[MARINES]- MARINE CORPS NEWS SUMMARY 22-98
Christian Wilson
MARINE CORPS NEWS SUMMARY 22-98
You can access these stories and view selected high quality imagery at:
http://www.usmc.mil/news
UPWARD MOBILITY BEGINS WITH CARE 06/05/98
MWCS-28 MARINE USES AMPHIBIOUS S 06/05/98
3RD FORCE SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP 06/04/98
HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM SAVES CO 06/04/98
SCOUT/SNIPERS PRACTICE MODERN WA 06/04/98
MEF TESTS NEW CONCEPTS IN STOM E 06/04/98
MARINES, SAILORS CONTINUE FRIEND 06/04/98
1/7 COMPLETES CG '98 LIVE-FIRE T 06/04/98
MARINES DO 'BANG' UP JOB SETTING 06/04/98
1/7 SAMPLES THAI 'DELICACIES' IN 06/03/98
COBRA GOLD OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF 06/02/98
MPF OFFLOAD IN 'FULL SWING' 06/02/98
DOD NEEDS FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS FR 06/02/98
THE LAMP IS ALWAYS LIT IN NEW YO 06/02/98
OKINAWA MARINES COMPETE IN BODYB 06/02/98
AAOE DISTRIBUTES OFFLOADED GEAR 06/01/98
-USMC-
UPWARD MOBILITY BEGINS WITH CAREER PLANNING
By Gunnery Sgt. Joe Steele
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. (Jun 4) -- Cpl. Sergio Jimenez
is at a crossroads in his career. His military occupational specialty is
closed to re-enlistment forcing him to find another occupational field or
leave the Marine Corps. His situation is similar to that of many
Marines, especially first termers. Jimenez said the decision was not easy.
"Wanting to be a Marine is not enough," said Jimenez. "You have to
want to be a Marine, but also do what is in your heart. Do what you are
good at.
"There were a lot of uncertainties. I was concerned about how it
would
affect my family. I considered deployments, promotions and what things I
was good at."
Jimenez's strengths and abilities are in writing. In high school, he
enjoyed working on the newspaper. With that in mind, he submitted his
re-enlistment package to Headquarters Marine Corps for a lateral move into
the Public Affairs field.
Jimenez is one of the few Marines who found a job in another field so
he could stay in the Corps. According to Master Sgt. Donald A. Huser,
Marine Aircraft Group-13 career planner, staying in is much harder now
that
the Corps has shrunk.
"Re-enlistment is very competitive, more so than promotions," Huser
said. "The First Term Alignment Plan for Enlisted Career Forces Control
determines how many Marines per grade in each MOS are needed for
extension.
With limited boatspaces in some MOSs, first termers will either make a
lateral move or be flipping burgers. The toughest, most competitive hurdle
is the first re-enlistment."
So, what should Marines do to increase their chances for retainment?
Some things are out of their hands. Headquarters Marine Corps sets the
number controls, but Marines can plan their career to make themselves more
retainable. Once Marines have cleared that first hurdle, re-enlistment,
career planning becomes more important for upward mobility The Career
Highway
A career in the Marine Corps is like getting on a toll road. If you
pay the toll, you cruise along quickly and smoothly with very little
delays
in your progression. If you don't pay the toll, there are detours, delays
and stops that slow the progression.
Marines checking into their first duty station should take a look at
their career to decide the best means for them to progress. To get on the
career toll road, these Marines need to take out their required
Professional Military Education (Marine Corps Institute courses and
professional reading), maintain a high physical fitness score and rifle
range score, and begin thinking about a B billet.
These are the toll fees that you will have to pay to stay on the
expressway. Once you're on the toll road, there are other toll gates to
pass through. Professional Military Education
The first toll gate comes when a Marine picks up corporal. He or she
should attend a corporals course if one is available and complete required
MCI courses. Once a Marine makes sergeant, the toll road takes on
additional emphasis - future promotions are tied to PME.
"While PME is not tied to retention, it is very strongly linked to
promotion," Huser said. "It is the key to road map success."
All Marine Message 339/96 outlines what nonresident courses are
required in each rank. According to the ALMAR, "A Marine's record that
does
not reflect nonresident PME completion when considered for promotion and
those that do not complete the appropriate PME requirements prior to the
convening date of the board will be considered 'less than fully qualified'
for promotion."
Other PMEs to consider are resident courses. These no longer affect
retention but do reflect very favorably, said Huser. They are, however,
looked at for promotion consideration and indicate that the Marine is
proactive in his or her career.
"Nobody will walk up and give you the next stripes. You have to work
hard for them," said Huser.
Marines should be actively seeking a seat in the Sergeants' Course,
the Career and Advanced Courses, and completing the prerequisite MCIs,
each
time they attain a new rank.
B Billets
A career plan should also include serving in a B Billet, as a
successful tour is indicative of a well-rounded Marine.
"After your first re-enlistment, you should take a look at drill
instructor duty, recruiting or Marine security guard. If you do not
choose,
Headquarters Marine Corps will choose for you," said Huser. "Once
assigned as a drill instructor, recruiter or security guard, you
automatically
receive 100 bonus points toward your cutting score."
While not all Marines will have the opportunity to serve in a B
Billet
due to their MOS being critical, they can show their interest in a B
Billet assignment on their fitness report.
"Request an assignment on your fitness report and let Headquarters
Marine Corps tell you no," Huser said. "Promotion boards looking at your
records will see that you've never been sent, but comments in your Section
C will show your interest and it will be briefed. It looks good to the
board." Other Considerations
Marines in Jimenez's situation, who must find a new job in the Corps,
can also increase their chances of qualifying for different jobs if they
retake their Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Many jobs in the
Corps require a specific general technical score.
"If your GT score is less than 100, retest to get your score up to
110," Huser said. "In most cases, test scores will go up. And you can buy
study guides or check them out from the library." While MCI courses
offer more points toward cutting scores and are requirements in some
cases,
college is another thing Marines should be considering.
"It is not a crime to be enlisted and have a college degree," Huser
said. "Whatever a Marine does to better himself, whether he's staying in
or
getting out, betters the Corps and makes him a higher caliber Marine."
Finally, Marines should know the reporting system and the fitness
report. According to Sgt. Maj. Jerry R. Abel, who recently retired from
the
Corps, a Marine is responsible for his or her own career and the fitness
report will make or break him or her. Abel said Marines need to know the
reporting occasions, the procedures for rebutting a report and how to
request to have a fitness report pulled. Marines should also review their
Master Brief Sheet annually to look for missing reports.
If you don't take the time to plan your career, especially those
Marines in the career force, you will find yourself off the toll road and
at a traffic light while the rest of your peers cruise along in the fast
lane. While a plan won't necessarily ensure you get promoted quicker, it
will help you achieve your goals and the requirements for promotion and
retention.
To learn more about career development, read the Enlisted Career
Planning Retention Manual, Chapter 5, or speak to your career planner.
-USMC-
MWCS-28 MARINE USES AMPHIBIOUS SKILLS IN TRIATHLON
By Sgt. Patrick G. Oxford Jr.
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (Jun 1) -- MCAS Cherry
Point, N.C. (June 1) -- A lone figure rises from the murky depths. As this
creature tries to fill its lungs with oxygen, it makes its way inland.
Witness can see distinctive markings on its upper limbs, as water trickles
down its hairless body. Screams rise in a deafening roar. They're not
screams of people running in terror, but cheers as they encourage some of
the roughest athletes in the world ... the triathlete.
Staff Sgt. Robert W. Webster, Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28,
is one of these triathletes.
Four years ago, Webster's triathlon career started out with a bang.
In his first competition, he finished first in his age group and seventh
overall.
According to Webster, he received his first selection to the
All-Marine triathlon team. Webster and other triathletes throughout the
Marine Corps sent resumes, containing number of races they entered and
their finishing times, to Headquarters Marine Corps for review and
selectection.
"I ran cross country in high school and college, and I have always
been a good swimmer," said Webster. "So after I left the drill field, I
started concentrating on preparing to compete."
To keep in shape for competition, Webster puts himself through a
rigorous workout in his off time. He runs between 60 to 80 miles and swims
10 kilometers a week. After all this he still manages to bike 200 to 300
miles a week.
Webster does most of his bike training on the open road aboard his
racing bike. .
"The [bike] frame by itself weighs 2.3 pounds," said Webster. "Fully
dressed for a race, it weighs about 18 pounds, depending on how much water
I carry."
Inclimate weather doesn't stop Webster. If it's raining, he has a
training stand that he can mount his bike on.
For optimum performance, Webster fuels his body with a diet
consisting
of high carbohydrates and medium proteins.
Three are several triathlon distance categories: the sprint, the
international, the Ironman and the long distance.
The sprint category consists of a 400-1000-meter swim, a 12-20-mile
bike ride, and a 3.1-five mile run.
The international, which the military runs, is a 1500 meter swim, a
40
kilometer bike course, and a 10 kilometer run.
The world-famous Ironman series consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a
112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.
According to Webster the long distance category consists anything
between the international and the Ironman.
Webster shows great enthusiasm for his sport and encourages other
Marines to compete.
"It's a lot of fun, but it's a lot of work," said Webster. "Marines
already have a good running background and biggest problem most have is
the
swimming. It's something that not a lot of people do. You do it once and
your hooked for life." -USMC-
3RD FORCE SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP CAREER TEAM RECEIVES GOLDEN ANCHOR FOR
RETENTION By Cpl. Robert Carlson
CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan (May 29) -- Brigadier General Gary G.
Hughey, 3rd Force Service Support Group commanding general, awarded the
Golden Anchor award to members of the 3rd FSSG career information and
retention team here May 8.
The Golden Anchor, which was also awarded to 3rd FSSG in 1996, is
presented by the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, to the command
exhibiting the highest sailor retention rate in the fleet.
The award was also endorsed by former Commander, Marine Forces
Pacific, Lt. Gen. Jefferson D. Howell, who commended the unit for
maintaining a retention rate, or re-enlistment rate, greater than 80
percent.
"This is quite a recognition," said Brig. Gen. Hughey. "Of all the
units in CINCPAC Fleet -- and there are a lot of units -- 3rd FSSG was the
best. That's a wonderful achievement.
"(The award) says a lot about these Sailors and their commanders.
They're providing good leadership, a good working environment and healthy
living conditions. Their Sailors are obviously satisfied with the life
they're leading and the job they're doing," he added.
Awarded annually, this year by Admiral Archie Clemins, commander in
chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Golden Anchor spotlights outstanding
achievements in career motivation programs.
Chief Petty Officer Jeff R. Hoover, 3rd FSSG command career
counselor,
accepted the award and said his whole team was responsible for its
success. In addition to the Golden Anchor, each career counselor received
a Certificate of Commendation signed by Lt. Gen. Howell.
-USMC-
HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM SAVES CORPS, MARINES CASH
By Cpl. Robert Carlson
CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan (May 29) -- The Environmental Protection
Office and 3rd Force Service Support Group recently implemented a program
to consolidate and process hazardous wastes, saving the Marine Corps
thousands of dollars monthly.
The new program not only saves the Corps money in collection,
processing and disposal costs, it also saves individual Marines money and
helps units acquire materials they normally couldn't afford.
"We issued $15,000 in free cleaning supplies, automotive fluids and
paints since August 1997," said Frank Floros, Camp Kinser's environmental
coordinator. "By issuing the stuff we collected from around the camp to
Marines, we saved the costs that we would have paid for disposal."
Floros' team of environmental specialists operate a consolidated
warehouse which is the center of the hazardous waste program. "We have
initiated daily pickup service here and have consolidated the waste sites
and eliminated many of them," said Floros.
Hazardous waste accumulation sites, locations where units store items
such as paints, solvents and cleaning supplies, have been reduced from 27
to 11. The environmental office also issued containment pods and
collection containers to better manage accidental leaks or spills in
storage areas.
The central hazardous waste management center, located in Building
500
here, handles required waste documentation and liaison with the Defense
Re-utilization and Marketing Office (DRMO).
In addition to collection of wastes from units and tenant commands,
the environmental office collects cleaning supplies left behind in family
housing areas when families change stations. "We bring it to our
warehouse
and issue it to Marines for their use," said Floros.
"By collecting, processing and storing this stuff, we are saving the
units time and money," Floros said. "It frees up the Marines so they can
be Marines."
Staying up to date on the constantly changing storage and disposal
regulations for each type of chemical can be time consuming, according to
Pfc. Dell Woodard, assistant warehouse manager. "We do all of the leg
work
-- getting the Material Safety Data Sheets, posting them and packaging
waste for disposal so the individual units don't have to worry about all
of
the details."
"During fiscal 1997, we processed and consolidated 322,000 pounds of
wastes here including oil, acid, paint and batteries," said Floros.
Hazardous materials which cannot be reused on Okinawa are sent to
DRMO
for disposal.
"We actively search for ways to use this stuff on the island," said
Woodard. "We got some bulk cammie paint from a unit here, and I called
around and found an infantry unit which needed some. The next day they
came down and picked it up. If they didn't get it from us, they wouldn't
have gotten it at all." -USMC-
SCOUT/SNIPERS PRACTICE MODERN WARFARE IN URBAN SNIPER COURSE
By Sgt. Brent C. Powell
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa (Jun 4) -- With the scope of the modern
battlefield focusing more and more on urban warfare, a select few of
Marine
Corps snipers recently completed a new course here to teach them how to
adapt to the challenges of operating in an urban environment.
The Marines were the first to complete III Marine Expeditionary
Force's groundbreaking Urban Sniper Course. "The MEF SOTG (Special
Operations Training Group) identified a need for an urban sniper course in
order to support the special requirements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary
Unit," said Gunnery Sgt. Neil K. Morris, chief instructor, special
missions
section, SOTG. "The purpose of the course is to train scout/snipers who
are going to deploy with the MEU to be able to provide support of MSPF
(Maritime Special Purpose Force) operations, and also to provide training
for 3rd Marine Division. scout/snipers to participate in close-proximity
sniping exercises."
The two-week course focuses mainly on honing marksmanship skills and
applying them to the urban environment. "We take their already-sharp
marksmanship skills here and increase their capability," said Morris.
"The
urban environment is more difficult and demanding than any type of
warfare situation, and these Marines need to be more exacting in that
environment."
"The emphasis of the course is on the scout/snipers reliability under
stress and the ability to execute exacting Rules Of Engagement (ROE),"
said
Morris. "Also, we emphasize precision fire, prevention of fratricide
(killing of friendlies) and minimizing collateral damage."
The Marines' training includes range estimation, techniques of urban
camouflage, ballistics, sniping from helicopters, establishing and
maintaining communications, precision shot placement, rapid bolt
manipulation, sniper-team coordination and lots and lots of marksmanship
training.
During the course the students sharpened their skills by firing more
than 900 rounds of ammunition (as much as they fire during their entire
nine-week scout/sniper MOS school).
The majority of their training is spent firing the M-40A1 sniper
rifle, but the students also get some trigger time on the M-82A1A Barrett
.50-caliber special-application scope rifle.
This course differs from the normal practices of sniping in that the
Marines move closer to their target and shoot faster. "Usually sniping is
considered a long-range skill, but here we teach the Marines to close the
gap from 300 yards up to the target," said Morris. "They have to get used
to firing at smaller targets at a faster rate and a closer range than what
they are accustomed to."
One of the shooting drills the students conducted was firing at
moving
targets at various speeds at a range of 200 yards. The second drill was
firing five rounds in less than 15 seconds at a three-inch circle at a
distance of 300 yards.
They also learn to fire at night with various types of illumination,
around obstacles and at targets that appear and disappear very quickly.
"This course is extremely important," said Morris. "Many of the
MEU's
operations are missions which are considered special operations, in which
they rely heavily on the scout/snipers ability to be the commander's eyes
and ears as well as his international ambassadors."
"I thought the course was very professionally done and very
in-depth,"
said Sgt. Van Seeley, team leader, 3rd MarDiv. "The short range
precision shooting and the rapid engagement precision shooting was very
challenging.
It's a different world than what we are used to, and it's very
interesting."
-USMC-
MEF TESTS NEW CONCEPTS IN STOM EX
By Sgt. Brent C. Powell
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa (Jun 4) -- Several hundred Marines and Sailors
joined forces here recently to take part in a unique cutting edge exercise
entitled Ship To Objective Movement Exercise (STOM Ex) 98-1.
The exercise, which was the brainchild of Col. Gary W. Anderson,
commanding officer, Headquarters & Service Battalion, III Marine
Expeditionary Force, was designed to test a new "littoral penetration"
concept the MEF created and tested during war gaming exercises at the
Warfighting Lab here.
The one-day exercise incorporated three main objectives. The first
was actually field testing the littoral penetration concept. Another was
the use of cellular phones as a means of tactical communication.
"Because of the distances involved, current over-the-horizon
communications do not work well," said Anderson. "We thought cell phones
would provide us with good `comm,' and we used them to simulate the new
technology of iridium satellite communications, which act like cells for
cell phones, which should be available to the Marine Corps in the near
future."
The third objective was to integrate the sensor-to-shooter concept
into the exercise. This involved a faster means of calling for aviation
support that allowed aircraft to immediately respond to a fire mission.
According to Anderson, the concept was developed by Marine Air Control
Group 18 two years ago.
"We've been working on this project on and off for the last two
years," said Anderson. "We recently conducted a study on operational
maneuvering from the sea, specifically littoral penetration. From there
we
practiced the concept on the Tactical Warfare Simulation Analysis System,
and once we were comfortable with it we decided to conduct it for real."
STOM Ex 98-1 kicked off with a group of Marines from Special
Operations Training Group, III MEF, conducting an amphibious beach
reconnaissance from rubber Zodiac boats on Kin Blue Beach. Shortly after
they completed their mission and departed, two Landing Craft Air Cushions
(LCACs) from the USS Germantown conducted an over-the-horizon beach
insertion of five Light Armored Vehicles (LAV).
Because there was a very small landing area, one LCAC hit the beach,
dropped off three LAVs and headed back into the ocean. As soon as it was
clear, the second LCAC dropped off the remaining LAVs.
Once the LAVs were on land, they formed up and headed north to Camp
Schwab to secure their objective, a Landing Zone (LZ) there. They
arrived,
secured the LZ and maintained security as a CH-53D "Super Stallion" from
Marine Aircraft Group 36, landed and dropped off a squad of Marines from
Company. C, 1st Bn., 3rd Marines.
"Littoral penetration offers us the ability to move directly from a
ship to our objective without the big buildup of troops on the shoreline,"
said Anderson. "We target a very small beach to land an LCAC on that the
enemy would defend lightly or not at all, land quickly and move directly
to
the objective."
-USMC-
MARINES, SAILORS CONTINUE FRIENDSHIP WITH PATTAYA ORPHANS
By Capt. Kimberley J. Miller
PATTAYA, Thailand (Jun 4) -- A young Thai girl named Kwan shows off
her English skills to a cluster of impressed Marines and Sailors. She
writes her name in capital letters and translates all her friends' ages
from Thai to English. Her brown eyes sparkle as her skills are praised by
the impressed onlookers. Kwan quickly latches on to a female Marine who
sits beside her and braids her hair.
"I'd take Kwan home with me in a minute if I could," said Cpl.
Laurence Lelunff, an engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172.
Kwan is one of 170 orphans who has earned a special place in the
hearts of the participants of Cobra Gold '98.
Marines and Sailors here have been visiting the orphanage weekly
since
their arrival in Thailand. Approximately 70 of those participants made
an extra special visit to the Pattaya Orphanage recently to deliver
bicycles, paint, paint rollers, toys and clothing donated by members of
the military community on Okinawa, Japan.
In a ceremony following a traditional American-style barbecue, Brig.
Gen. Gary H. Hughey, commanding general, 3rd Force Service Support Group,
presented the clothing and toys to the orphanage. The general, whose
mother spent time in an orphanage as a child, said he felt a special bond
with the orphans.
"Events like this allow for an opportunity to develop
people-to-people
relationships with our Thai counterparts," said Brig. Gen. Hughey. "I am
very moved by what I have seen here today. I know you have all touched the
lives of all these children, and I know all of you will walk away touched
as well .... I am very proud of every one of you."
The orphanage is run by a Redemptorist Catholic priest from Chicago,
Father Raymond Brennan, who started the orphanage more than 27 years ago
with only six children. Today, he runs a vast complex of six schools with
more than 652 children, to include the 170 orphans.
Visits by the U.S. servicemembers participating in Cobra Gold have
been routine for so many years that Brennan does not even recall when they
started.
"They look so forward to these visits and they talk about them for
weeks afterwards," said Brennan when asked how the children react to
visits
by these burly Americans. "Any experience that a child has interacting
with different people is good for them."
Following the barbecue and ceremony, a brass quintet from the III
Marine Expeditionary Force Band played music for children. The children
enjoyed dancing to the music and many took the opportunity to blow into
the
instruments.
As little girls danced around with their new clothes and boys zoomed
by on their new bicycles, the daily routine of feeding, clothing and
changing diapers continued.
"This is the third time I've been peed on," laughs Lance Cpl. Warren
Lew, Maintenance Detachment, 3rd FSSG (FWD), as he holds a smiling baby
out
several inches from his body while he rushes to the changing table in the
nursery.
When asked if he plans on visiting the orphanage again, Lew was quick
to respond. "I feel wet, but I'll definitely want to come back next trip
-
I'll just make sure I bring extra changes of clothes!"
-USMC-
1/7 COMPLETES CG '98 LIVE-FIRE TRAINING
By Cpl. Brannen Parrish
BAN SHAN KHREM, Thailand (Jun 4) -- Nestled 40 kilometers west of
the
Cambodian border lies a sleepy, little village with rolling hills, but
the area was wakened from its peaceful slumber by the sounds of Marines
at
work May 26 through 28.
Nearly 200 Marines and Sailors from Company B, 1st Battalion 7th
Marines (1/7), the Ground Combat Element (GCE) for Cobra Gold '98,
conducted live-fire exercises here during their training evolution. While
deployed, the Marines fired weapons organic to the infantry battalion,
including the Shoulder-fired Multi-purpose Assault Weapon (SMAW), 81mm and
60mm mortars, the AT-4 antitank weapon and the M-203 Grenade Launcher.
Prior to arriving in Thailand the Assault Section from Weapons
Platoon, Co. B, cross trained 12 riflemen with the SMAW. The two Marines
who scored the highest on knowledge tests were some of the "lucky" few who
were given the opportunity to shoot the weapon. SMAWs are used to destroy
armored vehicles, tanks and bunkers, cost more than $3,000 each, and
riflemen rarely get the chance to fire live rounds. "Firing the SMAW gets
you charged, especially when you hit the target," said Lance Cpl. Ronald
Hathaway after blowing up his target. "Riflemen don't get to fire the
SMAW
very often, so it's a treat when we do get to fire it."
Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121, from Iwakuni, Japan,
was the first unit to disturb the quiet of the training area. Practicing
close air support, F/A-18 "Hornets" dropped dummy bombs on targets placed
around the range. The Hornets also provided close air support during
company and platoon attacks.
The evolution consisted of day and night, platoon- and company-sized
attacks on targets located at the top of a hill some two kilometers from
the line of departure. Mortar and machine gun sections provided cover for
the rifle squads as they made their way to the objectives.
When they receive a call for fire, the mortar section had ordnance
raining on the enemy in 10 to 12 seconds after receiving a call for fire.
"Our job is to suppress enemy fire, so the rifle squads can maneuver
on the battlefield and overrun their positions," said Sgt. Daniel Boyett,
section leader, Mortar Section, Co. B, 1/7. "We are supporting
maneuvering
troops, so the faster we get rounds off the safer they will be."
-USMC-
MARINES DO 'BANG' UP JOB SETTING OFF LINE CHARGES
By LCpl. Abigail B. LaBin
HAT YAO, Thailand (Jun 4) -- Mines, both anti-personnel and
anti-tank, are obstacles commonly encountered in modern warfare. They are
cheap, easy to get and simple to lay out.
That's why engineers from Combat Engineer Company, 9th Engineer
Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, teamed up with Assault Amphibian
Vehicle operators from Combat Support Co., 3rd Marines, Kaneohe Bay,
Hawaii, and Royal Thai Marine combat engineers to detonate line charges,
rehearsing for the next time Marines will have to breach a minefield on
the
way to seizing an objective.
Line charges are tools made for breaching minefields and are packed
with blocks of explosive. An AAV hauls a cart behind it up to the
minefield. After it's ascertained that the line of explosive is laying
where it should be, the area is cleared for safety. Then the real
excitement begins.
"For about 100 feet it's a big wall of flame," said Sgt. Todd Putnam,
Combat Engineer Co., before the first of two line charges was detonated
May
23.
Training of the younger engineers, according to Putnam, was the
motivation behind the line-charge detonation.
"They can see what a line charge would do to a minefield," he said.
"It's a fast paced exercise on minefield marking and breaching."
The actual detonation involved three AAVs, U.S. Marine combat
engineers and Royal Thai Marine combat engineers. While the other two
vehicles waited at the "attack point," one AAV approached the simulated
minefield first, playing the part of a mine sweeping tank. The third AAV
in the line fell backas it was the "recovery vehicle" in case anything
went
wrong, and in a real minefield breaching situation, it would have been
laying down cover fire along with the first AAV.
When the first and last vehicles were in position, the AAV in the
middle, towing the line charge cart behind it, fired a rocket. There were
a few seconds of silence, during which Putnam shouted, "Cover your ears!"
to the engineers and observers about 200 yards from the line charge.
"There it goes!" he yelled, a second before the field was swallowed
in
flames. For the instant that the flames billowed, the AAVs looked
strangely like ants at an out-of-control barbecue.
The explosion itself was over in a matter of seconds, and all that
remained was a colossal pillar of smoke rising over the foothills
surrounding the detonation range. As Putnam and the rest of observers
approached the blast zone, they noted with relief that the explosion,
which
had blackened several acres of grass, had not started a grass fire and
gave the engineers in the AAVs the go-ahead to mark the minefield.
In a real minefield situation, the line charge would have cleared a
60-foot-wide lane across the minefield. The engineers piled out of the
vehicles to complete the next stage of breaching a minefield -- marking.
The engineers ran two long white marking ribbons along each side of
the cleared lane, indicating where vehicles would be able to drive safely
across. The entire operation, from the point when the AAVs roared off the
beach until the combat engineers reboarded their AAVs, took less than 20
minutes.
Another obstacle breached by the skill of combat engineers.
-USMC-
1/7 SAMPLES THAI 'DELICACIES' IN JUNGLE TRAINING
By SSgt. John Olmstead
CAMP SAMAESAN, Thailand (Jun 5) -- Disemboweled snakes, toasted
insects and headless chickens - ingredients for a voodoo curse or
field-expedient teaching aids for a class on jungle survival?
In this case, it was the latter.
Royal Thai Marines from Reconnaissance Bn., taught Marines from
Comany
B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7), survival techniques for finding and
preparing food in the jungles of Thailand.
The class began with a demonstration of edible and deadly fruits and
vegetation. As they called out the plant's name, a Thai recon Marine held
it up and pulled off a leaf, flower or stem, and ate it. Sometimes they
gave a thumbs up after eating it; otherwise, they tried to pawn it off to
another Marine who cringed as he swallowed it.
The class was then offered the opportunity to sample some of the
jungle delicacies found around the camp.
"I ate a wild pepper. I had tears in my eyes, a runny nose and my
mouth felt like it was on fire," said LCpl. Jarrod G. Anderson, rifleman,
Co. B, 1/7. "It tasted like tear gas."
The true test of courage came when the Thai Marines offered the
students cooked insects. There were an assortment of beetles, locust,
praying mantises and cockroaches.
"I had to take its head off, because I couldn't look at its eyes,"
said Sgt. Marcus Briggs, section leader, Weapons Platoon, Co. B, 1/7.
Following the taste test, the next class started with a snake. A
cobra was taken out of a wooden box and Thai Chief Petty Officer First
Class Saman Pengtun, Recon. Bn., demonstrated how to deal with such a
creature.
"Cobras are very dangerous. One snake's venom can kill up to 600
men," said Pengtun. "But in a survival situation, their meat and blood
can
save your life. It's very nutritious."
He crouched down near the snake and gained its attention with one
hand
in front of the snake. Then he moved the other hand slowly around the
backside of the cobra's hood. Slowly he pushed the serpent's head to the
ground and grasped its neck near its head. With this accomplished, the U.
S. Marines gave him a hearty `ooh-rah.'
Pengtun then demonstrated how to prepare the snake to be eaten. Its
head was cut off, drained of blood, skinned and disemboweled.
Again, the U.S. Marines had the opportunity to hold the cobra.
Because of the danger, the Thai Marines didn't allow them to grab the
snake's head, but took volunteers to hold up the five-foot cobra by its
tail. Not many volunteered, but a few grabbed the snake's tail and lifted
it off the ground.
"It was kind of scary. I didn't want to be bitten," said Cpl.
Richard
C. Coin, squad leader, 2nd Plt., Co. B, 1/7. "I have never done this
sort of thing before, but I'm glad I did it."
Next came a chicken demonstration. A Thai Marine brought out a
chicken and showed the Marines how to prepare it without the use of a
knife. It didn't take long for the Thai Marine to remove the chicken's
head, pull its feathers off and clean it. When two volunteers were
brought
up, it took them just a few more minutes to accomplish the task.
When the class concluded, many talked about what they had learned and
wondered how they might fair if put in a survival situation.
"I hope I never have to use any of this training," said Anderson.
"I'm glad the Thai Marines showed us some of their techniques. I feel
like
I could put this training into action if I had to."
-USMC-
COBRA GOLD OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF AT SAMAESAN
By Cpl. Brannen Parrish
CAMP SAMAESAN, Thailand (May 29) -- A short ceremony which featured
a
formation of the combat forces from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal
Thai Marine Corps, announced the official beginning of Cobra Gold '98 here
May 20.
At the conclusion of their ceremonial duties, Col. T. R. Larsen,
commander, Ground Combat Element (GCE), and Thai Capt. Therdsak Promsiri,
assistant commander, Royal Thai Marine Division, toured static displays of
U.S. military equipment.
Although U.S. servicemembers have been in Thailand preparing for the
arrival of the GCE since April, the exercise officially ends Monday,
leaving a relatively small window for training. More than 10,000 U.S.
military personnel from the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps are in
Thailand, making Cobra Gold '98 one of the largest Pacific Command
exercises of the year.
"We only have five or six days to train, and therefore we must use
every minute to the best of your ability," said Promsiri, in his
ceremonial
address.
Cobra Gold is a combined-joint training exercise. This year's
exercise marks the 17th Cobra Gold exercise between the U.S. and Royal
Thai
militaries. Cobra Gold's mission is to test and improve inter
operability between the two militaries.
During the exercise the militaries will conduct joint-combined land
and air operations, combined naval, amphibious and special operations.
The
citizens of Thailand will also benefit from combined civil affairs
construction projects.
-USMC-
MPF OFFLOAD IN 'FULL SWING'
By LCpl Abigail B. LaBin
CHUKSAMET, Thailand (May 29) -- When each tire weighs 3,000 pounds,
and there's four of them attached to a giant forklift swinging 80 feet
above you, one mistake can have tragic consequences.
That's why safety was stressed every moment of the day for Marines,
Sailors and merchant mariners during the offload of the MPF ship Motor
Vessel 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez here.
"If at any time they're lifting a load, and that load starts to shift
or swing the wrong way ... don't try to stop that vehicle. The vehicle
will win," said SSgt. Patrick Kiahua, motor transport offload team chief,
during a daily safety brief. "So let the vehicle swing. If it hits
another vehicle, it hits. That's just body work. We'd rather fix a
vehicle than a Marine."
The safety-oriented tone for the operation was set at 8 a.m., May 9,
when the Offload Preparation Party (OPP) Marines received their first
safety brief.
"We have the time to be careful, so safety is our priority," said
CWO-3 Alan Maxwell, maintenance officer, Combat Service Support Group 3,
3rd Marines, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, as he addressed the Marines prior to
sending them into the ship's holds to begin work.
The OPP divided into teams for the offload, with several Marines
working under a staff non-commissioned officer at each hatch on the Lopez.
During the offload the Marines moved the vehicles into position directly
beneath the hatch and attached them with slings to the crane's lines. If
the vehicle was unevenly balanced in its sling, even with no chance of it
falling, it would shift and swing when the crane pulled it off the deck.
That, according to the Marines, is the most dangerous part of the offload.
Most teams put ropes on each side of the piece of equipment, so they
could stop swinging when the crane started to lift the object. That way,
they controlled the vehicle so there was no damage to any other equipment
or people.
As if swinging vehicles of all shapes and sizes weren't enough of a
risk, the OPP worked in extreme heat, so dehydration was a constant
concern.
"We go down with two canteens. It's a rule; we need two full
canteens
whenever we're in the holds," said Went. "Within the first hour, they're
gone -- it gets so hot down there."
The Marines combat their two most dangerous enemies in the holds,
heat
and carelessness, by taking frequent breaks and rotating teams. It
breaks up the monotony before Marines begin to get bored and careless,
and gives
them a chance to get out on the main deck in the breeze.
"The tempo of our operation isn't rushed, so there's time to think
about safety. It's a pretty dangerous environment ... but as long as we
think about what we're doing every second of the day, everything will be
all right," said Capt. John Turner, Marine officer-in-charge on the Lopez.
The offload planners allowed five days for the project, but the last
piece of equipment, a 25-ton crane, left the hold about 3 p.m. the fourth
day. The OPP cut a day off their projected time without sustaining a
single heat casualty or injury. The MPF offload, and the integration of
the equipment from the ships into the exercise, plays a major role in
Cobra
Gold '98. The offload is meant to exercise the capability of the
Military Sealift Command to bring the equipment necessary for a major
mobilization
to the Marines who need it. By providing a rapid-response source of
equipment and supplies, the MPF program acts as a key supporter of the
Marine Corps. -USMC-
DOD NEEDS FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS FROM GULF WAR VETERANS
By Diana Berardocco, Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War
Illnesses
WASHINGTON (Jun 2) -- The Defense Department's Office of the Special
Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses is calling on Gulf War veterans for
first-hand information in the investigation of incidents that happened
during the Gulf War. The department is engaged in a comprehensive effort
to
identify what happened before, during, and after the Gulf War, and to
determine how incidents and practices relate to various potential causes
of
Gulf War illnesses.
Investigators are facing special challenges as they pursue the case
of
an alleged chemical exposure to a Marine on Feb. 27, 1991, or during the
first week of March 1991. The incident is thought to have happened in the
vicinity of Kabrit, Saudi Arabia, when the Marine was taking readings with
a Fox vehicle to determine whether enemy prisoner of war gear contained a
chemical agent. He subsequently developed blisters thought to be from
contact with contaminated enemy equipment.
Investigators are looking for a staff sergeant and other witnesses
who
may have been present and could provide critical information. Witnesses
who call should report that they have information pertaining to the
"Injured Marine" investigation.
Since the Office of the Special Assistant was established in November
1996, DoD has released 10 case narratives that focus on possible exposure
to chemical or biological warfare agents. These reports lay out the facts
and provide an assessment about a suspected incident. Investigators
undertake an exhaustive and methodical investigative process to ensure the
most accurate story is reported regarding specific events or issues. They
rely heavily on first-hand accounts from witnesses to gain insight into
the
conditions surrounding the incident. Interviews are conducted with key
military personnel who have the knowledge to reconstruct battlefield
operations. Thousands of original source documents are examined and
inter-agency information is exchanged and reviewed as part of an extensive
effort to verify facts. Once the initial interim case narrative has been
released, the case remains open to incorporate new information in
follow-up
reports. In addition to those narratives already published, 19 case
narratives,
two information papers, and two update reports are in progress.
Bernard Rostker, the special assistant, is attempting to assemble the
most accurate picture possible of the "Injured Marine" incident and other
events surrounding possible exposure of troops to chemical and biological
agents. As a result of lessons learned from these investigations, his
office plays an integral part in recommending that DoD makes changes in
equipment, policy, and procedures to protect future servicemembers.
"If we can't explain what went on in the Gulf, then we will have a
very poor ability to put in place military doctrine, medical policies, and
procedures that would allow us to avoid these kinds of problems in the
future," said Rostker. He views each case narrative as an appeal to those
who may have additional information.
In other cases under investigation, researchers are seeking to locate
and interview people present at the An Nasiriyah S. W. facility in Iraq,
servicemembers who have knowledge of other chemical incidents, medical
personnel, or anyone else who may have been in contact with wounded Iraqi
civilians after the war. Investigators also want to talk with veterans
about the short- and long-term symptoms suffered as a result of oil-well
fire smoke exposure and health care providers (doctors, nurses, medics)
regarding vaccine administration.
Rostker encourages anyone with information about these cases or other
incidents to share their insights with investigators. Callers may contact
either the Veterans Data Management team at 800-497-6261 or the Incident
Reporting Line at 800-472-6719. -USMC-
THE LAMP IS ALWAYS LIT IN NEW YORK CITY
By Christine M. Biddle
NEW YORK (Jun 2) -- One of New York's best-kept secrets is a club
for
servicemen and women and their guests, located in the historic Murray
Hill section of midtown New York at 283 Lexington Avenue (between 36th
and 37th Streets).
The Soldiers', Sailors', Marines' and Airmens' Club is open 24 hours
a day and offers accommodations and club-style facilities. There are two
large club lounges with fireplaces, a grand piano, 19th century antiques,
a
jukebox, and historical photos and prints. The library and canteen have
big screen televisions. The USO of Metropolitan New York operates its
General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Center at the club and provides free
and
reduced-price tickets to Broadway shows, sports events, as well as maps,
brochures, and sightseeing advice. A complimentary continental breakfast
is
served on Sundays and holidays.
The club provides lodging for all military personnel -- active,
retired, veterans, reservists, military cadets, National Guard, and their
families and guests, as well as those of our Allies. The rates are $25-$40
per night (children are less). The club is a not-for-profit organization
and taxes are not charged on the rooms.
General John "Black Jack" Pershing, Mrs. Cornelia Barnes Rogers, and
Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. founded the club in 1919 to help World War I
returning servicemen. Its mission then, as now, is "to promote the general
welfare of all servicemen and women in the Armed Forces of the United
States." The club has been housed at its present site, a former mansion,
since 1926. The lamp over the front door is lit permanently in memory of
those who died for their country.
The club operations were supported by private donations for 78 years
until 1997, when the first benefit was held. The club will host its second
benefit, The Military Ball, Oct. 8, 1998, at the Plaza Hotel, New York
City.
For more information and reservations, call (212) 683-4354 or toll
free (800) 678-TGIF (8443). -USMC-
OKINAWA MARINES COMPETE IN BODYBUILDING NATIONALS
By Cpl. Robert Carlson
CAMP S.D. BUTLER, Okinawa (May 29) -- CAMP S.D. BUTLER, Okinawa (May
29) -- Six Marines stationed here recently returned from a trip to
Virginia Beach, Va., where they competed in the National Body Building
Championships at the Little Creek Theater May 17.
Eighty-nine athletes competed for the title in three different
divisions-- Europa Fitness, a competition for females involving dance and
gymnastics, and Europa Open, for all other competitors except military
members, who compete in the Armed Forces division.
"The Armed Forces category was added to the competitions to make it
fair for servicemembers who wish to compete on the national level," said
Staff Sgt. Juanita L. Moore, a purchasing agent for the Regional
Contracting Office, Headquarters & Service Battalion here. "The
organizers
of the nationals understand military members are drug tested regularly
and can't compete on the same level as those who don't have to worry
about
testing."
The six-member Okinawa delegation left for Virginia, sponsored in
part
by a local health and fitness diet supplement retailer, May 13.
"It was difficult to adjust our bodies to the time change," Moore
said. "The judges commented after the competition that we probably would
have placed better if we didn't have to travel so far."
Moore, who placed sixth in the lightweight female class, said the
judges give a lot of advice like that after competitions, and the more
experience competitors have, the more they will know what the judges
expect.
"I haven't been in a national competition since 1994," Moore said.
"I
placed second then, and if I had gone back the next year, I could have
won."
The six Marines took leave to compete in the event, and had to raise
funds to supplement their sponsor donations to pay for transportation and
other expenses.
"Going to the national tournament was a real eye-opener for me," said
Master Sgt. Kenneth S. Thomas, staff non-commissioned officer-in-charge,
Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa, H&S Bn. here. "There were some
top-notch competitors there -- some of the best I've ever seen."
According to Moore, the competition was such an eye-opener because
the
group had only been exposed to competitors on Okinawa during their last
few tournaments.
"It was really impressive to see the caliber of athletes in the
nationals," she said. "The people we see in magazines and on television
were there, competing against us and judging us."
Getting to the national level in the sport of bodybuilding is no easy
task, said Moore. Constant training is needed to maintain optimum
fitness,
and competitions are scheduled throughout the year, so there is no
"off-season".
Although the Okinawa Marine team doesn't train together all the time,
Moore said they grow closer as competition time approaches.
"We keep each other in check -- making sure we get enough training
and
we eat right," she said. "We motivate each other to excel, even though
we may end up competing against each other during the meet."
"We had fun in Virginia Beach, and we placed pretty well," Moore
concluded. "I'm getting ready to go to the drill field, so the next
competition will probably be my last for about three years." -USMC-
AAOE DISTRIBUTES OFFLOADED GEAR
By LCpl. Abigail B. Labin
UTAPAO, Thailand (May 29) -- What do you do when 178 pieces of
combat
equipment, from fire trucks to 5-tons, suddenly come ashore and need to
be distributed around Thailand? You call for your Arrival and Assembly
Operations Element (AAOE).
Actually, there are three AAOEs handling the influx of vehicles and
generators from the Maritime Prepositioning Force ship Motor Vessel 1stLt.
Baldomero Lopez. One represents the Air Combat Element (ACE), another
represents Combat Service Support Element (CSSE), and the last supports
the
Ground Combat (GCE) and Command Elements.
Upon arrival at the pier, vehicles coming off the Lopez were taken in
convoys to the AAOE general staging area, where they were dispatched to
the
appropriate command. While on ship, vehicles had placards placed on the
windshield labeling them as ACE, GCE or CSSE gear. The vehicles were then
scanned into a computer, using bar-coded stickers. The location of the
vehicles in the Marine Corps supply computer system at that point changed
from the Lopez to the AAOE in Thailand. The vehicles then underwent
limited technical inspections (LTI).
Once a vehicle is scanned into the system and declared "good to go"
by
the AAOE mechanics, it simply waits for the appropriate unit to pick it
up. When the vehicle reaches its new "home," it will be scanned into the
same system there to update its position in the Corps. It will be given
another LTI, and put into use for the duration of Cobra Gold '98.
At that point, the AAOE is out of the picture until the
"regeneration"
phase of the MPF process. When the vehicles have played their role in
the exercise, each unit then returns them to the AAOE, who will re-scan
them
and perform another LTI. The AAOE will coordinate returning the vehicles
to the pier to be loaded back onto the ship.
Not all the vehicles that came off the Lopez were bound for action,
though.
"We received about 56 pieces of equipment. Of those, 49 were issued
out to various groups and squadrons," said MSgt. Reyes Ferdin, SNOIC, ACE
AAOE.
If a vehicle is used beyond moving from the pier to the staging area
and back, fairly extensive maintenance must be involved before the vehicle
can be backloaded.
By actually integrating equipment from the Lopez into the exercise,
the Marine Corps is exercising the MPF's ability to act as part of a
"Force
in Readiness."
-USMC-
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