Conference
2018 New Bern gathering and leadership demographics varied
The Donald L Dickson Memorial Award winner, Chris Whiting hugs Manny Pacheco while Keith Oliver looks on.
Professional Development and Training Symposium Wrap, Part II
New Association board member Sgt. Melodie Snarr, 22, was the youngest national officer confirmed at the annual business meeting held in conjunction with the 2018 USMCCCA Professional Development and Training Symposium; and Foundation President and Korean War veteran Tom Kerr, 83, back for “one more ride,” is the most seasoned.
Snarr is joined on the Association Board by two fellow newcomers to the decision-making table: Active duty CWO-3 Paul Mancuso, currently stationed in Japan; and former Marine staff sergeant and multiple DPA recipient Jason Huffine, a highly-regarded crisis communications and organizational change consultant in civilian life.
Mark Fayloga and Shawn Rhodes during the seminar, Flourishing in a multi-platform environment.
Others, including Dan Clare, Mark Fayloga, James Chittenden, and Karen Holliday, have already put their hats in the ring for 2019.
As always, national elections will be held at the business meeting; site and specific dates are being finalized in coordination with HQMC’s Communication Directorate along with the Marine Corps Recruiting Command.
Nominations Chair Christine Whiting (who is retiring from her 15-year tenure as national secretary) is actively seeking candidates for every office, including president and vice-president, as both Keith Oliver’s and Shawn Rhodes’ terms expire at the end of the current Association year.
News
The great snuffie trek home
On Monkey Mountain, Da Nang, Vietnam in 2017. Left to right: Michael Stokey, Bob Bayer, Dale Dye and Eric Grimm.
By Michael Stokey
Get some. I’m not sure what that some was anymore. A remnant of war, slip of the past, a time when everything was at its worse and you and the men around you were at their best – when you were really one for all and all for one? But, in our case, to get some meant you had to get there.
Enter Tim Davis and The Greatest Generations Foundation. Capt. Dale Dye, USMC Ret., a fellow First Marine Division Combat Correspondent had gotten to know Davis a few years ago. A trip most of us avoided for 50 years was in the brewing. A trip down the rabbit hole.
Left to right: Mike Stokey, Rick Grimm, Dale Dye, Gus Hasford and Bob Bayer.
Some of the guys already prepared for an emotional ambush. We were U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents and our Holy Grail was the press pass. It was the most bastard unit in Vietnam – in any war for that matter – and it was also one of the most casualty-ridden. One of our fellow loose cannons was Gustav Hasford, now deceased, author of the novel “The Short Timers,” which was turned into the movie FULL METAL JACKET. Other correspondents had slipped beyond the perimeter. Now, seven remained who agreed to make the run, nine Purple Hearts and three Bronze Star Medals for valor between them. Mostly sergeants at the time, they included Dale Dye, Mike Stokey, Steve Berntson, Robert Bayer, Eric Grimm, Richard Lavers and Frank Wiley. We signed the dotted line to go back again. To go back with each other. To go back alone? Sorry ‘bout that.
News
Welcome Matthew Sokol our newest member
Today we welcome aboard our newest CC: Matthew Sokol, sports reporter for the Camp Lejeune Globe. He says: I have been working at the Globe since February and I cover a variety of events that take place in the Camp Lejeune area such as the Semper Fit group exercise classes, Read more…
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Life membership via Purple Heart
It’s not the most fun way to get a free Life Membership in the USMCCCA – but you rate it if you are a Purple Heart recipient. Staff Sgt. Albert “Combat” Carls is among those who have earned the lifetime designation during the Iraq and Afghanistan fighting — but the Read more…
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Skipper’s hat in the ring
CC member Capt. Karen Holliday, pictured here with Marine Corps Director of Communication, Brig. Gen. Bill Seely, is among those who signed up to run for a USMCCCA Board position in 2019. Nominations opened at the Annual Business Meeting in New Bern on Aug. 21 and will close May 15, Read more…
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Have you taken action?
USMCCCA Post-Conference Check-in from Chris Kowalik from ProFeds on Vimeo.
News
Retired CC fights fires
Chuck Lane was a Gunny in 1968, assigned as Press Chief of the 1st MarDiv ISO in Vietnam. He retired a master sergeant in 1974 while serving as Information Chief of the 9th District in Overland Park, Kansas. Today, Chuck, a member of the USMCCCA, and his wife, Marvel, live Read more…
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35 Years In The Photojournalism Biz
An article from Pulitzer prize winning photojournalist Carol Guzy was published in The East Hampton Press & The Southampton Press. In it she describes some lessons learned. You can read it here.
News
CC Dan Clare on networking
By D. Clare
Dan Clare
When I enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17, I wanted only two things in life—to be a Marine and journalist. It was only when I got out of the Corps four years later that I realized achieving one’s goals required more than desire and ability. Fortunately, based on my childhood ambition, being a former Marine and combat correspondent provided enough of a foundation to build upon my personal and professional goals.
By the age of 20 — when most peers from high school were still dependent on their parents— I had been a nationally-published writer, photographer, press chief and newspaper editor.
I wanted desperately to be a broadcaster and my former boss, Master Gunnery Sgt. Don Long, ensured I had the chance at AFN Okinawa for my last year in the Corps. My DINFOS instructor, Master Sgt. Mike Eck, was my boss on the island and gave me every opportunity to experience the full scope of our mission there.