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VOLUME 75, EDITION 31
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Combat Pistol Program
is introduced at Stone Bay Rifle Range | 5A
Marin fast rope in the USS Marines well deck | 3A San Antonio A
THURSDAY JULY 25, 2013
WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL
Secretary of Defense visits Camp Lejeune LANCE CPL. JOSHUA GRANT
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
S
ecretary of Defense Chuck Hagel visited Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River to discuss fiscal issues as well as meet with troops, July 17. “The last ten or twelve years, the defense budget has been unchallenged, and those days are over,” said Hagel. “We have to be more agile and flexible.” Hagel’s first stop was at Marine Corps Special Operations Command, aboard MCB Camp Lejeune, to talk to Marines about the impact of sequestration. “Special Operations are going to continue to be a critical component of our Photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Grant national security,” said Hagel. “I see a Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune tremendous future. We can learn a lot leaders from an over watch position at Military Operations on Urban Terrain Town from what special operations does. It’s going to be a main piece of our national during his visit to the base, July 17.
defense strategy.” Upon leaving MARSOC, Hagel traveled by an MV-22 Osprey to Camp Geiger. He met with School of Infantry East leaders and toured Military Operations on Urban Terrain Town while Marines conducted house clearing maneuvers. Hagel then met with more than a dozen female Marines, most of whom have completed combat tours, for a closed door discussion regarding the roles female Marines play in combat zones and abroad. “I felt very privileged to speak with Secretary Hagel because the discussion was very enlightening,” said 1st Lt. Micki Duran, a female communications officer with 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion. “I’m glad he is taking the matter seriously and taking the time out of his schedule to meet with Marines directly affected.”
Photo by Sgt. Christopher Q. Stone
AV-8B Harrier airframe mechanics assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, perform general maintenance on their aircraft on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), at sea, July 20. The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forwarddeployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group serving as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious operations across the full range of military operations.
Medical professionals, families discuss TBI, neurological disorders LANCE CPL. JACKELINE M. PEREZ RIVERA Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Members of the military community affected by traumatic brain injuries and neurological disorders gathered with medical professionals to discuss resources, treatments and general advice in a forum hosted by the Exceptional Family Member Program at the Russell Marine and Family Center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, July 10. Experts ranged from medical professionals to educators. Families struggling with traumatic brain injuries and neurological disorders provided insight into their experiences and experts shared facts, suggestions and their perspectives. The forum was casual, with participants speaking openly and receiving frank information from other families with similar experiences and from knowledgeable professionals.
Neurological conditions and traumatic brain injuries can have mild to devastating effects on a person. Traumatic brain injuries have physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, poor concentration and mood swings, according to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center. Neurological disorders include migraines, epilepsy and brain tumors among many other conditions. Hundreds of millions are affected by neurological disorders worldwide, according to a publication by the World Health Organization. Sgt. Andrew Fischer, a crew chief with 2nd Marine Division’s 2nd Tank Battalion, and his wife, Samantha, attended the event to meet other parents like them. Their son nearly drowned about a year ago and suffered severe injuries as a result. With their family far away, they wanted to expand their local support
network. During the forum they learned of support groups, camps and organizations that can help provide knowledge and support to them and others in similar situations. Andrew and Samantha said they hoped to see more families attend such events in the future. The types of injuries and disorders that affected participants and their families varied. Military spouses spoke of their service member’s wartime wounds, and parents dealt with the effects of medical conditions and trauma on their children. “We try very hard to provide diverse events for different people,” said Tracy Sosa, the program manager with the Exceptional Family Member Program. The forum was back by popular demand, Sosa added. It was requested by families who attended one like it in the past and participants discussed plans to
Photo by Lance Cpl. Jackeline M. Perez Rivera
Sgt. Andrew Fischer, a crew chief with 2nd Marine Division’s 2nd Tank Battalion, comforts his son during a forum about traumatic brain injuries and neurological disorders hosted by the Exceptional Family Member Program at the Russell Marine and Family Center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, July 10. meet again. The Exceptional Family Member Program provides support to military families with special medical or educational needs. Such needs can include diagnosed physical, educational, intellectual or emotional needs. Workshops and forums offered by the program are typically open to any
member of the military community. Upcoming Exceptional Family Member Program events include family bowling, swimming and an ice cream social. For more information about the Exceptional Family Member Program, visit mccslejeune.com/efmp or call 451-4394.
Inside
Paddleboard pushes physical limits 1B
Chris Cagle supports Fisher House 1C