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State of the SFMC – September 2013

Greetings to all marines

My apologies for the severe lateness of this report. Real life keeps entangling efforts to get this completed and published
This last month has proved to be a busy period for myself and various other GS commands, as we work to attempt to finalize as many “unfinished projects ” as we can, before year’s end
I doubt we will be successful in completing them all for a wide range of reasons – some practical, some simply due to timing
As outlined in my last report, I identified the inclusion of a range of BOS devices that will be available to marines upon graduation to the various SFMCA schools. Orders for production of these have been placed, but to ensure good fiscal responsibility and to maintain the benefits available to us through our bank, we will split-order these devices into smaller groups – working under premise of “highest likely demand item first”
As soon as each of these devices become available, they will be announced through general publication via the QM
In speaking of these designs, they are all meant to do three things;
1. Provide Corps members with a unique, SFMC-designed device that is readily identifiable
2. Maintain a common theme to these designs that assists with #1
3. Remove the reliance of the use of any real-world devices
We strongly believe that these three elements have been achieved
Discussions with any possible improvements to the SFMC QM continue, with special emphasis to the support to International Brigades. Extremely high – some may well say ‘exorbitant’ – postage costs from the US to overseas destinations; shipping “difficulties” (some US suppliers will not sell items to non US/Canadian residents) ; Customs and tax issues in some destination countries- all help contribute to purchasese problems as we try to fit-out our marines in terms of uniforms and any accouterments
This will not be a straightforward nor easy task, but working with FinCom and the QM, it is desired that suitable solutions may be found that will greatly assist International marines being given fair-priced, easy access to these items.
There have been issues with re-directed mail through the SFMCA and TraCom vanity addresses (and some private mail addresses) that have plagued us for a little while. Be assured that with the assistance and support of InfoCom and CompOps that this problem will shortly be rectified. If any marine has any issue with these redirects when making exam requests or even simply communicating, please get in touch with either myself or COInfoCom and we can look to resolve any problems you may be having.
Speaking of TraCom, it is pleasing to see the project of course renumbering first raised some years ago, is now at its very final stages. This renumbering will enable the SFMCA to now “go crazy” and fill out the Schools with as many more new exams as the directors can put together.
In speaking with marine students, it is always great to hear positive feed-back of the quality of the material being produced at our Academy and we would expect that this will always continue to be the case
Speaking personally, I have not had the time to bounce around on the SFMC Facebook page too much , but I am well aware that this important media resource is well used by many members of the Corps. Despite my own lack of regular attendance there, I would urge all marines to sign on so you too can be kept up with the (often) worthwhile chatter that ensues there. While the page is deemed an “offcial SFMC resource” it is of course to all and it is allowing and producing, some very interesting discussion topics that in one or two cases, have led us to research new ideas and incentives.
Drop by and say hello sometime !
Finally, I would once again like to take the time to remind all marines that every member of the general Staff (GS) is here working on your behalf, and that any one of us welcomes approaches, questions, comments, queries or criticisms. So you should never hold back in communicating if you have something you wish to say. We can assure you – as we always have – that we will be ever attentive to your needs
Bruce O’Brien
Major General, SFMC
Commandant, STARFLEET Marine Corps
dant@sfi-sfmc.org]]>