000.00. 

Members 50-54 may be eligible to receive SENIOR TERM LIFE INSURANCE which offers benefit amounts of up to $50,000 (55-59, $25,000). This plan is renewable until age 95. To learn more about the Senior Term Life Plan call 1-800-368-5682.

If you are 50 and older, keep your eye out in the coming months for more new plans that will help meet the unique needs you have at this time in your life.  To learn more about these comprehensive, affordable plans, go to www.mcainsurance.com or call 1-800-368-5682 today.

Plans are subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations of the group policy. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact that plan administrator. Coverage may vary or may not be available in all states.

The MCA World Points Platinum Plus MasterCard is available to MCA Members.
Click here for more information and to apply.

MBNA's recent merger with Bank of America means additional member benefits to you. Greater financial options for your consideration will be forthcoming. We will soon be offering American Express cards to our members. Look for more information in upcoming issues.

Apple Member Purchase Program
Marine Corps Association members and their families can now take advantage of the Apple Member Purchase Program (MPP).


Apple Member Purchase Program for MCA members includes:
Up to 17% off select Apple products
Free laser engraving on any iPod
Free standard shipping on orders of $50 or more
Online custom product configuration

Members click here to log-in to visit the MCA/Apple Government MPP online store and receive your discount.

Or call 1-800-MY-APPLE (and mention that you're an MCA Member).

Dell also gives quality discounts to MCA Members. Spring cleaning rapidly approaches!!!! Throw out your clunky old junk and make way for a kicking new Dell.

Visit dell.com/ghc/flyer or call 1-866-257-4711. Member ID: DS62593492

THANKS TO OUR 2007 PLATINUM SPONSORS:

PLATINUM GOLD:




PLATINUM SILVER:
        


PLATINUM BRONZE:
                               


                           


                      

         

The Marine Corps depends on MCA support for programs for which appropriated funds cannot be used. In turn, MCA's professional development support of Marines depends on corporate sponsorships. We hope you will encourage your company to get involved in 2007 Marine Corps Association events. For more information on how to become an MCA corporate sponsor, please contact LeeAnn Mitchell at l.mitchell@mca-marines.org.

COMMENTS? Please address your feedback to comments@mca-marines.org

MCA MAILING LIST. Would you like to be on the MCA Email mailing list? Send your name, address and email address to customercare@mca-marines.org. Nominate your friends while you are at it...

Semper Fidelis!

LeeAnn Mitchell
Director of Marketing and Communications
comments@mca-marines.org