News and Announcements

This week’s News and announcements include:

^NEW Trees for Troops, Dec. 5
^NEW Advisory | Christmas Tree Safety
^NEW Stocking Project: Meet Mrs. Claus 
^NEW Advisory | MARADMIN 582/25 OMPF Photos
^NEW NMCRS Seeks Volunteer to Crochet Blankets
Register for Fire Warden Training
Facilities Seasonal Changeover
Budget for Baby Class
Visiting Nurse Services
^NEW Office Closures and Services Nonavailability
Approved Outages and Closures
^NEW MCCS Weekly Happenings
 

Trees for Troops, Dec. 5

Thanks to the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and FedEx, as a part of the Trees for Troops Program, MCAS Cherry Point is scheduled to receive 425 Christmas Trees from various tree farms at approximately 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 at Hancock Marina. Active-duty service members and retirees and their families have first pick of the stock of trees to compliment holiday decor. Marine volunteers will work alongside Marine Corps Community Services personnel to distribute the trees to patrons. Non-military personnel are on standby for any remaining trees, so be on the lookout for any updates on the event. MCAS Cherry Point has been included in the Trees for Troops Program since 2008.

Advisory | Christmas Tree Safety

Almost ⅓ of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems. Christmas tree fires are not common, but are likely very serious if they occur. Heating sources too close to trees causes a fire one in five times. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Medical Services remind the community to be fire smart as it decks the halls this holiday season with a few Christmas Tree Safety points. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow very quickly. It offers tips for picking, placing and lighting, and disposing of a tree. (See attachment)

Meet Mrs. Claus, Dec. 8

Active-duty military are invited to the Stockings Project by Mrs. Claus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 8 at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Mess Hall. The holiday morale and well-being event will offer participants the opportunity to engage with Mrs. Claus and the Grinch and enjoy holiday-oriented activities, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. Service members are encouraged to take a break and join in the fun.

Advisory | Use of OMPF Photo for Non-Promotion Boards

Effective April 1, 2026, the use of official photos will be reinstated for boards that determine assignments, training, education, and command opportunities (NOT promotion), according to MARADMIN 582/25, Requirement Update on Official Photographs for Non-promotion Selection Boards. These boards will use photos as part of their evaluation process to emphasize professional appearance, discipline, fitness, and compliance with height/weight standards. Marines are required to update their official photo within 365 days prior to the convening of a board and submit their photo to Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) no later than 10 business days before board convenes. Photos must be taken by COMMSTRAT sections or authorized DoD photo units in accordance with official guidelines. The use of photos for promotion boards is still prohibited.

NMCRS Seeking Crocheting Volunteers

Do you want to start a hobby in 2026? Looking to volunteer? Navy Marine Corps Relief Society is seeking individuals to volunteer to crochet blanks for its Budget for Babies class. Volunteers would be entered into the organization’s volunteer database and receive 30 hours of community service for each completed blanket. Volunteer Miriam Mellema will teach the class from 1-2 p.m., on select Friday during 2026. Active-duty military volunteers will also receive a letter of appreciation after completion. Open to everyone. Click here: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Crochet Class to sign up.

Heating Changeover, in Progress

Facilities Maintenance personnel have begun the seasonal changeover from cooling to heating in all installation facilities that use steam. The process will likely take several days to accomplish, due to impacts related to the lapse in appropriations and members of the workforce being furloughed. For facilities that use the non-steam system, the changeover will be implemented after temperatures average below 70 degrees for more than one week. Contact the Service Helpdesk with questions at 466-4363 or 466-4364. Thank you for your patience as the team accomplishes this task.

Fire Warden Training Availability

The last Fire Warden class for the year will be held 9-11 a.m., Dec. 16, 2025, at the Training and Education (T&E) Building 4335. Personnel designated as fire warden or assistant fire warden are required to attend the training class. Pre-registration is highly recommended. Supervisors can enroll their employees. Walk-ins will be allowed on a space-available basis. Contact the Training Department at 466-3835 or Fire Prevention Chief at 466-4008 for more information.

Budget for Baby Class

The next Budget for Baby® classes with open spots is 10 a.m., Dec. 19, 2025, and Jan. 9, 2026. The class focuses on the financial impact of adding a new family member. Use the link to register for an upcoming 2025 class: https://forms.office.com/r/5NNRZTYfr7 or call 252-466-2031 or email cherrypoint@nmcrs.org. Participants will receive a $50 gift card and handmade blanket at the end of the class. Eligible to those expecting or who have had a child within the past six months. The class is open to all ranks. The 2026 schedule for the class is:  Jan. 23, Feb. 6, 20, March 6, 20, April 10, 24, May 8, 22, June 12, 26, July 10, 24, Aug. 14,28, Sept. 11, 25, Oct. 16, 30, Nov. 6, 20 and Dec. 4, 18, 2026.

Visiting Nurse Services

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society offers the services of a free Visiting Nurse, who would be more than available to schedule appointments with expecting parents to do a range of services including home safety assessments and prenatal and postpartum feeding and care. Expecting parents who wish to be seen by the visiting nurse, should contact the NMCRS Office at 252-466-2031 for a referral form.

Office Closures and Service Nonavailability

• Regional Personnel Administration Center (RPAC) Cherry Point will be closed for section training, from 1-4:30 p.m. every Thursday. Direct questions to Master Sgt. Nilton Arrublatorres at 252-466-5782.

• The Military Housing Office announces modified hours of service:  Opens late, at 10 a.m., Dec. 4, 2025; Closes early, at 11 a.m., Dec. 5; Opens late, at 9:30 a.m., Dec. 11.

• The Military Housing Office will be open with limited staffing after 11 a.m., Dec. 5, 2025. Normal hours of operation will resume Monday, Dec. 8. 

   

Approved Outages and Closures

Ongoing Outages/Closures:

• Through April 28, 2028, a parking lot closure at Building 1669 will be in effect to supplement the demolition and reconstruction the facility.

• Utility Outage:  From 7 a.m., Sept. 15, to April 28, a full utility outage is required at Buildings 3992 and 4522 for demolition operations regarding military construction Project 226.

• Road Closure:  From 7 a.m., Sept. 15 to April 28, 2026, a partial road closure will be in effect along F Street from Building 4031 to 7th Avenue, and from 7th Avenue from Building 6042 to F Street to demolish Buildings 3992 and 4522 to complete work on military construction Project 226. the road will only be open to essential personnel during the timeframe.

MCCS Weekly Happenings

Follow MCCS at (https://www.facebook.com/mccschpt/) for more information and updates and to stay connected. This week’s updates include: 

• Celebrate the holiday season Thursday, Dec. 4 at our annual Christmas Tree Lighting event. Come out to the MCX parking lot for entertainment, train rides, craft stations, hot chocolate and cookies, and a visit from Santa. | More >

• Active-duty service members and retiree families can pick up a free, live Christmas tree this Friday, Dec. 5 at Hancock Marina. | More >

• It's a busy week at the Two Rivers Theater with three new movies and two free holiday movies. | More >

• Write a letter to Santa and return it to the Station Library by Saturday, Dec. 6 to receive a personalized reply before Christmas. | More >

• Enjoy a morning of holiday crafts and connections at New Parent Support Program's weekly playgroup for infants under one year old Tuesday, Dec. 9. | More >

• Test your knowledge of holiday trivia at the Public House Tuesday night, Dec. 9. | More >

• Join us at the Station Library on Thursday, Dec. 11 for a Dino-Mite Celebration to follow in a dinosaur's footsteps, feed a T-Rex, and have some prehistoric fun. | More >

• Visit the Angel Tree in the MCX or Naval Health Clinic now through Dec. 15 to help a child of a Cherry Point Marine or Sailor this holiday season. | More >

• Register by Dec. 26 for our next American Red Cross Blended Learning Lifeguard Course. Participants must be at least 15 years old before the last scheduled class session. | More >

• Check out our full calendar of events. | More >

*Disclaimer:  Items included below are from non-DoD sources and individuals can participate at their own discretion. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or the Marine Corps.

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