State of FORCECOM July 2014

At Ease, Marines,
My apologies that real life stepped in the way of my getting this report out in a timely manner. As all of you know sometimes ‘stuff happens’. Or in my current case ‘health happens’. Nothing drastic, but just enough to totally throw my usual schedules off.
Now on to business. With the International Marine Muster on it’s way, I want to focus on two things: records and awards. You’ll see how the two are tied together.

** Personal Records:
Let’s face it. We all want to look our best at the International Conference. You want to make sure your uniforms are in tip top condition and all your ribbons, badges and such are in their proper places. It’s never a good thing to wait until the last moment to review your database records to make sure everything is there that should be on there.
There are policies in place to enter awards that you have been issued but, for some reason, were not entered on the database at that time. But it needs to be made clear that the responsibility of proof rests on the individual themselves. If you request an award to be entered, you will need to produce a copy of the award certificate, an email statement from the original issuing individual, a notation pointing to where it was announced in a newsletter, something that shows it was issued.
I am always willing to discuss things and will do everything I can to assist the individual, but one of my personal guidelines has always been ‘Trust, but Verify’.

** Awards:
I’d like to take a moment to review the requirements for four of the more misunderstood awards that often come out of this event. We’ll start with the simplest and work our way toward the more complex. [Please note that all of this information is available for review on the SFMC website under ‘Service Awards’ :
https://www.library.sfi-sfmc.org/awards.php?p=service
<https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.library.sfi-sfmc.org%2Fawards.php%3Fp%3Dservice&h=tAQEGzdl_&enc=AZPhSfkceuwl-rqq7Q9GTWPz8-Q3IjEX0liFF6KYCludchipaXbFAou7VfA4CSVWXNsQDErbmq6NUkCZznpHyThpq2vWbuVqa3jpItJKsLw_K_gnFs0c3qk70vtpXsfJdKc9UAUiVhimqeHgPBaLHEMV&s=1>
and in the Marine Force Manual, SECTION 8 – Awards, 8.3 SFMC Service Awards, pg 63 – pg 66 ].
While you’re at IC and the Marine Muster, look for specific sign in sheets so your Brigade OIC and myself can expedite your awards.

* International Service Award:
Issuing Authority: COFORCECOM
Frequency: Once per year
This one is simple: it’s issued to any member of the SFMC who attends an International STARFLEET Marine Muster. Think of it as the Brigade Muster Ribbon, but for the International Muster. You can not request a Brigade Muster award for attending IC by the way, even if it takes place in your home Brigade.

* Honor Guard:
Issuing Authority: Brigade OIC
Frequency: As Needed – one award per marine per year maximum This award is issued to individuals who service as Honor Guards, Color Guards or as part of the ‘Final Journey’. When you submit your request to your BDE OIC, please indicate what activity you were a part of.

* Embassy Duty:
Issuing Authority: Brigade OIC
Frequency: As Needed – two awards per marine per year maximum This award is issued to individuals for actual participation at a STARFLEET function, such as a Regional Summit or the International Conference as a Marine. Simple attendance at the event does not make one eligible for the Embassy Duty. Serving on a panel, working Security, etc. does. You need to be visibly recognizable as a Marine during these activities.

* Great Barrier:
Issuing Authority: Brigade OIC
Frequency: As Needed – two awards per marine per year maximum To quote the website ‘This award is given to Marines who have undertaken extreme or lengthy travel on behalf of the SFMC.’ Please note: there is a two part requirement: extreme/lengthy travel ‘and’ on behalf of the SFMC.

The first part requires a judgment call by the Brigade OIC. [A possible standard might be 5 hours travel time, for example.] The last part is more precise. Going on a long road trip or flight just to go to the event does not qualify. Going long distances because you are doing something at that event as a Marine [presenting a class, standing Honor Guard, etc] would qualify.
Please let your BDE OIC know the distance you traveled as well what activities you were a part of.
**
To close I want to welcome the new Marines who have joined the Corps over the last couple of months and the new units that have joined our ranks. I’m looking forward to working with each and every one of you.

As you were, Marines.

BGN Jari James
COFORCECOM