Professional Community: The Marine Corps Association & Foundation.

     The Marine Corps Association & Foundation, often abbreviated MCA, is a professional association for members of the United States Marine Corps. The association was founded in 1911, and its main focus is the professional development of Marines, both officers and enlisted. They do achieve this thru its two monthly publications, The Gazette and Leatherneck. The MCA occupies a similar role with respect to  the Marine Corps that the Unites Naval Institute does for the United States Navy,  the Association of the United States Army does for the United States Army, and the Air Force Association does for the United States Air Force. Marines often use the programs offered by the association for their personal and professional growth.  Some of the programs most easily recognized by all Marines are : Professional military education, awards (the biggest and most loved program since they give you stuff for free), ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Course) support, seminars, luncheons, dinners and other social events.

     To become a member the only requirement is to survive thirteen weeks of the most intensive basic training known to the armed forces of our nation, Marine Corps Recruit Training, or 6 to 10 weeks Officer Candidate Course. With that out of the way it comes the easy part, since the magazines are geared to a specific sector of  the Corps (let me explain myself, in  Leatherneck magazine you will find articles more apt for enlisted, and its counterpart, The Gazette, will report on issues concerning more to the officers class) you just get a year subscription to a magazine and it will cover your membership due. It is actually backward, the membership due covers the magazine subscription but nobody sees it that way. The membership fee is $35 a year for one magazine and the online version or $70 for both magazines plus the online version.

     I decided to feature the MCA in my blog because it was a big part of my development as an Non-Commissioned Officer in the Marine Corp. It did in fact help me to ascend the promotion ladder, since its articles are meant to do so if you heed to theirs advises. It also was a good way to keep myself informed of what was going on in the Corps. Leatherneck magazine has a section were you can see troop deployment thru the globe. If you, my respected reader, have not the honor nor privilege to belong to my brotherhood, my band of brothers, but are interested in  find out more information about the MCA and maybe catch some of theirs on-line articles go to: https://www.mca-marines.org/

MCA Logo

Marine Corps Gazette: March 2014 Cover

Leatherneck Magazine: March 2014 Cover

Hobby Community: Be a Better "Toaster", Toastmaster International.

     If you are interested in develop your public speaking skills, or maybe you need a little more leadership to get a boost on your professional career try to be a toaster. A toastmaster that is. Toastmasters International is a non profit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills. Through its clubs, Toastmasters offers a program of communication and leadership projects design to help members the art of speaking, listening, and thinking. To become a member, first you have to find a Toastmaster or Gavel Club near your area. The clubs are open to any person 18 years old and up wishing to improve their communication and leadership skills. (Sounds like recruitment propaganda, well it is, I just got it from their website) Once a member there is two tracks two choose from Leadership and Communication. The goal is to become a Distinguished Toastmaster through a system of self taught modules. It's a "learn-by-doing" deal. With the help of other members, and a healthy dose of criticism, you could move through the ranks of Competent Communicator (which I am, oh I forgot to tell you; I'm a member since 2009) , Advanced Communicator: Bronze, Silver and Gold  and Distinguished Toastmaster.
    I choose to feature this community because I realized that most people will form an opinion of you by the way you present yourself in front of them. The way you speak, dress, or stand. Details like how you shake hands or if you have a tick in your right eye may change the perception of who you are in an onlooker. Toastmasters International will help you to achieve an always professional facade.

To learn more go their website:
http://www.toastmasters.org/


Here is a little some-some. It's a toast founded carved on a table in Henderson Hall, US Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA. Even when its author is unknown is kind of famous.

There once  was the love of a beautiful maid
And the love of a staunch, true man
And the love of a baby, unafraid
All have existed since time began.

But the eternal love
The love of all loves
Even greater than love for mother
Is the infinite, passionate, tender love
Of a dunken Marine for another.

Introduction to the Blogsphere

Greetings and Salutations Bloggers,
     My name is Miguel Angel Vega Quiñones. I am a student aspiring a bachelor on Science of Nursing, in the Universidad Metropolitana de Bayamon (Metropolitan University of Bayamon). I started this blog as an ENG 102 assignment, but I plan to make the best of it. I will be blogging about my community, since the name Community Hopper, living in an island with 3 millions plus inhabitants I'm sure I'll found some interesting themes to both educate and entertain you with. I am a real outgoing, open-minded person but DO NOT expect me to be politically correct all the time. Any recommendations,comments, or grimes be sure to let me know (Just don't complain about my replies). I'll see you on the blogsphere...