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Friday, August 1, 2014 Vol. 49, No. 30 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”
n Entertainment n News Briefs n Weather n Around the Corps n Graduates
2 3 3 10 13
Cast your vote! Page 5
Back to school: What you need to know Page 4
VMFA(AW)-224 returns to Fightertown Page 13
Herschel Walker to visit Air Station
Sgt. Marcy Sanchez Public Affairs Chief
Former NFL icon and mental health advocate, Herschel Walker, is scheduled to speak aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort at the base theater Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. until noon. Walker, who was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder, will be speaking to service members,
dependents and retirees during his visit in an effort to promote the Patriot Support Program’s AntiStigma Campaign which aims to educate and inform the audience about Depression and other behavioral health issues. “Having a healthy mental state is part of our physical well-being,” said Shari Mattos-Alcorn, head of Tri-Command’s behavioral health branch. “Why go at it alone? We’re
a huge family and there’s help or everything.” The 52-year-old Heisman Trophy recipient has been an advocate for mental well-being since the release of his memoir in 2008, which chronicled Walker’s struggle to come to terms with D.I.D. and seek help. According to Andrew Laning, the divisional director of military programs for the Patriot Support
Programs, Walker is known for his interaction with his audience and support of service members. During his presentation, Walker takes his audience through his journey in life from being bullied during his childhood to using sports as an outlet for his anxiety. “You have to be resilient and take care of yourself,” said Laning. “Overcoming adversity is one of Herschel’s messages during his
presentation.” As a child, Walker grew up with a speech impediment and weight problem. According to several interviews, he realized that if things were going to change they needed to start with him. He trained his speech, body and mind, graduating valedictorian of his high school see
Walker, page 8
Step up: YOU are responsible for stopping sexual assault Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
VMFA-122 maintenance Marines make it happen during RIMPAC Lance Cpl. Alissa Schuning
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
HONOLULU - In the world of Marine Corps aviation, pilots tend to be superstars of the show, flying jets and dropping bombs, but behind the scenes are the Marines on the ground who make it all possible. Maintenance Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 work day and night, repairing and preparing F/A-18C Hornets for their scheduled flights during Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
Rim of the Pacific is a multinational maritime exercise that provides a unique training opportunity which helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of the sea lanes and security of the world’s oceans. According to Marine 1st Lt. Jeffrey Kennedy, the assistant aviation maintenance officer with VMFA-122, three-fourths of the Marines with VMFA-122 in Hawaii are involved in aviation maintenance. Those Marines inhabit see
Vmfa-122, page 9
New bystander intervention training for sexual assault prevention called Step Up was implemented across the Marine Corps, July 28. The class will be taught by a trained uniformed victim advocate, and will satisfy annual sexual assault prevention and response training for ranks private through lance corporal. “This empowers junior Marines to step up and say something,” said Sharria Johnson, installation sexual assault response coordinator aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. “Until you step up and say no to sexual assault, it is everyone’s problem.” Step Up is interactive video-based training. The goal of Step Up is to facilitate a firm understanding in Marines that stepping in to prevent sexual assault is the responsibility of each and every individual.
“This training gives you a view of how one person’s actions can change one moment and positively or negatively impact someone’s life,” said Johnson. Each class will have no more than 30 Marines to promote group discussion and reduce stigma.
Marines who have completed annual SAPR training or SAPR pre-deployment training in fiscal year 2014 are not required to take Step Up this year. “If you have enough courage to make just a little difference, you can change someone’s life,” said Johnson.