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State of the SFMC – December 2013

Greetings to all marines

As you will be aware, my term as SFMC Commandant comes to a close at midnight 31st December, when I will step down and be replaced in office by the most capable GEN Mike McGowan
In this my final address as Commandant, I would like to take a brief moment of your time to pass recognition to those that have served with me on the General Staff (GS)for the last three years and to also acknowledge that many of these very fine marines will be continuing to serve you through the next three years as well.
When we took office in January 2011, we knew not what quite to expect given that many of out team at that time, had not served on the GS previously and thus some of the learning curves were long but most educational.
We took a little time to settle primarily as we managed to ‘lose’ a few of our key people during the first 18 months or so, but by the end of these three years, I am very proud to say that every member of the GS team now in place has long since proven their capability, skill and professionalism at handling the tasks assigned to them. That the vast majority of these marines will remain in office under GEN McGowan, should give the Corps great confidence and the satisfaction that we will have some skilled and experienced personnel managing SFMC affairs for the years ahead of us In taking office back in 2011, I stated that one of my objectives was to see the GS introduce more “Starfleet’ into the mix with much less reliance on elements associated with any real-world military.
The introduction of SFMC-designed material such as our BOS devices, has gone a long way to achieve this, regardless of the recent impacts bought about by our ‘clash’ with the USMC and their concerns over our logo and seal designs.
These issues will be worked to an excellent resolution I am sure and the next GS will then be able to continue to move forward with the development and progression to this original goal
During the last three years, we also saw the SFMC celebrate its 30th anniversary, an achievement that every marine can be most proud of. It was during this period that we also were able to identify the significant growth in membership numbers – most especially those committed to serving as ‘Active Marines”
This development goes a very long way to acknowledge that the SFMC does indeed offer any new member of STARFLEET International, a worthy and personally satisfying manner by which to enjoy their fandom experience I would certainly hope that under my command, the culture of the Corps has continue to grow and developed to some extent, support to this growth of numbers
And while we cannot at this time easily announce exact numbers of Corps membership due to issues relating to the ‘new’ database, we can readily accept and identify that Corps membership now stands at its highest level since it’s establishment back in 1983
Thus we move to a new administration and governance of the Corps – but before closing this address, I wish to pass my personal appreciation and genuine thanks to those members of this GS and of the VCS and CS, who have supported and encouraged me in holding office, especially at those times when either the pressures of my real-world business activities interfered greatly with my duties (and here I make special mention to GEN McGowan who as DepDant stepped up more than once to pick up the ball when it was dropped), or other influencing factions that gave cause for some distraction to the tasks at hand.
I salute you all and thank you for serving with me on this GS where we certainly put forward our very best efforts and time into serving the needs of the SFMC as whole and wish each and every one of you the very best at maintaining these high standards you have already set
Finally, I wish to acknowledge the many private messages of goodwill and thanks that I have received from many of you. All of us serving in any capacity within STARFLEET, do so entirely as volunteers – and in pretty much al cases, at some detriment to our fan experience at times Acknowledgement of our efforts on your behalf, be it a simple “thanks mate” or a pat on the shoulder when possible, go such a long way to making us feel we are actually doing something that is of value to others.
I urge all marines to make sure you do acknowledge and support any SFMC volunteer you have chance to inter-act with, for without any of these marines doing these jobs, we would not be as strong an organization as we most certainly are.
Ladies and gentlemen – I now stand relieved.
Thank you
Bruce O’Brien
Major General, SFMC
Commandant, STARFLEET Marine Corps]]>