{MARINES]- United States Marine Corps News 06/09/97 [1/3]

[Veterans News & Information Service]

Subject: {MARINES]- United States Marine Corps News 06/09/97 [1/3]
Send reply to: webm...@vnis.com
Priority: normal

Division of Public Affairs, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps,
Washington, DC 20380-1775 Commercial: (703) 614-1492/4/5 DSN:
224-1492/4/5 FAX: (703) 697-5362

In this issue:
06/09/97

ALBUQUERQUE GIVES HIS CAREER AN EDUCATIONAL 'BOOST'

BARRACKS UPGRADE PROVIDES A PLACE TO STUDY AND RELAX

BASE HOUSING OFFICE ACHIEVES EXCELLENCE ONCE AGAIN

CAREER TIPS FOR MILITARY SPOUSES

GRISE RIVER BRIDGE BUILT BY MARINES IN HAITI

HEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES ATLANTIC TO RELOCATE TO
NORFOLK; DUTIES SEPARATED FROM II MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

ISLAND WARRIORS UNLEASHED

JOINT MEDEX '97 HIGHLIGHTS BUSY ARMED FORCES DAY FOR MARINES IN
CLEVELAND

LANDING SUPPORT PLATOON MAKES ITS DELIVERIES

MARINE CORPS EXCHANGE UPDATE AND EVENTS

MARINE HELOS DELIVER WATER TO THIRSTY BIGHORNS

MARINE MENTORS PROVIDE POSITIVE ROLE MODELS FOR LOCAL CHILDREN

MARINE TAKES THREE BIG STEPS IN HIS FAST-PACED CAREER

MARINES CONTINUE EVACUATION IN SIERRA LEONE

NATIONAL NAVAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES SILVER

ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE

NAVY HOSPITALS, CLINICS NOW HAVE PHARMACY SATELLITES

RATE INCREASE FOR ACTIVE-DUTY FAMILY MEMBER DENTAL PLAN

REMEDIAL PROMOTION BOARDS PROVIDE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY

RESERVE MARINES HELP TRAIN ACTIVE-DUTY COUNTERPARTS

SERGEANT MAJOR HONORED AT CORPORALS COURSE

SERGEANTS MAJOR PREPARE FOR THIS SUMMER'S SYMPOSIUM

SINGLE AND SAVVY: YOUNG MARINES ATTACK LONELINESS

Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 376 Byline: Cpl. F.B. Zimmerman, MPA, RS
Albuquerque

Headline: ALBUQUERQUE GIVES HIS CAREER AN EDUCATIONAL 'BOOST'

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Education is the key to success. This is the belief
of a Recruiting Station Albuquerque Marine who is ready to take his
education and career a step higher.

Administration clerk, Sgt. Juan S. Lopez, was surprised when he recently
received word that he was accepted for the Broadened Opportunity for
Officer Selection and Training Program.

"I was in disbelief when I was accepted," said the 24-year-old Pharr,
Texas, native. "It feels good to know the Marine Corps and the officers
appointed over me think I have what it takes to be an officer of Marines.
It's truly an honor.

The various educational opportunities the Corps has to offer are exactly
what Lopez joined for.

"My parents didn't have the money to send me to college, Lopez said. "So
when I learned about the G.I. Bill and other educational benefits the
Marine Corps had to offer me, I was sold. I also joined so I could go out
and see the world."

Traveling around the world was the first thing Lopez did. After
graduating from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and administration
school at Camp Del Mar, Calif., in 1991, he was stationed at Landing
Force Training Command Atlantic, Little Creek, Va. After that, he shipped
off to Okinawa, Japan, where he served with 3rd Surveillance,
Reconnaissance, Intelligence Group and 5th Force Reconnaissance.

When he found out he would be coming to Albuquerque, he knew he would be
able to work on his education. Soon after arriving here, he enrolled at
the local Chapman University branch and has been taking classes since.

On Aug. 10, Lopez will leave his job for 10 months of study at the BOOST
Preparatory School in Newport, R.I. He is planning to enter the school
with the same attitude that has brought him this far.

"I'm not nervous," he said. "I'll go in with the attitude that I'm there
to learn and I'll do the best I possibly can. What I'll be getting -- an
education and a commission -- makes all the hard work worthwhile. I'm
looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to better myself."

The drive to better his life hasn't gone unnoticed by Lopez' fellow
Marines.

"I thought it (BOOST) was an ideal situation for him, since he takes a
lot of off-duty education," said Staff Sgt. Jimmy Flores, administration
chief. "He's got a really good record and I think he's deserving of this
opportunity.

While exploring the various officer programs the Corps offers, Lopez
decided that BOOST was the best way for him to go.

"I've been out of high school for several years and thought I could use
this to brush up on my skills before entering college," he explained. "It
will refresh my memory and give me an advantage over my future classmates
who may have forgotten a few things after high school."

Another advantage Lopez believes he has is the time he spent in the
enlisted ranks. "I'm glad I spent six years enlisted," said Lopez. "I
feel this will make me a better leader because I'll be able to understand
and relate to the problems enlisted Marines face every day. Hopefully,
Marines will feel comfortable with me since they'll know I was once in
their shoes."

Lopez believes that many of the Corps' noncommissioned officers would
make good officers and encourages anyone thinking about the officer
programs to apply. "I didn't think I would get accepted, but I decided to
go for it. You never know what will happen until you try. If you fear
rejection, you'll never know success."

Once he has completed the BOOST program, Lopez plans on entering the
Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program and attend Texas
A&M University. Once commissioned, he hopes to enter either the military
police field or intelligence field. (Cpl. F.B. Zimmerman, MPA, RS
Albuquerque) -USMC-

Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 374 Byline: Shalunda D. Johnson, MCB Camp
Pendleton

Headline: BARRACKS UPGRADE PROVIDES A PLACE TO STUDY AND RELAX

MARINE CORPS BASE, Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- The Marines of 7th Motor
Transport Battalion now have a place to enhance their military and
civilian education -- right in their own barracks.

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Ladd, battalion commander of 7th Motor Transport
Battalion, officially opened the study room last month. The third deck
lounge of the barracks was refurbished with five computer stations, new
furniture, and more than 270 books from the Commandant's Reading List.

Increasing the Marines' quality of life in the barracks has been a
mission of the commander, said Lt. Joe Wislow, battalion adjutant. The
barracks was equipped with new lounge chairs, televisions, pool tables,
and other recreation equipment to give the Marines something to do on
their down time.

In a White Letter to commanders, the Commandant tasked them to make the
same commitment toward the intellectual warfighting skills of Marines as
they do their physical fitness. Ladd decided that his Marines would
benefit from a study room, a quality work space, and a place for rest and
relaxation.

Sgt. Jessie Duff was tasked with getting the professional periodicals and
journals to start the library.

Duff said that with the help of the Marine Corps Association she was
successful in collecting books for the rank of private through captain on
the reading list for the library. The facility is open 24 hours a day and
the books must remain in the library until a temporary loan system is set
up. Now, Marines have the opportunity to take part in military reading
with little or no expense.

The computers are loaded with the latest software, including war games,
and are available for Marines taking college courses or anyone who wants
to learn the technology. The room was furnished and decorated by the
battalion's Marines. They scraped walls, re-leveled floors, installed new
carpet, painted, ran cables for the computers, and replaced the
furniture.

It took Pfc. Eric Pullen and Sgt. Adrian Ramirez two weeks to load
software, wire the space, and do all the technical support for the
computers.

"It was very time consuming, but it's great to do a job that you will see
everyone benefit from," Ramirez said. (Shalunda D. Johnson, MCB Camp
Pendleton) -USMC-

Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 368 Byline: Lance Cpl. Amanda Hay, MCB Camp
Pendleton

Headline: BASE HOUSING OFFICE ACHIEVES EXCELLENCE ONCE AGAIN

MARINE CORPS BASE, Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- The Camp Pendleton Housing
office has earned its second honor for excellence. The Marine Corps
Family Housing Office of the Year Award was presented by Base Commanding
General, Major Gen. C.W. Reinke, for fiscal year 1996 to the housing
office March 6 at Lake O'Neill.

A housing office picnic followed the award presentation, along with
sports and music. "It was a beautiful day and a great chance to celebrate
our success with all our employees," said Joseph Curley, customer
relations officer.

This award is presented annually to the Marine Corps family housing
office that achieved the highest degree of excellence in management and
customer service.

Each Marine Corps base and air station may compete for the award, with
the exception of the previous year's winner. To enter the competition,
each command must submit a package consisting of completed criteria
pre-established by Headquarters Marine Corps.

The housing office's award is judged on command involvement, manpower
utilization, training programs, utilization of housing assets, housing
referral services, maintenance/repair/improvement programs
identification, implementation of innovative ideas and other specific
areas.

"Being customer-service oriented is an important quality which is
instilled in all our employees. We reinforce the importance of serving
the military in everything we do," Joe Fitts, director of base housing
said.

Three finalists are selected by a panel of active-duty and civilian
personnel from HQMC, Installations and Logistics Department, and the
housing manager of the previous year's winning office. The winner is then
selected by the director, Facilities and Services Division.

The winner receives an inscribed trophy that changes hands at the
conclusion of the year, a plaque to retain and, depending upon available
funds, a monetary award.

Fitts plans to possibly use the $25,000 award to purchase bicycles for
the employees to use. "I figure it will give them a chance to improve
their health and get their jobs done as well," he said. He also plans to
use the money for training videos for employees and enhance the housing
offices with new equipment such as televisions and video cassette
recorders.

The diligence and commitment to excellence of about 150 employees has
justifiably earned the award once again. "We won the award in 1994 and
1996," Fitts said, "and plan to continue with the same excellence in the
future. (Lance Cpl. Amanda Hay, MCB Camp Pendleton) -USMC-

Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 373 Byline: CRMC, Camp Pendleton

Headline: CAREER TIPS FOR MILITARY SPOUSES

MARINE CORPS BASE, Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- Maintaining a balance
between personal career goals and family life is challenging in any
environment. Marriage to a Marine can multiply those challenges:
unpredictable schedules, frequent moves, unexpected separations, and
deployments contribute to a more stressful and complicated life.

Every day, Family Member Employment Assistance Program specialists at 19
Career Resource Management Centers around the Corps, work with men and
women helping them identify and pursue their personal employment
objectives. They understand how a Marine's military career might impact
their spouse's aspirations. They can help find options that are
compatible with the military lifestyle.

To assist spouses in finding success in their careers, FMEAP counselors
offer the following Top 10 List of Career Tips:

1. Be curious. Ask questions. Talk to people you meet about their work,
how they found their jobs, the disadvantages and drawbacks they see in
their fields.

2. Have a plan. Know what you want, right now and in the future. Work out
your preferences, explore your options as you develop your Individual
Career Plan. Focus on what you need to do to reach your goals, such as
more education, training or related work experience.

3. Remain flexible. Even though you know where you're going and how
you'll get there, be ready to change direction if a unique opportunity
comes along. Military life offers lots of wonderful possibilities if we
are willing to "bloom where we're planted."

4. Hit the ground running when you move. Begin your job search before you
relocate. Carry a resume on disc, work samples, letters of
recommendation, and a great looking interview outfit in case something
comes up.

5. Network. Most people find their jobs through informal contacts.
Prepare a short "commercial" about your goals and then involve everyone
you know in your job search. Ask family, friends, neighbors, or
professionals for referrals of people who can tell you about job
openings.

6. Keep current. Know what skills are in demand and whether you are
competitive. Keep credentials and training current. Be ready to cite your
typing speed or computer program knowledge.

7. Toss the tunnel vision. Consider jobs you've never done. Look outside
your comfort zone for jobs to help you stretch. Identify transferable
skills and practice describing them to an employer.

8. Consider alternative work arrangements. Ever thought about job
sharing, part-time work, volunteering, bartering your services, or
telecommuting? Accepting, or proposing, these options can help you make
contacts, keep skills current, develop work experience or find work when
jobs are scarce.

9. Consider a home-based business. Doing things like word processing,
transcription, or child care at home earns you an income without the
expenses or worries associated with an outside job.

10. Use the Career Resource Management Center. We'll help you develop a
career plan, identify your skills, write a great resume, focus your job
search, and reduce the worry about how you'll compete. When you're ready,
we'll help you find ways to pursue your plans with confidence. (CRMC,
Camp Pendleton) -USMC-

Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 366 Byline: JO3 Cathy Thomas, U.S. Support
Group, Haiti

Headline: GRISE RIVER BRIDGE BUILT BY MARINES IN HAITI

IMAGE CAPTION -- 23GRISE.JPG -- (L to R) World Bank Representative Pierre
Sooh; U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, William Swing; Haitian President, Rene
Preval; Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command, Marine Gen. John
Sheehan; Haitian Minister of Public Works, Jacques Corcean; and U.S.
Support Group, Haiti's commanding officer, Marine Col. Jon Stull cut the
dedication ribbon on the Grise River Bridge in Port-au-Prince Haiti.
(Photo by JO3 Cathy Thomas)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- The U.S. Support Group, Haiti, dedicated the
Grise River Bridge recently, marking the culmination of more than 10
months of hard work.

The Grise River Bridge spans 200 feet, and connects portions of the La
Saline Bon Repos road, which is scheduled to be completed in late June.

The bridge was pre-engineered and packaged in the United States,
delivered to the site and assembled in place by Charlie Company, 8th
Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group, Marine
Forces Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, N.C., with bolts and pins. The midspan
support pier and concrete abutments were constructed by Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion-4, Port Hueneme, Calif., and NMCB-74, Gulfport,
Miss.

The half-million dollar bridge, in conjunction with the 7.5-mile La
Saline Bon Repos road, will relieve one of the most congested areas in
Port-au-Prince. Funding for the road and bridge is being provided by the
World Bank.

United States Ambassador to Haiti, William Swing, compared the bridge to
American astronaut Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon. "The completion of
the 200-foot Grise River Bridge today may be seen as a small step for us
here, but certainly, it is a giant leap for those who are working
together to rebuild Haiti. It shows what we can accomplish when we work
together."

The ambassador went on to say the dedication of the bridge and the
scheduled completion of the La Saline Bon Repos road in June will have a
positive impact on the Haitian people and to the future relationship
between Haiti and the international community. "The inauguration of the
Grise River Bridge today is only the beginning of such a relationship,
and I have no doubt that we will see many more Grise River bridges in the
years to come."

Marine Col. Jon Stull, U.S. Support Group's commanding officer, said in
his remarks to the troops, "You have all done yourselves proud, and I
just want to congratulate you on a job exceptionally well done. In naval
terms, "'Bravo Zulu!'" (JO3 CATHY THOMAS, U.S. Support Group, Haiti)

-USMC-

Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 367 Byline: MARFORLANT PAO

Headline: HEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES ATLANTIC TO
RELOCATE TO NORFOLK; DUTIES SEPARATED FROM II MARINE
EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, ATLANTIC, Camp Lejeune, N.C. -- The
headquarters for U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic plans to relocate to
the U.S. Naval Base, Norfolk, Va., this summer.

The move is due mainly to the Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year
1997, which provides for 12 additional general officer authorizations for
the Marine Corps. The additional authorizations allows the Commandant of
the Marine Corps to assign separate commanders to U.S. Marine Corps
Forces, Atlantic and the II Marine Expeditionary Force. The current
commander, Lt. Gen. Charles E. Wilhelm, and his predecessors were
double-hatted as the Commander, MARFORLANT and Commanding General II MEF.
One of the key reasons for the 1994 move to Camp Lejeune was the
realization that command of II MEF required a Camp Lejeune presence.

The assignment of separate commanders will allow the II MEF commander and
his staff to remain at Camp Lejeune, while the MARFORLANT commander and a
small staff relocate to Norfolk. This action will allow the MARFORLANT
commander to better perform as the U.S. Marine Corps Component Command to
the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command, and allow the II MEF
commander to remain at Camp Lejeune, validating one of the major reasons
for the 1994 move to Camp Lejeune.

The decision by the Commandant to assign dedicated commanders to
MARFORLANT and II MEF underscores the Commandant's desire to give highest
priority to warfighting and joint commands.

When they relocate to Norfolk, MARFORLANT personnel will move into spaces
currently controlled by the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Liaison Element. The
cost of the move is expected to be minimal since the size of the
contingent will be small and will be staffed through the use of the
normal summer change of station process. Additionally, the facilities at
Norfolk already exist and will require very few modifications.
(MARFORLANT PAO) -USMC-

Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 378 Byline: Cpl. Michael Wiener, MCB Hawaii

Headline: ISLAND WARRIORS UNLEASHED

IMAGE CAPTION -- 23ISLAND.JPG -- Private first class Donald Kine, 2/3,
fires the M240G machine gun down range to cover his unit's movement,
while Lance Cpl. Scott Kasper feeds ammo. (Photo by Cpl. Michael Wiener)

MAKUA VALLEY, Oahu (May 29) -- Thirty-nine thousand 5.56 mm rounds. Five
thousand 7.62 mm rounds. Four hundred seventy-eight 60 mm mortars. Six
hundred pounds of explosives. One hundred twenty hard-core Marines. A
pinch of blood, sweat, and tears. Blend all ingredients and pour into
Makua Valley.

This was Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines' Memorial Day recipe for
training and fun.

While many Americans celebrated Memorial Day with barbecues, going to the
beach, or camping, Fox Co. took the opportunity to get one last training
exercise in before deploying to Okinawa, Japan.

"This was the only time we could get the range," said Cpl. Adam Bade,
company training NCO. "The Army has priority, but nobody else trains on
Memorial Day."

They arrived in the valley Friday afternoon and wasted no time. After
setting up bivouac, the Marines threw grenades and did a walk-through of
the range in preparation for the next three days of live fire.

The range at Makua is a fire-and-maneuver course approximately 800 meters
long with hundreds of meters of trench lines. The size of the range
allows for support fire. Machine guns and 60 mm mortars fire down-range,
and assault-men blow holes in the wire, clearing a path for the infantry
to hit, roll, and fire their way to the objective.

"We don't usually get ranges like this with mortars and guns in support,"
said Staff Sgt. Edward W. Webb, company gunnery sergeant. "It makes the
training more realistic.

For three days, platoons took turns negotiating the hills, valleys, and
trenches, all the while mortars and machine guns continued to rain on the
range. (Cpl. Michael Wiener, MCB Hawaii) -USMC-

Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 372 Byline: Staff Sgt. Charles Portman, PWST,
Brook Park, Ohio

Headline: JOINT MEDEX '97 HIGHLIGHTS BUSY ARMED FORCES DAY FOR
MARINES IN CLEVELAND

IMAGE CAPTION -- AFDAY.JPG -- The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill
Platoon from Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., performed on the campus
of Cleveland State University on Armed Forces Day. (Photo by Staff Sgt.
Charles Portman)

CLEVELAND -- Armed Forces Day began early on May 17, with a joint
military mass casualty evacuation exercise just outside downtown
Cleveland at Burke Lakefront airport. Marines joined with members of the
Navy, Air Force, Air National Guard, and Coast Guard to execute Joint
MedEx '97. The exercise tested the region's military and civilian
capability to perform a peacetime mass casualty evacuation in the event
of a natural disaster or emergency situation.

The scenario selected for the exercise was an aircraft accident at
Lakefront airport on the shores of Lake Erie. According to the concept of
operations, a fully loaded C-130, with approximately 70 people, landed in
foul weather short of the runway. The aircraft then came to rest
partially in the water adjacent to the landing strip. Casualties were
scattered in the water and on the land surrounding the aircraft.

Reservists from 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, of Brook Park, Ohio,
provided transportation, communications, and personnel support for the
exercise, to include role players.

Making up the 25th Marines' battalion aid station, Navy corpsmen and
officers from 4th Marine Division also filled medical support roles
throughout the exercise.

The Marines and corpsmen were eager to participate in the one-day
operation. It allowed various Reserve Support Program disaster relief
initiatives to be exercised and provided an opportunity to interact with
local disaster relief agencies. Some of the casualties were transported
by aeromedical aircraft and others via ground transportation to local
hospitals by U.S. Marine Humvee ambulances and civilian emergency
vehicles.

"This operation was very successful," stated Air Force Maj. Richard
Caldwell, the exercise planner. "We tested every known element that would
be used in a real disaster. The Marines' support was essential."

Back at the 25th Marines headquarters, 15 miles south of the simulated
disaster site, some local youth were preparing for a very important day
-- graduation from Young Marine recruit training. The Young Marines of
Greater Cleveland use the 25th Marines' facilities in Brook Park to
conduct their drill activities. Armed Forces Day was selected for the
graduation ceremony of the unit's 5th Training Platoon. Seventeen of the
original 27 boys and girls who began their training three months ago,
persevered to earn the title of Young Marine.

"Our growth has been increasing at a remarkable rate since the
publication of a Young Marine article in "The Plain Dealer" (Ohio's
largest newspaper)," stated retired Col. Al Herrington, who commands the
local program, just before he addressed the graduating platoon and their
parents at the ceremony. (Staff Sgt. Charles Portman, PWST, Brook Park,
Ohio) -USMC-

Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 379 Byline: Cpl. Michael Wiener, MCB Hawaii

Headline: LANDING SUPPORT PLATOON MAKES ITS DELIVERIES

IMAGE CAPTION -- 23LSP.JPG -- Lance Cpl. Shawn Steeves, Landing Support
Platoon, CSSG-3, guides a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter into a landing
zone at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. (Photo by Cpl. Michael Wiener)

MARINE CORPS BASE, Hawaii (May 29) -- When an infantry battalion is on
the move, destroying the enemy by fire and maneuver, they don't always
have the time to re-supply.

Vehicles break down, Marines run out of bullets, and everyone gets
hungry. Someone has to make sure the front lines are constantly supplied.
The Marines in Landing Support Platoon, Combat Service Support Group-3
are responsible for this re-supply.

The platoon recently fast-roped into Landing Zone Boondocker after
spending seven training days at Schofield. With support from Marine Heavy
Helicopter Squadron-363, the Marines set up a landing zone support area
and practiced heavy lifts.

"We're simulating moving and re-supplying a regiment on the move," said
Gunnery Sgt. Clifford W. Grant, LSP SNCOIC. "We lift out supplies to the
grunts, which is the idea of how we work."

The Marines transport Meals-Ready-to-Eat, fuel, ammunition, and even
Humvees. The smaller supplies are placed in a cargo net, called a net
load. A job as big as a Humvee could seem difficult, but with practice
it's no big deal, according to Sgt. Wayne Young, operations NCO.

"If we're in a hurry, we can break it down in 10 minutes. It takes about
five minutes to check the linkage and tape the windshield to prevent
possible shattering. Then we just wait for the helicopters," said Young.
"Net loads take a little longer. We have to make sure the weight is
centered and weave the straps through the netting."

"The primary objective of the exercise was to increase MOS knowledge and
to re-emphasize basic infantry skills, said 2nd Lt. Elizabeth J. Donnell,
platoon commander. For three days, the squads of Marines patrolled the
Schofield terrain.

"During the field exercise, the platoon practiced their land navigation
skills, patrolling tactics, and small unit leadership," said Donnell.

When the Marines fast-roped into LZ Boondocker after a week in the field,
they brought back experience, new-found knowledge, and a greater
camaraderie. (Cpl. Michael Wiener, MCB Hawaii) -USMC-