Battalion commander approves new Marines - Marine Corps Recruit ...

CHEVRON AROUND THE DEPOT JUNE 7, 20133Aroundthe depotThis week the Chevronasks: “What are you doingto stay competitive in theMarine Corps?”Story Time At The Library“What event orproduct release are you lookingforward to in 2012?”“Make sure you’re training complete,get high scores on your PFTand CFT, and take some collegeclasses.” Lance Cpl. Antonio Rodriguez,postal clerk, Headquarters Company,Headquarters and Service BattalionChildren of service member families practice their reading skills at the base library aboard Marine Corps Recruit DepotSan Diego June 3. The children were just a few of many who take part in the Depot Library Children’s Summer ReadingProgram, which gives small prizes to children for reading books. Some of the prizes include Velcro wallets, a blow upglobe and toy airplanes. The free program lasts from June 1 - July 31.Educators Learn Marine Corps Way“In order to stay competitive in theMarine Corps I work out, completeMCI’s and volunteer.” Lance Cpl.Shelby Walker, supply clerk, Service Company,Headquarters and Service Battalion“I’ve been doing MCI’s, workinghard on improving my PFT andCFT scores, and I’m planning ontaking college classes.” Private FirstClass Phillip Shaner, separations clerk,Service Company, Headquarters and ServiceBattalionEducators from Salt Lake City and San Diego attending the Educator’s Workshop run through the Marine Corps bayonetassault course aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, June 4. The Educator’s Workshop, which is held 12 times ayear, gives educators across the country a quick but unique experience of recruit training.ESTABLISHED 1942COMMANDING GENERALBrig. Gen. Daniel D. YooSERGEANT MAJORSgt. Maj. Sylvester D. DanielsPUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTORMaj. Michael W. ArmisteadPUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPUTYJanice M. HagarPRESS CHIEFSgt. Cristina N. PorrasPRESS NCOICCpl. Walter D. Marino IICOMBAT CORRESPONDENTSCpl. Liz GleasonCpl. Bridget M. KeaneLance Cpl. Pedro CardenasLance Cpl. Benjamin E. WoodleEDITORRoger EdwardsCONTACT THE CHEVRONRDSD_PAO@USMC.MILchevron/public affairs office1600 henderson ave. #120san diego, ca. 92140(619) 524-8722WWW.MCRDSD.MARINES.MILThe Chevron, printed with appropriated funds in compliance with MarineCorps order P5600.31F, is published by Marine Corps Recruit Depot SanDiego personnel. Opinions and views expressed herein are not necessarilythose of the Marine Corps or the Department of Defense. The Chevronis promulgated for informational purposes only and in no way shouldbe considered directive in nature. All photos are official USMC propertyunless otherwise indicated.

CHEVRON FEATURE JUNE 7, 20134 5Co. G conquers fear of heights with confidenceby Lance Cpl. Pedro CardenasChevron staffTears and fear, to some, are signs ofweakness. Recruit training is designedto remove fear and transform it intoconfidence, a trait instilled in all Marines.During the 10th week of training,recruits must successfully rappel down a70-foot tower and many must overcometheir fear of heights. Recruits of CompanyG, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, RecruitTraining Regiment, negotiated the rappeltower aboard Marine Corps Recruit DepotSan Diego, May 31.The rappel tower is a mental obstacledesigned to give recruits a boost ofconfidence once completed. It helpsrecruits overcome their fear of heights andfalling. However, it is also meant to teachrecruits any mission can be accomplished.“The rappel tower is designed to buildconfidence. At the beginning of recruittraining, recruits are not confidentin themselves, in their abilities,” saidStaff Sgt. Joshua P. Leblanc, chief drillinstructor, Co. G, 2nd RTBn . “Confidencein your abilities is what makes a Marinesuccessful.”Marines must have confidence in theirabilities because they are expected tomake and execute tough, ethical decisions.Subordinates depend on leaders to exudeconfidence in the decisions they make.“As a leader, you need to be confidentin your abilities for other people to followyou,” said Leblanc, who was recentlynamed the drill instructor of the year for2nd Battalion.The rappel tower is intimidating to somerecruits, but that fear does not stop recruitsfrom committing to training.“I’m not 100 percent ok with heights.Once I got through it, I’m not as afraidof heights anymore,” said Recruit Allen-Michael Kiley, Plt. 2142, Co. G,2nd RTBn.“This experience has built my confidenceeven more, which will help me as a leader.”Recruits are properly equipped with asafety harness, gloves and helmet. Duringtheir descent, drill instructors fromInstruction Training Company, SupportBattalion, are at the bottom of the towerholding on to the other end of the rope as asafety measure. The other end of the ropeserves as a secondary brake system, in caserecruits lose control.Drill instructors demonstrate thesecondary brake system by pretendingthey have lost control of their rope and arefalling down the rappel tower. Then, otherdrill instructors at the bottom pull on theirrope, which in turn, makes the free-fallingdrill instructor stop immediately.Recruits see this demonstration sothey know they can safely rappel downthe tower which helps alleviate fears andinsecurities to allow them to complete theobstacle.Once the rappel tower is complete,recruits move on to the final stage oftraining.With only two weeks beforegraduation, recruits of Co. G can conquertheir next obstacle in training andconfidently continue on their way tobecoming United States Marines.Lance Cpl. Pedro CardenasRecruits of Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, rappel from the 70-foot tower aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 31. The rappel tower isone of the last obstacles recruits face during training.Lance Cpl. Pedro CardenasLance Cpl. Pedro CardenasDrill instructors of Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion, demonstrate the proper way to descend the rappel tower, and some of the ways rappelers can get intotrouble and recover while rappelling, during exercises aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 31.Lance Cpl. Pedro CardenasA recruit of Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, beginshis descent of the rappel tower aboard Marine Corps RecruitDepot San Diego, May 31.Lance Cpl. Pedro CardenasDrill instructors constantly watch recruits, on top of the tower aswell as below, in order to ensure recruits’ safety.Lance Cpl. Pedro CardenasRecruits of Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, descend the rappel tower aboard MarineCorps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 31. The rappel tower stands 70 feet high and is designed forrecruits to overcome any fear of heights.Lance Cpl. Pedro CardenasA drill instructor, Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion, gives verbal commands recruits will be listening for before they descend from the rappel tower aboard MarineCorps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 31. Recruits receive different verbal commands and must respond with the appropriate hand placement on the ropes before they are allowed torappel down the tower.

6 CHEVRON FEATURE JUNE 7, 2013Chicago native triumphs over adversity, graduates honor manby Cpl. Bridget M. KeaneChevron staffEvery recruit that steps footupon the yellow foot prints atReceiving Company aboardMarine Corps Recruit DepotSan Diego took the oath ofenlistment for a reason.Lance Cpl. Anthony F.Miranda, Platoon 1001, CompanyA, 1st Recruit TrainingBattalion, took that oathin hopes of a better future.Miranda lived in a neighborhoodlocated on the West Sideof Chicago and due to the highlevels of gang violence andcrime, he grew up with themindset to stay off the streetsand out of trouble.“Where I live, there’strouble anywhere you go,”explained Miranda, 19. “I’vewitnessed hardships my wholelife – gang violence, murder,drugs, alcohol – I had enough;I was just sick of it.”In spite of these adversitiesthat he experienced athome, Miranda rose abovestereotypes and his peers andparticipated in the MarineCorps Junior Reserve OfficerTraining Corps at Noble StreetCollege Prep in Chicago.“That is where my passionfor the (Marine Corps)came from,” said Miranda. “Ifelt the Marine Corps reallyunderstood what brotherhoodmeant.”The traits, traditions andpride that Marines havedisplayed and upheld throughouthistory is what Mirandaadmired the most. He wassworn into the Corps October2012 and shipped to recruittraining aboard MCRD SanDiego March 11.When Miranda arrived, hismaturity earned him the positionof platoon guide. A guideis a recruit who displays highlevels of leadership and is willingto assist the drill instructorswith leading the platoon.“Right from the get-go,Miranda stood out to me; hewas a natural leader,” saidCapt. Adam Moore, lead seriescommander, Co. A, 1st RTBn.“He took his duty as guide andjust ran with it.”Moore, a 33-year-oldMilwaukee, Wisc., native,explained that when he meetsthe platoons, he asks eachrecruit where they were from.Moore had relatives that livedin Chicago and knew about theharsh conditions of the neighborhoodMiranda grew up in.“He comes from a roughpart of town; knowing the typeof environment that he grewup in and seeing how he didn’tlet it deter him from changinghis life is something to look upto,” said Moore.While Miranda used hisexperiences to righteouslylead his platoon, he also usedthem as his motivation to pushthrough the tough times inrecruit training and graduateas a Marine.“In the beginning of secondphase, I received a letter frommy friend saying that a friendof ours had died; I had a toughtime that night,” said Miranda.“The next day I woke up andthought to myself, ‘I have todo this, I have to finish recruittraining’ I couldn’t go back tothat way of life.”Miranda continued to pushthrough recruit training. Asguide, he learned what it reallymeant to be a leader.“There were difficult timeswhen trying to get everyoneto cooperate,” said Miranda.“Everyone comes from differentwalks of life and I learnedhow to understand and workwith other people.”His superiors noticedMiranda’s mature demeanorand was nominated to competefor the company honor mandistinction, as well as a chancefor a meritorious promotionto lance corporal. Hiscompany first sergeant, chiefdrill instructor and seniordrill instructors, tested himon Marine Corps knowledge,regulations, bearing and confidence.“He was able to displaythe traits and characteristicsof a Marine confidently, sohe won,” said Moore. “Hejust (understood) it from thebeginning; he’s mature, setsCpl. Bridget M. KeaneLance Cpl. Anthony F. Miranda graduates from recruit training today, along with the other membersof Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion. Miranda, who was a Platoon Guide during recruit trainingearned the designation Company Honorman and a meritorious promotion to lance corporal.the example and is someonewho leads from thefront.”Miranda held severalbillets in recruit training, butearning the title “Marine” washis ultimate goal. Through hishard work and dedication tochange, Miranda will be ableto move on with his journey asa United States Marine.Brig. Gen. John J.BroadmeadowParade Reviewing OfficerBrig. Gen. John J. Broadmeadowgraduated fromNorwich University, Northfield,Vt., in May 1983 and was commissioneda second lieutenantin July 1983.As a company grade officerfrom 1983 to 1995, Broadmeadowserved in staff andcommand billets with 3rd ForceService Support Group, 9thMarine Amphibious Brigade,Facilities Department CampPendleton, 1st Marine CorpsDistrict, and 1st Force ServiceSupport Group deploying toSomalia for Operation RestoreHope.As a field grade officer from1995 to 2009, the general servedin the following staff billets;G-4 Operations and Plans Officer,1st Marine Aircraft Wing,Okinawa, Japan; PrepositioningOfficer for Deputy CommandantPlans, Policies, andOperations at Headquarters,U.S. Marine Corps; AssistantChief of Staff (AC/S) G-4, 1stMarine Expeditionary Brigade;AC/S N-4, Task Force 58 duringthe amphibious assault and firstconventional force operationsin Afghanistan at the start ofOperation Enduring Freedom(OEF); AC/S G-4, 1st MarineDivision for the attack to Baghdadduring Operation IraqiFreedom (OIF) I and the returnfor stability/counter insurgencyoperations in Al-Anbar, Iraqfor OIF II; and AC/S G-4, 3rdMarine Aircraft Wing.Broadmeadow’s commandbillets include commandingofficer, Marine Wing SupportSquadron 371 deploying toAl-Anbar, Iraq for OIF 04-06;commanding officer, CombatLogistics Regiment 17; andteam chief and senior advisor tothe 7th Iraqi Infantry Divisionin Iraq for OIF 08.As a general officer Broadmeadowwas assigned as thedeputy commanding general,Marine Forces Pacific inAugust 2009. During this tourhe also served as the CombinedForce Land Component Commander(CFLCC) for ExerciseRim of the Pacific ‘10 and as“Marines, Families and Friends. It is truly anhonor to be a part of one of the most cherishedtraditions within the United States MarineCorps, the graduation ceremony in whichrecruits become the future leaders of our Corps.Whether you stay in four years or forty, knowthat you will forever hold the title of UnitedStates Marine. Your nation holds its Marinesin high regards and I expect you to carry onthe traditions of our Marine Corps. You will befaced with tremendous challenges in the face ofan ever uncertain world, I have the utmost confidencethat you will add to the proud legacy ofthe United States Marine Corps. CongratulationsMarines!”the deputy commander forJoint Task Force 505 in Japanfor Operations Tomodachi andPacific Passage.Broadmeadow assumedcommand of 1st Marine LogisticsGroup in June 2011 anddeployed to Afghanistan in Feb2012 for OEF 12.Broadmeadow is a graduateof the USMC AmphibiousWarfare School and Commandand Staff College (non-residentprograms), a graduate of theU.S. Army War College in 2001,the Joint Forces Staff College in2008, and the National DefenseUniversity’s Capstone Coursein 2009. He holds a bachelordegree in business administrationfrom Norwich University, adual master degree in businessadministration and computerresources management fromWebster University, and amaster degree in Strategic Studiesfrom the U.S. Army WarCollege.

8 CHEVRON FEATURE JUNE 7, 2013Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. WoodleRecruits of Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, run a lap around the entire training field before they start the Combat Conditioning Exercise aboard MarineCorps Recruit Depot San Diego May 29. Stretches were also included before the CCX to ensure recruits were warmed up for the event.Combat Conditioning Exercise trains recruits’ minds, bodiesby Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. WoodleChevron staffA drill instructor’s presence can be stressfulfor most recruits. That stress level can becomegreatly multiplied when in the face of an enemyduring combat. The physical and mental tolltaken during such a fight is tremendous, whichis why recruits must train and prepare for it.The Combat Conditioning Exercise is one ofthe few training events that can simulate thatphysically and mentally exhausting and stressfulenvironment.Recruits of Company B, 1st Recruit TrainingBattalion, ran through the Combat ConditioningExercise aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot SanDiego, May 29.The purpose of the CCX is to push recruits toabsolute exhaustion through multiple fast-pacedobstacles. Mental training begins when recruitsreach a point of physical exhaustion and mustpush through even though everything in theirbody is telling them to stop.“We do it to give recruits a heightenedphysical stress environment as well as challengethem mentally,” said Sgt. Phillip S. Haly, drillinstructor, Platoon 1031, Co. B, 1st RTBn. “Thisevent also gives us a good opportunity to workproper technique into the training, especiallysince they’ll be tired and want to be sloppy.”The CCX is one of the most difficult physicaltraining sessions that recruits go through whileat recruit training. For some though, the CCXoffers the challenge recruits were looking forwhen they` signed up to become a Marine.“I thought the CCX was hard, challenging,and at the same fun,” said Recruit Jourdon A.Winterstein, Plt. 1035, Co. B, 1st RTBn. “This isexactly what we came for; the fast-paced physicaland mental challenges.”The physical exhaustion and fast-paced,aggressive events in the CCX are designed to helpmentally prepare a recruit for the dire situationsthey may encounter in combat. One may runout of ammunition or rushed at during a nightambush. Either way, it comes down to who givesup first.“The CCX strengthens us and has real worldapplication,” said Winterstein, a Fremont, Neb.native. “It prepares us for the mindset of a life ordeath situation where you can’t quit.”Through sweat and exhaustion, a betterrecruit, a better Marine, is crafted. Pushing arecruit out of their comfort zone to realize thepotential they have is one of the main goals inrecruit training. After completing the CCX,recruits receive a new sense of confidence andaccomplishment that will assist them withexcelling through the rest of recruit training.“It ties into them being a basic warrior,” saidPhillip. “It helps them deal with the physical andmental challenges and just push through it.”Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. WoodleRecruits of Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, practice theforward shoulder roll during the Combat Conditioning Exerciseaboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego May 29. Recruitscomplete various obstacles that range from Marine Corps MartialArts Program moves to physical conditioning obstacles like starjumpers, high/low crawl, fireman’s carry, and buddy drags.Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. WoodleRecruits of Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, high crawl back and forth before moving on to their next obstacle during the Combat Conditioning Exerciseaboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego May 29. Recruits never know how long each event lasts, which adds to the physical and mental exhaustion.