State of the SFMC – February 2014

As the bulk of the SFMC digs its way back out from under a series of blizzards across North America, I would ask you all, first and foremost, to take all care and precautions in your travels. I would also ask you to look out for the elderly and disabled in your communities with continued donations of blankets, warm clothing, and time.

Logo/Seal Issue
The Logo/Seal Selection Committee completed its work in January and delivered its selection to the General Staff. The GS, in turn, affirmed the selection. We await word from the USMC Trademarks people indicating that the new SFMC Logo and Seal will be considered compliant. Once we have that word from the appropriate officials, we will be getting the new images out to the membership.

New SFMC Motto  One of the items objectionable to the USMC is the SFMC’s use of their trademarked and protected “Semper Fidelis” and “Semper Fi” motto. This being the case, we need to find a new motto. I know that there are a lot of marines out there with great ideas, so I’d like all of you to send your ideas for a motto to motto@ussbortas.net . We will be accepting suggestions from today to 10MAR2014 at 2359 CDT. Feel free to send as many as you like.  There are a few things we would ask: If you are going to submit a motto suggestion in a language other than English, please specify what language it is and the English translation.

Mottos should be short. A phrase, a brief quote, a few words that conjure an image or feeling. A motto is rarely even an entire sentence, let alone a paragraph.  Please make sure that it is spelled correctly. It must not be in poor taste.  It must be “Rated G”.

Online Availability
A few weeks ago I spent a nice evening in an online meeting with members of the USS Gygax and her Marine Strike Group, the 20th, answering questions about the Corps in general and specific programs in particular. It was an interesting evening culminating in a trivia contest and making some new friends. Thanks for the invite, guys.  I am also scheduled to speak to the Marines of the Second Brigade at their Muster, via Skype. I’m looking forward to that as well.  The reason I bring this up is that a lot of travel isn’t something I can do any more but I am available and only too happy to speak to marines about the Corps online via any technical means we can bring to bear. If you’d like me to attend something online, just drop me a line and we’ll work at getting something scheduled. If I get a month or two notice it makes scheduling a bit easier to arrange.  Other members of the GS may be able to be available as well depending on their own situations online.

Email Addresses
It is important to remember that Email Addresses no longer appear on the STARFLEET Database. This being the case, it is of vital importance that marines check and double check the email address entered on any form being sent to the SFMC for any reason. If your email address is entered incorrectly, servicing whatever request you are making, SFMCA Course, Award Certificate request, etc., will be *significantly* delayed.

Suggestions and Ideas
People, the General Staff exists to make the SFMC a better place to be.  That being said, we never claim to have all the answers. If you have an idea or suggestion of benefit to the SFMC please, by all means, send it to one of us. I’ll give the addresses below:
Mike McGowan, Commandant: dant@sfi-sfmc.org
Jim Monroe, Deputy Commandant: depdant@sfi-sfmc.org
Jerry Stoddard, Sergeant Major, SFMC: sgm_sfmc@sfi-sfmc.org
Barry Jackson, COFINCOM: fincom@sfi-sfmc.org
Jari James, COFORCECOM: forcecom@sfi-sfmc.org
Mark Anderson, COINFOCOM: infocom@sfi-sfmc.org
Travis Littou, COTRACOM: tracom@sfi-sfmc.org
In closing, let me say that I appreciate all the hard work you all do for your communities and for each other. Keep doing all those things that make us all proud of you and of the STARFLEET Marine Corps.
Take care of yourselves and each other. We’ll talk again soon.
That is all.

Mike
Michael McGowan
OIC, 225th MSG
Commandant, SFMC
papabear@ussbortas.net