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Friday, October 4, 2013 Vol. 48, No. 39 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
Mike and November Company graduates
Page 15
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”
n Entertainment n News Briefs n Weather n In The Community n Around The Corps n Graduates
2 3 3 4 10 15
Get up, get out Page 6
Air Station family day Page 4
Government shutdown affects Air Station Public Affairs Office MCAS Beaufort
Due to the government shut down, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort will implement a partial shutdown of Marine Corps operations which will affect civilian employees and Marines aboard the Air Station. During the shutdown, only operations and activities essential to the safety of human life and protection of property, including operations essential for national
security, are 'expected' during the shut down. Furthermore, only the minimum number of civilian employees necessary to carry out those activities will be exempt from the furlough. These include but are not limited to security and emergency services (police, fire, and EMS), utilities, chow halls. Non-appropriated fund activities (Marine Corps Community Services) are generally exempt with some exceptions. Programs and services that
will remain open include: Child Development Centers, counseling services, Marine Corps Exchanges, lodging facilities, fitness centers and more. Programs and services that will be closed include: the Commissary, Marine Corps Family Team Building, libraries, Transition Assistance Programs, Sports Programs, Recreational Gear Issue, Auto Hobby Shops, and more. Military personnel and a minimum number of civil-
ian personnel will continue to work through the period of shutdown. Pay and allowances have been authorized for military and civilian personnel who will be working through the shutdown. All other civilian personnel will be furloughed for the extent of the shutdown, in accordance with guidelines established by the Department of Defense. Furloughed employees see
Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
A
see
aware, page 12
Service to Corps, family, community Cpl. Rubin J. Tan Staff Writer
“I grew up in a small town. We really didn't have a lot of local organizations that gave back to the community,“ said Cpl. Mark Berger, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron data system specialist. “So I didn’t really have the opportunity to get involved,” In September 2010, Berger joined the Marine Corps and attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, temporarily leaving his wife and 3-month old daughter. It wasn’t until then he discovered
shutdown, page 14
Be Aware Fair carnival-style, light-hearted Be Aware Fair brought the community together while teaching families about a much heavier topic aboard Laurel Bay, Sept. 28. “We’re out here to raise awareness for drug demand reduction and domestic violence,” said Ginny Wescott, Family Advocacy Program prevention and training. The event kicked off a month of national awareness promoting a reduction in drug demand and awareness of domestic violence. “We’re giving families and the community our support and showing them the resources that are there if they’re in one of those situations,” said Wescott. Some of those resources include military family life consultants, drug demand reduction, family counseling, prevention and education, clinical counseling and victim advocacy program. “The purpose of the event is to make people aware of all the opportunities that MCCS provides for drug demand reduction, and for families to get together and use the resources we have on the facility,” said Col. Brian Murtha, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Despite the gravity drug abuse and domestic violence bring, families were able to enjoy themselves.
Harvest Fest approaches Page 13
see
Volunteer, page 14
Lat. move toward an instant promotion Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel Staff Writer
Marines looking to re-enlist can get promoted by lateral moving into any of nine in-demand job fields. This incentive is part of the Marine Corps’ Intended Marine Occupational Specialty Promotions program for fiscal year 2014, which begins Oct. 1. By switching MOS’s, first-term Marines re-enlisting can pick up the minimum rank required for that particular job, provided they meet all other criteria. Doing so could provide a reprieve for lance corporals and corporals whose careers have stalled see
promotion, page 14
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel Staff Writer
Kids wait in line for a chance at climbing a rock wall at the Be Aware Fair aboard Laurel Bay, Sept. 28. The event promoted awareness for domestic violence and drug demand reduction programs by bringing the community together with resources that help with those issues.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services. According to the Center for see
CanCer, page 14
Operation Ball Gown Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
As the birthday of the Marine Corps fast approaches, Marines prepare for the ball by adjusting their uniforms, holding fundraisers, and buying tickets. Like anything else in the Marine Corps, the ball involves the families of Marines as well. To help spouses get ready for the birthday ball, Marine Corps Family
Team Building hosted Operation Ball Gown 2013 at the Officer’s Club aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Sept. 26. “It’s about reducing the cost and making them feel special,” said Ashley McCartney, readiness and deployment support trainer for Marine Corps Family Team Building. Operation Ball Gown is an annual event that gives spouses of active duty see
gown, page 5