Shipmates-
Congratulations on your orders and welcome aboard to the First Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). I MEF is the United States Marine Corps largest Marine/Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), and is comprised of approximately 53,000 Marines and Sailors stationed at four primary Marine Corps Bases (MCB) and Marine Corps Air Stations (MCAS) in Southern California and Arizona (MCB Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar and MCAS Yuma, Az., and the Marine Corps Air/Ground Combat Center at 29 Palms, California). I MEF consists of the I MEF Headquarters Group (MHG), 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Air Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group. Our Marines and Sailors have been at the forefront of our country’s response to the Global War on Terror and Other Contingency Operations world-wide, and they continue to serve our Nation at “the tip of the spear” in a variety of roles across the Pacific and Central Command Area of Operations. I am proud to be serving as your Command Master Chief and look forward to your arrival.
As the I MEF Command Master Chief, I am the principal Navy senior enlisted advisor to the Commanding General, assisting in formulating and implementing policy concerning the morale, welfare, job satisfaction, discipline, utilization, and training of all assigned Navy personnel and their families. My mission is to be YOUR advocate to the Commanding General on all issues affecting Sailor and family readiness at I MEF. To enable this, I expect and promote open, honest, and frank communications at all levels in the chain of command in order to solicit constructive dialog which leads to increased command efficiencies and contributes to the good order and discipline of our force. It is very important that you utilize your chain of command to resolve issues at the lowest levels possible; however, I maintain an open door policy and can be available to assist you and provide career guidance based upon my years of experience in the Navy. Again, Welcome Aboard!
V/R
CMDCM(FMF/SW/AW) MICHAEL J. SMITH
*** Of note: Single Sailors E5 and below without dependents are typically REQUIRED to reside on base in Bachelor Enlisted Quarters per MARDAMIN 429/11. Single Sailors E5 and below without dependents should expect to be assigned a barracks room upon reporting to I MEF and its subordinate commands, regardless of BAH status at their previous duty station. ***
If you desire a command sponsor and have not yet been contacted by your command, please use the information provided below to contact the appropriate Navy Personnel office to request a sponsor.
I MEF and I MEF Headquarters Group ( I MHG)
Commanding General
Navy G-1 Office
PO Box 555300
Camp Pendleton CA 92055-5300
Commercial: 760-725-9278
DSN: 312-365-9278
1ST Marine Division
Commanding General
Division Surgeon Office
PO Box 555380
Camp Pendleton CA 92055
Commercial: 760-763-4243
DSN: 312-361-4243
1ST Marine Logistics Group
Commanding General
1ST Marine Logistics Group
PO BOX 555606
Camp Pendleton CA
Commercial: 760-725-6744
DSN: 365-6744
3RD Marine Aircraft Wing
Commanding General
Third Marine Aircraft Wing
PO Box 452038
San Diego CA 92145-2038
Commercial: 858-577-7439
DSN: 267-7439
Commercial: 858-577-8373
DSN: 267-8373