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State of the SFMC September 2012

Greetings to all Marines

In the last month, there has been a lot going on as the GS staff have been finalizing some of the many projects we have swinging about.
Key element in this has been the review and editing to the MFM and SFMC Policy Manuals and these will very shortly be published and posted to website.
The format used for these publications is a temporary measure as it is more important that we get these critical manuals edited and published first. We are working on other
software options to ensure that to the future, we have a more easily editable yet professionally finished article than that which we are using currently. We have simply been spoiled over recent years by the excellent publications previously presented but at this time, we simply do not to have the staffing skills necessary to be able to replicate them.
Manuals are a crucially important part of the SFMC
and we must do better in making regular review and publication than we have been and it is our clear intention to do so.
The GS Objectives outlined at the IM have also been packaged and are ready for publication to the website. This too will occur and you will be able to find this publication in the SFMC Library portion of the current website It is intended that the 2011 Objectives folder will also be retained in the Library for review – as will next year’s set of objectives
This last month has seen a solid flow of purchases through the SFMC QM and I would thank you for your continued interest and support for the material we are making available. The metal devices have been strong sellers, as too the SFMC beret flash which has sold out with new stock about to arrive.
We are also building stocks of
the *standard* ribbons to complement the SFMC specifically designed material, to make your shopping activities as easy as we can
We have – or will be – stocking other items such as the 4-diamond, small and large, Brigadiers pins and looking to add a few other elements that are currently in research/review
We have also been reviewing the next year’s Commandant’s Campaign (CC)in discussion with Brigades and have come up with a few options that we are considering for inclusion into the next year’s program. The CC runs from January to December and it will be my intention to revert to award announcement in early March each year, rather than hold off until the IC/IM has been the case recently. This is in line with the current policy associated with the CC and should make it a more sensible presentation than what has been done in the last couple of years. This will mean that announcement of the 2012 Campaign Awards will be made in March 2013 – so
Marines who have
participated in this year’s programs (or are still to do so) should make certain that their activities and involvement are reported through the chain of command as appropriate.
Work is being done on a resurgence of the SFMC Physical Challenge and we are a fair way through creating a program that we believe will be of benefit and value to all Marines who chose to participate. Details on this will be published prior to year end when we announce the full details associated with both this and the Commandant’s Campaign for 2013
Acting COInfoCOm Joe Brouhard, has been hard at work in presentation of a new SFMC website, and I am advised that this is not “far off”. Once this is completed, we will be looking to a key review and update to SFMC QM site with intention of improving on-line sales processing.
The DepDant has been very busy pulling together the several suggested new and ‘adjusted’ SFMC
uniforms designs he has received. While announcements on these will naturally come from the DepDant’s office, I would like to comment that we are thankful to those Marines who have been forwarding either designs, queries or specific information related to uniform designs. Your input is always most welcome I assure you
And lastly – a perennial reminder that the GS is here to serve you. We welcome all communication of ideas, comments, criticisms and inf act anything at all that will assist us in helping Marines to enjoy their SFCM experience and to have fun. At the end of the day, that is what we are all here for and it is up to each and every one of us to participate as much as we can. Do not ever hesitate to get in touch with the appropriate member of the GS should you have something you believe to be of value you wish to forward
Bruce O’Brien
Brigadier General, SFMC
Commandant, STARFLEET Marine Corps
dant at sfi-sfmc.org]]>