SFMC READING CHALLENGE OVERVIEW

The SFMC Reading Challenge is a program designed to encourage and promote extracurricular reading among Marines of all ages, from cadets to adults. To participate, all you have to do is read! The Challenge usually runs from International Conference to International Conference. During that year-long time frame, read all that you can, keep track of what you read and provide that information to your unit OIC for inclusion in their bi-monthly unit reports. In the final reporting period before each IC, results will be tabulated by FORCECOM, and awards and streamers will be presented at the IC for the most pages read in several categories. Details on eligibility and submission requirements follow:

ELIGIBILITY Any and all marines of all ages in good standing in STARFLEET: The International Star Trek Fan Association Inc. and the STARFLEET Marine Corps may participate. Cadets (as outlined in the SFMC Cadet Manual) may participate in this challenge; however, they will be competing against other Cadets and not adults. Any book of any genre that has an ISBN or e-book registration number is eligible for inclusion and can be either in printed or electronic form (Kindle, Nook, PDF, etc.). Audio Books can only be used if the participant has a physical impairment or condition (blindness or other visual impairment) which prevents them from reading a printed book. Audio book usage will be handled on a case-by-case basis, so contact FORCECOM to obtain clearance to use audio books for the Challenge. Marines using audio books must include the same information as a printed book. Page counts for audio books are determined by using the page count from the latest printed edition of the audio book in question. Partial submissions are also eligible (i.e. selected short stories out of an anthology, poems from a published collection, recipes from a cookbook, excerpts from gaming manuals and sourcebooks, etc.) as long as established submission requirements are met and the number of pages read are correctly recorded. Books that are required to be read for work, school or any other required regimen are NOT eligible; the Challenge applies to extracurricular reading, i.e. voluntary and recreational reading.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Anyone participating in the Reading Challenge must include ALL of the following information in their submissions: Participant Name Participant SCC number Participant Age (only required if participant is a Cadet) Book title Book author ISBN or other registration number, or publisher’s information Number of pages read

PLEASE NOTE: Any submissions not containing ALL of the above information will be discarded. FORCECOM is not responsible for lost or incomplete submissions. Submissions must be made to the unit OIC for inclusion in their unit report on a bi-monthly basis. Submissions covering multiple reporting periods or the entire year will NOT be accepted. Submissions circumventing the proper chain of command or submitted directly to FORCECOM will NOT be accepted.

JUDGING AND AWARD CRITERIA

Winners of the Challenge and their respective awards will be determined on the following basis and in the following categories:

Individual Adult: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place awards will be given based on the total number of pages read during the Challenge period by individual Adult participants. The highest three totals will be given the respective awards. The 1st place winner will also receive a Reading Challenge streamer for their unit.

Individual Cadet: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place awards will be given based on the total number of pages read during the Challenge period by individual Cadet participants. The 1st place winner will also receive a Reading Challenge streamer for their unit. Unit (MSG, MEU, etc.): 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place awards will be determined by calculating an adjusted page count total. This adjusted total is an average, calculated by adding the total number of pages read by participating members of the unit and dividing that total by the number of participating Marines in the unit. The highest three totals will be given the respective awards. The 1st Place winner will also receive a Reading Challenge streamer for their unit.

Battalion: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place awards will be determined by calculating an adjusted page count total. This adjusted total is an average, calculated by adding the total number of pages read by participating members of the Battalion and dividing that total by the number of participating Marines in the Battalion. The highest three totals will be given the respective awards. The 1st Place winner will also receive a Reading Challenge streamer for their Battalion.

Brigade: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place awards will be determined by calculating an adjusted page count total. This adjusted total is an average, calculated by adding the total number of pages read by participating members of the Brigade and dividing that total by the number of participating Marines in the Brigade. The highest three totals will be given the respective awards. The 1st Place winner will also receive a Reading Challenge streamer for their Brigade.

FORCECOM reserves the right to alter awards as needed or on the basis of available award items, at the discretion of COFORCECOM.

GENERAL READING CHALLENGE INFORMATION AND DISCLAIMERS The SFMC Reading Challenge is coordinated by the FORCECOM department of the STARFLEET Marine Corps. All questions, comments or disputes regarding the Reading Challenge should be submitted to DCOFORCECOM or COFORCECOM, and will be escalated along the chain of command from there, if needed. COFORCECOM determines the start and end dates for the Reading Challenge. Normally the Challenge runs from STARFLEET International Conference to STARFLEET International Conference, as mentioned above. However, this can change. Any changes in the Challenge period must be published at least six (6) months in advance in the Attention on Deck! Extra, Attention on Deck! and the Corps e-mail list. Please note that this contest may be discontinued at any time by COFORCECOM or the Commandant/SFMC. Please submit your participation to chapter MSG OIC for submission. During the Pandemic this a great way to participate in your chapter and help relax as a person.

From the Desk of the Region 5 ASG