State of the SFMC July 2015

Marines,
Last month I was hosted by the Third Brigade on the occasion of their annual Muster. I can not say enough how much I enjoyed that trip and look forward to other such opportunities in the future. Though the weather in eastern Texas, which brought floods and mayhem to much of the region, prevented the Brigade OIC from being able to fly in to attend, the Muster and Mess were both conducted in exemplary fashion. These folks surely know how to throw a party. I have rarely been treated so nicely by so many people. I want to thank Jeremy Carsten, the Event Coordinator, and Ed Tunis, the Brigade OIC, and their respective staffs for the opportunity and the great time I had. I truly appreciate the chance to be there.

I will be speaking, via Skype at the 11th Brigade Muster in Adelaide, South Australia on July 11th. If any other Brigades are interested in having me attend via Skype, feel free to contact me and we’ll certainly set something up.
Revision of the MFM is coming along, albeit much more slowly than I would have liked. There is a lot of new material to be incorporated, so this is a pretty big job. It will be out in time for IC in August.

The period for Honor Award nominations has almost concluded. Once that is done, the GS will be making their recommendations to me for issuance.
Brigade OICs, if you have not yet sent the documents to nominate your Brigade Valor Award winners for the annual Honor Awards consideration, the time is NOW! Your Brigade requires recognition for its deserving marines. The Deadline is 6JUL2015. They should be sent to dant@sfi-sfmc.org AND depdant@sfi-sfmc.org. If I may quote the COFORCECOM, BGN James, on this subject, “We don’t know these individuals so explain to us what we should consider them ‘the best of the best of the best’.  We’ll be basing our decisions on what we’re sent so make it good.  Be specific. Be precise.  If you have a question, ask. None of the GS will write your nomination for you but we will certainly help if we have questions.”

Finally, Independence Day weekend is upon us here in the US. Highways are likely to be crowded and somewhat treacherous. Please be careful in your travels and keep this holiday weekend a safe and happy one.
For now, that is all.
Mike
—
Michael McGowan
GEN, SFMC
OIC, 225th MSG
papabear@ussbortas.net
dant@sfi-sfmc.org
listmail@ussbortas.net