SFMC History

SFMC History The legacy of the STARFLEET Marine Corps (SFMC) started in a short story found in one of the "Best of Trek" books from 1981-82. In it, one of the stories take place with an SFMC Unit. From that humble mention in a Non-Canon short story the start of the first SFMC Marine Strike Group (MSG) took place in 1982 with a MSG being established a STARFLEET Chapter. Although unofficial, this group, thought to be the representation of Starfleet's Ground Forces, was the first of it's kind in STARFLEET. Shortly thereafter MSGs or MEUs (Marine Expeditionary Units) started popping up within STARFLEET chapters, as well as other Trek theme clubs.

Six years after the establishment of this first Marine Unit, in 1988, the SFMC became an official part of STARFLEET itself when it was named an 'AFFILIATE'. of the association. Under the watchful eye of General Robb Jackson, considered the first Commandant of the SFMC, this group established it's first General Staff as well as establishing a separate STARFLEET Marine Corps Academy, aimed at the ground forces aspects.

As part of a reaction to a proposal to an failed election platform for the 1990 election, some of the members of the SFMC took the step to establish what they called 'an umbrella organization' for all SFMC-types throughout Trekdom, the Starfleet Marine International (SMI). This organization would help in maintaining a list of all SFMC Units and would see that no two units would have the same number. They also maintain a type of 'help-desk' for units as well as establishing for a brief tiem sperate units under it's direction and leadership. The SMI lasted until the mid-2000s when it disbanded.

In 2002 the Twentieth Anniversay was celebrated after General Jill Rayburn researched and discovered the year of the establishment of the first unit. The SFMC authorized the awarding of the 20th Anniversary Ribbon, which could be granted to anyone who was a member of the SFMC in 2002. In 2007 the SFMC celebrated their 25th Anniversary with the minting of a Challenge Coin to celebrate the occassion.

Part of the plans to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the SFMC in 2012 include an issuing of a 30th Anniversary SFMC Challenge Coin and the commandant announced the expansion of the 20th Anniversary Ribbon into a multiple anniversary ribbon, to be awarded every fifth anniversary, starting with the 20th, then 30th then every five year hence.

During IC2012 in Memphis, Tennessee, an anniversary cake was cut during the Opening Ceremony by MGSGT Joihn "Kiwi" Kane, COFORCECOM, the ranking General Staff memebr present. The cake was taken up to the IC13 Hospitality Suit where it was enjoyed by all who came by.