News and Announcements

This week’s News and announcements include:

^NEW Birthday Ball Giveaway
^NEW Barracks Town Hall Announcement
Reminder | Respect Daily Colors Customs
Prevent Heat Injuries
Cybersecurity Awareness
Eagle Eyes:  Watch • Report • Protect
^NEW Photo Studio Special Opening
^NEW Local Units Leadership Changes
Annual Water Quality Report
Free Wood, Wooden Pallets
Updated IT Service Request Forms
Chapel Support Services and Programs
Budget for Baby Class
^NEW Office Closures and Services Nonavailability
^NEW Approved Outages and Closures
^NEW MCCS Weekly Happenings

Birthday Ball Giveaway

In celebration of the Marine Corps 250th Birthday, Headquarters MCCS has a Birthday Ball Giveaway campaign that’s running now through the end of July. Participants must go to www.mccs250th.com, between now and July 31 to submit entries to put their unit in contention for the prize of $5,000 toward the unit’s birthday ball. A total of 13 units across various command categories will be selected based on the highest number of entries, by anyone (including civilian personnel, spouses and family members) for remote and isolated units, small, medium, and large units, or Marine Expeditionary Forces (headquarters-level commands are not eligible).

Barracks Town Hall, Aug.22

MCAS Cherry Point will host a Barracks Town Hall for ALL E-1 to E-5 service members residing in unaccompanied housing from 2:30-4:30 p.m., Aug. 22 at the Two Rivers Theater and Event Center. The event is aimed at identifying shortfalls and areas for improvement in services offered by the Unaccompanied Housing Department. Topics for discussion will include updates for Barracks 2030, kitchens and maintenance matters.

Respect for Daily Colors Customs

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point leaders remind the community that reveille and retreat, also known as Morning and Evening Colors is a daily, practiced tradition at the air station. During those moments, drivers and pedestrians are reminded to render the proper courtesies to the flag during the time of reveille at 8 a.m. and at retreat around sunset when driving or walking in the vicinity of the mast at Building 1, especially in the absence of a police vehicle. General guidance is, if driving or walking, stop until the final note sounds.

Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke. Call 911

Treating heat exhaustion and heat stroke on MCAS Cherry Point begins with calling 911. Emergency Medical Services are the quickest and best response to prevent serious injury or death.

Advisory | Stay Safe Online, Exercise Good Cybersecurity Practices

Malicious cyber actors (MCA) are constantly looking for vulnerabilities to exploit. Your digital footprints can provide MCA with what they need to compromise systems. A digital footprint, also known as a digital shadow, is the trail of data you leave behind every time you interact online. It includes your online activities, device usage, and any information you submit, such as visited websites, sent emails, or completed forms.

   Best Practices:

• Refrain from oversharing: Do not post sensitive details like addresses, schedules, or loved one’s names. When malicious posts gain enough clicks, they spread rapidly across platforms, reaching millions of users.

• Pause before clicking: Pause Before Clicking: Avoid clicking on links from untrusted websites, ads, or unknown sources.

• Delete unused accounts: Remove old accounts to reduce your exposure to data breaches.

• Use a virtual private network (VPN): Protect your online activity by using a VPN, especially on public Wi-Fi.

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification.

• Be wary of strangers: Do not accept random friend requests or interact with unknown individuals online. Be aware that some scammers will try to mimic people you know.

• Be wary of third-party applications: Avoid enabling suspicious apps and limit the information they can access.

• Use strong passwords: Create complex passwords that are hard to guess. Avoid commonly used passwords or keyboard walks. This matrix shows how fast it could take someone to compromise a password, depending on its complexity.

Advisory | Eagle Eyes Saves Lives … WATCH • REPORT • PROTECT

Recent world events remind us of the importance of being alert and vigilant to things happening around us. In any situation, it’s possible that you could be the first line of defense against malicious and harmful attacks on our loved ones, neighbors and community. It is important that you be prepared to say something if you observe something out of the ordinary. Know what to do or who to call if you see something that’s not right. Call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency. Report suspicious activity to the local PMO desk at 252-466-3616 / 3617 and Eagle Eyes: https://report.usmceagleeyes.org/eagleeyes/en/CreateReport/PersonReporting

Photo Studio Special Opening, July 25

The Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Photo Studio will hold a special opening for official military personnel file photos on a walk-in basis from 8 a.m. to noon, July 25. Service members should ensure to bring along valid height and weight forms to participate in the special opening opportunity. Contact Communication Strategy and Operations at 252-466-4241 for more information.

Summer of Change: Local Units See Changes in Leadership

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point will hold a Change of Command ceremony to farewell Col. Brendan Burks and welcome Col. Timothy Drieslein into the role of commanding officer, at 9 a.m., Aug. 15. The air station community is invited to witness the event that will take place at the parade field at Building 1.

• July 31, Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 will hold a relief and appointment ceremony to farewell Sgt. Maj. Kevin Cain and welcome Sgt. Maj Kelvin Carrington Jr.

Annual Water Quality Report Available

The Environmental Affairs Department presents the Annual Water Quality Report, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The report discloses drinking water quality from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024, and compares it to standards set by regulatory agencies. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point community water system (PWS 04-25-035) remained compliant with all National Primary Drinking Water Standards required of federal and state regulations. The report also provides information concerning water conservation, cross-connection control, and plant operations. The report can be accessed at https://www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/Portals/86/Docs/WaterQualityReports/CCR2024CherryPoint.pdf. To obtain a hard copy of the report or for questions, call the Environmental Affairs Department, Stephanie Mills, at 252-466-2754.

Free Wood, Wooden Pallets at LCID

Free wood and wooden pallets are available to patrons with air station access at the Land Clearing and Inert Debris site located off Access Road, currently open from noon to 3:30 p.m., Thursday. Per ASO 5090-12A any individual wishing to take advantage of the program must first acquire a waiver or chit to salvage wood from the LCID. The chit can be obtained at the Environmental Affairs Department located at Building 4223 on Access Road. Wood and wooden pallets must be picked up at LCID by the individual. For more information, contact Matt Wallin with the Environmental Affairs Department, at CHPT_FAC_EAD_SMB@usmc.mil  or 252-466-5391. Hurry to get the free wood while supplies last.

Updated TSR and SRM Forms

Telecommunications Information Systems Directorate (TISD) has updated the Telecommunication Service Request (TSR) and the Service Request Management (SRM) forms. The updated versions have streamlined the forms for requesting services, and the process for submissions remains unchanged. The information normally provided for submissions is still required. All other versions of the TSR and SRM forms should be deleted and no longer used. Patrons are advised to bookmark the link: https://usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/MCIEAST_CHPT/SitePages/TISD.aspx for convenience for accessing the form in the future. Direct questions on this matter to the CHPT Submit TSR SMB.

Chapel Support Services and Programs

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Chapel/Chaplaincy has a variety of offerings to support military families. Find more information at https://www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/Offices/Chapel/. Sign up with the Chapel at chpt.chapel.smb@usmc.mil, or call 466-4000. Get connected with or inquire about the one that’s right for you:

1. Catholic Mass Service (11:45 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and First Friday; and 9 a.m., Sunday)

2. Liturgical Protestant Service (9 a.m., Sunday), Fellowship Chapel

3. Tiny Footprints Forever Support Group (3:30-5 p.m., Aug. 6 or First Wednesday, Monthly) – A support group for pregnancy and infant loss being launched with the assistance of Military Life Family Counselors, is here for devastating loss, offering care, hope, and empowerment, gathering at the Hancock Lodge.

4. Boxing Fitness Workout (11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday) – Learn boxing fundamentals, from a NASM certified trainer, to keep fit or get back into shape quickly, build mental toughness and grow in spiritual wellness.

5.  Together for Life (Aug. 21) – One-day workshop for couples planning to get married or newly married. Gain knowledge and develop skills to have an enduring relationship/partnership. Learn how to diffuse conflicts and communicate effectively with one another with various tools you will gain.

Budget for Baby Class

The next Budget for Baby® classes with open spots is 10 a.m., Aug 8 and 22. Use the link to register for an upcoming 2025 class: https://forms.office.com/r/5NNRZTYfr7 or call 252-466-2031. 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.

Office Closures and Service Nonavailability

• NTSR

Approved Outages and Closures

Power:

• From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 12, a power outage at Building 160 is required to connect new conduits into pad mount and manhole.

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:

• Help your unit win $5,000 toward their Birthday Ball. Visit the official site of the MCCS celebration of the Marine Corps 250th birthday for details. | More >

• Beginning Friday, July 11, we've got four showings of How to Train Your Dragon this week at the Two Rivers Theater & Event Center. | More >

• Open to military families with dependents in grades K-8, FRC East STEM Discovery Days held Friday, July 11 and Friday, July 18 offers hands-on challenges to brainstorm, design, build, and test your best solution. | More >

• Grab your towels, goggles, and water, and enjoy some fun in the sun in a safe and accepting environment, Friday, July 11 at Hancock Pool. | More >

• Explore STEM equipment in the Library studio with the entire family, Saturday, July 12. No registration required. | More >

• Learn about education services such as FAFSA, TA, MY CAA, and academic counseling every Monday at the Training & Education Building. | More >

• Registration for our final Learn to Swim summer session, opens Tuesday, July 15. | More >

• Test your knowledge of U.S. history Tuesday night, July 15, at the Public House. | More >

• Uncover secrets of the lost library in this D&D 5e one-shot, Wednesday, July 16. This event at the Library is geared toward adults and teens, but open to all ages. | More >

• Our free summer movie series continues with “Minions: Rise of Gru,” Wednesday afternoon, July 16. | More >

• Enjoy a free sensory-friendly showing of “Surf's Up” at the Two Rivers Theater & Event Center, Wednesday, July 16. | More >

• Kids ages 11-14 can learn about lifeguarding and have an opportunity to practice various skills at our next Junior Lifeguard Course. Registration closes Wednesday, July 16. | More >

• Make your way to the MCX for our customer appreciation event, Thursday, July 17. There'll be vendor giveaways, free product samples, and fun for kids and families. | More >

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

    MCCS Events and Activities

cURRENT wEATHER sTORY FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE - morehead city