Leaders weigh in to set example - Marine Corps Community Relations

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2 okinawa marine | OPiniOn & eDitORiAL | March 11, 2011 no regrets Prepare for transition looking ahead Cpl. Daniel A. Flynn Throughout their life, many people will look back at times and regret something. Whether it is something they didn’t do but wish they had, or something they wish they had done differently, does not change the fact that there will be regrets in life. Many years down the road I am sure I will look back on my life and have regrets, but the one thing I will never regret is becoming a Marine. I am now nearing the end of my first enlistment and from what I can see there is very little chance of a second one in my future. Hopefully, that won’t be one of my regrets. Over the past four years, I have managed to do a lot of things friends I grew up with will never experience. I had the opportunity to spend a majority of my first enlistment living in Okinawa, Japan, and was afforded many opportunities to experience the way of life in Japan which differed quite a bit from the way of life I was used to from growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. From Okinawa I had the opportunity to travel to the Kingdom of Thailand as part of Exercise Cobra Gold in 2009. I even served my country in Afghanistan and have experienced combat first hand. While there are many stories to tell from that experience, the ones I prefer telling come from getting to experience so many different cultures over the last four years and all the different people I have met. Believe it or not, one of the best experiences I had was in Thailand. While there, I had the opportunity to take part in a community relations event. This event, sponsored by the chaplains who came to Cobra Gold, took myself and about 20 other Marines and sailors to an orphanage in Pattaya, Thailand to help plant trees and take care of The Okinawa Marine is published by Marine Corps Community Services under exclusive written contract with Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. The editorial content of this newspaper is edited and approved by the Consolidated Public Affairs Office of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of military services stationed overseas, at sea and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Marine Corps and do not imply endorsement thereof. The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts of supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the U.S. other tasks. While I remember the work we did, the part I remember the most was having the chance to interact with the children who lived at this orphanage. These children, whose ages ranged from 5 to 14 years old, made that day one of the coolest experiences of my life. When we left the orphanage, the people who ran it said we made the kids’ day by coming, but I can say those kids made our day every bit as much as we did theirs. But, as the old saying goes, when one door closes another opens. As I prepare to enter the ranks of all former Marines, I realize how important and difficult a move this will be for me. I now must As I prepare to enter the ranks of all former Marines, I realize how important ... a move this will be for me. find a place to live, find employment, enroll in school and the many other tasks associated with becoming a civilian. Throughout this process, I have been reminded of how important it is to follow the advice given in the Transition Assistance Program and the Transition Assistance Management Program. I urge everyone who is planning on transitioning in the future to pay close attention to information passed in these courses and to be as proactive as possible and begin the many associated administrative tasks. As of right now I have no clue what my life will bring after the Corps. More than likely, I will go back to school and complete my degree. Even with that said, there is only one guarantee in my life: with the strength and the discipline the Marine Corps has instilled in me, there is no way I will let myself fail in anything I do. Because of the Corps, I will always have great stories to tell and no regrets about this part of my life lasting only four years. Flynn is a combat correspondent with the Okinawa Marine. Marine Corps, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler or Marine Corps Community Services of the products and services advertised. Everything advertised in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are “official U.S. Marine Corps photos.” For more information, e-mail us at okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil or write to us at Public Affairs Office, H&S BN MCB PAO, Unit 35002, FPO AP 96373-5002. Commanding generalMaj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri puBliC affairs direCtor Lt. Col. David M. Griesmer press offiCer 1st Lt. John D. Norton press Chief Gunnery Sgt. J. L. Wright Jr. design editor Audra A. Satterlee Around Corps the Marines and sailors aboard USS Makin Island look out over “vulture’s row” as an MV-22 Osprey, from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, conducts deck landing qualifications during Exercise Iron Fist March 1. This is the first time an Osprey has landed aboard Makin Island. Exercise Iron Fist is a bilateral training exercise between members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Western Army Infantry Regiment, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and several Southern California-based Marine units to increase military interoperability and amphibious capabilities. Photo by Cpl. Elyssa Quesada A Marine with Police Advisory Team, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, I Marine Expeditionary Force, opens fire on targets, during a Motorized Operations training exercise, aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. March 2. Photo by Cpl. Andrew S. Avitt The spinning tracks of an amphibious assault vehicle with AAV Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, III Marine Expeditionary Force, sends mud flying as it tears up invasive pickleweed in the Nuupia Ponds Wildlife Management Area during the 29th annual Mud Ops exercise on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 23. The 29-year-long Mud Ops tradition partnered AAV Platoon Marines with the Base Environmental Compliance and Protection Department to prepare the 517-acre area for the upcoming breeding season of the endangered Hawaiian stilt bird species. Photo by Lance Cpl. Reece E. Lodder HQMC DivPA Best Tabloid Format Newspaper, 2010 okinawa marine newspaper H&S Battalion MCB PAO Unit 35002 FPO AP 96373-5002 Central Bureau Camp Foster DSN 645-9335 northern Bureau Camp Hansen DSN 623-4224
PMO offers Anonymous Crime Tip Reporting Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Denny okinawa marine staff CAMP FOSTER — The Criminal Investigations Division, Provost Marshal’s Office, recently created a new tool to help solve crimes within the community. “The Anonymous Crime Tip Report is designed to allow citizens the opportunity to anonymously provide police with information about criminal activities,” said Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Ortega, CID detective, PMO, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler. Crime tip hotlines are a common tool in the U.S. and have proven to be effective, said Ortega. Witnesses will be able to report a crime from the comfort of their home by logging onto www.marine.mil/unit/MCB- Butler, clicking on the COPPS icon and filling in the form. According to PMO, the main goals of the program are to collect information about criminal activities, provide an alternate outlet for citizens to provide police officials with criminal information and increase chances that a crime will not go unreported. The CID requests the forms be as detailed as possible, increasing the chances of putting a stop to the crime, added Ortega. “The minimum requirements on the form are who the suspect is, what crime was committed, where it happened, when it was witnessed and how you as the witness know about this crime. If there is not enough substantial information, (law enforcement) will not be able to act upon the report,” said Ortega. “That is why it’s critical to complete the form with as much detail as possible. The program was established due to feedback requesting an alternate way to help stop crimes, particularly Spice use, said Chief Warrant Officer Jeffery Rodriguez, officer-in-charge of CID. “The primary avenue to report crimes is your chain of command or by notifying law enforcement personally,” said Rodriguez. “An identifiable eye-witness with a signed and sworn statement is the best evidence, but the ACT report was designed as an avenue to capture the information about crimes we would not have obtained otherwise.” The reporting system works for crimes witnessed both on and off base. As of now, the program is being used by the Marine Corps, but the other branches are intended to integrate the system soon, according to Rodriguez. The department is in the process of creating a 24-hour hotline for crime reporting. In the meantime, witnesses without internet or computer access are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement office. For more information contact the PMO at 645-3978. okinawa marine | neWs | March 11, 2011 3 Two Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets, with Strike Fighter Squadron 102, Carrier Air Wing 5, Commander Task Force 70, U.S. Seventh Fleet, stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, participated in a joint Navy and Marine Corps exercise March 1-4. Each pilot is required to drop a certain amount of ordnance every six months to stay current with their qualifications. Photos by Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Denny Units join forces, put rounds on target Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Denny okinawa marine staff W-174 RANGE, East China Sea — Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 211, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, along with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, and sailors with Helicopter Anti- Submarine Squadron 1 and Strike Fighter Squadron 102, combined forces for an exercise here March 1-4. “This is a perfect example of the Navy and Marine Corps coming together as a team to meet goals and show compatibility,” said Capt. Brian Mead, the air officer for the exercise with 5th ANGLICO, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. The purpose of the exercise was to requalify joint terminal attack controllers in calling for, and guiding in fire during both day and night operations. It also allowed them to evaluate and maintain proficiency of JTAC and provide a close air support demonstration for officers with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Controllers must have six successful controls of fire every six months to ensure safety and compatibility with the pilots. Pilots are required to drop a certain amount of ordnance every six months to maintain their qualifications. In order to complete a successful control, a JTAC must execute a “9-line” to the aircraft above. A 9-line consists of reading coordinates on the ground and controlling close air support. The ground team arrives at least 24 hours in advance, sets Capt. Brian Mead, the exercise air officer with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, coordinates over the radio to an F/A-18 pilot, during a joint Navy and Marine Corps exercise March 1-4. Mead is a qualified joint terminal attack controller and is required to complete six controls of fire every six months. up the equipment and acquires the proper coordinates of the target, said Cpl. Bryan L. Jackson, a field radio operator with 5th ANGLICO. Once 5th AN- GLICO has everything in place, they send out call signs to the pilots in the area, informing them of their readiness. When the pilots are within range, the JTAC describes the ground weather conditions and targets to the pilot. When the aircraft is ready to fire, the JTAC initiates the laser and the pilot releases the ordnance. The 9-line is the most crucial information communicated between the ground and the aircraft, describing the target, the coordinates of the target, and what is in close proximity to the target, whether it be friendly forces or non-combatants. If a 9-line is delivered incorrectly the target may be missed and lives may be lost, added Jackson. “A high level of proficiency is required for the safe delivery of ordnance in close proximity to friendly forces,” said Mead. The aircraft were dropping March 76 simulation bombs and Laser Guided Training Rounds. 5th ANGLICO was sighting targets during the day with a Pulse Laser Designation Range Fire Thermal Imagery Device. At night they fire an infrared laser ISLID 1000P and used a 17C night vision scope. The three devices are calibrated to send and receive the same readings and measurements. “This is a good (tool to learn) especially for us. We are field artillery forward observers,” said 1st Lt. Konno Norisato, an artillery forward observer with 1st Airborne Brigade, Camp Narashino, JGSDF. “We don’t have similar training, and we can learn a lot from (the U.S. military).”
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