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SFMC Challenges

From time to time the SFMC sets up challenge where the membership participates to accomplish a combined goal. In the past challenges have included reading and collecting money and toys for Toy-for-Tots.

 

Commandant’s Challenge

 

Every year the SFMC Commandant selects at least one (usually more) for the Marines to dedicate their time and energy to in support of that charity’s mission.  Every Marine who donates at least 4 hours of their time and energy in support of any charity qualifies for the Commandant’s Campaign Ribbon.  The involvement is to be reported on the Unit’s bi-monthly report and the awards are issued each year in January or February when the full list of names is presented to the SFMC Commandant by COFORCECOM or their designee.  PLEASE NOTE:  Giving of your time and energy counts for this award, simply giving cash or donating items does not count for purposes of this award.
Currently the charities designated by the SFMC Commandant for purposes of this award are the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program (or its equivalent elsewhere in the World) and the Special Olympics Programs around the World.

 

Deputy Commandant’s
SFMC READING CHALLENGE

 

OVERVIEW
The Deputy Commandant’s SFMC Reading Challenge continues the long-standing tradition within the Corps to promote a program designed to encourage extracurricular reading among Marines of all ages, from cadets to adults. To participate, all you have to do is read! The Challenge usually runs from International Conference to International Conference. During that year-long time frame, read all that you can, keep track of what you read and upload your information to the SFMC website’s Reading Challenge page. In the final reporting period before each IC, results will be tabulated by the Deputy Commandant’s Staff, and awards and streamers will be presented at the IC for the most pages read in several categories. Details on eligibility and submission requirements follow:

ELIGIBILITY

  • Any and all marines of all ages in good standing in STARFLEET: The International Star Trek Fan Association Inc. and the STARFLEET Marine Corps may participate. Cadets (as outlined in the SFMC Cadet Manual) may participate in this challenge; however, they will be competing against other Cadets and not adults.
  • Any book of any genre that has an ISBN or e-book registration number is eligible for inclusion and can be either in printed or electronic form (Kindle, Nook, PDF, Audio Books, etc.).
  • Partial submissions are also eligible (i.e. selected short stories out of an anthology, poems from a published collection, recipes from a cookbook, excerpts from gaming manuals and sourcebooks, etc.) as long as established submission requirements are met, and the number of pages read are correctly recorded.
  • Books that are required to be read for work, school or any other required regimen are NOT eligible; the Challenge applies to “extracurricular” reading, i.e. voluntary and recreational reading.


SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Anyone participating in the Reading Challenge must include ALL of the following information in their submissions:
  • Participant Name
  • Participant SCC number
  • Participant Rank (if any)
  • Participant Age (only required if participant is a Cadet)
  • Participant Brigade
  • Participant Unit
  • Book title
  • Book author
  • ISBN or other registration number, or publisher’s information
  • Number of pages read

PLEASE NOTE: Any submissions not containing ALL of the above information will be discarded. The Deputy Commandant’s Office is not responsible for lost or incomplete submissions.

Submissions must be made through the SFMC’s Reading Challenge page. No exceptions will be allowed.

JUDGING AND AWARD CRITERIA

  • Winners of the Challenge and their respective awards will be determined on the following basis and in the following categories
  • Individual Adult:1st, 2nd and 3rd Place awards will be given based on the total number of pages read during the Challenge period by individual Adult participants. The highest three totals will be given the respective awards. The 1st place winner will also receive a Reading Challenge streamer for their unit.
  • Individual Cadet:1st, 2nd and 3rd Place awards will be given based on the total number of pages read during the Challenge period by individual Cadet participants. The 1st place winner will also receive a Reading Challenge streamer for their unit.
  • Unit (MSG, MEU, etc.): 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place awards will be determined by calculating an adjusted page count total. This adjusted total is an average, calculated by adding the total number of pages read by participating members of the unit and dividing that total by the number of participating Marines in the unit. The highest three totals will be given the respective awards. The 1st Place winner will also receive a Reading Challenge streamer for their unit
  • Battalion:1st, 2nd and 3rd Place awards will be determined by calculating an adjusted page count total. This adjusted total is an average, calculated by adding the total number of pages read by participating members of the Battalion and dividing that total by the number of participating Marines in the Battalion. The highest three totals will be given the respective awards. The 1st Place winner will also receive a Reading Challenge streamer for their Battalion.
  • Brigade: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place awards will be determined by calculating an adjusted page count total. This adjusted total is an average, calculated by adding the total number of pages read by participating members of the Brigade and dividing that total by the number of participating Marines in the Brigade. The highest three totals will be given the respective awards. The 1st Place winner will also receive a Reading Challenge streamer for their Brigade.

The Deputy Commandant’s Office reserves the right to alter awards as needed or on the basis of available award items, at the discretion of the Deputy Commandant.

GENERAL READING CHALLENGE INFORMATION AND DISCLAIMERS

The SFMC Reading Challenge is coordinated by the Deputy Commandant’s office of the STARFLEET Marine Corps. All questions, comments or disputes regarding the Reading Challenge should be submitted to Deputy Commandant and will be escalated along the chain of command from there, if needed.

The Deputy Commandant determines the start and end dates for the Reading Challenge. Normally the Challenge runs from STARFLEET International Conference to STARFLEET International Conference, as mentioned above. However, this can change. Any changes in the Challenge period must be published at least six (6) months in advance in the Attention on Deck! Extra, Attention on Deck! and the Corps e-mail list

Please note that this contest may be discontinued at any time by the Deputy Commandant or the SFMC General Staff.

 

Wilderness Challenge

 

This page outlines the requirements for the SFMC Wilderness Challenge. If you have any questions regarding the Challenge, please contact the Chair, General Wade Olson ( captwho@wildblue.net ).

Introduction:
The Wilderness Challenge is a yearly event. The over all event includes all the individual Challenges put on by the Brigades within the Corps. Each may be different but they all must represent the true nature of why the event was started. It must be physically challenging and promote fellowship. Challenges can be planned around any number of physical activities including sports but is not intended to be a win or lose contest. Anyone who participates receives the same reward. It is not to pit member against member, but members against themselves or nature. The first three official Challenges were hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains, but they can consist of training sessions, obstacle courses, treasure hunts or biking, swimming, hiking, skiing or any number of physically challenging events.
 
 
How to Bid:
Wilderness Challenge bids are judged by several factors. The most important of which is the nature of the event. However there are other very important factors to consider like how well organized it is, the area it will take place, safety for the participants, etc. It must be well planned and thought out. Plenty of time should be giving to get the word out to the members. Accommodations should be scouted out to give suggestions to visitors coming from long distances. There is a lot of planning to consider when putting together a bid.
 
 
A detailed description of the event is needed.  It should include the following:
If it requires walking, riding or climbing describe the terrain in great detail.
. A list of equipment that everyone is required to have to participate.
. Registration fee and what it includes.
. List of Restaurants and Hotels in the area.
. If there is a meal included with the event describe it.
. Date, place and time the event starts and its likely duration.
. Contingencies for weather.
. Event Chair and Co-Chair contact information.
. Closing date on registrations.
    • If it requires walking, riding or climbing describe the terrain in great detail.
    • A list of equipment that everyone is required to have to participate.
    • Registration fee and what it includes.
    • List of Restaurants and Hotels in the area.
    • If there is a meal included with the event describe it.
    • Date, place and time the event starts and its likely duration.
    • Contingencies for weather.
    • Event Chair and Co-Chair contact information.
  • Closing date on registrations.
Only one challenge is approved per brigade each year.
 
Ground Crew:
Any good Wilderness Challenge will include things besides the actual activity. It’s hard for the participants to fix food for a meal while hiking, biking, canoeing, etc. For these things it is a good idea to have a Ground Crew. These people do the other tasks such as fix meals, develop the group pictures, pick up party supplies, and other tasks preparing for the noonday meal or other activities for when the actual physical part of the event is over. This also gives those who may not be physically able to participate a chance to qualify for the ribbon as support crew.
 
Advertising:
A Wilderness Challenge notice must be posted to the Corps-L list at least six weeks prior to the event (or immediately after approval if less than six weeks remain) and once a week from then till registration is closed. Registration can start immediately upon  advertisement and should be accepted for at least four weeks if the bid is granted six weeks or more before the event. Or it may run longer if you feel you won’t have a problem getting the Bandanas done closer to the last minute.
 
Challege Photo:
Each Challenge must provide a Group Photo large enough for autographs of participants. Generally an 8 x 10.  This photo is to be taken of the group at the start of the event and the “ground crew” should have it developed and printed during the event so that participants may autograph it before they leave.
 
 
Challenge Bandana:
Each participant is to receive a bandanna in the color designated for the year. In 2008 (when this information was originally drafted) colors are Yellow bandanna with black embroidery.
  1. Wilderness Challenge
  2. year of the challenge (ie 2008)
  3. The date of the event
  4. The Nickname of the Participant