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State of the SFMC July 2012

Greetings to all Marines

At time of writing this, many of our Marines will be suffering through sweltering heat or fighting off the seasonal storms that seem to be affecting the U.S. at this time of the year.
It is hoped that all our Marines and their families have gone through this period safely – if not at the least, a little comfortably. Where’s an SFMC Engineer when you need one to fix that AC??
Summer heat waves and storms aside, we continue to hurtle towards IC/IM and for those who are fortunate enough to attend, we all hope that you have a most pleasurable experience in Tennessee. I am certain that the Marines in attendance will yet again pass evidence of the camaraderie, fun and fellowship that comes with being a member of the Corps. One can only hope that the fellowship does not get spilled onto the carpet or good furniture too much.
ANNUAL AWARDS
We have received another solid batch of nominations to the Honor Awards, and this year has been the same as likely every other with the GS having to make careful deliberation of some extremely worthy nominations. It has been said before that one of the toughest jobs in the GS is having to select the winners to the Honor awards when faced with so many worthy choices. This year it is certainly no different and I would like to thank those Marines who put forward some very well crafted and professionally presented nominations to us. A well documented nomination for any award is worth its weight in gold as it really assists us in reviewing the facts.
And on note of the Annual Awards, I wish to remind all Marines that it is really up to each and every one of you to ensure that any Marine worthy of being nominated for ANY SFMC award is in fact being presented. If you don’t do it, others may not and as a consequence, a well deserving marine may not be recognized for his or her actions or activity.
IC/IM ATTENDANCE
As per my last State of… report, I can confirm attendance at IC/IM of the following GS officers -COForceCom, MGSGT John Kane; COFinCom, LGN Patrick McAndrew; Acting COTraCom, MGN Gary Hollifield Jr. These marines will be available to hopefully answer any questions and queries and will be involved in all SFMC events supporting the IC Organizing committee wherever possible.
As “Mission Chief”, COForceCom will lead the GS ground team in ensuring that all GS involvement and participation runs smoothly.
Mess dinner attendance appears to be well subscribed and the evening will also provide the platform to commence our 30th year celebrations.
I wish all IC/IM attendees the very best in enjoying what will be likely be a great weekend.
SFMC QM STORE
The QM has been busy replenishing stocks of a range of items. All the new metal branch devices thus far developed have been received and are selling strongly. The new devices are proving very popular and are selling well – as have the new beret flash. Ribbon stocks are continually being replenished and we intend to provide a more complete ribbon range over a short period of time, making it easier for Marines to purchase as many items as possible from the one outlet – the SFMC QM. The QM web-store has been worked on by the team at InfoCom and there are plans to make adjustment and change there as well, that is geared to improve the service presented
GS OBJECTIVES
The GS has been reviewing the success, failures or any necessary directional changes to the 2012 Objectives listed and published after the last IC/IM. This document has been updated and will be published after the IC/IM, with key elements presented at the IM. This next year will undoubtedly be rife with lots of incentive and application by the GS in effort to inject further motivation and enthusiastic programs into the Corps as we endeavor to get Marines to lift their heads and take note of what is going on around them in this organization. Naturally, we would welcome any suggestions that Marines would wish to forward to us that would help create development of new ideas and activities that would be geared to help drive the Corps forward – so if you have some idea that you think the Corps would benefit from, feel free to drop us a line.
SFMC 30th ANNIVERSARY YEAR
In November of this year, the SFMC will have reached the milestone of 30 years since its inception. For any fan club or organization, that is a very long time and as has been said before, serves to acknowledge the stability and well-founded base from which we operate and exist. To have gone so far and to continue to be so strong in membership support, speaks highly of the base structure of the Corps and of the good work and effort applied by many Marines over the last three decades. But to go another 30 years, the SFMC needs every Marine to participate or to be involved in even the smallest way. Let’s make sure we all can do that for the SFMC members of the future.
And on note of the Anniversary, we have also added another element to help celebrate that will hopefully be in stock within the next couple of weeks prior to IC.
This will be the SFMC Lapel Pin – a cast enamel pin that is designed to be worn on clothing, giving evidence of your membership to the Corps (note – this is NOT an item to be worn on SFMC uniform). While this pin is released in support of our Anniversary celebrations, it is not a specifically designed Anniversary pin – thus it can be purchased and proudly worn for any time or occasion to the future. The quality of this item will be of the same very high standard of the new metal devices we have recently added. Look for announcement of release from the SFMC QM.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
In light of the fact that there has been been some focus in this post to need of injection of motivational support to the Corps, the above question carries a resonance that needs to echo around the corridors of where you live and work. So often asked by previous ‘Dants and GS members, the question carries much more than than a simple phrase that can be quickly forgotten. Coupled with that other age-old adage “What do you want from the Corps?” – it simply and clearly asks of our Marines for their thoughts and inputs to making the Corps an even better organization than we are already. We need to feed and grow and we can only do this with ideas, suggestions, input and genuine critiquing of what we do, have done or could do better. It is difficult to continually be looking for new incentives that are not simply re-cycled elements of any old or existing ideas and thus YOUR input will always be most welcomed. Don’t be shy; don’t hesitate; send off that idea to us today. There is nothing like a ‘stupid idea’ around here I promise you!
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 BDU 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.
dant@sfi-sfmc.org]]>