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VOLUME 75, EDITION 32
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Marine
USS Kearsarge live-fire training exercise | 4A
recognized for valor | 3A THURSDAY AUGUST 1, 2013
WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN
Transportation Support
Marines now apply for tuition assistance online LANCE CPL. DONOVAN LEE Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Photo by Cpl. Paul Peterson
Cpl. Kenneth Benton, a technical controller with Combat Logistics Regiment 2, Regional Command (Southwest), mans a machine gun turret during a combat logistics patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 25. Benton helped provide security as the patrol delivered supplies to forward operating bases in the province.
CLR-2 Marines complete first logistics operation CPL. PAUL PETERSON
2nd Marine Logistics Group
Photo by Cpl. Paul Peterson
Lance Cpl. Brett Alessandro, a bulk fuel specialist with Combat Logistics Regiment 2, Regional Command (Southwest), secures supplies to the back of a truck during a resupply mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 25.
Tense and facing the unknown, long months of meticulous training and preparation finally solidified into action for the Marines of Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, Regional Command (Southwest), July 25. While the regiment welcomed its new crew of Marines from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, at a Relief and Appointment ceremony in Camp Leatherneck, the first convoy had already went underway to support combat logistics operations in Helmand province. “As we’ve gotten to Afghanistan, it’s amazing how everything we’ve done prior kind of came together,” said 1st Lt. Taylor Bates, a platoon commander with Transportation Support Company. “Everybody understands what their piece of the pie is … from there we’ve been able to really step right in.”
Bates led the first CLR-2 major logistics convoy to venture outside the defensive perimeter of Camp Leatherneck since the beginning of CLR-2’s transition. The Marines shadowed their predecessors for more than a week, digesting hard earned lessons before embarking on their final mission together. The convoy set to deliver supplies and equipment to Marines working out of Forward Operating Bases Shukvani and Sabit Qadam, where isolated personnel rely almost solely on the logistical capacity of the CLR. “It was good to see how they did things and see how we can improve on them, even improve ourselves,” said Bates. “We can take some ideas and really mesh them together to make one of the best platoons and have one of the best convoys out there.” The Marines launched into nearly 24 hours of continuous operations, splitting their convoy into several sections to
provide simultaneous support for multiple installations. A string of more than 20 vehicles moved along dusty roads crowded with improvised and antiquated vehicles. Motorbikes and cars with seemingly impossible loads scurried between the Marines’ towering armored vehicles as the convoy moved through the province’s various Afghan villages. The Marines share the area’s thoroughfares with the local population. “We’re in their country,” said Bates. “We’re coming in here, and we want to resupply our Marines that are out there without damaging the local populace, without damaging their roads and stopping their (daily lives) … If we become more of a nuisance, then we’re not helping them in the way that we need to.” The Marines will continue to provide combat logistics support to units operating in the area over the next several months.
10th Marines, ANGLICO join forces for fire support coordination exercise LANCE CPL. KRISTA JAMES 2nd Marine Division
Marines with 10th Marine Regiment and soldiers with the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company joined forces for a fire support coordination exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, July 22 through 24. The exercise consisted of Marines and soldiers located at Observation Point 2, calling in fire missions to the Marines at the Fire Detection Center at Gun Position 23, which is about seven miles away from OP2. After the Marines at GP23 fired their first round, those at OP2 tracked the round’s flight and impact trajectory. From there, they could call in a change of direction or a completely new fire mission. Staff Sgt. Richard Munguia, operations chief for 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, said that the FSCEX is going according to plan. “It’s a new battery for the Fire Support Coordination Center, so there are some growing pains, but it’s going well,” said Munguia. First Lt. Paul Jackson, a platoon commander with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, said this training
is important for the Marines. “It’s good for the Marines to get out and get live-fire training,” said Jackson. “Nothing compares to livefire training.” Both Munguia and Jackson agreed this training helps Marines develop individual job skills and is a critical step in developing the teamwork and cohesion which Marines need to really perform well together. “It’s a new battery, so we need time to work together,” said Munguia. “This is our first chance to get a live-fire exercise in.” “It helps the Marines be more proficient at their jobs, it helps team cohesion and it’s just good training all around for the entire battery,”said Jackson. Munguia said that he wished they could do this type of training more often. “As far as live-fire goes, we don’t get to do it very often, so I wish we could do it more,” said Munguia. He won’t have to wait too long since the Marines and soldiers participate in fire support coordination exercises about once a month, and will be conducting similar training again sometime in August.
Thinking about enrolling in college classes as an active-duty service member? Recent changes to the tuition assistance application process make it easier to apply. Service members, domestic and abroad, can now apply for tuition assistance online through a new program called webTA. The transition from a paper application to the online application makes it easier for both service members applying and the chain of command, said Gery Boucher, the education branch manager at the Education Center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The new online procedure started July 1 for troops abroad, and begins Aug. 1 for troops stateside. Service members can now track their application through each step in the online approval process. For commanders, it cuts out a paper trail and makes it easier to check and approve, as well as keep records of who is going to school, said Dayna Gibbs an education technician at the Education Center. Service members are granted up to $4,500 per fiscal year for classes but the money cannot be spent on books. Service members who have no previous college are highly encouraged to take a college 101 class at the education center to learn the benefits and the types of degrees they can earn. After the class, it is the service members responsibility to look into schools to attend and complete the application process. After he or she gets a class schedule then they would complete the webTA application and send it up the chain of command via email. “It is definitely an easier process, and I think our number of requests for tuitions assistance will increase from both deployed Marines and Marines serving at home as they get used to this new system,” said Boucher. For more information, contact the Base Education Center at 4513091 or at LejTA@usmc-mccs.org.
Inside
Intramural soccer competition 1B
Photo by Lance Cpl. Krista James
Marines with 10th Marine Regiment prepare to fire a howitzer as part of their fire support coordination exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, July 22-24. The FSCEX brought together 10th Marine Regiment and members of the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company to practice fire missions.
Bikers ride, raise money for USO
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