January 2009

Disney offers free 5-day passes to active duty and retirees

Walt Disney World announced January 5 that it will offer free five-day multi-park passes to military active duty and retired members.  “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” promotion will run through Dec. 23, 2009 at Disney World.  In addition to the free five-day ticket, members of the military can also buy up to five  more five-day, one park passes for $99 each.

The Walt Disney World Resort is offering a room discount to our Military guests for travel dates from now through December 23, 2009 (except 2/13-2/15, 4/4-4/18, 5/22-5/24, 7/3-7/4, 11/25-11/26/09). 

Our Military guests can contact their Base ITT office or call the Walt Disney Travel Company at 407-828-8101 to book the room code MYV from now thru 12/18/09, with travel dates from 1/4 – 12/23/09. 

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Former DINFOS chapter president heads to Navy OCS

Marine GySgt. Jason Fischer, formerly President of the DINFOS Chapter, USMCCCA, will switch services February 1 when he reports to Newport, RI for Navy Officer Candidate School.
Although it sounds a bit unusual, Jason reports that he attended and graduated from DINFOS Public Affairs Qualification Course (officer’s course) and, because the Navy does its officer accessions by MOS, he decided to compete for their program.  Of 64 applicants in his MOS, he was one of four selected.  This is how he explains it:
“It’s no longer possible to take an LDO route from the Corps to the Navy. What I’m basically doing is totally exiting the Corps and entering the Navy like a college kid off the street would.  
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By Jason Fudge, ago

Year End Report: The State of the USMCCCA

As we close another successful calendar year we offer the following accomplishments from 2008 and where we hope to be in 2009.
First, our finances. Borrowing from the late Bob “Mo” Morrisey and, more recently from our own national Treasurer, Tom Kerr: “We ain’t broke.” Yes, we are definitely concerned with the sad state of the national economy and will be working diligently with our new Foundation Board to see that we survive. Fortunately, we run a bare-bones operation so major cutbacks are not as necessary as they are with some veterans organizations. Here are some 2008 highlights:

• Since 2005 we have seen the number of Merit Awards sponsorships increase from single digits to 35 in 2008. Obviously, this helps our financial picture. In 2009 we hope to add 10 more sponsorships. A word about the Merit Awards Program itself. No one has worked harder to streamline this program than our Association VP Don Knight. To somewhat alter an old adage: He shows that an “old dog” can teach some new tricks. The program is sound and getting healthier with HQMC cooperation.
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By Jason Fudge, ago