[VNIS]- United States Marine News 03/03/97 [2/2]

[Veterans News & Information Service]

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: 03/03/97 Release #: Byline: NFCU, Merrifield, Va.

Headline: NAVY FEDERAL VOICES SUPPORT FOR
PROPOSED HOMEOWNER LEGISLATION

MERRIFIELD, Va. (Feb. 25) -- Brian McDonnell, president and CEO of
the Navy Federal Credit Union, recently testified before the Senate in
support of the proposed Homeowners Protection Act of 1997 (S. 318).
Navy Federal is the world's largest credit union and has provided more
than 110,000 mortgage loans to members since 1979.

The proposed legislation would require mortgage lenders to notify
homeowners of their right to cancel Private Mortgage Insurance when it is
no longer necessary to protect lenders against loss from loan default. PMI
coverage is required when the home buyer provides less than 20 percent
down payment. Without the insurance, many first-time and
low-to-moderate income buyers would be unable to obtain conventional
mortgage loans.

Navy Federal joins with the National Association of Federal Credit
Unions and the Credit Union National Association in the position that the
proposed Homeowners Protection Act will help clear up the confusion
many homeowners experience. Some mistakenly believe that PMI
coverage is required for the life of the mortgage loan.

Navy Federal already has a policy of automatically canceling the PMI
coverage on behalf of the member once the loan balance represents 80
percent or less of the original value of the property. (NFCU, Merrifield,
Va.)
-USMC-

Date: 03/03/97 Release #: Byline: Staff Sgt. Pamela R. Redmond,
MCAS New River

Headline: NEW RIVER AVIATION MEMORIAL
FOUNDATION SOLICITING DESIGNS

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, New River, N.C. -- The New River
Aviation Memorial Foundation is soliciting designs for a memorial to honor
those who have lost their lives in aviation mishaps related to New River
since the station's founding in 1944.

The foundation was recently established to help generate the necessary
funds needed to endow and maintain a memorial. Stephanie Fandrey,
foundation president and spouse of Capt. Joseph R. Fandrey, a Cobra
pilot killed in a May 10, 1996, mishap, said the memorial symbolizes
something good coming out of something bad.

"I'm very excited about the project," Fandrey said. "It's a gigantic project
that has a lot of meaning for us and for everyone who has ever had a loved one
involved in a mishap." Fandrey, along with Susan Rice, spouse of Capt. Scott
T.
Rice, also a Cobra pilot killed in the May 10 incident, stressed that although
they lost loved ones in the same incident, the memorial is for all those who
have lost their lives, past and future.

Foundation members want the memorial to encompass both the New
River and Jacksonville communities. "I can't imagine living in any other
town and getting the kind of support that we did following the incident,"
Fandrey said.

"Following the incident, we saw nothing that represented what our
husbands and the other aircrew members did and stood for," Rice said.
"I'm very proud of what my husband did and what he stood for, and I
hope this memorial honors the dedication that all aviators have."

Foundation members are looking for a design that is aviation specific that
reflects the lives lost in aviation mishaps. Their goal is to provide a place
where visitors can spend time reflecting and learning about the history and
mission of Marine aviation.

The structure should be visible behind the flags and helicopter static
display inside the station's main gate in an area approximately 40 by 50
feet. Both Fandrey and Rice say the amount of money raised will
determine the final structure.

All designs must be received by the foundation by April 30, 1997. Mail
entries to the New River Aviation Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 4068,
Jacksonville, N.C. 28540. For foundation membership information,
contact Capt. Robert Curtis at (910)-346-9908. (Staff Sgt. Pamela R.
Redmond, MCAS New River)
-USMC-

Date: 03/03/97 Release #: Byline: ALMAR 048-97

Headline: OBSERVANCE OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
1997

WASHINGTON -- The month of March is set aside to recognize the
achievements of women throughout American history. In 1997, the theme
for the observance is "A Fine and Long Tradition of Community
Leadership."

Leadership was once considered an "untraditional" role for women, but
that did not prevent many fine women throughout history from assuming
leadership roles in their communities -- either by choice or necessity. Their
success created opportunities and inspired a host of others to follow the same
path. Women in the military have proven their leadership prowess and
contributed
greatly to mission accomplishment. As a result, laws have changed over the
years
and restrictions have been lifted to give women more opportunities to serve.
Today, women in the Marine Corps can serve in 93 percent of all occupational
fields and 62 percent of all positions and they are promoted and selected for
command alongside their male peers. Likewise, more women are emerging as
leaders
in business, government, education, and other communities as well. The
leadership tradition continues to grow and expand.

During March, commands are encouraged to recognize the achievements
and contributions of military and civilian women, especially leaders, as part
of
the Marine Corps team. Maximum participation by all personnel in military and
local community programs is highly encouraged. (ALMAR 048-97) -USMC-

Date: 03/03/97 Release #: Byline: Cpl. William M. Lisbon, MCRD
Parris Island

Headline: PRIME VENDOR SELECTED FOR TRI-COMMAND
SUPPLY CONTRACT

IMAGE CAPTION -- 09CONTRA.JPG -- Maj. Gen. Geoffrey B.
Higginbotham, left, commanding general of the Defense Industrial Supply
Center in Philadelphia, signs the Maintenance, Repair and Operating
Materials Program Agreement Contract while Maj. Gen. Joseph D.
Stewart, center, Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics,
Headquarters Marine Corps, and William Van Etten, right, president of
Strategic Procurement Services, Inc., in Fairfield, N.J., look on. The
signing ceremony was held on the steps of the Marine Corps Recruit
Depot, Parris Island headquarters building Feb. 20.

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, Parris Island, S.C. (Feb. 20) --
Parris Island hosted a historic logistics meeting that resulted in an
agreement between the Department of Defense and a civilian procurement
company that will turn maintenance, repair, and operating materials supply
over to a prime vendor.

Major General Joseph D. Stewart, Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations
and Logistics, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, and Maj. Gen. Geoffrey
B. Higginbotham, commanding general of the Defense Industrial Supply
Center in Philadelphia, signed the Maintenance, Repair and Operating
Materials Program Agreement Contract with William Van Etten, president
of Strategic Procurement Services, Inc., in Fairfield, N.J.

Basically, the contract cuts out the middle man when it comes to obtaining
maintenance, repair and operating materials, explained David Medley,
assistant depot supply officer. Instead of acquiring supplies through the
automated requisitioning system and storing them in a warehouse until they
are needed, supplies will be ordered as needed over the Internet directly
from SPS, Inc., which will then deliver the ordered items within 72 hours.

"It's unlike anything that's ever been attempted within DoD," said Medley.

The agreement, described as a "milestone in logistics" by Higginbotham,
will be tested primarily in the Tri-Command area, affecting maintenance
divisions at Parris Island, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and Naval
Hospital Beaufort. However, the Tri-Command's involvement is only the
first step toward a much broader logistics plan.

"If the pilot program is successful, it will be rolled out to the southeastern
United States military installations," Medley said.

"When the prime vendor initiative is eventually adopted by the 73
installations in the Southeast region (Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi,
Florida, and the Carolinas), the potential dollar value could reach $200
million per year," explained Higginbotham.

By using a prime vendor, the Tri-Command, and eventually every other
installation, will eliminate the cost of storing, handling and delivering
maintenance materials on base by doing away with internal supply support
all together, said Medley.

The civilian procurement service will provide commercial items ranging
from electrical, plumbing, and refrigeration supplies, to small brand name
tools. Since all ordering of materials will occur over the Internet, SPS,
Inc., is responsive 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All items will be
received within 72 hours. Emergency requests will be fulfilled within 24.

The 5-year contract will go into effect March 1. (Cpl. William M. Lisbon,
MCRD Parris Island)
-USMC-

Date: 03/03/97 Release #: Byline: DoD (Health Affairs)

Headline: TRICARE QUESTION AND ANSWER

QUESTION: I'm a first class petty officer. My wife has comprehensive
insurance where she works. Do you recommend she enroll in TRICARE
Prime?

ANSWER: If a family member has other comprehensive health care
insurance, we do not encourage enrollment in TRICARE Prime. When
other comprehensive health coverage is involved, TRICARE Standard is
automatically the secondary payer. It may be easier to coordinate benefits
with other health insurance under TRICARE Standard or TRICARE
Extra. Check with the TRICARE Service Center near you for further
assistance.

Additional information on TRICARE is available on the department of
Defense (Health Affairs) Homepage on the World Wide Web. The
address is http:\\www.ha.osd.mil. (DoD (Health Affairs))
-USMC-

Date: 03/03/97 Release #: Byline: USO

Headline: USO-GRAMS PUT MARINES, SAILORS, AND
FAMILY MEMBERS IN TOUCH

WASHINGTON -- A cooperative effort between the United Services
Organization (USO) and Advanced Communications Systems, Inc., has
led to worldwide personal messaging services for deployed service
members to communicate with family and friends.

The messages, known as "USO-GRAMs," provide a rapid and
economical method of communication. Priced at only $3 per message,
USO-GRAMs allow service personnel and families to communicate in a
matter of hours, rather than days, even when the member is deployed at
sea. Messages can be approximately 600 words in length and can
currently be sent and received on more than 190 ships in the Atlantic and
Pacific fleets.

Presently, there are 13 USO Service Centers across the United States,
Hawaii, and Japan who are participating in the program. Participating
ships use the Navy Streamlined Automated Logistics Transmission System
to transfer USO-GRAMs from ship to shore. The messages can be sent
to a participating USO site for pickup by family members; mail delivery to
their home (in the Continental United States); or right to the recipient's
home or office computer via America Online or the Internet.

Shore-based family and friends have a number of options for composing
and sending their USO-GRAM. They can compose on site at their local
participating USO center, or on their home computer using specially
coded diskettes. They can also forward their message via facsimile using
specially made block forms, or from their home computer through
America Online or the Internet.

For information on ship participation in the USO-GRAM program, setting
up a USO-GRAM site, or to receive instructions for sending a
USO-GRAM, please write to: USO-GRAM Program Office, 10089 Lee
Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030. Information may also be obtained by e-mail
at USO...@aol.com, or by calling (703) 934-8130. (USO)
-USMC-

Date: 03/03/97 Release #: Byline: Maj. David Couvillon, 3rd Bn.,
23rd Marines

Headline: WAR GAME PREPARES RESERVES FOR LARGER
COMMAND POST EXERCISE

IMAGE CAPTION -- 09GAME.BMP -- Leathernecks
from 3rd Bn., 23rd Marines study the terrain and defensive positions for
the command post exercise scenario. (Photo by Maj. David Couvillon)

NEW ORLEANS -- During their January drill at the Reserve Training
Center in New Orleans, members of the 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines
battle staff broke out the dice and toy soldiers to play a game ... a war
game.

All Marines are familiar with Tactical Decision Games and computer
games (Doom I and II and TacOps), but there is a much older method of
studying war; tabletop war games. These are games in which miniature
men, vehicles, and weapons are used to portray units on a tabletop
sporting mock terrain.

Major David Couvillon, battalion operations officer, has been war gaming
for more than 10 years. "The experience I've gained in many hours of
mock combat has given me a broad perspective in tactics, strategy, terrain
appreciation, weapons capabilities, and history. I wanted to bring this
experience to the staff of the battalion."

On the first day of drill, the scenario for the game was chosen to match the
23rd Marine Regiment's mission in the upcoming division command post exercise.
Terrain was laid out, and the orders of battle for the regiment and enemy were
placed on the table. Each participating officer, after choosing to be an
opposing force or a Marine, was given command of a battalion sized unit. Rules
and victory conditions were explained and questions answered. The opposition
force would be on the defensive and the Marines attacking. The Marine forces
left the room to discuss their strategy, while the opposing force commanders
occupied the terrain, arrayed their defensive units, and laid wire and mines.
The Marine players reentered the room, surveyed the defensive preparations,
re-thought their strategy; then attacked. The defense held strong, but had
neglected a bridge on the right flank. The Marines found the weakness and
threw
the weight of the attack in that direction. The terrain was tough, but when
the
game was called some nine hours after it began. The opposing force had won
according to victory conditions. It was obvious, however, that the Marine
attack
had gained the momentum and it would only be a matter of time before the
opposition's collapse.

The second day of drill featured a historical scenario from World War II:
the German counterattack at Prokoroka during the great Battle of Kursk
on the Eastern Front. Again the terrain was set up and sides chosen. The
German and Soviet units were then placed in their historical positions at
the outset of the battle. Casualties were high and each side was soon in
hand-to-hand combat. Despite high casualties, the Soviets held and the
German counterattack was spent. At endgame, the Soviet's still held the
critical crossroads in the small town of Prokoroka; a historically correct
outcome. (Maj. David Couvillon, 3rd Bn., 23rd Marines)
-USMC-

Date: 03/03/97 Release #: Byline: N/A

Headline: YMCA ANNOUNCES YOUNG READERS ESSAY
CONTEST

SPRINGFIELD, Va. -- The Armed Services YMCA Young Readers
Project essay contest deadline has been extended to April 30, 1997. In
addition to the extension, the YMCA has increased the size of the bonds
that will be awarded the younger participants. A $1,000 U.S. Savings
Bond will be awarded to the high school winner. A middle school student,
a fourth to sixth grade student, and a pre-school through third grade child
will
each receive a $500 U.S. Savings bond for their winning essays. The contest is
open to children of all Department of Defense families, including active duty,
reserve, and DoD civilian employees.

The Young Readers Project is a worldwide effort by the Armed Services
YMCA, in cooperation with the United States Naval Institute, to
encourage reading among military family members.

The following contest rules apply:

Pre-school through third grade: The child's essay in this group, as told to
and
related by a parent, should be a paragraph or two beginning with these
sentences
of thoughts: "I like my mom and dad to read to me because ..." Or: "The
favorite
story I like my Mom or Dad to read to me is ..."

Fourth grade through sixth grade: The essay length in this category is
100-200 words, with the student relating his or her opinions and thoughts
about reading. Possible themes include: why the student chooses to use
time to read; or an explanation directed to other children about the
reasons they should read.

Middle school: The essay length for this age group is 200-300 words,
beginning with the following sentences or thoughts: "The most exciting thing
about reading is ..." Or: "The kinds of books I like to read the most are ..."
Or: "Reading is especially important in the electronic age ..."

High school: Essays should be at least 400 words and no longer than 600
words. Subjects should be centered on the pleasure and value of reading.
For example, a student could develop the theme of how reading has better
prepared him or her for the years after high school.

Submissions should be sent by e-mail, if available, to asy...@erols.com.
Transmission letters should clearly indicate the student's name, age, grade,
address, parents' names and military unit affiliation, and the name and
location
of the school attended.

If e-mail is not available, essays may be sent to: Armed Services YMCA,
9225 Brandon Avenue, Suite 215, Springfield, VA 22150-2510.

A panel of judges will make its selections based on originality, clarity of
writing, and on the impact that reading has had on the student writing the
essay. For more information, e-mail, write, or call the Armed Services YMCA at
(703) 866-1260. -USMC-

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