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[marines-html] Digest (04/21/2001 18:01) (#2001-15)

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Apr 22, 2001, 1:08:52 PM4/22/01

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(#2001-15) - Topics This Issue:

1) 11th MEU(SOC) Marine uses past experience to help build East Timor future.
2) MALS-11 clips Seahawks wings
3) Raiders fly combat missions with new NBC gear
4) Grim intentions for Grim Reaper ceremony
5) Wilderness Challenge 2001: Do you have what it takes?
6) Wing colors ceremony celebrates high-flying helicopter history
7) Ecstasy -- Are you willing to trade your brain for it?

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Subject: 11th MEU(SOC) Marine uses past experience to help build East Timor future.

Submitted by: 11th MEU
Story by Sgt. Eric McLeroy

DILI, East Timor(April 11, 2001) -- Showers of sunlight poured in through
the windows and doors of the hollow, scarred, stone building. Corporal Jason
Driggars knelt near a doorway, oblivious to the blur of green and blue
uniforms that swirled around him, moving in and out of the dapple of gray
shadows and golden light.

At 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and Boxer
Amphibious Ready Group?s community relations project site, his light blue
eyes focused intently on his tape measure stretched before him. The work was
important to him, but would have a greater impact on the hundreds of
children who will pass through the same doors he labored over.

Driggars and his fellow Marines of G Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/1
helped re-establish the Dili Community Youth Center here. The MEU(SOC)/BARG
team arrived in East Timor April 9-11 to offer humanitarian assistance to a
nation still recovering from post-election violence that erupted nearly two
years ago. The 25-year-old infantryman was in charge of carpentry and
remodeling and felt at home, he said.

"It?s a good feeling to do that kind of (construction) work here. It?s like
being back home - in my own element," the Dothan, Ala. native explained.

He gripped his gnarled pencil that seemed more of an extension of his hand
than tool for making tick marks and whipped the metallic tape measure into
its spooled case with the familiarity of a soldier and his weapon. He was
comfortable. The tool?s grip and a lingering scent of sawdust and paint
fumes reminded him of his youth.

"I kind of grew up in (construction)," Driggars said in a relaxed southern
drawl. "My grandpa was a general contractor for 40 years, and I worked with
him when I was a kid during the summers. When you grow up down there, you
have to learn how to do that kind of stuff," he added.

An only child, Driggars worked his parent?s 400-acre peanut farm in Southern
Alabama, tending to the horses and cattle and carrying on with chores. When
something needed repair, he and his stepfather did it themselves. Carpentry
skills came in handy then, the same as it did in East Timor, according to
Driggars.

"When we knew we were going to East Timor, everyone who wanted to go and
work had to sign a roster," he said. "The roster had people?s names on it
and level of experience. From there, we were put on teams - I was in charge
of basic carpentry."

Driggars, an infantry platoon squad leader, used the community relations
project as a chance to hone his own leadership skills. He enjoyed working
with his hands, his self-proclaimed cure for homesickness, and wanted to be
a teacher much like his grandfather.

"I take my job as an NCO very seriously," Driggars said. "It?s just like the
creed says - to train new Marines. I think that?s the most important part.
Even though it wasn?t infantry training, influencing people to accomplish
the task is the same whether on patrol or hanging a door."

His modest stature seemed elevated and his swagger more profound as Marines
and Sailors listened to his instruction. With every task, he walked them
through the steps and gave them advice. By the time the project ended, his
team worked like confident veterans of the trade unlike their initial timid
approach.

Driggars was happy to see the others eager to learn the craft and help the
local children, he said. Whether the Marines and Sailors felt a sense of
accomplishment, didn?t matter to him. He knew the children would enjoy the
youth center long after the he left. -30-

------------------------------

Subject: MALS-11 clips Seahawks wings

Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story by Cpl. Kristopher Haloj

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(April 20, 2001) -- A warm sunny
day, mildly breezy and a sky as blue as a bottle of peppermint mouthwash.
Some may say it was the perfect day for a bird to take flight. Not at the
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Sports Complex where the Aviation Supply
Seahawks where plucked and stuffed by Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11
6-3, in a mid-season six-on-six soccer game April 17.

Undefeated MALS-11 did not play close to their potential and still
overwhelmed the 5-3-1 Seahawks. Some may say by sheer luck the Seahawks even
got on the score board with all of the weapons MALS-11 presented on the
field. A major factor in the game were the skills of MALS-11 goalkeeper Earl
G. Stump. He blocked, caught, kicked and everything but bit the unwelcome
soccer ball nearly every time it made its way within 10 feet of the goal.

"Everything went pretty much as we planned," said David A. Hawkins, MALS-11
assistant coach. "We started up cold, but once we warmed up we took it to
the goal."

Last week, after a terrible three-game losing streak the Seahawks stepped up
and stomped out the Marine Aircraft Group 46 Wolverines.

The marauders of MALS-11 donning red, white and black quickly doused the
Seahawks hopes of a winning streak.

"We were the first team in the league to organize practice. We used to play
pick-up games against anybody before the season," said Hawkins. "We have a
lot of good players and we are just trying to go out there and win games."

As the Seahawks prepare for their next game trying to keep this loss from
putting a damper on moral, the MALS-11 team waits for their next victim on a
seemingly unstoppable road to the championship.

Noon soccer games are held at Mills Park and the Youth Sports Complex at
11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. almost every weekday.

For more information about the league call Lisa Keller, assistant sports
coordinator here, at 577-1202. -30-

------------------------------

Subject: Raiders fly combat missions with new NBC gear

Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story by Sgt. W.A. Napper Jr.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(April 20, 2001) -- Aviation Marines
will have new equipment to protect them during Nuclear, Biological and
Chemical warfare. This revolutionary new system will protect pilots and crew
members during their most vulnerable moments of an NBC attack -- while
they're on the ground.

The A/P22P-14(V)4 respirator system is one of four versions that, according
to Staff Sgt. Freddie Craven, Marine Aircraft Group 11 NBC staff
noncommissioned officer in charge, is going to be issued soon to all pilots
and aircrew.

Craven also said the system, which was nicknamed "V-4," has already been
tested in a combat environment. Twenty-five Marines from Marine Aerial
Refueler Transport Squadron 352 recently tested the V-4 system while
participating in Operation Northern Watch.

Craven said that, while the added equipment was slightly bulky and awkward
at first, the Marines quickly got used to performing their daily flight
operations with the extra gear.

"The masks were made available in the spring of 2000," Craven said. "We
received two of the four variants. The fast-mover pilots also have the system."

Craven said one of the biggest difficulties during the deployment was sizing
-- fitting the different types of bodies into the limited supplies available.

"They had to make due," he said. "But they did it and never complained."

Captain Steve D. Puckett, VMGR-352 flight duty officer, praised the new
system, although he did comment that it is slightly bulky in the cockpit.
"It was a workable piece of gear," he said. "There's no question if we had
to go to combat and wear the V-4 it would be successful. It was slightly
bulky, but was certainly something that you can get used to."

Another difficulty the Marines had to face was mounting the system to each
person's helmet. The V-4 is designed to attach to each individual helmet for
a custom fit. However, because the masks were shared, it wasn't prudent to
drill holes in the helmets.

Instead, Cpl. Fernando Lunaaguirre Jr., VMGR-352 flight equipment
specialist, developed a temporary and sturdy solution by using pins and
straps attached to the individual helmet and the V-4. A lance corporal at
the time of the deployment, Lunaaguirre was meritoriously promoted and given
a Navy Achievement Medal for his innovation.

According to Craven, the 25 Raider Marines didn't use the entire V-4 system
while deployed. He said they didn't fly with the suit on, only the
respirator system. Although other Marines have flown with the entire V-4
system, Craven said the Raiders were the first unit in the Marine Corps to
fly in a combat environment while wearing any portion of the system.

"This gear is extremely durable," he said. "We pushed and pulled, but it
wouldn't give. It's somewhat cumbersome because everything is stored in
pockets in the abdominal region -- but they got used to it."

The system is designed to not only protect while on the ground, but at
altitudes as high as 43,000 feet. The V-4 can connect to the aircraft's air
supply, deliver oxygen of its own through a pusher fan or both allowing the
crew member's the maximum amount of air available. The intercom unit has
three different selections: listen only, talk and listen, and talk and
listen between crew members. The last option actually allows for one person
to plug into another person's helmet.

Among other options, the system has an anti-suffocation disconnect device.
If a member of the crew has to evacuate the aircraft -- whether it's the
pilot, copilot or loadmaster -- they pull a plastic ring counterclockwise
which separates the face piece tube from the actual mask. This allows for
breathing outside air.

Craven said it's only a matter of time before all aviation Marines get their
version of the system -- supply is currently trying to keep up with the
demand from units. -30-

------------------------------

Subject: Grim intentions for Grim Reaper ceremony

Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story by Cpl. Rob Henderson

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(April 20, 2001) -- May 8, 1999, I
stood in formation with Lima Company atop the "Grim Reaper" at Camp
Pendleton and received my Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. The feelings of that day
-- a new Marine flanked by several generations of Marines -- made me want to
be the best Marine possible. That was a good day. It's about to change. Fast
forward to the near future -- May 3, 2001. Fox Company will step off on a
nine-mile hump early in the morning to scale the "Grim Reaper." Emotions
will run high as the recruits crest the mountain and see the fifty state
flags lining the road to the troop formation area. The recruits will form up
feeling the elation of recruit training coming to a close. The Marines Hymn
will reverberate into the valleys below as each recruit tries to fight back
the tears. Lee Greenwood will come over the speakers singing, "I'm proud to
be an American," and the recruits will reflect on the accomplishments of the
past months. As the Senior Drill Instructor steps in front of his platoon,
the recruits will feel the jubilation I felt. Then in an anticlimactic
ending to the ceremony, the drill instructors will begin giving the recruits
their tan belts for being basically qualified in the new Marine Corps
martial arts program. Needless to say, I think the idea to change the
ceremony is a bad one. I hate the fact that the recruits will leave their
bivouac sites to begin the nine-mile hump as recruits and return with the
same title. I hate that the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor ceremony will take
place at the Drill Instructor Dinner. I realize the "importance" of having
family members witness the ceremony that signifies the end of a recruit's
conquest to earn the title "Marine," but my family wasn't there to see that
moment. My family didn't get the opportunity to see the title bestowed upon
me, and I am glad. It was my platoon members, my drill instructors, and the
thought of what former Marines accomplished that gave me the strength to
carry on through recruit training. That day, I shed the remnants of my
civilian attitudes and dispositions for the right to be called a Marine.
Fittingly, it was my platoon members, my drill instructors, and the former
Marines on top of the "Grim Reaper" who witnessed my birth into the Marine
Corps. For those Fox Company recruits going through their final month of
recruit training right now, I would like to apologize in advance. They will
never know the bittersweet feelings I felt as I descended the "Reaper"
surrounded by the awesome landscape and filled with the pride of being a
Marine. -30-

------------------------------

Subject: Wilderness Challenge 2001: Do you have what it takes?

Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story by Sgt. A.C. Strong

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(April 20, 2001) -- Hiking, biking,
whitewater rafting -- it often takes the pursuit of anything extreme to keep
today's Marines and fellow servicemembers challenged in their off-duty
hours, and it can all be found in the 2001 Wilderness Challenge.

Naval Station Norfolk Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department will hold
the second annual all-military Wilderness Challenge in Fayetteville, W.V.,
Oct. 4-7.

"With the popularity and growth in outdoor recreation by the military
sector, MWR decided to design a program to promote outdoor adventure along
with physical readiness and competition," said Michael Bond, MWR Event
Coordinator for, and the brain behind, the Wilderness Challenge, "And with
the success of last year's event, I think we hit the nail right on the head
and have given our armed forces a program they want and are excited about
participating in."

The "Stump Warriors," team 104 from Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center
Twentynine Palms, went there to have fun and "set an example" -- and Marines
definitely set the example, and themselves up to be the teams to beat.

Marines from Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.,
took first place last year, closely followed by a team from Marine Corps
Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.

"Even before last year's event took place we were being asked how teams
could register for the next year's event," said Bond. Due to the
overwhelming response they have gotten and the success of the first
Wilderness Challenge, Bond said they have doubled the number of teams for
the competition to 80 and have added additional competitions to make the
event more exciting.

The Wilderness Challenge consists of a 12-mile mountain hike, a 40-mile
mountain bike relay, a 13-mile whitewater raft race -- with Class 5 and
above rapids, a 10 K run, half-mile swim and a 2-mile kayak-type race. The
swimmers will have the use of a flotation device.

"We consider this a great opportunity for commands from all branches of the
Armed Forces to display their best Sailors, soldiers, Marines and airmen in
a highly-physical competition," added Bond.

"We were extremely excited about last year's challenge and glad this event
has become a popular annual event that commands and teams will be hungry to
earn bragging rights for the title. It won't be an easy competition and only
the strong will survive, so the winning team will be the best of the best in
outdoor recreation and physical endurance," explained Bond.

The Wilderness Challenge is open to all branches of the military. Each team
will consist of four active-duty military members with one member being female.

There is a space limit of 80 teams for this competition, according to an MWR
Norfolk press release.

Miramar Marine Corps Community Services will hold a drawing to cover the
entry fee for a limited number of teams entering the challenge.

For Wilderness Challenge registration information contact Michael Bond at
(757)444-4814, (757)444-4033, DSN 564-4814, 564-4033 or download an
application at: www.wildernesschallenge2001.com. -30-

------------------------------

Subject: Wing colors ceremony celebrates high-flying helicopter history

Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story by Sgt. W.A. Napper Jr.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(April 20, 2001) -- Members of the
military and civilian helicopter community were treated to a musical feast
April 13, during a colors ceremony at the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing
headquarters building here.

The theme of the ceremony was rotary wing history, and the 3d MAW band
provided guests with music often associated with helicopter aviation like
Wagner's "Flight of the Valkyries."

Major General Charles F. Bolden Jr., commanding general, 3d MAW, addressed
the crowd during the ceremony, praising them for achievements and sacrifices
made while flying in helicopters.

"You are all heroes and heroines, and you should be proud," he said. "This
is an opportunity to honor you."

The general told the crowd the history of the helicopter in the Marine Corps
-- how it began in 1932 with an experimental invention called the autogyro.
He also said that if he had the chance to do something in his life over
again, he would have begun flying helicopters at a younger age. He asked the
audience, which included members of the San Diego Police Department, Border
Patrol air operations, FBI and other local officials, to be patient with the
Marine Corps as it transitions into a new phase of flight with the MV-22
Osprey.

"Bear with us, as a service, as we now go through another period of change,"
he said. "Be patient, be brave and be loyal. We're doing things a lot of
people never dreamed of -- like (we did) in 1932."

Many guests were visibly appreciative of the ceremony, and several former
Marines in attendance stayed behind afterward and relived their own
helicopter experiences with each other.

"I loved it," said retired Sgt. Maj. Mike Zacker. "I spent the first 18 of
my 30 years in the Marine Corps in helicopters. I really appreciate the
invitation from the general. You need (something like this) every once in a
while. You start to lose touch with the Marine Corps and you really miss it."

Each month a colors ceremony is presented with a different theme. The band
provides music at each ceremony based on the theme. -30-

------------------------------

Subject: Ecstasy -- Are you willing to trade your brain for it?

Submitted by: MCAS Miramar
Story by Sgt. A.C. Strong

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif.(April 13, 2001) -- X, Ecstasy, XTC,
the love drug -- all names for the same drug, Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
or MDMA. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency's Web site at:
www.usdoj.gov/dea, it is the most commonly used by America's youth and
lately, United States servicemembers.

"On the surface it seems almost too good to be true," said David S.
Metelski, special agent, Miramar NCIS. "A drug that makes you just feel
good, and it's gone from your system by the end of the weekend. What the
drug user isn't considering is the permanent damage that is caused to your
brain."

Ecstasy is a synthetic drug with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties,
according to the DEA Web site. It was originally introduced in the 1970's to
assist in psychotherapeutic sessions.

"The ones we've spoken to say, it just makes you feel good," said Metelski.
"Pure pleasure."

The drug works by stimulating the gland that produces seratonin. The user
receives a feeling of relaxation, similar to that during intercourse.

However, according to Metelski, over a period of time, the gland is
destroyed. The body can no longer produce seratonin on its own, causing
depression, sleeplessness, anxiety and a myriad of other problems.

Another side effect is that, when "rolling" as the users sometimes call it,
the internal body temperature of the user skyrockets, causing an internal
meltdown, according to Metelski.

Use of "X" is increasing at an alarming rate -- 500 percent -- over a
five-year period, according to the DEA. "Drug Abuse Warning Network
estimates reveal that nationwide hospital emergency room mentions for MDMA
rose dramatically from 70 in 1993 to 2,850 in 1999."

Why has it become the military's problem?

"We are looking at an epidemic," said Metelski.

Recently, the air station court-martialed more than two dozen Marines from
the same section for Ecstasy and other drug involvement.

"The one thing that will help is education," said Metelski. "Right now many
are thinking 'how can something that makes me feel so good be bad for me?'
We need to educate them."

According to Metelski and the DEA, the medical community is just now getting
users to cooperate with testing. What they do know is that there is a
significant leap in depression and memory loss in users.

"It doesn't help that the internet has dozens of Web sites calling it a
'safe' drug," said Metelski. "No street drug is a safe drug. What they don't
realize is that Ecstasy is being cut with other drugs such as Ketamin, also
known as "Special K," which has been dubbed the poor man's LSD. The mixture
of the two can cause permanent brain damage or be fatal.

"What it comes down to is this, users need to understand that brain damage
can be worse than death," said Ruth A. Kelly whose best friend Kim suffered
an overdose in 1991. "Kim went to a party and just never came back." -30-

------------------------------

End marine...@services.vnis.com Digest [04/21/2001 18:01]
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