November 1, 2018 · mccsokinawa.com
100th Year of the Female Marine
Happy 243rd, Marines!
Thomas Alan Smilie
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century ago, the doors of opportunity seemed barricaded shut for women. But during the throes of World War I, one major milestone was met—the Secretary of the Navy granted authority to enroll women in the Marine Corps Reserves. The first to sign enlistment papers—of which the defaulted male pronouns were crossed out—was Opha May Johnson on August 13, 1918, who would later become one of the first women to become a sergeant. From Johnson’s enlistment to the end of the war, 305 women joined the Marines. But by 1919, all were separated from service. However, as the U.S. became embroiled in another world war, the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was officially established and over 22,000 women answered the call to serve. On June 12, 1948, the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act was passed and women became a permanent part of the regular Marine Corps just in time for the Korean War.
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In 1950, the Women’s Reserve mobilized and eventually reached peak strength of 2,787 active duty females. During Vietnam, approximately 2,700 active duty female Marines served both stateside and overseas. Women were also being assigned to Fleet Marine Force units for the first time, and by 1975, women could be assigned to all occupational fields except infantry, artillery, armor and pilot/air crew. From 1990 to 1991, during Operations Desert Shield and Storm, more than 40,000 women service members were deployed to combat zones. Congress also passed an act that allowed women pilots to fly in combat operations. In 2016, the Marine Corps finally opened all combat jobs to women and the first woman signed up for the infantry that same year. The history of women in the Marine Corps is full of sacrifices, broken barriers and accomplishments with undoubtedly, many more to come. Happy 100th anniversary.
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lthough celebrated informally, it’s said that the first official Marine Corps “birthday ball” was held in 1925 in Philadelphia. This event was attended by well-known national leaders, representatives from all military services, the Secretary of the Navy and the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps—General John A. Lejeune. The celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday was formalized throughout the Corps on October 28, 1952 by direction of the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. The traditions detailed in the Marine Corps Drill Manual approved by General Shepard are still carried on in Marine Corps Birthday Balls held throughout the United States today, as well as on Okinawa in MCCS Clubs. (cont. on page 3)
Binge Drinking First Aid Checklist | 7 Holiday Meals-To-Go | 9 MCCS Tours+ | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge Happy 243rd, Marines! (cont. from page 1)
Since 2003, MCCS Clubs have hosted an average of 44 birthday balls serving over 15,000 celebrants annually. Every year, tens of thousands of hours are spent planning and executing the birthday balls to ensure that the special occasion is as memorable as it deserves to be for each and every Marine and guest in attendance. Due to this support, several MCCS Clubs will be closing during the 2018 Marine Corps Birthday Ball season. Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma will be closed November 9 and the Butler Officers’ Club dining room will be closed through December 10 (they’ll be open November 22 for the Thanksgiving buffet, December 16 and 23 for Brunch with Santa and will resume normal operations January 2). The Kinser Surfside Ballroom will be closed November 8, 15 and 20, as well as December 1. The dining
room of The Palms on Camp Hansen will be closed for dinner Thursdays and Fridays through November 16; Monday, November 5; Wednesdays, November 14 and 21 and Thursdays,
November 26 to December 13 (Chili’s Express will remain open). For more information on this year’s Marine Corps Balls, call a participating club.
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Amanda Carrasquillo ART DIRECTOR | Catherine Newquist CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Jongeun Spencer, Emeline Toole WRITERS/EDITORS | Ashley Sablan, Mike Daley DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER | Thomas Alan Smilie DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA | Kathlene Millette, Emi Hays AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa, Athena Garcia, Becky Stalcup DISTRIBUTION | Desiree Adams, Joan Webb MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Kristen Wong, Ashley Snipes
To advertise in Okinawa Spotlight, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975 or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads. No Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps or Marine Corps Community Services endorsement of commercial advertisers or sponsors implied.
events&happenings Save Time & Money on Higher Education
Thomas Alan Smilie, Sarah Head
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ave time and money, and test your way to college credit through the CLEP & DSST examinations. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition in the U.S. is $34,740 at private colleges, $9,970 for state residents at public colleges and $25,620 for out-of-state residents attending public universities. Save hundreds of hours on coursework and thousands of dollars on tuition by applying what you’ve already learned outside of the classroom and attend the College Credit by Examination: CLEP & DSST brief hosted by MCCS Education Centers. On November 7 (Camp Foster Education Center, Bldg. 5679) and November 14 (Camp Hansen Education Center, Bldg. 2339) from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., learn all about eligibility, registration, study materials, test-taking strategies and more. Through CLEP & DSST exams, military members and their families have access to a combined total of 67 exams covering intro level college courses that range from
composition & literature, world languages, science, mathematics, applied technology, social sciences, business and humanities. Credits acquired are accepted by over 2,900 colleges and universities
throughout the country. For more information on this seminar, stop by your nearest MCCS Education Center or visit mccsokinawa.com/education.
This publication printed with
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japanese phrase
islandadventure
of the week
O
Sugoi ne! This is amazing! For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Yanbaru Mangrove Kayaking Tour
n Saturday, November 10, join Tours+ as they venture off the beaten path with a kayaking tour through the Yanbaru mangroves. While rowing downriver through the rich jungles of northern Okinawa, see the island like you’ve never seen it before. The tour will run from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and prices are $55 for adults and $33 for children ages 6 through 12. Children under the age of 6 and expectant mothers are not permitted on the tour. Mangrove forests are a remarkable phenomenon—their trees taking root in muddy, coastal areas where freshwater rivers meet the sea, making for a subtropical wonderland full of exotic flora, fauna and refreshing waterfalls. Tour-goers are encouraged to bring a change of clothes, towel, hat, sunscreen, flip flops and lots of
hydration. Bringing a packed meal is also advised, as lunch is not included in the tour. For more information
on this tour and others, contact your local Tours+ or visit mccsokinawa. com/tours.
The Health Plan that Covers You and your Family Worldwide
Foreign Service BeneFit Plan > Generous massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic benefits > Wellness Incentives with a generous reward program
www.afspa.org/fsbp
> International coverage/convenience and emergency translation line miraclemoments/bigstock.com, anatoliiSushko/bigstock.com
> Low calendar year deductible for in-network and overseas providers > 24/7 Nurse Advice Line & Health Coaching > Dietary and Nutritional Counseling > Secure online claim submission & Electronic Funds Transmission (EFT) of claim reimbursement > Health Plan offered to U.S. Federal Civilian employees This is a brief description of the features of the Foreign Service BeneFit Plan (FSBP). Before making a final decision, please read the Plan’s Federal brochure (RI 72-001). All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the Federal brochure. 9.32hx 6.5h.indd 1
8/29/18 12:28 PM
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SOCCER YOUTH SPORTS
REGISTRATION $60 per child
REGISTER ONLINE
AT MCCSOKINAWA.COM/YOUTHSPORTS or at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center between November 1 and 30.
VOLUNTEER TO COACH
Download the application at mccsokinawa.com/coachescorner or register at the Semper Fit Youth Sports office.
645-3533 | youthsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org
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pickoftheweek
didyou know?
Binge Drinking First Aid Checklist
I According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, excessive drinking is responsible for 1 in 10 deaths among working age adults (ages 20 to 64).
t’s easy for “one drink” to turn into five—or even more. But is it worth your health, career or even your life? Binge drinking is the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time. For women, four or more drinks in a two-hour period is considered binge drinking, while for men it’s five or
more. In the United States, 1 in 6 adults partake in this activity—in the Marine Corps, it’s 1 in 2. The outcome of binge drinking is more than just a massive hangover. It’s extremely dangerous and can have very serious consequences that may affect not only you, but your family, friends, unit and others in the community. So know your limit
Michael Lukjanov/bigstock.com, Givaga/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
Thirsty? How about a non-alcoholic drink from one of the thousands of vending machines scattered throughout the island.
and drink responsibly. If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of binge drinking, follow the first aid checklist that can be found on the Liberty App (available in the App Store and Google Play) or online at mccsokinawa.com/sac.
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more
indepth
information
Holiday Meals-To-Go
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bhofack22/bigstock.com, alexraths/bigstock.com
Holiday Meals-To-Go are available for order from The Palms on Camp Hansen, Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney, Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster and Kinser Surfside.
he best Thanksgiving dinner is one you don’t have to cook. So this year, let an MCCS Club or Restaurant do all the work with Holiday Meals-To-Go. Traditional Holiday Packages include the Classic Turkey Package ($125), the Deluxe Glazed Hickory Ham Package ($100) and the Holiday Feast Combination Package ($215). The turkey and ham packages come with 4 pounds of traditional herb seasoned bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and green beans as well as 2 quarts
of turkey gravy and your choice of a pumpkin, pecan or apple pie. The Holiday Feast Package comes with a DOUBLE order of sides. The Hickory Holiday Package ($150), consisting of enough smoked beef brisket to feed a dozen thankful revelers, comes with 4 pounds of coleslaw and baked macaroni cheese au gratin, 1 quart of BBQ sauce and your choice of a pumpkin, pecan or apple pie. All items and sides from both Traditional and Hickory Packages are available Ă la carte.
Holiday Meals-To-Go orders can be placed five days prior to the desired pick-up date and paid in full two business days before pick-up. Clubs will start taking orders on November 13 with first available pickup on November 17. Order times are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All arrangements must be made with the club where the packages will be picked up. For more information, call a participating club or visit mccsokinawa.com/clubs.
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tours+
adventure begins here Sunset Dinner Cruise November 9, 6–10:30 p.m. Adults $60; Children (6–12) $53, (3–5) $29, (0–2) FREE Enjoy a beautiful Okinawa sunset and delicious dinner on the West Marine’s Moby Dick. Bring yen for drinks. Meal not included for children under 3. Battle Sites Tour November 10, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $28; Children (3–11) $18, (0–2) FREE Visit Hacksaw Ridge and the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society Museum on Camp Kinser. After, explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and end the day at Peace Memorial Park. Bring dollars for lunch and yen for admission.
Okinawa West Coast Tour November 11, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $43; Children (6–12) $26, (3–5) $11, (0–2) FREE Visit Cape Manzamo, one of the most beautiful and scenic spots on Okinawa. After, visit the Okinawa Marriott Resort for a delicious lunch buffet. The last stop will be the Okinawa Sweets Factory where you can enjoy sweets and a view of the East China Sea. Bring yen for spending. Japanese Tea Ceremony & Kimono Dressing November 16, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $51; Children (3–11) $34 Take part in a traditional tea ceremony and dress in a traditional Japanese kimono. After, visit Naha Main Place for lunch and shopping. Please wear (or bring) white socks, a t-shirt and leggings (women) or white shorts (men). Bring yen for lunch and additional purchases.
*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. For more information, contact MCCS Tours+: Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744
upcoming semperfitevents
sonyakamoz/bigstock.com, AntonioDiaz/bigstock.com
Basketball Tournament November 9, 6 p.m. November 10 & 11, 9 a.m. Hansen House of Pain Register by November 5 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for $120 per team. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams and individuals. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed November 5. For more information, call 623-5558 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Southern CC Cup Softball Tournament November 9, 6 p.m. November 10 & 11, 9 a.m. Foster Softball Field Register by November 5 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for FREE. This event is open to all eligible units and sections. Awards will be given to first and second place teams and individuals. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed November 5. For more information, call 645-4866 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
classof theweek
Ultimate Frisbee Tournament November 9–11, 6 p.m. Courtney Bowl Register by November 5 (1 p.m.) at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center for $90 per team. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed November 6. For more information, call 622-7297 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. Turkey Bowl Flag Football Tournament November 23–25, 9 a.m. Gunners Fitness Center Fields Register by November 19 (1 p.m.) for $120 per team. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams and individuals. By-laws and a tournament bracket will be emailed November 20. For more information, call 6454866 or email adultsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
Functional Fitness Spin Party This 90-minute class led by an experienced cycle and fitness instructor combines cycling with functional fitness exercises.
For a full group fitness schedule, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.