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Friday, September 27, 2013 Vol. 48, No. 38 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”
Jet Stream The KaBoom Day of Play! Page 4 Marines and sailors come together Page 12 Gen. Amos on budget cuts Page 14
n Movie Schedules n News Briefs n Weather n In The Community n Around The Corps n Graduates
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Marine Corps announces changes to tuition assistance Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel Staff Writer
The Marine Corps announced new changes for Tuition Assistance eligibility, Sept. 11. According to MARADMIN 456/13, most changes will only affect first-time TA applicants. First-time applicants must have at least 2 years of time in service, and can only enroll in one course unless the Marine has an Associate’s Degree or at least 60-college credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.5. They must also complete the Leading Marines Distance Education Program on MarineNet and Marine Corps Institute’s Personal Financial Management course before applying, and be eligible for promotion. Marines must also finish their courses 60 days before their end of active service date. In addition, reserve component officers on active duty must have an EAS date of two years beyond the completion of their courses to receive approval. As of Oct. 1 the Marine Corps’ overall TA budget of $47 million will be divided into fiscal quarters. Marines that meet eligibility requirements will be limited to only enrolling in courses that begin in that quarter. Once the Marine Corps’ quarterly funds are exhausted, TA approvals will be postponed until the following quarter, according to MARADMIN 456/13. “These changes don’t affect a Marine’s personal TA limit of $4,500 a year,” said David Ellard, the Tri-Command education service officer. "If the Marine Corps exhausts its TA funding within the first fiscal quarter, the Marine will have to wait until the following quarter to apply for benefits.” TA requests can only be submitted within 30 days of a class start date, but no TA requests will be approved after a course has started. For more information contact the Air Station Education Office at 228-7484, or Parris Island’s Education Office at 228-3889.
Tuition assistance applications must be submitted and command approved prior to the requested course start date. Marines are encouraged to select schools participating in: service members opportunity colleges consortium, degree network system, or the Marine Corps career college program.
Tuition assistance can’t be used for non-credit courses such as training programs and workforce development. Tuition assistance can’t be used for duplicate degrees or double majors.
The few, the proud, the embassy guards Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel Staff Writer
Lance Cpl. Dawson Midgett, an airframe technician with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, performs maintenance on the F-18 Hornet. Constant maintenance and inspections are vital to the aging F-18 system.
Upkeep keeps ‘em up Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
Picture a car from 1986, and hold on to that image for a second. What do you see? Is it shiny, hardly used, and well cared for? Or is it a well-loved but beat up automobile with many miles on it and ready to be retired? Keep picturing that car.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, or the Werewolves, started flying F/A-18 Hornets in January, 1986. With those Hornets, VMFA122 deployed to Europe and throughout the United States into the early 2000s. They have gone east in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and west to the Pacific with the Unit Deployment
Program. The squadron’s aircraft have flown many flight hours collectively and individually throughout the years. Like cars, aircraft have check-ups and tune-ups, regular maintenance and unscheduled maintenance. see
The 2013 Defense Authorization Act signed by President Barack Obama in January, approves the addition of 1,000 Marines to become Marine security guards. Plans to increase the size of Marine security guards were under way at the time of the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, resulting in the deaths of four Americans. Marine security guards were not assigned to the post in Benghazi when it was attacked, but is believed Marine guards could have helped protect against or prevented the attack. The Corps works directly with the State Department to determine locations Marines will guard. State Department officials recently announced 50 more embassies Marine guards will protect. Marine security guards are currently posted at embassies and consulates in 137 countries, with a total of 152 compounds being protected. Those interested in MSG duty will have to meet with their career planner to begin the screening process. After screening, if the Marine is eligible for the assignment and can receive a top-secret security clearance, they can receive orders to attend the Security Guard School at Quantico, Va. MSG school conducts five class sessions per year training more than 450 Marines. This process takes approximately six to nine months to complete. “At the school Marines learn to provide security for their post and how to see
Msg, page 13
Hornet, page 13
Hard work pays off Cpl. R.J. Driver Comm/Media Relations
The pursuit of education is often riddled with challenges for students to overcome. Tuition costs, living and book expenses are just a few factors the average student is hampered with when pursuing a degree. Service members like Staff Sgt. Timothy
Callahan have the added stress of serving their country while reaching educational milestones. Callahan recently received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and said he used every opportunity he could to become a graduate while serving see
education, page 13
Courtesy Photo
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Games and Entertainment
MCAS Beaufort Movie Schedule
Saturday 2 p.m. PG (1:46)
Saturday 4:30 p.m. PG-13 (2:06)
Saturday 7 p.m. R (1:53)
Mess Hall Menu Monday - Friday Breakfast: 6 - 7:30 a.m. Lunch: 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays Brunch: 8:30 - 11 a.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m.
MCRD Parris Island Movie Schedule
Midrats Sunday - Thursday 11:30 p.m. - 1 a.m. Takeout Window Hours: Breakfast - Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Lunch - Mon. - Fri. 12:45 p.m. - 4 p.m. Dinner - Mon. - Fri. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday Dinner Lunch Swiss steak with Vegetable and black mushroom gravy bean enchiladas Sunday Lunch Dinner Baked citrus herb Meat loaf and garlic crusted fish mashed potatoes Monday - Friday Breakfast Hot farina, hot hominy grits and oven-fried bacon Monday Dinner Lunch Bayou jerk pork loin Beef short ribs and and rice steamed rice Tuesday Dinner Lunch Baked ziti with italChicken fried chickian sausage en and greens Wednesday Dinner Lunch Swedish meatballs Baked smoked ham and brown gravy and corn Thursday Dinner Lunch Herbed roast pork Pasta toscano and loin and gravy harvard beets Friday Dinner Lunch Tater tot casserole French fried shrimp and baked beans and green beans
Sunday 2 p.m. PG (1:32)
Sunday 4:30 p.m. PG (1:46)
Sunday 7 p.m. R (1:49)
Sudoku
cHapel services Roman Catholic • 9:00 a.m. - Sunday Mass • Confession takes place before Mass • Confession Monday - Thursday at noon Protestant • 9:45 a.m. - Protestant Church School (Sunday School) • 11 a.m. - Protestant Sunday Worship Service (Children’s church is also available at this time) • 5 p.m. - Wednesday Protestant Bible Study • 5 p.m. - Saturday Worship Service at Laurel Bay Youth Center Lutheran • 8:30 a.m. - Sunday Holy Communion Service in the Small Base Chapel Buddhist • 11 a.m. - Saturday Worship Service in the Chapel Fellowship Hall Labyrinth Walk • 8 a.m - 4 p.m. - Monday in the Chapel Fellowship Hall Other Faith Groups • For Jewish, Mormon and Islamic support, contact the Chaplain’s Office at 228-7775 Other Programs • Monday, Wednesday, Friday Alcoholics Anonymous - 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Answer key will be available on facebook.com/MCASBeaufort, Oct. 2.
Crossword
Mission Assurance
MCAS Beaufort Station Inspector Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Force Protection information and concerns PMO Dispatch Severe Weather and Force Protection
Hotlines
228-7789 228-6904 228-6924 228-6710 1-800-343-0639
DOWN 1. Leadership Traits 2. Five Navy Crosses 3. Meaning of Semper Fidelis 4. First Female Marine 5. Third Marine Corps Value 6. Marine Corps Motto 7. Second Marine Corps Value 9. First Marine Corps Value 11. Mascot of the Marine Corps
ACROSS 8. Song of the Corps’ 10. Grand Old Man 12. Five Paragraph Order
Sexual Assault The contact number for a Uniformed Victim Advocate is 592-0646. This number can get you in contact with a UVA 24 hours a day. If you know of or suspect any fraud, waste or abuse aboard MCAS Beaufort, call 228-7777. If you know of or suspect any fraud, waste or abuse within MAG-31, call (252) 466-5038. The automated answering service on these lines is available 24 hours a day.
Fraud, Waste and Abuse
Answer key will be available on facebook.com/MCASBeaufort, Oct. 2.
Command Information
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Friday, September 27, 2013
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Tri-Command Weather 7 Day Forecast
High Shooter Maj. E.A. Sink VMFA-251
386
Happenings Marine Corps Community Services is scheduled to hold a Be Aware Fair, Sept. 28, at the Laurel Bay Ball Park, from 3 - 7 p.m. The fair will consist of food, entertainment, carnival rides and more. For more information call 228-2503. The Highway 21 Drive-In is slated to hold a military appreciation night Sept. 28. Highway 21 Drive-in as honoring the military by knocking an extra dollar off their already discounted admission price for military. Marine Corps Community Services is scheduled to hold a 7 Habits of Highly Effective People workshop, Oct. 1 - 4 from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. For more information call 228-7334.
Forecast according to weather.com
Naval Hospital Beaufort is hosting a Cake Cutting and Pink Walk in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Effective June 1, MCAS Beaufort will be in Tropical Cyclone Condition V for Hurricane season until Nov. 30. There are currently no threats. This year will be an extremely active season. Colorado State University is predicting 18 named storms and National Weather Service is predicting 18-20 named storms.
The 2013 All-Marine Men’s and Women’s Basketball Team tryouts are scheduled to take place Oct. 13 through Oct. 29. Interested Marines must submit an application no later than Sept. 25. For more information call 228-7192.
The photocopying of U.S. Government identification cards is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701 and punishable by fine and imprisonment.
Contact us: 228-7225 mcasbeaufort@gmail.com BFRT_JPAO@usmc.mil Commanding Officer MCAS Beaufort Col. Brian Murtha
Jet Stream The
Brain Teaser A couple has two children. At least one of them is a boy. Assuming the probability of having a boy or girl is 50%, what is the probability that both children are boys?
Public Affairs Officer Capt. Jordan Cochran
Public Affairs Chief Press Chief
Gunnery Sgt. Stephen Traynham Sgt. Terika S. King
Comm/Media Relations Chief Sgt. Marcy Sanchez
Financial peace Cmdr. Kim Donahue MAG-31 Command Chaplain
Answer for this week’s brain teaser will be available on facebook.com/MCASBeaufort, Oct. 2.
Editor
Cpl. John Wilkes
Comm/Media Relations Cpl. Rubin J. Tan Cpl. R.J. Driver
Staff Writers
Cpl. Sarah Cherry Cpl. Timothy Norris Cpl. Brady Wood Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel
Last week’s Gospel lesson came from the gospel according to Luke, chapter sixteen, verses 1-16. The passage is about a manager of finances, whose job was about to be cut. He took it upon himself to make friends of those who owed money to his own boss- by getting them to pay less than what they owed with the rest of the debt forgiven. He made friends. His boss was cheated. He was fired anyway. Then Jesus commends his actions. Jesus suggested that his listeners make friends with money. And to imagine what would happen if money failed them…”What then?” Would it be a mortal blow? Would it mean that all your value as a human being would be lost? Or would we have lost what, for us, makes life worth living? Early in my marriage my husband and I were living from paycheck to paycheck supporting our infant daughter – who was in daycare, diapers and formula. All of what we had went to paying the bills and keeping our daughter comfortable. And then the rich man for whom my husband was working – a homeowner for whom my husband was doing repair work- chose to accuse him of stealing, and of not finishing the job on time. He took us to court, and he and his lawyers won. We somehow were forced to pay this man $50 a week for a year. It was a difficult year to say the least. I remember walking out of the courtroom in tears not sure how we’d pay for our daughter’s food. Many of you reading have had times like this and if you are like my husband and I, it seems as bad in retrospect as it did at the time. I found nothing character-building in it. It is necessary to have enough money to provide the necessities. Money has power. There is no question about that. It is necessary to have enough money to provide the basics
of life. And if we are on that particular borderline, we will be anxious. Those are the times when we fear driving our car because if one more thing breaks – we will be unable to fix it. Or the times when we do without and then one way or another even more expenses hit us over the head. It is easy for money to become our real security base, a real source of whatever peace of mind we have. We also know how our definition of “enough” can become a moving, receding target. We are inclined to chase the rabbit we will never catch. And money becomes a tool of power as well. Just like the homeowner 25 years ago in my life could buy his influence. And we know that we ourselves are apt to measure other people’s worth by their wealth, or worse, measure our own worth by the same yardstick. Jesus saw and often mentioned that money had more power than perhaps any other single thing to poison people’s lives. So he asks the question of us“what then?” Many if not most Americans face the scenario that they will be living at a comfort level far below their own parents comfort level. One might term it ‘downward mobility’. The question is not whether we would be bothered by this. Of course we would be. But the question is: will we be mortally wounded? Could we say about so many things we once could afford but no longer can, “I can’t afford that anymore,” without that statement affecting in any significant way our sense of our own worth or our conviction that life is supremely worth living? Maybe the most honest answer for any of us is “I don’t know. And I don’t want to find out.’ But the test would be telling. And to the extent I or any of us COULD do it, there would be power and freedom- of the same kind that Jesus experienced in his life. In a biography of Thomas Merton the writer pointed
out that Merton, in February of 1947, did two things: he signed a statement in which he renounced all his worldly possessions and assigned them and any future income to the Trappist order; the other thing he did was sign a contract with Harcourt Brace to publish his book The Seven Story Mountain---which then proceeded to sell 600,000 hardback copies. Merton didn’t care that he had signed away a jackpot. There is power and freedom there---something like the difference between the way a good swimmer would feel and the way a non-swimmer would feel if they were pitched out of a boat in the middle of lake. The real power of money then- is what we are able to do with it when we have it- and who we are able to bless. The question for us today, coming from the Gospel, is “Do we handle our money in such a way, and do we think of money in such a way, that our handling of it and our thinking of it draw us closer toward God, whoever we conceive of God to be, rather than drive us away from God and God’s purposes?” In the near future our own financial worlds may be rocked. Will YOUR value decrease when your financial struggles increase? What will you learn about who you are? Is there a way to find peace with money or without it, as the case may be? It is good to plan for such a time, to manage our money wisely, and to be thankful for the extras we enjoy… but when our NET WORTH (Assets minus our liabilities) is not what we hope for, and if it shapes how we see ourselves or those around us…that is the farthest from Financial Peace we could get. My hope and prayer for us all is for that sense of PEACE that comes from a healthy respect for money, a careful use of it, but a critical distance that says “The best things in life are and will always be free.”
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Editor’s note: We at The Jet Stream care about our reader’s opinion. In reaching our goal to put out the best possible product, we understand the importance of your feedback. Please add a comment to the “How can we improve The Jet Stream?” topic on our www. facebook.com/MCASBeaufort discussion board on how we can better your base newspaper. Published by the Savannah Morning News, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, or Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., under exclusive written contract with the United States Marine Corps. This commercial-enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Marine Corps or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD, the Marine Corps, the Navy, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., or the Savannah Morning News of the products or services advertised. Everything in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the contractor shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content (i.e., all content other than paid advertisements) is edited, prepared and provided by the public affairs office of the installation. All queries concerning news and editorial content should be directed to: Jet Stream, Marine Corps Public Affairs Office, P.O. Box 55001, MCAS Beaufort, S.C., 29904 or (843) 228-7225. All queries concerning business matters or display ads should be directed to the Savannah Morning News at (843) 815-0800.
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In The Community
Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel Staff Writer
Marine Corps Community Services Laurel Bay and Parris Island Youth Centers held the 4th Annual KaBoom Day of Play, Sept. 20. The event aimed to get children involved in outdoor activities, play games and educate them on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. “The KaBoom Day of Play is a day of fun activities that we hope will inspire these children to stay active,” said Imani Graham, MCCS youth center assistant director. The inspiration for the event came from the Nickelodeon Network’s Worldwide Day of Play, a day in which the network airs no television shows for three hours. Instead, Nickelodeon airs tips for exercising, healthy eating and outdoor and indoor games. “More children and teens are overweight or obese now than ever before,” said Graham. “Regular exercise and a healthy diet help prevent obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other serious medical issues. Exercise and a healthy diet also help improve sleep, emotional and mental health.”
In The Community
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In Other News
Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
The smell of hot chili drifted through the mid-September air at Marine Aircraft Group 31 headquarters building, Sept. 18. Seven pots of chili rested on a table near the main door to the headquarters building, two batches of warm, fluffy cornbread set to the side. Marines slowly gathered around, scooping out a small taste of each recipe or ladling a heaping serving into their bowl. Some more adventurous Marines tried a sweet potato cheesecake muffin, their faces lighting up after each bite. Questions were thrown about, like ‘who made this?’ and ‘do you like one with the potatoes better, or the chicken?’ Sometimes, chow is more than just chow. Food was made and brought in by Marines and their families, bringing the squadron closer together with something as simple as small talk over a bowl of chili.
In Other News
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MCRD Parris Island holds Recovery Run Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
Streetlights brighten the dim, drizzly morning as runners shuffle back and forth at the starting line. A shot from a pistol breaks through the quiet, and runners take off in a show of support for people in recovery, Sept. 25. The
third quarterly road race aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island was recovery themed as part of National Recovery Month. “The whole purpose of the recovery run was to celebrate people who are in recovery, because that is a battle,” said Rebecca Landon, alcohol abuse
prevention specialist for the Tricommand. “As Marines, you guys go to war and fight that battle, but we forget about the battles we sometimes have to fight at home,” said Landon. National Recovery Month focuses primarily on mental health issues and substance abuse, but there are many hardships in life
that can set an individual on their own race to recovery. “[The race] is to celebrate the recovery of men and women that are out there and need help,” said Colonel R. L. Grabowski, Chief of Staff, Eastern Recruiting Region (ERR) and MCRD Parris Island. “It could be from something you’re having a hard time dealing with,
to something serious such as drug or alcohol addiction.” “Every one of us knows someone that will go through a challenge. This race today is a great metaphor, a great symbol of the treatment of recovery and the celebration later on,” said Grabowski.
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In Other News
Classifieds
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Around The Corps
corps Bits
Marines ‘zero in’ on targets for future engagements AT SEA -- He slowly squeezes on the trigger as his heart beat steadies. The Marine’s right eye is focused on the target and feels the minor recoil as he fires the M4 assault rifle. Three small bullet holes grouped together lay in the center of the target. The U.S. Marines and sailors of Africa Partnership Station 13 calibrated their weapons in order to ensure the accurate firing of each rifle using iron sights and optics September 8, 2013. The process, which only lasted a few hours, allowed the troops of APS-13 to safely attune their rifles aboard the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) landing platform dock (LPD) HNLMS Rotterdam (L800). Groups at a time adjusted their sights with every cluster of shots fired. The process is called battle-sight zero, or BZO, and one Marine was pleased with the way his troops conducted themselves throughout the engagement. “The Marines took the firing seriously and they did well,” said Sgt. Dylan Walton of Toledo, Ohio. The squad leader with APS-13 added that accurate weapons will help them properly train with African forces. Africa Partnership Station was started in 2007 as an international security cooperation initiative, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships. Today, APS represents a wide spectrum of engagements and the Marines are doing everything in their power, to include conducting a BZO range, to ensure the host nations get the most out of the training. The range ended with every gun calibrated after firing more than 650 rounds. The primary safety officer, or PSO, was pleased knowing that the range was a success. “By the end of each string of shooters, every Marine was hitting black,” concluded Pottsville, Pa., native Sgt. Joseph Moyer, referring to the black center mass of each target. The Marines used this exercise as a way to build confidence in their weapons systems as well. Now, when they pull the trigger, their rounds will accurately hit where they’re muzzles are pointing.
Marines with Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group fire Mk. 19 Grenade Launchers during night fire as part of a grenade training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 17, 2013. The service members waited for illumination flares to light the range before opening fire on targets.
Rolling out the thunder: Bridge Co. trains with grenade systems Lance Cpl. Sullivan Laramie 2nd Marine Logistics Group
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -Thunder rumbled in the distance while flashes of light flickered in the low-hanging clouds. This storm was not caused by nature, however, but by the Marines of Bridge Company. Service members with Bridge Co., 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group made their own thunder with various grenade systems here, Sept. 10 and 17. The Marines used M-67 fragmentation grenades, the standard hand grenade of the United States military, the first day of training, and M-32 Multiple Grenade Launchers, rifle-mounted M-203 grenade launchers,
and automatic Mk. 19 Grenade Launchers the second day. “It was kind of like crawl, walk, run,” said 1st Lt. Cullen G. Tores, a platoon commander with Bridge Co. “We wanted to start off with hand grenades and then move into projectiles. We wanted to really focus on, and safely and efficiently employ, the weapon systems.” Throughout the training, the Marines each threw several grenades and fired more from the hand-held grenade launchers, but the most firepower they had the opportunity to use came from the Mk. 19s. The Marines used the Mk. 19s to pound the targets with belts of 16 grenades at distances up to 1,500 yards. Sunset did not end the training, however. The Ma-
rines reloaded and waited for flares to illuminate the range enough to continue firing at night. “The night shoot is definitely a lot harder than the day shoot because of the low-light conditions,” said Cpl. Chad J. Cratsenburg, a combat engineer with the company. “We couldn’t even see the targets until they got the flares in the air. There was a lot more going on, a little more yelling and more chaos, but we got it done and did a good job.” The night fire exercise was only part of the training, but it may prove invaluable on night convoys or defensive actions outside of the United States. “First and foremost, it’s about making sure [the Marines] are proficient in a wide
span of responsibilities,” said Tores, a Dallas, Texas, native. “Engineers are responsible for a lot, engineering-wise, but also keep that provisional infantry platoon task in mind as well.” Training grenades were used by the Marines to prepare them both mentally and physically for the livefire portion of the exercises, and were intended to keep the service members technically and tactically proficient while using weapons they might use when deployed. “The Marines didn’t join the Marine Corps to sit in an office,” said Tores. “They wanted to come out and do stuff [in the field]. We want to get back into the rhythm of going out into the field, coming back, cleaning weapons, and going back out into the field.”
Mission Readiness: CLR-25 conducts field exercise CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group took to the field for an exercise in mission readiness. From Sept. 6 to 13, members of CLR25 performed their everyday duties in a tactical environment. The exercise tested the command and control abilities of the regiment, stressing the communications and data sections, while forcing the Marines to conduct their primary general support mission to II MEF away from their convenient garrison facilities. They had to react to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, as well as mass casualty response drills while running convoy operations. This was the first time the regiment conducted a field exercise of this magnitude. The main body of the regiment set up Camp Mercado in a field location with three supporting sites aboard Camp Lejeune. Vehicles and equipment scheduled for repairs in garrison were sent to the field locations, and Marines made use of tools available to them, like they would do on an actual deployment. Elements from outside of CLR-25 participated in the field exercise as well, as Marines with 8th Engineer Support Battalion brought in and purified water from a nearby inlet. They dispersed the water throughout the camp to be used for hydration, cooking, showering and laundry. Service members involved in the exercise faced many challenges, including the setup of communications networks within and outside their individual field locations, and finding terrain that could be helpful for mission accomplishment. These challenges allowed leaders and junior Marines to learn where their strengths and weaknesses were, and gave them an opportunity to become stronger.
Corps Shot Lance Cpl. Caleb McDonald
A U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion vehicle with Assault Craft Unit 4 prepares to board the USS Bataan (LHD 5) off the coast of Norfolk, Va., during the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)’s PHIBRON/MEU Integration Training exercise Sept. 20, 2013. The MEU is scheduled to deploy in early 2014 to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious missions across the full range of military operations.
Around The Corps
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Fightertown deployed: VMFA-312 Checkerboards are currently deployed to the Mediterranean to promote security in the region.
corps Bits
MALS-31 Stingers detachment is deployed to Afghanistan and is augmenting MALS-40 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Service members perfect helo-ops during Lejeune II Cpl. Adam B. Miller Marine Corps Installations Pacific
Commandant of the Marine Corps challenges NCOs MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Out of approximately 178,000 active-duty Marines, 83 percent of them are sergeants and below. This statistic demonstrates the importance the Marine Corps places on small unit leadership. In order to discuss that vital subject in depth with Marines, Gen. James Amos, the commandant of the Marine Corps, visited Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune with Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, Sept. 17, 2013. The audience was exclusively comprised of corporals and sergeants with 2nd Marine Division. During the meeting, Amos and Barrett stressed some of the reasons small unit leadership needs to occur on a daily basis. “We need you to help us get back to fundamental, well-disciplined leadership,” said Amos, speaking to the room of non-commissioned officers. “I’m talking about fundamentals, principles and standards in your leadership. If you see something wrong, correct it.” Amos referenced the issue the Corps is having with sexual assaults as an example of something to look out for and stop before it happens. “I don’t worry one second about what’s happening in Afghanistan,” Amos said. “That doesn’t mean I don’t care, but that I’m so confident in our training. I don’t worry about a corporal leading a patrol. But when we come back, we forget about the junior Marines.” Barrett reiterated that statement. “I’ve never seen a Marine fail in combat,” he said. “Where we sometimes fall short is in the garrison environment.” The NCOs in attendance were also reminded of why they joined. Amos pointed out most of the Marines there were probably in 5th or 6th grade when the 9/11 attacks took place, and that everyone in the military volunteered to join and fight. “There was no draft or military service requirement,” Amos said. “You all saw the attacks on our nation and wanted to be a part of the fight.” He said the fight in garrison is just as important as the fight overseas. Budget cuts were also discussed in the meeting with the commandant. He described in detail how much the Marine Corps has to spend and how we have to make due with less money. “I don’t like (the budget cuts),” Amos said. “But it wasn’t up to me. However, we are going to adapt and overcome as we always do. That’s what makes us Marines.” Before wrapping up the visit, Amos challenged the NCOs of 2nd Marine Division to read “Leading Marines,” a publication on the importance of leadership, and “Sustaining the Transformation” by the week after next. “I know we can handle ourselves while we’re deployed,” Amos said. “But we need to get back to handling ourselves when we are back in the rear.”
CAMP SCHWAB -- When Marines go behind enemy lines, precise planning, execution and withdrawal from the objective are essential to the success of the mission and the safety of the Marines. The 2011 Marine Corps rescue of a downed U.S. Air Force pilot in Libya and the daring U.S. Navy SEAL raid on Osama Bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan were prime examples of the dangers and benefits of real-world helicopter-borne operations and the value they add to the U.S. military. Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 3-11.4, Helicopter-borne Operations, explains that a successful raid requires swift penetration into hostile territory for a specific purpose other than seizing or holding terrain, ending with a planned withdrawal when the mission is accomplished. Key to that success is the element of surprise, which ensures the integrity of the mission is not compromised. Service members executed a helicopterborne night raid Sept. 13 during Exercise Lejeune II. Exercise Lejeune II is a joint exercise taking place at Camp Schwab and surrounding training areas with an emphasis on aerial assault training.
During the exercise, six U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the U.S. Army’s 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade assisted Marines with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. “The purpose of the exercise is to ensure the unit’s combat readiness,” said 1st Lt. Tyler A. Kistner, a platoon commander with 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines. “Specifically, for this portion of the exercise, it is to get the Marines familiar and proficient with helicopter-borne operations.” Training for night raids is important because to properly insert behind enemy lines takes immense planning and precision to ensure success, according to Kistner. “The training is geared toward landing zone operations: inserting Marines, providing security at the landing zone, stealth-disciplined advancement toward the objective, and then extraction from the landing zone after successfully completing the mission,” said Kistner. The evolution consisted of multiple elements to make the training as realistic as possible. “My platoon was tasked-out as the as-
sault element for the raid, and internally my squad was the security element once the Black Hawks dropped us off,” said Cpl. Eric S. Eastman, an infantryman with 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines. “Our initial responsibility after touchdown at the LZ was to establish security, so that the assault and support elements could push forward toward the objective.” It is especially important for junior Marines to experience what it is like to train and operate in the Asia-Pacific region since many of them have yet to deploy and because the U.S. military’s focus has shifted to this area of operation, according to Eastman. While many missions in Afghanistan are in retrograde, it is important to maintain a high state of readiness as the U.S. military’s focus shifts toward the Asia-Pacific region. Establishing a good relationship with other branches of the U.S. military helps mitigate risk and confusion in the event of a real-life situation requiring military intervention and assistance, according to Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Josleyn, a mortarman with 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines. “By learning how to communicate effectively and establish common ground with other branches of the military we will be able to respond to a natural disaster or other crisis at a moment’s notice together,” said Josleyn.
U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters takeoff as during a joint training exercise Sept. 12 at Camp Schwab. The Exercise Lejeune II joint aerial assault training brought soldiers and Marines together to gain proficiency in helicopter-borne operations. The Marines are with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.
Resupply from the sky: landing support specialists conduct HST 1st Dental Battalion
Cpl.Timothy Childers
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The blades of a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter hum in the background as the Marines strain to hear one another. A Marine helicopter pilot and landing specialist are communicating their plans over the roar. Although they have different tasks ahead, they both plan to benefit from the valuable training. Marines and sailors with Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, conducted a helicopter support team training operation aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 17, 2013. The seven-man team was responsible for the safe and timely external lift of cargo under two CH46 Sea Knights. The landing support specialists were there to facilitate the qualifications of helicopter pi-
lots from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364. Both units shared the time to prepare themselves for future operations by repeatedly conducting aerial lifts of cargo into the night. “The purpose of today’s training is not so much for us, we know what we do and we do it well, but it’s for the [helicopter] squadrons to get their annual training completed,” said Sgt. Christopher Jones, a landing support specialist with LS Company, CLR-17. “That’s normally what we do most the time when we do HSTs stateside.” During the HST training, the Marines attached a cargo net of oversized tires under the helicopters to simulate the equivalent load of a common aerial resupply. The team consists of a HST commander, safety non-commissioned officer in charge, inside and outside directors, a hookup, static man and corpsman. Each has a specific role
that ensures the safety and completion of the operation. Even though the training was geared towards the pilots, the LS Marines were able to gain some valuable experience under the belly of the helicopter. “This is my first time doing a HST in the fleet,” said Private 1st Class John Schvab, a landing support specialist with LS Company. “I’m really excited to do it. I’m expecting our team to get in there as quick as possible and get it executed as safely as possible,” added the Troy, Mo., native. The more experienced Marines have recently gained a higher level of responsibility as the structure of an HST within their company has changed. The operation was a chance to test their ability. “It used to be that a staff NCO or officer would come out as the HST supervisor and you would still have a sergeant like myself as the HST commander,” said Jones, a native of Laramie, Wyo.“We took a class at LS Company, HST Commanders Course, to help eliminate [the need for a supervisor]. Once you pass the course, you are able to take HSTs out as a sergeant. Further down the road, the sergeants will be able to kick the class to corporals and be able to go back to where corporals will be able to take over the HST.” It may have been getting dark and late into the evening, but the Marines were still smiling. It was a thrill for them to be out doing what they love, no matter what time of day it was. “I love doing HSTs, it’s my favorite part of the job,” said Jones. “In a nutshell we are the moving company of the Marine Corps; ships, trains, planes, the whole nine yards. And this is the best part of it. [When] you’re underneath the bird, it’s just kind of a rush and it is probably one of the things that keeps me loving the job.”
Opening ceremony marks start of BSRF-14 MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania -- Marines and Sailors with Black Sea Rotational Force 14, and soldiers with the 9th Mechanized Infantry Brigade based in Constanta, Romania, conducted an opening ceremony in celebration of the 14th rotation of BSRF. The opening ceremony, held on Friday, began with a pass-in-review for Maj. Jacob Robinson, officer-in-charge of BSRF-14, and Romanian Col. Loan-Doru Apafaian, exercise director of BSRF Romanian forces. Once the review was finished, both men gave speeches that welcomed the partnership of the two forces. BSRF-14 will conduct military-to-military engagements with Romanian and partnernation forces from around the Black Sea, Balkan and Caucasus regions. The force is an annual rotation to promote regional stability and security, increase military capacity and interoperability, as well as bolster and maintain partnerships with their counterparts in Eastern Europe. BSRF-14 marks the first iteration of a full-year rotation in the program’s history. The ability to maintain international bonds and lasting partnerships, combined with the capability of limited but rapid crisis response, has made the program an essential year-round mission to U.S. European Command and their partners in the Eastern European Theater.
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Junior Enlisted Association, reformed and running Cpl. Timothy Norris Staff Writer
Tri-Command Marines and Sailors have a new opportunity for off-duty activities and assistance in career advancement. Earlier in the summer, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Naval Hospital Beaufort, and the Air Station had individual associations, but with limited involvement. A group of senior Navy staff convened and decided to combine all three, making one Tri-Command Junior Enlisted Association and to open the association to junior Marines. The Junior Enlisted Association is a Navy program designed to mentor Sailors and Marines, ranks E-1 through E-4 by encouraging involvement in the
community and command, preparing them for rank advancement and helps provide them with a voice in their command. “The more motivation the better,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd class Jeremy Tessier, a Corpsman attached to Combat Logistics Company 23 and president of the Tri-Command JEA. Tessier spear-headed the new initiative to include Marines by inviting the Marines of CLC-23 to join the association. Two took him up on his offer. “I’ve always admired the camaraderie among Marines,” said Navy Lt. Kenya Hester, orthopedic clinic division officer at Naval Hospital Beaufort. “They would both be able to teach each other about their culture. It would be a transfer of abilities both ways and it would be noth-
ing but positive.” The association Barely had time to recruit members but already has more than 40, including the two Marines. Over the last two months members of the association have participated in committees for cultural heritage and highway clean-up projects. “I like helping,” Tessier said. “Helping someone succeed and give them what they need to progress, that is what drives me.” Tessier said the JEA has larger projects in the works for the community, including building houses with Habitat for Humanity, coaching public and DODEA sports teams and working at local festivals. “There are so many opportunities in the Lowcountry to give
back and develop yourself,” he said. Participating in the association does require application and admission, including a onetime fee of $80 or $10 monthto-month, and dedicating time outside of work on projects for community and command. Attendance at regular meetings on the first and last Monday of every month are also required. Tessier advised that applicants seriously consider the level of dedication required to maintain membership. “I’ve heard different stories from different commands that some people try to join associations like the JEA as a way to get out of work. That is not what we are about.” He described character traits of discipline, productivity, hon-
esty, professionalism, and other qualities he and the other mentors of the association strive to develop in the members. Hester said the association does require a lot of the members, but the benefits it gives them is worth it and prepares them for success and advancement. “The JEA has been an outstanding program for our Sailors at the Hospital,” she said. “You should be a mentor and a protégé at the same time in order to be effective. It guarantees the individual is growing and they also take responsibility for their replacements by mentoring them as they move up in rank.” For more information on the JEA, or to apply, contact HM3 Tessier, at 843-228-7669.
More of The Story HORNET continued from page 1
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“[The F-18] is a pretty old aircraft,” said Gunnery Sgt. Lamont Belvin, quality assurance chief for VMFA-122. “But we’re able to fly them so much because of all the inspections, conditional or scheduled maintenance we do.” Marines inspect the aircraft piece by piece for cracks, corrosion, and other damage that can cause further harm to the aircraft. A higher level inspection is conducted as part of a program called the service life extension program, which helps ensure the jets are used for as long as safely possible. This inspection is conducted at 8,000 hours, said Sgt. Ronald Ramos, squadron analyst for VMFA-122. Depending on the results of the inspection, a jet may be retired or have its maximum flight hours extended past 8,000 flight hours. “What we’re seeing right now is that the jet has aged significantly over the years,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Justice Haggard, maintenance material control officer for VMFA-122. “What it means is there’s so many things that are starting to show the wear and tear of the years on the aircraft, it’s actually calling for depot level maintenance, which is maintenance two levels above what we can perform here. “A lot of times with aircraft this old, we can’t get the parts. Sometimes the company doesn’t make them anymore because they’re so rare. So we’re limited on parts now. On a scale of a brand new car rolling off the lot to a car going to the junkyard… It’s going to get us from point A to point B, but we’re looking for a new car,” said Haggard. The new aircraft the Department of Defense has focused on is the F-35 Lightning II or Joint Strike Fighter. “[The F-35s] would be equivalent to buying a new car when you’ve got this antique. After so many repairs, you’re looking forward to that new model where you don’t have to perform constant maintenance,” said Haggard. Stretching, squeezing, twisting, bending, shearing forces associated with any aircraft have slowly worn away at the F-18s, just as the constant maintenance required to counteract those forces on the aging aircraft are beginning to wear down on Marines. The Marine Corps is ready for a ‘new car.’ For more information on the F-35, visit http://www.jsf.mil/
A Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 performs maintenance on the F-18 Hornet. Constant maintenance and inspections are vital to the aging F-18 system.
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react to terrorist acts as well as a variety of emergencies such as fires, riots, demonstrations and evacuations,” said Staff Sgt. Bryna Crawford, career planner for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31. Upon graduation from MSG school, Marines in the rank of E-5 or below are standard security guards and receive 100 points toward their cutting score. These Marines then serve two separate 18 month tours at different embassies, one of which will likely be a post in a third world country.
“At their station Marines on MSG duty are responsible for an embassies' interior security, normally the lobby or main entrance,” Crawford said. “They will primarily protect classified information and equipment vital to the national security of the U.S.” “Our guards are the cream of the crop,” said Col. Michael Robinson, the commanding officer of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group. “They are among some of our nation’s finest Marines and are the example set forth by our nation to represent the maturity, moral character and judgment our Marines possess.” For more information contact your unit career planner.
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on active duty. Callahan, a South Carolina native, said getting his degree has been a priority for him for years now. “As a service member, it’s imperative to get your degree because when you return to the workforce, it makes you a competitive candidate for prospective job positions. “Some service members feel that their experience in their respective service is enough. The reality is, it isn’t. While the military does a great job of making service members well-
rounded citizens, the expertise you gain when pursuing a degree is almost invaluable,” he continued. While Callahan’s situation may not appear normal on the surface, studies show that service members spend approximately six to eight years pursuing their degree. In contrast, that’s a long commitment when compared to the average undergrad who receives a degree in four years. Because of that, Callahan advises choosing a university that’s the right fit. “Being from South Carolina, I’ve always wanted to graduate from USC,” Callahan said. “I began as a USC student in Columbia in 2003 and am happy to
have earned my degree under the USC banner. “[University of South Carolina Beaufort] has a staff of experts and former industry leaders and businessmen, who were able to apply real-life experience to the curriculum, which was invaluable and a difference maker for me.” A decade long journey, which was described as “full of sacrifice, understanding and flexibility,” culminated to “reaching one of the biggest goals” in Callahan’s life. Callahan is currently pursuing his master’s degree with USC in Columbia while serving as administration chief at the local recruiting station.
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Amos writes about budget cuts, Marine Corps capability Sgt. Marcy Sanchez Comm/Media Chief
In a recent article submitted to the Wall Street Journal, Gen. James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, wrote about recent discussions concerning sequester and defense strategy and resources. In the article Amos describes a Marine Corps
post-Afghanistan. He goes on to mention that America cannot simply go back to military capabilities that were seen prior to 9/11, stating that Marine capabilities were already stretched thin with one-third of Marine aviation fleet being grounded and missions and crises around the world. Amos goes on to mention that throughout the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we found that as the we needed some adjustments—and needed them quickly. “Marines found themselves short of critical capabilities in intelligence collection and analysis, in communication and in mobility on land, sea and in the air,” said Amos. “Marine logistics structure was not well-designed for
our new, more spread-out style of fighting, which required supplying many small, autonomous units distributed across a large area. “The suggestion that in an era of sequestration Marines simply ‘go back to sea’ ignores the fact that Marines never left the sea. While most of our deployed force fought ashore, where the
demand was, Marines continued to deploy Marine Expeditionary Units on amphibious ships,” he added. Amos warns that further defense cuts could paralyze the Marine Corps’ ability to fight, also mentioning that the world is “more dangerous” today than it was before 9/11. “In our post-9/11 world, more of our people must
remain ready to deploy on short notice, which demands increased readiness levels compared with the force of 2001,” said Amos. “The readiness and responsiveness of Marine Corps forces should not be anchored to a pre-2001 model of the Corps, because the world on which it was based no longer exists.”
Memo Prepares DOD Employees for Government Shutdown Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2013 – Although Defense Department officials believe a government shutdown can be avoided when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, they want DOD employees to be prepared for the possibility, Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in a memo issued to the workforce today. The fiscal year ends Sept. 30, and Congress has not passed a budget. If Congress does not approve a budget or pass a continuing
resolution, the portions of the government funded via appropriated funds will be forced to close. “The department remains hopeful that a government shutdown will be averted,” Carter wrote in the memo. “The administration strongly believes that a lapse in funding should not occur and is working with Congress to find a solution.” Congress still can prevent a lapse in appropriations, but “prudent management requires that we be prepared for all contingencies, including the possibility that a lapse could occur at the end of the month,” the deputy secretary wrote. The absence of funding would mean a number of government activities would
cease. “While military personnel would continue in a normal duty status, a large number of our civilian employees would be temporarily furloughed,” Carter said. “To prepare for this possibility, we are updating our contingency plans for executing an orderly shutdown of activities that would be affected by a lapse in appropriations.” President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel understand the hardships such a shutdown could cause civilian employees, the deputy secretary wrote. “The administration strongly believes that a lapse in funding should not occur and is working with Congress to find a solution,” Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters today. “The secretary has made it
clear that budget uncertainty is not helpful for us in executing our budget efficiently, and a shutdown would be the worst type of uncertainty. A shutdown would put severe hardships on an already stressed workforce, and is totally unnecessary.” Carter vowed to provide more information as it becomes available. The Office of Personnel Management’s website has more information.
Chuck Hagel
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Classifieds