Leaders weigh in to set example - Marine Corps Community Relations

Timberlake takes over 3rd MEB
Brig. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, left, and Col. Craig Q. Timberlake shake hands following a ceremony March 7
in the III Marine Expeditionary Force headquarters building on Camp Courtney in which Brilakis passed
the colors of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III MEF, to Timberlake. Brilakis, who took command of
3rd Marine Division, III MEF, March 1, has been selected for promotion to major general. Timberlake,
who also became III MEF's deputy commanding general, has been selected for promotion to brigadier
general. Timberlake has been serving as the III MEF chief of staff. Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Cindy Fisher
WEIGH IN from pg 1
To validate that his Marines are ready, Glueck
has called for a weigh-in of all III MEF and MCBJ
Marines no later than March 15, he said.
The Commandant of the Marine Corps directed
that commands focus their attention
on compliance with Marine Corps height and
weight standards, and that is what III MEF and
MCBJ are doing, said Glueck.
Leading from the front, Glueck and Sgt. Maj.
Daniel J. Fierle, the MEF’s sergeant major, along
with several III MEF field grade officers, weighed
in at Camp Courtney March 4.
“We just wanted to show the Marines that
we’re not going to ask them to do anything we’re
not going to be doing,” said Fierle. “By doing this
openly, we are setting the example.”
“This is all about being a basic Marine,”
Glueck said.
COOPEX from pg 1
According to Air Force Maj. Vanessa Anderson-Goldwire, a senior intelligence
duty officer for 7th Air Force, the COOPEX is an evolution designed
to simulate joint operations in a deployed location in response to an attack
on the Air Operations Center in the event the Air Force could no longer
work from the AOC. The Marines and the Air Force need to determine the
shortfalls, the successes, their ability to mutually perform their processes
and if they can maintain communications.
The Marines and airmen performed many different drills in reaction to
the various scenarios given.
“Working with the Air Force has been really enjoyable,” said Gunnery
Sgt. Columbus Wilson Jr., an interface control officer for MTACS-18. “You
never know what to expect, but everything came together and we worked as
a team. There were no hiccups. If there were any issues, they were resolved
right away and we kept on moving forward.”
At the end of each battle drill, the Marines and Air Force participants
gave individual status reports for each billet to ensure everyone learned
from all aspects of the scenario.
“I’m glad I got to come out here and experience this,” said Anderson-Goldwire.
“I’ve seen the way the joint interface between the services has progressed
through the years and … the transition of the change of operations overall.”
According to Sgt. Miguel Ofray, the Tactical Air Command Center crew
chief with MTACS-18, working with the Air Force has been great and gives
a bigger picture of what they do on their side as well as what that Marine
Corps does.
okinawa marine | neWs | March 11, 2011 5
“As the tip of the spear, it is imperative that
we are most ready when the nation is least ready.
Being physically fit is a major component to our
being ready,” he said.
“If you’re not fit, you will not be able to withstand
the rigors of combat,” added Fierle.
While ultimately, physical fitness and maintaining
the Corps’ weight standards is the
responsibility of each individual Marine, leadership
bears a responsibility as well, agreed the
general and sergeant major.
Leaders have to be engaged with their Marines,
said Glueck.
“Marines don’t come to us overweight; they
leave basic training physically fit, within the
standards,” said Fierle. “Marines don’t show up
here severely overweight, and they don’t get out
of standards overnight.
“Engaged leaders interact with their Marines
WINTER from pg 1
expeditionary intelligence force-in-readiness
for III MEF,” he added.
This is the third consecutive year 3rd Intelligence
Bn. has deployed in support of Winter
Surge as a battalion. This year, approximately
190 U.S. Marines, 30 ROK Marines, and
various U.S. Army and Air Force personnel
participated in the exercise.
While in Korea, Marines lived and worked
in tents.
“Despite the unusually cold temperatures,
morale stayed high and improved as the
U.S. forces acclimatized and got into a battle
rhythm with the ROK Marines,” said 1st. Lt.
Casey Munroe, adjutant with 3rd Intelligence
Bn.
During the operation, participants performed
multi-discipline intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance operations, said
Lindemann.
The 3rd Intelligence Bn.’s support also
contributed to the development of the ROK
Marine Corps intelligence capabilities and
proficiency, he said.
“The Marines fully embraced this opportunity
to integrate the ROK Marines into
our operations and work closely with sisterservice
intelligence units; we learned a lot
from them while reinforcing our own sense
of what makes us unique as Marines,” he said.
and conduct group physical training. Being involved,
they see Marines before they get out of
standards,” said Fierle.
“The leadership can identify those who are
struggling with (weight) and marry them up with
a mentor. The mentor can help with a fitness
program, diet, the whole thing,” he said.
Engaged leaders set the example with their
own physical fitness routines as well, said
Glueck.
Being physically fit is more than just passing
the physical fitness test and combat fitness test
each year, he said. Maintaining the weight standards
and staying physically fit requires Marines
to establish and maintain a consistent physical
training schedule, he said.
“By maintaining a good fitness routine
throughout the year you’ll definitely stay within
standards,” he said.
Col. John Jansen, far left, exercise assessment officer for 1st Marine Aircraft
Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, addresses Marines of 1st MAW and airmen
of 7th Air Force, U.S. Air Force Pacific Air Forces, during joint operations of the
Continuity of Operations Exercise conducted as part of Exercise Key Resolve
here Feb. 25. The COOPEX is conducted to ensure interoperability between the
Air Force and Marine Corps to control air operations from one central forward
deployed location. Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Iams
“I think the airmen and Marines have learned a lot about their own specific
tasks during this exercise,” said Lt. Col. James Quinn, the assistant operations
officer for 1st MAW. “More importantly, the Marines learned what their
counterparts do in the Air Force.”
Exercise Key Resolve highlights the longstanding and enduring partnership
and friendship between the two nations and the combined commitment
to the defense of the ROK and ensuring peace and security in the region.