State of the SFMC April 2012
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State of the SFMC April 2012
Greetings to all marines
This last period has again been one of good activity for most of the Corps seemingly at all levels. Various brigades have been either conducting or planning Annual Musters and in my own office I have been responding to a wide and vibrant range of queries and suggestions posed that have come from all over the Corps. Please keep this coming as I value your input and ideas.
In my last report I touched on the ‘ogre’ of apathy, and in the ensuing weeks I have had positive, personal contact with enough marines to give me good evidence marines that we are certainly very alive; well; and definitely screaming and kicking. This is really great for us all, most especially for us on the GS, as this gives encouragement and stimulus to ensure we are moving on and ahead as an organization. Long may this continue!
SFMC DEVICES
Over the last several months, we have been working through the issues associated with replacement /renewal of the various devices we use. This has seen us investigate many differing channels associated with overall design and material concepts with practicality of cost, wear, finish etc. including working with some talented marines who have offered either design concepts, or their skills in resin casting.
As a consequence to this, I can advise that we have completed our first series of objectives which will shortly see availability of some new, metal pins exclusively from the SFMC Quartermaster. This does not mean that we would not continue to investigate the use of resin as a material (and in many cases, this will be the only practical way we can proceed) but it has to be pretty universally agreed that metal gives us a much more ‘permanent’ finish and style.
First of the new pins will be the IN-20 (silver) pin which has been slightly re-designed and at time of writing, just ordered. Once these have been receipted into stock, announcements to purcahse from SFMC Qm will be made. This design will be shortly followed by a few others which will also be announced accordingly.
Be advised that any changed existing device design will be grandfathered in which ensures that any ‘old’ design will remain perfectly acceptable for wear.
BERET FLASH
Co-incident with some new device designs, has been the development of an SFMC beret flash. This flash will be added to SFMC dress code for those marines wishing to add something to their humble beret other than just the use of an SFMC collar pin.
These flashes will remain as an “optional only” addition to uniform and will not replace any existing policy applicable to berets, nor will there be any enforced requirement to wear. Flashes have yet to be ordered by QM and again, once stock has been received, these will be available for purchase. Full detailing on the flash, including the optional ‘extra’ element of adding Brigade designates, will be advised in due course. At this same time, the color and style of the flash will be presented.
MARINE FORCES MANUAL (MFM)
As a quick update on the revised MFM – this project is now held up slightly as wait for some finalized new artwork on uniform designs and resolve some finalising to SFMC awards. Once this work has been completed, the manual will be immediately published. It is anticipated that this will now be before end of next month, under presumption that our volunteer artist can complete the work he is doing in that time!
SFMC NCOs
Sitting in my ‘Dant’s chair, I cannot help but be mightily impressed from what I see, hear and read of our dedicated and enthusiastic NCO’s out there. And believe me – thankfully – there are quite a few of them!
What organization can survive without the dedication of a few good men and women – and the energy being currently expressed by our “career NCOs” certainly deserves our attention in this regard.
It is noted that there is a solid commitment to the encouragement and support of all their fellow marines by either specific incentive programs being developed; enhanced and purposeful communication lines being established; and a range of other initiatives that are being explored that are all geared to enhancing the aspect that not every marine needs to be an officer. Now isn’t that just so true!
Where would we be without our NonComs putting us straight and really, doing all that ‘hard work’ that many of us with the egg on the brims don’t want to look at? I salute all of our enlisted personnel and most especially those who have taken the pride, motivation, enthusiasm and passion to make the very best out of their rank by looking to put that extra bit of polish and shine to whatever it is that they do.
Excellent examples of fine marines!
ANNUAL AWARDS
I am sure that by now, notices are being posted highlighting the various Annual Awards programs – be that from Brigade or Corps awards. I simply wish to be another to remind every marine that it is up to you to make sure the people whom you regard to be worthy, are recognized for their efforts. Put that award nomination in – because if you don’t, it is highly likely that no-one else will.
And on that subject – can I take this time to remind you all of the need to ensure that any award nomination you put forward, is supported by as much corroborative information as you can provide. And the more significantly ranked the award, then the more this is absolutely true.
For those awards issued by myself or the General Staff, be assured that we certainly WANT to be able to pass due recognition where it is deserved but that we cannot make any issuance decision if we do not have the necessary support material. The more we can get, the simpler our task. Please make sure that your nominations are processed in the ‘best’ manner you can and that they are forwarded under the governing principles and policies as outlined in our various documentations.
A REMINDER ON DRESS CODES
The STARFLEET Marine Corps has a wide variety of uniforms authorized in the MFM, suitable for any ‘Trek era, as well as designs whose primary value is that they are relatively inexpensive and consist of components widely available through a variety of commercial sources.
Remember that at no time is any uniform required, but if a STARFLEET Marine Corps uniform is worn, it should be one of the designs authorized in the MFM and the uniform should be worn “correctly”.
The MFM contains a caution that bears repeating often : Uniforms should not be worn to functions where the majority of attendees would not recognize it as some type of fan uniform. The Mess White and Class C uniforms are not readily recognizable as a non-military uniform. Marines should avoid wearing the uniform in any context where is may appear paramilitary or intimidating to the public.
Bruce O’Brien
Brigadier General, SFMC
Commandant, STARFLEET Marine Corps
dant@sfi-sfmc.org]]>