OpOrder for Santa's Visit

To: ALL Marines
From: Goode, U. B., Commanding Officer

Ref: Operation Order 12-15-07 for: Official Visit of Lieutenant
General Santa Claus

1. An official staff visit by Lieutenant General Claus is expected at your house on 25 December. The following directives govern activities of all Marines during the visit.

a. Not a creature will stir without permission. This includes warrant officers and mice. Marines may obtain special stirring permits for necessary administrative action through the Battalion S-1. Officer stirring permits must be obtained through the Deputy, Post Plans and Policy Office.

b. All personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap NLT 2200, 24 December. Uniform for the nap will be: Pajamas, Cotton, Light Weight, General Purpose, OG, and Cap, Utility woodland pattern, with ear flaps in the extended position. Equipment will be drawn from the supply room prior to 2130. While at supply, all personnel will review their personal hand receipts and sign a Cash Collection Voucher, DD Form 1131, for all missing items. Remember, this is the 'season of giving.'

c. Personnel will utilize standard 'MRE' ration sugar plums for visions to dance through their heads. Sugar plums are available in MRE ration sundry packs and should be eaten with egg loaf, chopped ham, and spice cake to ensure maximum visions are experienced.

d. Stockings, Wool, Cushion Sole, will be hung by the chimneys with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fires caused by carelessly hung stockings. First Sergeants will submit stocking handling plans to S-3, Training prior to 0800, 24 December. All Gunnery Sergeants will ensure their subordinate personnel are briefed on the safety aspects of stocking hanging.

e. At first sign of clatter, all personnel will spring from their racks to investigate and evaluate the cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open the shutters and throw up the window sashes. On order OPLAN 7-2006 (North Pole), paragraph 6-8 (c) (3), dated 4 March, this office, takes effect to facilitate shutter tearing and sash throwing. Staff Noncommissioned Offices and Noncommissioned Officers will be familiar with procedures and are responsible for seeing that no shutters are torn or sashes thrown in house prior to the start of official clatter.

f. Prior to 0001, date of visit, all personnel possessing Standard Target Acquisition and Night Observation (STANO) equipment will be assigned 'wandering eyeball' stations. The Company Gunnery Sergeants will ensure that these stations are adequately manned even after shutters are torn and sashes are thrown.

g. The Battalion S-4, in coordination with the National Security Agency and the Motor Pool will assign on each Sleigh, Miniature, M-24 and eight reindeer, tiny, for use by Lieutenant General Claus. The assigned driver must have a current sleigh operator's license with roof top permit and evidence of attendance at the winter driving class stamped on his DA Form 348. Driver must also be able to clearly shout 'On Dancer, On Dasher, etc.'

2. Lieutenant General Claus will initially enter house through the Company Office.

a. All houses without chimneys will draw Chimney Simulator, M6A2 for use during the visit. Draw chimney simulator on DA Form 2765-1, which will be submitted in four copies to the S-4 prior to 23 December.

b. Personnel will ensure that chimneys are properly cleaned before turn-in at the conclusion of visit.

3. All Staff Noncommissioned Offices and Noncommissioned Officers will be rehearsed in the shouting of 'Merry Christmas and Happy New Year' or 'Merry Christmas to All and To All a Good Night.' This shout will be given upon termination of the visit. Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of each Company Gunnery Sergeant.


Semper Fidelis,

U. B. GOODE
Commanding Officer