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Friday, April 18, 2014 Vol. 49, No. 15 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
WWII POW remembers See 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
2 3 3 4 10
Starbase applies STEM to careers Page 4
Beaufort County JROTC visits Fightertown Page 12
Sweathogs welcome new sergeant major Page 13
JUSTIN MOORE GOES
“OFF THE BEATEN PATH” TO
FIGHTERTOWN Cpl. John Wilkes
Thousands of spectators attended country musician Justin Moore’s “Off the Beaten Path” tour aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Apr. 12. Justin Moore, Randy Houser and Josh Thompson performed for hundreds of Beaufort residents. The concert, which was open to the public, was organized by Marine Corps Community Services to entertain service members and allow them to kick up their feet and enjoy the music. For more pictures, tag them at www.facebook.com/MCASBeaufort. Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel Staff Writer
Thousands of spectators attended country musician Justin Moore’s “Off the Beaten Path” tour aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Apr. 12. Moore, recently named “best new artist of the year” at the 49th Academy of Country Music Awards, headlined the show with guests Randy Houser and Josh Thompson. The concert,
which was open to the public, was organized by Marine Corps Community Services to entertain service members and allow them to kick up their feet and enjoy the music. “Wherever I go, our nation’s troops and military families are never far from my thoughts and prayers,” Moore said. “The dedication and sacrifice of these service members mean the world to me, and are the reason I’m able to live out my dreams today. I
can’t thank them enough for everything they do for us every day. I am honored to perform for them.” Moore has released three albums: Justin Moore in 2009, Outlaws Like Me in 2011, and Off the Beaten Path in 2013. He has charted eight times on the Hot Country Songs charts, including number one hits “Small Town USA”, “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away”, and “Til My Last Day”. “I think performing for the
military is one of the most awesome experiences I’ve ever had,” said Thompson. “It’s exciting to be able to come here to perform. This is amazing and I’m glad to be here. Thank you all for everything you do for our country. Without you events like this could not be possible.” Thompson released his debut album Way Out Here in January 2010. The album has produced three top 40 hits for him on the charts: “Beer on the Table”, “Way
Company grade officers offered reserve opportunities Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel Staff Writer
Active duty company grade officers can transition to the Marine Corps Reserves early through the Company Grade Officer Early Out Program, according to Marine administrative message 179/14, released April 7. The program is a force-shaping reduction program available to officers from second lieutenant to captain. This program allows active duty officers to continue their careers as reservists. It’s also an opportunity to
guarantee a reserve billet no earlier than 120 days prior to reaching their end of active service date. All applicants must enter into a contract and commit to a minimum two-year obligation with the Marine Corps Reserve. Individual Marines must submit requests to participate in the early out program with their command. Officers interested in this program are encouraged to submit their package no earlier than 18 months from see
early out, page 6
Force Shaping: Officers offered early out Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel Staff Writer
Marine officers looking to separate from active duty early can apply for the Officer Voluntary Early Release program, according to Marine Administrative Message 178/14, released Apr. 4. The program is a costsaving initiative that allows active duty Marine Officers, with an end of active service date from Oct. 1, 2014 to Sept. 30, 2016, to voluntarily separate the Corps up to 180 days prior to their current EAS; however, it
doesn’t exempt Marines from completing reserve or ready reserve obligations on their contract. “Upon early release, the Marine will be considered to have completed their full active service,” said Gunnery Sgt. Orion Murray, the career planner for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. “Applicants should apply as soon as possible and submit their packages at least 30 days before their requested early release date.” Requirements to be accepted for the OVER pro-
gram include being eligible for an honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge and completing all pre-separation counseling and medical separation qualifications prior to their early release. Marines must not be scheduled to go on a deployment at the time of their requested early release. Marines with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or traumatic brain injury will not be separated under the program until the treatment process is complete or a waiver of treatment evaluation has been ap-
proved. Marines pending court-martial or adverse administrative action are not eligible for this program until all administrative action is complete. Marine officers who have accepted a career designation, or are currently on terminal leave pending separation cannot apply. Marine officers who are indebted to the government, to include leave, also cannot participate in the program until they are no longer in debt. Indebted Marines desiring to sepsee
release, page 6
Out Here” and “Won’t Be Lonely Long”. In 2013, Thompson released “Cold Beer with Your Name on It”. “I just want to say thank you to the troops,” said Houser. “The military personnel dedicate years of their lives to help this country and protect the way of life that I have. I want you all to know that this performance is see
ConCert, page 8
Roughnecks welcome new CO Cpl.Timothy Norris Staff Writer
Maj. Lisa Deitle relinquished command of Combat Logistics Company 23 to Capt. Matthew Grill during a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, April 14. Deitle who has served as the commanding officer of the Roughnecks since July 2012 and will be the next executive officer of 4th Recruit Training Battalion aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. “It’s a legacy,” Deitle said. “I had the privilege of being at the helm to drive the ship for a while and now he has the privilege of being at the helm. He’s enthusiastic and ready to go. He’ll bring something new and make the detachment better.” Grill’s previous duty station was with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, known as the Magnificent Bastards. He served as the ordnance officer, field mess officer, embark officer, unit user account manager and equal opportunity officer. “I’m coming from a very operational-driven unit; it was see
roughneCks, page 7