FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear MCA Member,
Welcome to our special edition of MCA!
First, and foremost, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all Marines wherever you may be
serving! I join with the MCA staff in saluting you on the occasion of
the 231st anniversary of the founding of the United States Marine Corps.
Thank you for your service and devotion to our country and for the sacrifices
you and your families have made for Corps and country. The birthday of
our Corps should be a time of great celebration and I hope you all have
a wonderful time at a nearby birthday ball with your closest comrades
in arms.
November is always a great month to be a Marine. We celebrate the Marine
Corps Birthday on one day, and the very next, have another occasion to
celebrate-that of Veterans Day. Two occasions in one month honoring those
who serve the nation in the profession of arms. Does it get any better
than this? Yes-we also get a day off in honor of Veterans Day! Again,
I join with the entire MCA staff in saluting all veterans on their special
day. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
After a sweltering summer, cooler weather finally arrived. Here at the
Marine Corps Association headquarters, we are enjoying a glorious Fall
expected to last a couple of weeks. This is fortuitous, as the long anticipated
grand opening of the National Museum of the Marine Corps occurs in November
and the weather looks accommodating. A festive event, thronged with VIP's,
the Museum’s 10 November Grand Opening, coinciding with the Marine
Corps Birthday, has been booked to capacity for months. The museum opens
to the general public on 13 November and we encourage everyone to visit
this soaring tribute to our Corps.
Several creative aspects of this unique museum are featured in the November
edition of Marine Corps Gazette.
Look for these articles online and in the print version of the magazine.
As the Professional Association of all Marines, MCA is pleased to participate
as a part of the museum. MCA will staff a Bookstore Annex at the Museum,
enabling us to support visiting members 364 days a year. The Annex features
a collection of military history and professional military education
books, including all of the books on the Marine Corps Professional Reading
Program. MCA invites all visitors to stop in and visit.
We have been advising readers for months about projected MCA changes.
With the arrival of November, many of the changes have been activated.
I am pleased with the improvements and I proudly urge all members, and
indeed, all non-member visitors, to check out the changes.
Visit www.mca-marines.org to see what I mean. Far more graphically pleasing
to view and interesting
throughout, our revitalized web site features our new logo and tag line,
vibrant colors, interesting pictures and, more energy. Complementing
these artistic enhancements are equally key improvements in organization,
clarity and function. The new site functions faster, navigates easier
and is just plain better.
In particular, members should check out the online versions of our two magazines,
Leatherneck and the Marine Corps Gazette, both of which can now be read
by deployed Marines ANYWHERE in the world where they can access the internet.
A final feature,
which goes to the heart of supporting Marines, is our new online Career Center.
An important tool for transitioning Marines, MCA now helps Marines find employment
and assists employers find Marines to employ.
A lot of changes throughout, we encourage you to let us know what you think.
Send your comments to comments@mca-marines.org.
Since the October edition of MCA Today, MCA was pleased to host the
Retiree Luncheon West Coast. On 31 October, at the San Luis Rey Officer's Club
at Camp Pendleton,
guest speaker Lt Gen James Mattis USMC, Commanding General I-MEF gave an insightful
address to luncheon attendees. Ever in positions of great responsibility, General
Mattis always provides a unique perspective. MCA events always feature
interesting
guest speakers. Click
here to view our current schedule of events and then mark
your calendars.
Happy Birthday again Marines! And, as always, thanks for your support of the
professional association for all Marines.
Semper Fidelis,
Les Palm
Major General, USMC (Ret)
President and Chief Executive Officer
Your membership includes a subscription to the magazine of your
choice: either the Marine Corps Gazette or Leatherneck.
Stay up-to-date with your Corps
through the association devoted to providing professional development
and select services to Marines.
CONNECT TODAY...
and receive 15 issues for the price of 12!
PLUS your membership qualifies you for discounts on our books and Marine-related
gifts. You will automatically receive our seasonal catalogs for your
shopping convenience.
And if you sign up for Easy
Pay renewals,
we'll add a free month to your subscription.
Join
or Renew online
New members mention code NEMTNB06.
Renewals mention code REMTNB06.
Leatherneck continues to tell the Marine Corps story, yesterday,
today and tomorrow.
This November Marine Corps Birthday issue of Leatherneck is
purposefully broad in scope as we bring our readers content that
highlights the
key to the success of Marines over the centuries... it's all about
the individual Marine. Taking our lead from the Commandant's annual
Birthday message, our goal was to highlight his point that, "All
Marines are making a difference." Certainly our selection of
historical features, combined with the focus on current operations
and training and our special 16-page insert, which pictures the senior
leaders of today's Corps, supports the theme of the individual Marine.
However, take a look at page
38 (click
here to access the online edition of Leatherneck magazine) and combat artist Warrant Officer Mike Fay's, "Faces in a Combat
Zone." Examine
the names and faces--our Corps remains All-American like the Corps
of
the past.
We have Marines with ancestry from around the world coming together
in a team standing for democracy. Well done to WO Fay and keep up
the good work and "Success to the Marines."
Marine Corps Gazette is the MCA professional journal for all Marines. Now available fully online, a particularly beneficial feature for deployed Marines, the electronic version of Marine Corps Gazette now comes with expanded content not available in the hardcopy version. Among these expanded features are content hotlinks. Liberally salted in various articles are key words that link to original source material or to additional articles, references, pictures, or sites on similar topics, a feature that greatly enhances the reader interest. Members will continue to receive the hardcopy version in the mail but will also enjoy access to the expanded online version as well.
Gazette staff is working hard to include a discussion board feature to the January edition of Gazette. Allowing readers to post reactions and responses to articles, the new opinion forum will be accessed by means of the Gazette web site. Contributors from the hardcopy magazine will contribute opinions by means of a link, which will post comments to the web site. Sharpen your quills- the real-time debate begins in January!
As an additional feature, reincarnated rather than new, Gazette plans to reestablish publishing Tactical Decision Games (TDG's) with associated discussion threads about possible scenario solutions. A very popular feature, many readers are awaiting this revival with great interest and anticipation. While Uncle Sam may be looking for a few good Marines, the editor of the Gazette is actively seeking some creative TDG designers to contribute new and perplexing problems aimed at challenging and confounding Gazette readers. If you would like to try your hand at TDG design, contact Gazette here: gazette@mca-marines.org
The staff of the Marine Corps Gazette wishes all Marines a very happy birthday on the occasion of the 231st birthday of the Marine Corps.
On 31 October
MCA hosted the West Coast Retiree Luncheon at the San Luis Rey Officer's
Club at Camp Pendleton with guest speaker LtGen James Mattis, Commanding
General I-MEF. As expected, the event had a great turnout with 137 guests
in attendance, including 13 General officers. Attendees included retired
Marines from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. Always a riveting
speaker, General Mattis focused his remarks on the evolving situation in
the Middle East and on the Marines' readiness to meet the challenges
of combat in that conflict. Relating to meeting challenges, General Mattis
remarked that 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines-one of the
most highly decorated units in the Marine Corps, just reenlisted 100% of
it’s eligible Marines. They all reenlisted together to return to
Iraq. Way to go 2/5!!!
MCA thanks General Mattis
for taking time from his busy schedule to present his candid views.
MCA greatly
appreciates the generous support of the event’s sponsors:
After months of behind the scenes activity by MCA staff and web site designers, the new MCA web site was unveiled on 1 November. Our new MCA logo and tag line splash prominently across the top of the home page and a dynamic new graphics scheme entices viewers to browse. Better organization makes for easier site navigation and individual pages display content that clearly explains the page purpose and provides useful information. It took a considerable effort to launch the new site and the MCA staff is proud of how it looks and works. The majority of the site sections work now. The new ONLINE Store works now but will be enhanced with it’s new look and support system by the end of the month.
We cordially invite you to visit us at the new MCA web site at www.mca-marines.org.
In particular, MCA invites our members and viewers attention to our UPCOMING EVENTS section, which remains on the right side of our home page.
MCA would love to hear your reaction to the new web site. Send comments to comments@mca-marines.org.
MCA is pleased to announce an entirely new web site feature and member
benefit that will prove advantageous to Marines seeking jobs following
retirement or release from active duty. The Career Center allows
MCA members seeking jobs to post their resumes for employers to peruse.
The site will also display employment positions available from prominent
companies featuring job opportunities all over the world. MCA is
really excited about the new Career Center and expects this to be
of value to many of our members, but it is open to ALL Marines to
assist with their employment needs. Many of the employer/advertisers
will post positions specifically because they seek Marines as employees.
MCA offers introductory discounts for advertisements from member/advertisers
and they will have ready and continuous access to the member/job seeker
resume bank.
Special Career Center Notice...Post your resume with
MCA's
new Career Center by 10 November and make yourself eligible for a $50.00
gift certificate, which can be used with MCA Catalog sales or at an MCA
Bookstore. On 13 November, we will hold a drawing for all who submit
their resume by the 10th and then send the winner the gift certificate.
POST YOUR RESUME NOW !!!!
Career Center access will be through the Career Center at www.mca-marines.org/careercenter.asp.
Check it out.
MCA
sponsors a range of interesting events that support Marines and, of course,
our members. Here is a list of some of the key events coming up. We cordially
invite our readers to visit our web site for a complete and updated list.
Visit www.mca-marines.org/events.asp to stay current.
Book Signing at Camp Lejeune
On 9 November 2006, MCA will host H. John Poole, author of The Terrorist
Trail for a book signing at the MCA Bookstore at Camp Lejeune from 1100
- 1230. Mr. Poole, a renowned authority on the subject of small unit infantry
tactics outlines the history of terrorism in his new book while also detailing
the current climate of terror in Iraq. Most importantly, his new book elaborates
on practical, winning strategies and effective tactics for defeating terrorists.
Those of you within 200 miles of Camp Lejeune will not want to miss this
opportunity!
For more information, visit our Upcoming
Events section of our web site
or call the bookstore staff at 910-451-7500.
Book Signing at Quantico
On 13 November 2006, from 1200 – 1330, the MCA Bookstore at Quantico
will host Steven Pressfield, author of Virtues of War and Gates
of Fire for a book signing of his new book, The Afghan
Campaign: A Novel. A classical
military historian and an authority on ancient military campaigns, Mr.
Pressfield's new book chronicles the conquest of Afghanistan by Alexander
the Great. Facing terrorism, insurgency and ethnic conflict throughout,
Alexander’s dilemma is remarkably similar to the situation today.
The parallels between then and today and Pressfield's talent for
writing a gripping story, make his new book a great read. Go to the book
signing and get your copy autographed! For more information, visit our Upcoming
Events section of our web site
or call the bookstore staff at 703-640-6161 ext 336.
Book Signing at Camp Lejeune
On 17 November 2006, from 1100 – 1300, the MCA Bookstore at Camp
Lejeune will host Lt Col Jay Kopelman USMC, author of From Baghdad
with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava for a book signing. For more
information, visit our Upcoming
Events section of our web site
or call the bookstore staff at 703-640-6161 ext 336.
Book Signing at Quantico
The MCA Bookstore at Quantico will host Patrick O'Donnell author
of We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines Who Took Fallujah for
a book signing on 17 November 2006, from 1430 – 1600.
The author tells the dynamic story of Lima Company, 1st Battalion, 1st
Marines from
the perspective of an embedded journalist during the epic battle to wrest
Falluja away from hard fighting insurgents. This book has received criticism
for being too PRO MARINE! Go shake hands with the author! For more information,
visit our Upcoming
Events section of our web site
or call the bookstore staff at 703-640-6161 ext 336.
Book Signing at Quantico
Due to popular demand, the MCA bookstore at Quantico will host a pair of
book signings by Max Boot, author of War Made New: Technology, Warfare,
and the Course of History: 1500 to Today. Here is the schedule for these
events:
Wednesday, 29 November from 1300 - 1500 MCA Bookstore Quantico
Thursday, 30 November from 1130 - 1300 MCA Bookstore Quantico
The author's new book traces 500 years of military history. While
detailing the amazing western technological developments during the period,
he focuses
on the primacy of leadership, training, effective ideas and discipline as the
decisive factors in winning modern wars. A highly regarded historian and a
prolific author with another book, The Savage Wars of Peace,
on the Marine Corps Professional
Reading Program list, Max Boot is an author you will want to meet in person.
For more information, visit our Upcoming
Events section of our web site
or call the bookstore staff at 703-640-6161 ext 336.
Boots on the Ground Program
at Pensacola, Florida
MCA sponsored a Boots on the Ground program on 31 October at the Mustin
Beach Club at Pensecola, Florida.
The program is an MCA Enlisted Development Department initiative designed
to give a stronger voice to the enlisted community in training and
Professional
Military Education (PME). Basically, it brings those who have "been there
and done that" to those who have not but soon will.
Sgt Maj Joe Vaught of MATSG 21 started the event with a welcome to MCA Enlisted
Development Director, Sgt Maj Lon Martin. Sgt Maj Martin presented the MCA
organizational brief to the young audience, explaining MCA's role in
promoting PME and encouraging young enlisted Marines to take an active and
contributory role in
PME. The Boots on the Ground program, a panel discussion followed.
Seven panel members, ranking from Lance Corporal to Captain, presented practical
views on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to an audience of over 350 Marine
students who have yet to deploy. Intended to provide fresh perspectives at
a level receptive to younger audience, the panel succeeded in imparting an
important
sense of the importance of Marine training and camaraderie. Panel members hammered
the idea to "Trust your training" and provided many anecdotes to
prove the point that trust in Marine Corps training helped in overcoming the
fear that everyone experiences. The other crucial point the panel succeeded
in imparting was that bonding to each other and trusting fellow Marines did
much
to deal with fear and stress and greatly improved unit morale and effectiveness
in even the most dire situations.
A valuable forum for imparting fresh ideas, MCA plans to expand the Boots on
the Ground program.
MCA thanks our event sponsors for their generous support.
Special Reunion Notice
How about having a reunion in 2007 (Washington/Quantico area???) of the “Boys
of 5/67”?
Including classmates General James L. Jones, MajGen Les Palm, LtGen Marty Steele
and MajGen Ray Smith, Special guest Charles “Chip” Jones (author
of the Boys of 67) and as many as possible of the warriors of 5/67 who survived
Viet Nam in 1967/68? Please contact Dennis Richardson with your comments, interests
and any contact information you might have on classmates and TBS instructors.
Dennis L. Richardson
Dennisr2x4@aol.com
The Wake Island Commemoration Tour is scheduled for 7-13 December 2006. A recognized expert on the subject of the Wake Island battle, former Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Carl Mundy will serve as the Tour Host. An event filled tour aimed at training tour guides, the tour includes precursory visits to WW II battle sites on Guam, Saipan and Tinian. Following the Wake Island site visit, the tour concludes with a post tour to Peleliu. For more information email Colonel Warren Wiedhahn at jwiedhahn@aol.com or call 703-212-0695. To view a tour itinerary visit www.miltours.com.
MCA
GROUP BENEFITS- ADD DENTAL TO YOUR HEALTH PLAN - $10.95/MO.
Exclusive
MCA Privilege Saves You 20% - 60% On Dental Care, Eye Glasses, Prescription
Drugs, and More...
MCA has an exclusive money-saving opportunity for you, our valued members.
MCA is proud to offer preferred discounts on the Careington Multi-Care
Plan. Your specially-negotiated discount health card is a smart way to
save your family money on the cost of health care that may not be included
in your insurance coverage. With the Careington plan, you'll cut costs
on:
* Dental Check-ups, fillings, dentures, most all dental care is included
* Eye exams, glasses and contact lenses
* Hearing exams and Hearing Aids
* Prescription Drugs
Click Here to Enroll Now or For More Information.
Of course, as an MCA Member, you and your family enjoy GUARANTEED ACCEPTANCE
in the Multi-Care program, and for just $10.95 a month, this plan can
pay for itself after just a few trips to the dentist, eye doctor or pharmacist!
Enroll your Spouse or dependents for no extra charge.
Check out the Multi-Care Plan Today
Click Here
to Enroll Now.
See how the Multi-Care plan can help defray your out of pocket expenses
for uncovered medical expenses.
Click for Other Money Saving Offers.
Please note that this is not health insurance and we do not make payments
directly to medical services providers. It is a discount program, and
you are obligated to pay for all health care services. You will receive
discounts for medical services at certain health care providers who have
contracted with the plan. This plan is administered by CAREINGTON International
Corporation, 7400 Gaylord Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034. The program and
its administrators have no liability for providing or guaranteeing service
or the quality of service rendered. Note to Utah residents: this contract
is not protected by the Utah Life and Health Guaranty Association.
Visit one of our four locations:
QUANTICO, VA - 715 Broadway Street - 703-640-0136
CAMP LEJEUNE, NC - Building 84, Hadnot Point Exchange
Annex - 910-451-7500
CAMP PENDLETON, CA - Vandegrift Avenue, Building T-1100
Main Exchange Complex - 760-385-0383
PARRIS ISLAND, SC - Bldg 283, Boulevard De France
- 843-522-9440
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.
Airlines
are battling on prices now. With late fall vacation opportunities
or planning future holiday travel, look to Semper Fi Travel for your
travel needs.
Apple
Member Purchase Program
Marine Corps Association members and their families can now take advantage
of the Apple Member Purchase Program (MPP).
With
the Apple Member Purchase Program (MPP), you can purchase Apple products
at a substantial savings for your own personal use. This includes items
like the popular iPod music player and our award-winning PowerBook, iMac,
iBook, screamingly fast Power Mac G5 and MacBook Pro. Members will also
enjoy savings on Apple software and other third-party products, including
a multitude of speakers, cases and other accessories made for your iPod.
MCA Members receive:
• Special MCA Member discounts on Apple products, including iPods
• Free standard shipping on all orders over $50
• Free laser engraving on all iPods
• Quarterly promotions
• 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. With school starting soon,
these offers might be hard to pass up.
Visit dell.com/ghc/flyer or
call 1-866-257-4711. Member ID: DS62593492
The Marine Corps Association is ever grateful for
the generous support provided by our sponsors at all of our special events.
We eagerly encourage
sponsorship support from new sponsors. In that light, the 2007 Corporate
Sponsorship Brochures will be available at the end of November. For more
information or to customize a sponsorship package, contact Lisa C. Williams
at l.williams@mca-marines.org.
Gold: 
Silver: 
Bronze: 
For sponsorship information, contact Lisa C. Williams, Director of Professional Development, at 800-336-0291 X 360 or l.williams@mca-marines.org
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Sprint provides high-end wireless services, IP/VPN, Peerless IP, voice and data services, mobile wireless solutions and managed network services. Sprint integrates government security with industry-leading global network reliability and performance.
Please visit our website: www.sprint.com
MCA Members continue to savage our hoard of shiny Mission Essential
Coins. We ALL know Marines are over-achievers
all, BUT we never expected so many to be so good at trivia. This
month, in an effort to hold on to our precious coinage, MCA is
upping the ante with more difficult, more obscure, truly arcane
and absolutely esoteric questions to amuse, bemuse, amaze and
befuddle our readers.
As a side note, let us elaborate about these Mission Essential Coins.
Flat out-You DEFINITELY want one of these.
In addition to the bragging rights you earn by wresting one of these
coveted medallions from our obsessed Trivia Master, readers should
be aware that the coins themselves have amazing intrinsic virtues.
All coins have been
impregnated with Kryptonite, essence of Garlic and just a dollop
of Silver to make the owner proof against Superman, Vampires and
Lycanthropes. Forged in the fire of thousands of four leaf clovers,
the metal in these coins is thereby impregnated with actual GOOD
LUCK. A great piece of gear and ONLY available by winning the MCA
Today Trivia Contest.
The first person to e-mail the correct answers to comments@mca-marines.org will
receive an exclusive Mission Essential Coin. Please include your
name and address in your e-mail. Good luck!
From our Former Marines Who Became Famous Files... THREE Questions...
(MUST answer all three correctly)
1. Had fixations on marauding vegetables and cashmere.
Was a bad planner, his eight plan was bad enough but the next one
was from really
out there. Who was this former Marine?
2. "Would ya believe...???" Not a BRIGHT
(though you could not tell that from his name) guy and everyone out
to get him. Favored Plexiglas chamber for talking to
his boss. Who was this former Marine?
3. Always larger than life-even as a cartoon character
and ever an instructor, tried loudly to train beavers as Lipizzaner
stallions in 1997. Who is this Marine?
Here is the October trivia question reprinted for ready reference:
"Who was the first Marine to rise through the ranks from Private to
General?"
And the answer is... General Gerald C. Thomas USMC.
Congratulations to Dwaine Goodwin of Irvine, California
for being the first with the correct answer. Dwaine came close to the
MCA Trivia
record with a correct response in approximately 18 minutes after Semper
Fi Gifts email message was transmitted. MCA is changing Dwaine's
first name in our address database. We will send his magazine subscription
to "Flash" Goodwin from now on. Way to go FLASH !!!!!
COMMENTS? MCA
would really appreciate your comments and suggestions about our content
here. Please address your feedback to comments@mca-marines.org
Semper Fidelis!
Bill Hughes
Director of Marketing & Communications
MCA Today Editor
comments@mca-marines.org
