Author: Anne Joseph

MCMC West is the fourth of five, scheduled, regional competitions in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions (MCMC) line-up. (All of the competitions are coordinated and facilitated by the Marine Corps Shooting Team.) MCMC West training and competition is scheduled to take place from 13 February – 24 February 2023. The live-fire training days are scheduled to be conducted from 13 February to 23 February, while the Awards ceremony is slated for 24 February 2023. Registration is no later than 12 February 2023. The hosting unit is the Marksmanship Training Branch, Marine Corps Installations West.

Note: The two-week training package is detailed in our post entitled FY 2023 CIAP Kicks Off

The 2023 Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters Association Reunion/Cookout

BACKGROUND:  

Since 2013 members of the Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters’ Association (MCDSA) have been gathering at the Marine Corps Match (MCM) site (mostly at Stone Bay, Camp Lejeune, NC).  Sometime prior to that first Reunion/Cookout, the late Capt. Frank E. Hensel USMC (Ret.) suggested to Capt. David A. Luke USMC (Ret.) that it would be a good idea for the Association to meet during the MCM to make the Association better known to the MCM competitors.  Over the years the Competition-in-Arms Program (CIAP) has gone through several changes to the conduct of the matches, courses of fire, and schedule…not to mention different locations.  Also, it is no longer referred to as the MCM.  It is now called the Marine Corps Marksmanship Championships (MCMC).  There are still matches conducted at the old familiar locations each year, but now the MCMC finale is being conducted at Weapons Training Battalion (WTBN), Quantico, VA.

The Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition schedule has been posted, and the Marine Corps Marksmanship Championships (MCMC) this year will be held from 28 March thru 7 April 2023.  Therefore, our annual Reunion/Cookout this year will be on Saturday, 1 April 2023 from 1200 – 1700 and will be hosted by CWO3 Randy Allen USMC (Ret.) at his home near Lake Anna.

COOKOUT LOCATION:

Randy purchased a large tract of land and a beautiful mansion that once served as a Union Hospital during the Civil War.  He’s also hosted many gatherings at his place, so he is no stranger to putting on a great shindig.  Robin and I plan to be there several days in advance, and will be there early on Saturday morning to help set up.  As in the past, if anyone else would like to help out with preparations (setting up coolers, tents, tables and chairs, etc.), please contact me directly.  The menu this year will include Pecan Smoked Brisket, Boston Butts, and Chicken with Corn on the Cob, Slaw, and Baked Beans as sides prepared by JW Johnson.  Vince Sulik will also be cooking lots of Catfish for us to enjoy as well.  I recently spoke to Col Willis, and he stated that he plans on making this Reunion/Cookout.

Cost:  The cost of the Cookout this year will be $25.00 per person and includes all food and drinks.  There will also be a Silent Auction, a 50/50, and several other raffles throughout the afternoon.  If by chance you have any items that you would like to donate for the auction, please bring them.  We’ve auctioned many different items – paintings, shooting gear, gun belts and holsters, ammunition, wood carvings. plaques and clothes…you name it.  All proceeds will go directly toward the funding and operating costs of the MCDSA.  The second edition of “The Red Book – The History of Marine Corps Competitive Marksmanship” has been a big success.  The first edition was printed in 1961 and covered the period from 1901 – 1959.  As I’m sure you are aware, the second edition covers from 1960 to 2010.  Both editions will be available at the Reunion/Cookout, along with our fraternal items for sale.  The next big publication our association is gearing up for is a “Coffee Table” picture and story book of our association members.  This was the brainchild of Capt Don R. “Dumpy” Bartlett. USMC (Ret.).  We have to capture our marksmanship heritage over the years, and just as our members responded to the call for support for the Red Book project, I’m sure we’ll get the same for this one.  Also, if you would like to contribute an article for the upcoming Badge Newsletter, please forward to Ms. Carole Ellison at caroleellison5@msn.com as soon as possible.  We would like to have the next Badge available at the Reunion/Cookout.

LODGING IN THE AREA:

1. Best Value Inn, Dumfries: 703-221-1115
2. Candlewood Suites, Dumfries: 571-659-9987
3. Comfort Inn, Dumfries: 703-445-8070
4. Comfort Inn, Stafford: 540-659-8999
5. Country Inn, Stafford: 540-659-4330
6. Courtyard Marriott – Stafford-Quantico: 703-221-6293
7. Crossroads Inn (aboard MCB Quantico): 703-630-4444 or 800-962-0662
8.   Best Western Aquia, Stafford: 540-659-0022
9. Hampton Inn, Stafford: 540-657-0999 or 1-800-HAMPTON
10. Hampton Inn, Dumfries: 703-441-9900 or 1-800-HAMPTON
11. Holiday Inn, Dumfries: 703-441-9001
12. Ramada Inn, Quantico/Triangle: 703-221-1181
13. Sleep Inn, Dumfries: 703-445-0900 or 1-800-SLEEP INN
14. Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Stafford: 540-522-4810
15. Staybridge Suites, Stafford: 540-720-2111
16. Towne Place Suites, Stafford (Marriott): 540-657-1990
17. Quality Inn, Dumfries: 703-221-1141 or 1-800-4-CHOICE

Note: From I-95:  Dumfries (Exit 152), Triangle (Exit 150),

National Museum of the Marine Corps (Exit 150),

MCBQ (Exits 150 & 148), Stafford/Garrisonville (Exit 143)

SPECIAL NOTE: Members that will be arriving by plane, check flights carefully.  Richmond International Airport, Dulles International Airport, and Reagan National Airport are three options.

IMPORTANT!  Please RSVP (with guests and children) to Danny Burke, via email: b12daniel@aol.com or text to 540-287-3833 by 24 March 2023, so we can properly plan food, drinks, and entertainment.  Of course, no one will be turned away if you cannot RSVP till the last minute.

Semper Fidelis!

Danny Burke, MGySgt USMC (Ret.)

President, MCDSA

b12daniel@aol.com

540-287-3833

PICTURES:  If you have any old photos from your time on the team, please bring them.  We are organizing an historical photo data base.  We will have a photo scanner.  All photos will be scanned and returned to the owners (please identify them).  If you would like to scan your own photos and bring them to the reunion, we can copy them.  Semper Fidelis!  Joe Moreno.

The MCMC Pacific is the third of the five scheduled regional competitions in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions (MCMC) line-up. (All of the competitions are coordinated and facilitated by the Marine Corps Shooting Team.) The MCMC Pacific competition is scheduled to take place 23 January – 03 February 2023, with the live-fire training days scheduled for 23 January – 02 February, and the Awards ceremony slated for 03 February 2023. Registration is no later than 22 January 2023. The hosting unit is the Pu’uloa Range Training Facility.

Note: The two-week training package is detailed in our post entitled FY 2023 CIAP Kicks Off

To all members:

As we approach the end of 2022, some may think back to days and years gone by, and in a fit of nostalgia be moved to pull out a box of pictures and news clippings so as to reminisce. If you find that you have photos or newspaper clippings which you would like to share with members of the Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters Association, please know that we would love to have scanned copies to post on our PhotoBucket account for members to enjoy for years to come.

Just email to: jo.mcdsa@gmail.com

(Please note that we do not have any photos of our 2012, 2015, or 2019 Reunions.)

Happy New Year, and

Semper Fi!

-Jo

The December Board of Governors (BOG) meeting has been rescheduled and will now be held 07 January 2023. Details for our 2023 Reunion (currently scheduled for 01 April 2023) will be discussed and solidified at the January meeting, after which the specifics concerning our 2023 Reunion will be disseminated to MCDSA members via email. If any members have concerns or questions that they want addressed at the January meeting, please contact MCDSA President Danny Burke. Also, remember that contact information for members of the Board can be found by clicking on “Board of Governors” in the drop-down menu found under the “About Us” tab at the top of your web page.

The MCMC Far East is the second of the five scheduled regional competitions in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions (MCMC) line-up. (All of the competitions are coordinated and facilitated by the Marine Corps Shooting Team.) The Far East competition is scheduled to take place 05 – 16 December 2022, with live-fire training days scheduled 05 – 15 December, and the Awards ceremony slated for 16 December 2022. Registration is no later than (NLT) 04 December 2022, with the hosting unit being the Formal Marksmanship Training Center, Marine Corps Installations (MCI) Pacific aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa.

Note: The two-week training package is detailed in our post entitled FY 2023 CIAP Kicks Off

Fiscal Year 2023 Competition-In-Arms Program (CIAP) for the Marine Corps kicks off this coming week, and will work its way across five regions over the course of the next five months ultimately culminating with the Marine Corps Championships to be held in the Spring of 2023.

The National Capital Region (NCR) is the first of those five regional competitions, all of which are coordinated and facilitated by the Marine Corps Shooting Team. The National Capital Region competition is scheduled 23 October – 04 November 2022, and will be hosted by WTBn, Quantico, with the Awards ceremony slated for 04 November 2022.

Each of the five regions is to receive ten training days over a two-week period. MARADMIN 441/22 describes the two-week training package as follows:

Week one: history of the CIAP, classroom instruction, firing positions, dry fire, zero establishment, instruction on advanced pistol and rifle positions, dynamic target engagement, and individual marksmanship practice.

Week two: individual competition with rifle and pistol, team competition, annual rifle and pistol qualification, and awards ceremony.

As outlined in the MARADMIN, the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions (MCMCs) enhance “…a Marine’s lethality on the battlefield via advanced marksmanship training and competition in support of the Commandant’s guidance to develop warriors with physical and mental toughness, tenacity, initiative, and aggressiveness to innovate, adapt, and win in a rapidly changing operating environment. The MCMC provides an opportunity to refine the fundamental skills that make a Marine lethal on the battlefield and able to deliver lethal force in a dynamic environment in accordance with the Marine Corps Rifle Marksmanship Lethality Capabilities-Based Assessment.”

Look for updates in December, January, February and March as we track the CIAP dates for each of the following additional regions: Far East, Pacific, West, and East.

NO FOOLIN’ — OUR 2023 MCDSA REUNION/COOKOUT IS CURRENTLY SLATED TO BE HELD ON 01 APRIL 2023 AT RANDY ALLEN’S HOUSE NEAR LAKE ANNA IN UNIONVILLE, VIRGINIA.

…HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

(NOTE: The timing and location of our next Reunion/Cookout is in alignment with the current schedule for the Marine Corps Marksmanship Championships to be held at WTBn, Quantico, VA from 28 March – 07 April 2023.)

More details will be provided following the 10 December 2022 Board of Governors’ meeting.

Our next Board of Governors (BOG) Meeting is scheduled for 10 December 2022. If any MCDSA member has something which they would like the Board to address or discuss at that time, we need to hear from you. Contact information for members of our Board can be found by clicking on “About Us” (at the top of your screen), and then selecting “Board of Governors” from the drop-down menu.

You can also connect with us by using the form found on the “Contact Us” link, or by mailing correspondence to our Post Office Box (address listed on the “Contact Us” page of our website).

Our grateful thanks to MCDSA member Dan Scott who personally covered the cost of the artwork used for the MCDSA Coffee Mugs and Steins which sold like hotcakes at our 2022 Reunion. If you would like to buy an MCDSA Coffee Mug or Stein, please head over to “Fraternal Items” (listed in the drop-down menu under the “Merchandise” tab at the top of your screen). Once you are on the “Fraternal Items” page, please scroll down to the bottom of that page, and learn how you can order one (or some)!