State of FORCECOM April 2018
Fellow Marines!
As some of you have read there’s quite a bit of buzz going on around Marine Corps HQ these past few weeks. By now some of your have read the ‘Dant’s list of lists detailing all the ongoing and upcoming projects we’ve been tasked with. I know there’s quite a bit of rumor, and supposition floating around, and while we can’t discuss many of the details – because there really aren’t any details to discuss – the ‘Dant and I will keep you all informed as best we can, and up to the minute.
Please – I ask that before you shuffle off to Facebook, or the listserv to post/email about rumors you’ve heard, utilize your chain of command to dispel the stories, rumors, scuttlebutt, or to simply ask questions. You can contact me directly as well at forcecom@sfi-sfmc.org – my door is always open. Posting rumors to social media or email lists does nothing more than create a super huge game of ‘Telephone’, with each telling of the story more inaccurate than the last.
I’d like to think that I keep your Brigade OICs pretty well informed, and to help quell rumors, and fill in a few blanks I will send them a point by point conversation on each of the ‘Dant’s numbered tasks. That way, when you do turn to higher for information or guidance you will have the best skinny that’s on the streets.
If you have indeed read the ‘Dant’s list of lists you will think and feel there are massive changes coming to the Marine Corps. Let me assure you looks are deceiving. Many of the tasks are simple housekeeping tasks (e.g., manual revisions), some are our proactive attempt to get out in front of the trademark and copyright wave. Others are in response to recent decisions by the AB, and are an attempt to improve the Corps ability to support the individual member at the MSG/MEU level. Most, if not all, of these updates, and changes should be transparent to Joe Marine and daily business will go on as usual. And, none of these updates and changes will fundamentally change the Corps we love. Only make it better!
Now – on to other important issues…
COFORCECOM out of pocket!
Putting this out there again… Household Six (my wife) and I will be leaving in a couple weeks for an extended stay in Germany. In preparing for the trip, I’ve found my access to the internet is going to be more limited than previously thought, which means Unit and Brigade OICs need to be extremely proactive concerning administrative actions such as awards, assignments, and database changes. So they can be proactive, I need you, as the individual member, to be proactive as well. Don’t procrastinate if there’s something that needs changed in the database, you’re looking for an award, or there’s a need to change a roster. If not, there’s going to be a wait… just sayin’!
IC 2018 is coming up!
How many Marines are going to attend the IC/IM this year? I know travel is uber-expensive these days, and with the uptick in gas prices many plans to attend have been cancelled. If you’re local you should make every attempt to be there to represent your unit and the Corps.
Head on over to the IC FB page, or find one of the numerous advertisements posted on the listserve and see if you can attend. It’s a blast to meet some of the folks you know only by name, and to share in the fellowship and comradery events such as dress mess and muster can provide.
SFMC Historian, and Corps Heraldry!
We now have a historian in the office of the Dep’Dant. As I’ve been urging you to do for several months now, I strongly encourage you to make contact with the officer, and provide your unit’s lineage, and history for archiving. Our Heraldry Officer is working in conjunction with the Historian to build not only the Corps history, but to catalogue its distinctive items. Many of you have provided items such as logos, mottos, slogans but we can do better.
With the quasi-hiatus the Corps is experiencing due to trademark and copywrite issues with our artwork now is a great time to update your logos, and create on if your unit doesn’t have one. If you need assistance with graphics contact COL Derek Allen, our Heraldry Officer, at sfmc.heraldryoffice@gmail.com. He has answers you may need and is waiting to help!
In closing…
I don’t know about you, but the remainder of this year is going to be exciting! The Corps is going thru a period of evolution, and growth and can only come out the other side a better organization. But it needs you, the member with boots on ground, to conduct a breach, and dynamic entry into 2019. This club belongs to all of us, and together we can do great things!
So, let’s get hot and move out with a sharp left step.
Ooorah!
BDR B. Allen
Forces Command