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The USMCCCA is once again looking for experienced civilians and veterans that can act as judges for this year's Visual Information and Excellence in Communication (VIEC) Awards program.    Judging will take place from March 01 – March 21 2021.    All judging will be remote via a web-based platform (DIVIDS) and we will work to distribute the categories more evenly this year so you don't have judging fatigue.  Judging occurs personally on your own time by viewing and scoring d

February 19th marks the 76th anniversary of Marines going ashore on Iwo Jima, the beginning of the bloodiest battle in Marine Corps history; Tuesday, the 23rd, is the anniversary of Joe Rosenthal’s famous picture of the flag raising. In honor of the anniversary, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation will offer an exclusive look at the documentary "Iwo Jima: From Combat to Comrades." A special thanks to Arnold Shapiro Productions, the film will be available to stream on the F

Join Arts in the Armed Forces online for Q&A, Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. EST for a conversation with actor Edi Gathegi (X-Men: First Class, The Blacklist, House) about one of Edi's favorite films, John G. Avildsen's " Rocky " (1976). This conversation will be facilitated by our own life member, Col. Ricardo T. Player (USMC). You must register , then receive an exclusive link to access "Rocky" , so you can watch it at home on your own time, as well as the Zoom webinar li

II Marine Expeditionary Force Story by Master Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook Shadows conceal a squad of security forces as they quietly advance down a trash-riddled alley toward their objective. Gunnery Sgt. Leon Branchaud sends distinct hand signals to his team then relays muffled instructions through his headset. "Coming up on the objective now. Lucky, call in Cleric for helo support once we secure the building. BREACH!" Chaos erupts as his team crashes through a wooden door,

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Master Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook displays the names of USMCCCA members who have passed away this year for the Disabled American Veterans 5K on Nov. 10, 2020. The names are Steve Stibbens, Tom "Ace" Peters, James "Red" Carpenter, Henry "Hank" Stackpole, Richard Bugda, Ron Keene, Herb Richardson, Jr, Leo Fitzpatrick. (Photos by Kara Firstbrook)

The United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association would like to welcome twenty new members to our organization. The following people were given a complimentary membership into the USMCCCA as a well-earned benefit for placing first in the 2020 Visual Information in Excellence (VIEC) Awards (for work completed in 2019). They are: LCpl Shane Beaubien, Sgt Cristian Bestul, Cpl Stephen Campbell, Sgt Antonio Campbell, Sgt David Delgadillo, Sgt Adam Dublinske, LCpl

Tom Graves , the Joe Rosenthal Chapter historian sent us a link to 75 images honoring our Marine Corps members past and present for their service and victories in Korea, including the historic Inchon Landing. Jack Paxton , our former executive director also served in Korea. Go here to view images .

The U.S. Naval Institute will hold a two-day virtual conference, Through the Camera Lens: Sharing the Story of the U.S. Military , October 20-21. You may register here . Our own Capt. Dale Dye , USMC (Ret.) is to help moderate. It will gather actors, directors and producers alongside government, military and academic leaders to discuss the evolution of the U.S. military’s portrayal in film. Speakers will discuss the history of the military in the movies from WWI to the prese

We were informed former member Bud DeVere , passed away just shy of his 97th birthday on July 31st. He was a former admin chief for Leatherneck Magazine , and a 20-year curator for the Marine Corps Museum . Those of us who knew Bud, mourn his loss. A wonderful story about his unusual life can be found here.

CC Headquarters has just learned that after a courageous battle with lung cancer, COPD and heart disease, life member Leo Fitzpatrick passed away peacefully, March 23, 2020 at his winter "home" in Naples, FL under VITAS Hospice care with his wife, Judy , by his side. Leo, born in Bronxville, NY, son of the late Clara Flynn Fitzpatrick Partner & late Patrick Fitzpatrick. Leo called Newington, CT home for the past 41+ years. Leo graduated from Hartford Public High School (19

We have huge news: the paid  MVJ internship with National Public Radio is back on — and fully remote . Unfortunately, NPR had to cancel the last internship we told you about due to COVID-19. So if you applied previously, we need you to apply again . The internship will run from  September 8, 2020 to December 11, 2020 . Pay is $15/hr. Apply now! The deadline is July 5 at 6pm Eastern. We wish all applicants the best of luck! Zack Baddorf MVJ Executive Director

Life member, George Hijar wearing the mask his brother-in-law, a Marine Vietnam veteran gave him to help combat COVID-19.

Sgt. David Delgadillo earned first place in the portrait category for this year's Marine Corps Visual Information and Excellence in Communication (VIEC) Awards. This environmental portrait of Sgt. Cody Huestis , a Meteorology and Oceanology Marine with 2nd Intel Battalion, II MEF Information Group, netted him the win.

Last week long-time stalwart of the USMCCCA, Red Carpenter underwent a partial hip replacement. His daughter Tracy Barry reports: My dad had a successful partial hip replacement on Saturday morning. There was some up and down issues with his blood pressure and heart rate afterward. They wanted to release him to rehab but he refused. He only wanted to go back to his apartment to be with my mom.  He was released from the hospital and arrived via ambulance back at their apart

On behalf of the United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association Association (USMCCCA) and Communication Strategy and Operations (COMMSTRAT) we would like to extend our congratulations to the winners of this years' Visual Information and Excellence in Communication (VIEC) Awards for work completed in 2019. Tremendous thanks must go to Paul Mancuso , Awards Chair, MSgt Jeremy Vought , HQMC Communication Directorate, and MSgt Brian Buckwalter, Defense Visual Dist

Marines, For our brothers and sisters on active duty, thank you for keeping our country safe in the face of a pandemic. For our fellow Marine veterans and supporters, thank you for your membership and understanding during these trying times and please accept our best wishes for you and your family’s good health. As many of you know, the Marine Corps has suspended conference planning and involvement for 2020. In concurrence with this difficult but necessary decision, the USM

The deadline for nominating a candidate to the USMCCCA Board of Directors is Friday, May 15 .  Nominations Chair Chris Whiting has polled the incumbent officers and directors and all but two will seek another term.  Dan Clare and Annita Best have agreed to run for President and Treasurer, respectively.  Whiting will again run for Secretary.  Vice President Shawn Rhodes declined another term, but former board member Bob Mergle will seek the vice president’s seat. Thre

We are very excited to announce that Military Veterans in Journalism will host a 10-day video journalism workshop for about 15 military veterans in the early stages of their journalism careers from January 7-16, 2021 in Oxford, Mississippi. In partnership with the University of Mississippi’s School of Journalism and New Media and with support from FUJIFILM, this is a unique opportunity to learn from one of the most renowned professors in the field. Duy Linh Tu, Associate Pro

From Joe Galloway : Last night the Virginia International Tattoo broadcast a virtual Tattoo in place of the real one which was cancelled due to the virus. Loads of clips of Marine band and others including Scots Highlanders. They had me read a tribute essay I had written about The Greatest Generation, and then had me speak about Ernie Pyle. They had someone read aloud Ernie's greatest column of all: The Death of Captain Waskow. I sat here watching that sobbing aloud.