{MARINES]- United States Marine Corps News 06/09/97 [2/3]
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Subject: {MARINES]- United States Marine Corps News 06/09/97 [2/3]
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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
Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 383 Byline: MWRSUPACT
Headline: MARINE CORPS EXCHANGE UPDATE AND EVENTS
MWR SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Quantico, Va. -- A Corps-wide "Passport to Fun"
contest will be held in September in conjunction with the 100th
anniversary of Marine Corps Exchanges. Seventeen grand prizes -- a
four-day, 3-night trip to Walt Disney World -- will be presented, one at
each participating exchange. Second and third place prizes will consist
of U.S. Savings Bonds and MCX shopping sprees. Entry blanks will be
available at each exchange in September and drawings will take place in
October. Read your local base paper for other events in conjunction with
this centennial anniversary.
New Facility Opens in Japan: The Marine Corps Exchange at MCAS Iwakuni,
Japan, will open two new facilities this summer to improve the quality of
life for Marines and family members stationed there. On June 20, the new
Auto Mini-Mart will open, combining gasoline and auto parts sales, fast
food outlets, barber shop, laundry and dry cleaners, and a car and van
rental counter. Mechanics will be on duty seven days a week.
The Iwakuni Food Services Mall will open July 3, just in time for
Independence Day. The mall is a multipurpose facility with an expansive
food court. Other services will include Videolink messages in the Marine
Message Center, which allows live, on-screen phone calls with friends and
family back in the States and an AAFES new car sales department. There
will also be a bookstore, bike rental outlet, photo center, and personal
services such as engraving and key making. In addition, the facility will
house the Teen Center, Marine Lounge, Officer Wives' Club Gift Shop, and
a consignment shop.
Beaufort Exchange Copes with Deployment Blues: Despite a number of
deployments which have left only one squadron aboard MCAS Beaufort, S.C.,
the exchange is still doing a good business, reports Chief Warrant
Officer Deborah Fountain-Yates, head of Retail/Services Operations. They
recently concluded very successful Mother's Day and Secretaries Day
celebrations. MCX Beaufort is heavily involved in the Single Marines
Program at the air station and, in response to a request from the
program, has begun to introduce an enhanced line of women's apparel,
including athletic wear, intimate apparel, jeans and T-shirts to meet
customer demand.
Newest Exchange Opens in Hawaii: The newest and most modern MCX opened at
Marine Corps Base Hawaii May 31. The $12-million facility contains 55,000
square feet of sales space, 13,500 square feet of warehouse space, and is
conveniently located next to the Kaneohe Bay commissary.
On the MWR Sports Front: The Marine Corps Sports Program is looking for
top-notch Marine tennis players to compete in the Armed Forces Tennis
Championships Sept. 20-27, at Fort Eustis, Va. Championship-level players
are needed to compete in the Open Division (no age limit), Junior Vet
Division (32-39), Senior Division (age 40 and over), and Women's Division
(no age limit). The top four Open Division competitors will compete in
the Conseil International Du Sport Militaire Tennis Championship from
Sept. 27 to Oct. 5, in Rome, Italy.
Interested tennis players should submit resumes by July 30 to:
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Support Activity
Attn: MWD
Quantico, VA 22134
For more information, contact Ms. Pamela Hodge, Marine Corps Sports, at
DSN 278-3846 or commercial (703) 784-3846. (MWRSUPACT) -USMC-
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
Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 371 Byline: Staff Sgt. Glenn Holloway, MCB Camp
Pendleton
Headline: MARINE HELOS DELIVER WATER TO THIRSTY BIGHORNS
MARINE CORPS BASE, Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- Embarking on an unusual
mission, Camp Pendleton firefighters loaded their equipment into
helicopters May 21 and headed for the Colorado River. Their mission was
to fill four mountain basins along the California/Arizona border with
water from the river so bighorn sheep and other wildlife can survive the
summer.
"I thought someone was kidding me when they first mentioned sheep. But as
it turned out, it was good training for us and it helped the wildlife,"
said pilot Capt. Doug V. Glasgow about the request from the Bureau of
Land Management and the California Department of Fish and Game.
Late fall and winter rains usually fill the natural basins, called
tinajas, but the area received only .86 inches of rainfall in 1996,
according to Terry A. Reed, BLM area manager. The drought is taking its
toll on the bighorns, which compete with an increasingly large population
of wild burrows.
The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Corps Air Station
Tustin, Calif., landed on the banks of the Colorado about 150 miles from
Camp Pendleton. The firefighters hooked up the 1,325-gallon tanks, which
are usually used for firefighting operations, and lifted off.
Then came the hard part -- finding the water holes and getting the water
in them, while maintaining a vigilant watch of the skies above and the
sheer rock walls on all sides.
The helicopters dropped the water on the slopes above each hole, hovering
with buckets 10 to 20 feet above the ground in some cases, according to
Capt. Brian Cavanaugh, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-462 operations
officer and pilot.
"When fighting fires, we usually drop from about 125 feet at 40 to 50
knots," said Chief Scott Chambers, Camp Pendleton Fire Department's
Helitack Unit. "You could really see the skill it took to put those big
helos in those tight spots."
Glasgow humbly admits, "Once you've been flying for a few years, you
learn the dimensions of your bird and flying between the rocks isn't that
bad."
The 50 to 60 sheep in the area have had their access to the Colorado
River cut off by a shrub called tamarisk, which has grown so thick that
the sheep cannot get to the bank, Reed said.
"It's hard to say how long the water will last -- maybe two to three
months," Reed said. "Our objective, however, is to give the sheep every
chance to survive this summer. (Staff Sgt. Glenn Holloway, MCB Camp
Pendleton) -USMC-
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
Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 369 Byline: Sgt. Shanze Lee, MCB Quantico
Headline: MARINE MENTORS PROVIDE POSITIVE ROLE MODELS FOR LOCAL
CHILDREN
MARINE CORPS BASE, QUANTICO, Va. (June 2) -- When Vickye Jones, an
elementary school teacher, came up with the idea to start a mentor
program at Featherstone Elementary School six years ago, she had one
Marine volunteer.
Although she didn't originally create the "Choices" Mentor Program at the
Woodbridge, Va., school with the Marines specifically in mind, they have
since overwhelmed the program with their participation. On a yearly
average, 16 to 20 Marines volunteer to spend an hour of their work week
with these children.
Following in the successful footsteps of Featherstone, teachers and
coordinators at nearby Triangle Elementary School have created a mentor
program that, again, has been overwhelmed with Marine support.
The "word" seems to be spreading because schools throughout northern
Virginia area have been requesting that Marines volunteer as mentors at
their schools.
The mentor programs select students, affectionately referred to as
"mentees," of diverse backgrounds who might have scholastic challenges to
overcome, attention or attitude problems, or difficulties at home.
According to Flossie Petruzzi, a counselor at Featherstone, an hour a
week makes a world of difference in these children's lives.
Most of the students in the programs are between ages 9 and 11 years old.
Like most children that age, they are very impressionable and susceptible
to bad and good influences. The mentees get a one-on-one friend, said
Petruzzi. These programs are designed so that the mentor and mentee can
spend an hour a week doing whatever the student wants -- as long as it's
productive. This could entail help with reading or writing, experiencing
something new -- like exploring the Internet -- or spending time on the
basketball court talking about life.
"I think a mentor is supposed to make you feel better," said Kyle
Shanefelt, 10. He said most of the time his mentor, Maj. Robert Head,
Requirements Division here, accomplishes the mission -- making him feel
better.
This fifth grader was one of the quiet ones in the back of classroom --
so quiet that he was considered an "extreme introvert." This is someone
who is more interested in their own mental life than the world around
them.
"He never talked at first," said Head. "Now, he talks my ear off."
The Marines who participate in the programs range from privates to
colonels. Whether the insignia on their collars are shiny or flat black,
the commitment is the same -- one hour of their time.
When the Marines arrive each week, the whole school gets excited -- not
just the students but the teachers, too, said Jones. "The kids wait by
the door for their Marine."
Usually dressed in their service "C" uniforms, the mentors paint the
hallways with their Marine green and khaki presence. "I think it
definitely makes a difference to the children that it's a Marine who is
their mentor," said Petruzzi. "I think the uniform signifies success and
being on the right track.
"That's what we want," said Petruzzi, "to encourage the kids to become
successful and stay positive."
The benefits aren't all one-sided, however. Some of the mentors are able
to grow personally from the experience as well.
For Cpl. Aixa Dones, Intelligence Center here, having Brittany Kile, 11,
as a mentee is like having a little sister for the first time. Since Kile
doesn't have any sisters either, their bond has grown into something much
more than schoolwork help.
Kile said she hated school before she was put into the program. Her
problems stemmed from reading and spelling.
"I used to get frustrated," said the fourth-grade girl. "I would start
crying and hollering when the teacher would say 'you know what that word
is' and I didn't."
Now, Kile said, she doesn't get frustrated when she reads because Dones
has helped her work through some of the obstacles of reading and
spelling. She added that, the word "escape" still gives her a headache
when she can't remember how to spell it.
The number of success stories are innumerable, said Jones. Each student
gets help in different ways. Shanefelt has been able to open up to his
mentor, and Kile enjoys coming to school after overcoming some of her
reading difficulties.
But, one particular story stands out in Jones' memory. Two brothers, who
lost their father to heart failure several years ago, were placed with a
Marine in the mentor program.
Eventually, the older brother, 11, talked to the mentor about his father,
as did the younger brother. Up to that point, the teachers and counselors
were concerned because the two boys would not talk about their loss.
"It was a sigh of relief for all of us," said Jones.
Not all of the success stories are as dramatic as this one, but only good
can come from a person spending a little time to listen and talk with
these children each week.
"I am asked often how well I think the program is working," said Kim
Wood, the mentor program coordinator at Triangle, as she recalled a
story. Recently, one of the students came running up to her with his very
own set of dog tags that his mentor had given him.
"His name, Greg Shepherd, was inscribed on the front and "The good
shepherd" was inscribed on the back," she said. "Greg wears his dog tags
every day and looks up to his mentor with awe and pride.
"I truly believe that our mentors are our good shepherds. Not only do
they protect our country, they protect our future by keeping watch over
our flock -- our children." (Sgt. Shanze Lee, MCB Quantico) -USMC-
Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 377 Byline: Sgt. Keith Desbois, MCB Camp
Pendleton
Headline: MARINE TAKES THREE BIG STEPS IN HIS FAST-PACED CAREER
MARINE CORPS BASE, Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- Sergeant John Dugas proves
true the old saying, "Good things come in three's."
Dugas, a Denver native, was recently promoted to sergeant, received a
Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and found out he was accepted to
Officer Candidate School -- all in the same week.
The 27-year-old started his Marine Corps career in February 1994 as a
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Warfare specialist. But after checking into
1st Force Service Support Group, he was assigned as an administration NCO
in the operations office.
Dugas worked on his OCS application for a year, obtaining recommendations
and signatures to submit the package. He wanted the experience of
becoming an enlisted Marine before pursuing his goal of becoming an
officer. His acceptance letter arrived April 24.
Retired Lt. Gen. James Brabham, the last general to lead 1st FSSG during
combat in the Gulf War, was in the area and jumped at the opportunity to
promote Dugas May 1.
The medal surprised him. Dugas has constantly excelled in his current
assignment, according to Lt. Col. Bob Love, deputy operations officer. On
many occasions, Dugas served as the acting administrative chief, which is
a master gunnery sergeant billet.
He also developed executive presentations and readiness briefings for
congressmen, congressional staffers, and the commanding generals of I MEF
and 1st FSSG. Many times, the briefings were requested with little time
to prepare, but Dugas met the deadlines.
When Dugas enlisted in the Marine Corps, he figured his civilian job
experience would be the last thing he would need. He has a bachelor of
science degree in mechanical engineering and worked at IBM in the
corporate contract support office. After starting his assignment with 1st
FSSG, he soon found his education and work experience invaluable.
When it came to computers and software, Dugas excelled by providing
support above what was readily available. He helped test, implement, and
train Marines on a variety of sophisticated software programs that were
necessary for the 1st FSSG operations section to perform their duties.
"Dugas has contributed substantially to the success of 1st FSSG," Love
said. "It is easy to get burned out with the pace we keep around here."
Fellow workers, such as Sgt. Basie Pass III, will miss Dugas and the
knowledge he has.
"He pretty much taught me what I know," he said. "We hope he will return
once he becomes an officer." (Sgt. Keith Desbois, MCB Camp Pendleton)
-USMC-
Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 365 Byline: 22nd MEU(SOC) Public Affairs
Headline: MARINES CONTINUE EVACUATION IN SIERRA LEONE
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (June 4) -- In a period of five days, the Marines
and Sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations
Capable) evacuated more than 2,500 American citizens and third-country
nationals from this city. They will finish transporting the remaining
evacuees to a safe haven today.
The Marines, embarked aboard USS Kearsarge, began the first non-combatant
evacuation operation on May 30, when the situation in Freetown worsened
due to a coup against the government leaders. The mission began in the
pre-dawn hours as Marines boarded CH-46 Sea Knights and CH-53E Super
Stallions to establish the evacuation site. Once in the landing zones,
located next to a hotel on a peninsula, the Marines of Battalion Landing
Team 1/2 established security for the evacuation site using heavy weapons
and fast attack vehicles, while AH-1W Super Cobras and AV-8B Harriers
remained close by should the Marines need extra support.
Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group-22 quickly moved in to
begin processing the awaiting evacuees at an evacuation control center
established inside the hotel. U.S. State Department personnel were
present to determine who qualified to be evacuated. Although hundreds of
people greeted the MEU, some did not qualify to be evacuated. Ten hours
and 85 aircraft sorties later, more than 900 evacuees of 40 different
nationalities had been moved to USS Kearsarge.
Once onboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, the evacuees
underwent further processing and screening by both Navy and Marine Corps
personnel. Food, clothing, medical treatment, and entertainment were just
some of the services provided to the evacuees during their short stay
aboard the ship. The next day, the pilots and aircrew of Marine Medium
Helicopter Squadron-261 (Reinforced) again provided mass air transport
for the NEO by moving evacuees to a safe haven in Conakry, Guinea.
But as the evacuees were being moved to safety, the rest of the 22nd
MEU(SOC), based on reports of further unrest in the city, began planning
for another NEO in Freetown. The next morning, two days after the first
evacuation, Marines again boarded helos to insert into Freetown. This NEO
took place in the same location as the first one, so the 22nd MEU(SOC)
Marines were familiar with the ground. Still, keeping focused on the
current mission was strongly stressed as the Marines prepared to go
ashore for the second time.
Weather, months of preparation, and the absence of hostile fire, were all
factors in ensuring this mission was as successful as the first. In less
than five hours, more than 400 Americans and third-country nationals were
taken to the safety of USS Kearsarge. The number of additional people
aboard the ship was minimized due to the previous day's transport of more
than 300 people to Conakry; yet, the hangar bay was still a flurry of
activity as the processing and screening continued around the clock.
As with the first NEO, the ship again took position to facilitate the
transfer of evacuees to Conakry. The day following the second NEO, using
primarily CH-53Es, the 22nd MEU(SOC) transported an additional 300
evacuees to Conakry. At the same time, a resounding theme was developing.
Once again, the Marines began receiving reports of escalating conflict
ashore and began the crisis planning process anew.
A plan was conceived to counter any projected hostile threat the Marines
may have encountered while ashore. The previous evacuation site, the
Mamayoka Hotel had undergone fire all night and was untenable by the
evacuees, so they moved to a restaurant approximately two kilometers
south along the beach. The 22nd MEU(SOC) still planned to evacuate the
majority of the people by helicopter. But, in order to provide the extra
combat power they needed, two Landing Craft, Air Cushion, were sent
ashore. These hovercraft were essential as they brought ashore light
armored vehicles and other heavy weaponry that helped the Marines ensure
they were able to accomplish the mission.
At first light, the Marines were at it again, using various methods of
getting ashore. While the MEU was prepared for possible heavy fighting,
the day was again marked by the fortunate absence of any resistance to
the Marines or evacuees. Because of the heavy fighting the previous
night, the Marines and Sailors evacuated more than 1,200 people in a
little under five hours. Aboard ship, the medical facilities were
inundated with casualties and individuals traumatized by the past days'
events.
Despite the operational tempo of evacuating more than 1,200 people in a
few hours, the Navy-Marine Corps team began transferring individuals to
Conakry the same day. This reduced the number of evacuees aboard ship and
helped everyone feel a little less strained.
Today, the MEU and USS K EARSARGE will transfer all remaining evacuees to
the safe haven. (22nd MEU(SOC) Public Affairs) -USMC-
Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 382 Byline: HQMC
Headline: NATIONAL NAVAL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES SILVER
ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON -- The National Naval Officers Association will mark its
silver anniversary during its annual conference July 20-24 in Annapolis,
Md., where it was founded 25 years ago. Commandant of the Marine Corps,
Gen. Charles C. Krulak, will keynote the Marine Corps Service Luncheon on
July 22.
"Building Readiness for New Horizons" is the theme of the 1997
conference, during which members will discuss how the association can
support the mission of the sea services by assisting in the recruiting,
retention, and career development of sea service officers.
The conference will feature more than 30 hours of workshops, seminars,
and exhibits to enhance the professional knowledge and overall awareness
of the attendees. Organizers say it will offer an excellent opportunity
for all officers to benefit from the open dialogue and career-enhancing
information.
Maximum participation in this year's event is encouraged, and commands
are authorized to issue temporary additional duty orders, to include
registration fees, transportation, and per diem. If funds are not
available, permissive TAD orders may be issued.
The NNOA is a member of the Navy-Marine Corps Council and is endorsed by
the Secretary of the Navy. Its membership is open to all regular,
reserve, and retired Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers.
For more information on NNOA and to obtain a registration application for
this year's conference, contact the NNOA management office at
1-800-772-6662, or the Marine Corps NNOA representative, Maj. J.L. Brown,
at DSN 278-2899, commercial (703) 784-2899.
All registrations must be processed in advance and reach NNOA by June 30.
(HQMC) -USMC-
Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 384 Byline: Jan Davis, Bureau of Medicine and
Surgery
Headline: NAVY HOSPITALS, CLINICS NOW HAVE PHARMACY SATELLITES
WASHINGTON -- Fifteen Navy hospitals and clinics now have auxiliary
pharmacy outlets for patients to pick up their prescriptions, decreasing
waiting time and relieving traffic congestion at some hospitals.
Seven of these satellites are located in exchanges or commissaries so
patients can get their prescriptions while they shop. Other satellites
are located in new, stand-alone buildings or trailers. Some offer longer
hours so that patients can pick up their prescriptions after work or on
the weekend.
All 15 facilities have phone-in refill service. Patients call in the day
before to order their prescriptions, and the medication is packaged and
ready for pick up the following day.
"These satellite pharmacies are designed to increase service to the
customer," said Capt. David R. Woker, MSC, Navy Medicine's specialty
advisor for pharmacy matters. He expects more pharmacy satellites to
sprout up near Navy health care facilities as an added convenience for
the patient-customer.
Most of the satellites provide only refills of prescriptions patients are
currently taking. New prescriptions usually must be filled at the
hospital or clinic main pharmacy so the pharmacist or pharmacy technician
can meet with the patient.
"One-on-one with the patient helps pharmacists or pharmacy technicians
clarify how the medication should be taken and what to do if they have
any problems with it," said Woker.
Four of the satellite facilities are located at Marine Corps
installations:
-- MCX, MCAS Cherry Pt., N.C.
-- MCX, MCB Camp Lejeune, N.C.
-- Pharmacy Refill Building, MCB Camp Pendleton, Calif.
-- Commissary, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. (Jan
Davis, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery) -USMC-
Date: 06/09/97 Release #: 385 Byline: TRICARE NEWS
Headline: RATE INCREASE FOR ACTIVE-DUTY FAMILY MEMBER DENTAL
PLAN
AURORA, Colo. -- The monthly premium for the TRICARE Active-Duty Family
Member Dental Plan will increase on Aug. 1. The rate for a single
enrollment will go up from the present $7.19 per month to $7.64. A family
enrollment that now costs $17.97 per month will be $19.09.
Active-duty service members will see the premium increase reflected in
their July 1997 Leave and Earnings Statements. Families who are signed up
for the plan by their military sponsors on or after July 1, 1997, will be
enrolled at the new rate.
The scheduled premium increases were proposed by the present contractor,
United Concordia Companies, Inc., in their initial bid for the contract,
to cover expected increases in program costs. The increases were accepted
by the government. The new premium amounts are still less than those that
went into effect in April 1993, when the dental plan's benefits were
expanded.
The monthly premium that active-duty service members have deducted from
their paychecks represents 40 percent of the total premium cost for the
plan. The other 60 percent is paid by the government.
For information about the dental plan, write to the contractor: United
Concordia Companies, Inc., Customer Service, P.O. Box 89218, Camp Hill,
Pa. 17089-8218. Or, call toll free at 1-800-866-8499. (TRICARE NEWS)
-USMC-