State of the SFMC – March 2014

Greetings Marines,

Well, it looks like we aren’t quite through with winter, at least not those of us in North America. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I, for one, am pretty tired of snow, ice, and steely gray skies. I could do with some spring.
I do, however, have some things to discuss, so I’ll get to them.

Logo/Seal Issue
As you have, no doubt, heard by now, the USMC Trademarks Office has signed off on our new Logo and Seal, indicating that the new branding images are compliant with their trademarks. If you would like to see the new images, they can be found at:
https://www.sfi-sfmc.org/NewSFMCLogo-Seal.html .
Also on the USMC Issue, we have heard back from the USMC. As of today we must stop selling the old logo SFMC flags and old logo SFMC shoulder patches. We will be replacing stock on those items soon. The old stock will be disposed of in a manner decided by the General Staff. We may continue to sell off all other stock items until we exhaust our supply and then re-order them with the new logo. This is a very good result for us and will wind up costing us far less than it could have.
Colonel Jeremy Carsten and General Aaron Murphy are both to be thanked for their efforts on behalf of the SFMC in this matter.

New SFMC Motto
You still have until 10MAR2014 at 2359 CDT to send ideas for a new SFMC  motto to motto@ussbortas.net . 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”.

Changes to the Commandant’s Campaign for 2014
Each Commandant has the opportunity to change or increase the scope of the Commandant’s Challenge Award to fit his preferences of community service. I’m going to take that opportunity now…
My predecessors have selected, during their tenures, Toys for Tots, Special Olympics, and the March for the Disabled. All of these are worthy, deserving charity efforts, for whom I would never even consider
reducing our support. in fact, as the first portion of a scope increase, the March for the Disabled is being expanded to encompass the entire year, rather than just the month of March.
My particular weakness, however, is children’s charities. In my life I have worked to raise funds, through various club events, for Children’s Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, and local
orphanages. While I will have more codified requirements next month, this is the direction I intend to put forward as an increase in the scope of the CCA program.  Bear in mind that these changes will not affect the CCA awards the data
for which was collected in the most recent reporting cycle. That data is for operations conducted last year for issue this year. These changes will be in effect for operations in this year for ribbon issues early next year.

Online Availability
As I’ve said before, 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
As you may have heard, I have been suffering from flu for the last several days. As soon as this report is completed, I’m going back to bed. Take care everyone, I’ll see you again soon.

That is all.
Mike