iii marine expeditionary force and marine corps bases japan

september 19, 2008 www.okinawa.usmc.mil

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HONORING tHeIR SACRIFICe...Military police, security guards, fire fighters and emergency personnel honor Sept. 11, 2001 first responders on MCAS Futenma

PG. 3

Order also applies to non-military SOFA personnelLance Cpl. Joseph A. Cabreraokinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — In response to a growing trend of abusing le-gally obtained substances to pro-duce mind-altering experiences, Marine Corps Bases Japan Order 5355.1 was implemented Sept. 10. The new order prohibits the use, possession and distribution of certain substances marketed as “legal highs,” base officials announced recently.

These substances, which can be ingested or smoked, include:

salvia divinorum, mitragyna speciosa korth, spice, blue lo-tus, convolvulaceae argyreia nervosa, lysergic acid amide, amanitas mushrooms, datura, absinthe and 5-MEO-DMT.

These substances can pro-duce similar effects as marijua-na or lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD.

The new order supplements Secretary of the Navy Instruc-tion 5300.28D, which prohibits abusing lawful substances, such as cough syrup, edge dressing and keyboard cleaner to produce “intoxication, excitement, or stu-pefaction of the central nervous system.” Both MCBJO 5355.1 and SECNAVINST 5300.28D are lawful general orders pun-ishable under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military

Justice. Violators are subject to administrative action, court-martial or both.

The maximum punishment for violating either order is dis-honorable discharge, confine-ment for two years, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and re-duction to E-1. Violators can also be processed for administrative separation and receive an other than honorable discharge.

The Marine Corps is tak-ing a zero-tolerance stance on the use and possession of these substances since they are prejudicial to good order and discipline and can be danger-ous, officials said.

The new order also applies to non-military Status of Forces Agreement personnel and

see ILLEGAL pg �

‘Legal highs’ legal no longer

Lance Cpl. Michael A. Biancookinawa marine staff

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA — It appeared like an ordinary ending to an ordinary mission Sept. 11 as the com-manding officer and executive officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, brought their UC-35D Cessna Citation Encore to a stop on the Futenma flight line here.

The flight was anything but typical as it marked the achievement of a safety milestone that dates back to 1972.

Lt. Col. David W. Bussel, H&HS command-ing officer, and executive officer Lt. Col. Scott Payne piloted the craft as the squadron sur-passed 80,000 mishap-free flight hours.

see 80,000 pg �

Sgt. Michael B. Walusz, a criminal investigation divison agent with the Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Provost Marshal’s Office, discusses a shortcut for finding fingerprints with Nepal Army investigators Sept. 5 during a subject matter expert exchange in Kathmandu, Nepal. SEE STORY ON PAGE 8. Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael A. Bianco

Lt. Col. David W. Bussel, the commanding officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, exits a UC-35D Cessna Citation Encore Sept. 11 after attaining the squadron’s 80,000th mishap-free flight hour. The squadron has not had a Class A mishap since 1972. Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael A. Bianco

H&HS hits 80,000 mishap-free flight hours milestone

...ANd KeePING OuR wORd Task Force 2/7, coalition forces assault Taliban stronghold in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

PG. 10

from thE front

“QuId PRO QuO”

� okinawa marine | OPInIOn & edITORIAL | september 19, 2008

TO submIT An OPInIOn OR edITORIAL, e-mAIL us AT OkInAwAmARIne.mcbb.fcT@usmc.mIL

factcheck Graybeltrequirement

I heard all Marines must have their Marine Corps Martial Arts Program gray belt by the end of this year. Is this true?

No. According to All Marine Message 034/07, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program update, all active and reserve Marines must be

trained to tan belt by the end of calendar year 2008. Combat arms Marines must be trained to gray belt and infantrymen must be trained to green belt.

q:

a:

Lt. j.g. Paco Ramirez

waking up at 4:30 a.m. recently wasn’t an especially new sensation for me as a Naval officer.

Everything that came afterward following my recent arrival on Okinawa, however, was not only new, but completely unexpected.

The Marine Corps has a base on the north-ern part of the island called Camp Gonsalves where the Marines go through the Jungle Warfare Training Center — JWTC or “J-dub” as the Marines call it.

Essentially, the Marines train one another how to survive and fight in a jungle environ-ment. The first couple of days were every-thing you’d expect it to be: classes covering everything from how to patrol in the jungle to ensuring that you don’t touch the snakes you might come across while patrolling.

(Incidentally, you don’t have to worry too much about touching the Golden Habu. If you violate their space, not only will they let you know, but they’ll chase you until you realize how very wrong you were.)

Everything was massively fun. Marines from Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, taught me how to navi-gate my way through thick jungle, how to use a rope to “hasty rappel” down a steep, clay hill (you basically put a rope underneath your armpits and pray you don’t slip) and how to tie knots that will help you cross any number of obstacles.

What they don’t tell you in these classes is

how miserable your last day will be.They call it the Endurance Course. Some

teams have finished it in four hours. The record is somewhere in the area of three and a half hours; the team I was with finished in just short of six hours.

That’s respectable. Right?It started raining 30 minutes before we

began the course. Rain helped break up the heat and humidity, but it made the clay hills impossibly slippery. India Company Marines flew down the first hill like professionals. I was happy there was a rope to keep me from falling the entire 70 feet to the ground.

The next obstacle taught me the impor-tance of paying attention during the knot-ty-ing class. We crossed a three-wire bridge that hung at least 100 feet above the ground and immediately crossed over the same valley with only two wires. Following that, we prac-ticed hasty rappelling down 13 rain-soaked clay hills. The hills were progressively more difficult to go down and provided 13 opportu-nities for Marines to prove their gusto, while I managed to slip and slide my way down almost every one.

After going over a 10-foot wall, a crawl underneath a rope, a crawl on top of a rope, a crawl on my elbows and knees through what felt like a mile of muddy water and running up at least four hills, my team came to what the Marines call “peanut butter mud.”

Here’s the scenario: one of the Marines is (theoretically) hurt. It also just so happens the hurt guy is the heaviest guy in the squad.

My squad had to put together a stretcher out of our cammie blouses and bamboo sticks. In order to help this “super heavy” Marine, we had to cross over three hills. In between the hills are paths of the peanut butter mud. The mud can pull the boots off your feet when you step in it and your feet off of your legs when you are carrying someone.

The first hill: not so awful. The peanut but-ter mud is manageable.

The second hill is a definite struggle, but certainly not impossible.

The third hill was a show stopper. It was almost entirely clay and had only a few trees to anchor onto. The I Company commander (who is normally a regular-sized guy, but was exceptionally heavy all of a sudden) was the “victim.” Not only was he not allowed to touch the ground, but he was slipping out of our makeshift stretcher.

After 45 minutes of working him up our human ladder, we finally and valiantly got him to the top of the hill.

None of us had any energy left in our arms, but the Marines exhibited extraordinary strength in running him the last 100 meters to the end of the course.

It took a fire hose to clean off the mud caked on our faces, but I walked away from the Endur-ance Course knowing two things: I hate clay hills and Marines love climbing up impossibly slick clay hills.

Ramirez is the naval gunfire liaison offi-cer of I Co., BLT 3/1, 31st Marine Expedition-ary Unit.

THe JunGLe ROOkIeNaval officer learns ins and outs of jungle survival, Marine outlook

okinawa marine | news | september 19, 2008 �

Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Cabreraokinawa marine staff

CAMP HANSEN — The Submerged Vehicle Egress Trainer arrived on Okina-wa recently to be used as a training aid by Survival Systems USA.

Submerged humvees and amphibious assault vehicles have resulted in many deaths of Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. The trend prompted the Marine Corps to init i-ate a training program to give Marines the skills necessary to egress from submerged vehicles.

Like the Modular Am-phibious Egress Trainer, used to train Marines to escape from a submerged helicopter, the SVET was developed to simulate a sub-merged humvee or AAV.

According to Kurt Re-ese, the chief instructor with Survival Systems USA, the SVET is de-signed to duplicate the conditions a Marine may face if he or she is trapped in a vehicle upside down and underwater.

The training will pre-pare the Marine to be able to escape from the vehicle, he said.

The egress training will

New Submerged Vehicle Egress Trainer arrives on Okinawa

The new Submerged Vehicle Egress Trainer simulates situations Marines may encounter when trapped underwater in a humvee or amphibious assault vehicle. Photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Cabrera

take place at the Camp Hansen 25-meter pool where a hoist is used to raise and lower the device into the water, simulating a submerging vehicle.

The training will not only ensure the Marines are capable of escaping from the nearest exit, but also give them the knowl-edge and experience to

use alternate exits in the event their primary exit is blocked, he said.

Camp Hansen is the only location in the Ma-rine Corps with this train-ing capability, he added.

The new course will present many challenges but instructors want to teach the Marines to be comfortable in the water

and have confidence in their training.

The training will teach Marines “when the mind wants to panic and the body wants to panic, to take control, slow down and then kick in with their survival skills,” said Brett Pitt, an instructor with Survival Systems USA.

Reese said when train-

ing begins, the SVET and MAET training may be tied together into an extended course so Marines can re-ceive egress training for all three types of vehicles.

The training will be open to all Marines who want to come out and train, however priority will be given to Marines set to deploy, Reese said.

Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewiczokinawa marine staff

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA — Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Divi-sion and Marine Corps Bases Japan’s Fire Department and Provost Marshal’s Office marched here Sept. 11 in remembrance of the sacrifices made by first responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The formation stepped off from barracks 223 on Futenma, moving out with a column of rescue vehicles flashing their lights. The procession was carried out in complete silence unbroken except for the footfalls of Marines and the pants of the dogs from the canine unit.

They arrived at an open field to greet Morning Colors. Following the Japanese National Anthem when salutes were cut, the memorial ceremony began with prayer and a moment of silence for the fallen.

MCBJ Fire Chief Brian P. Johnson spoke to the assembled Marines, fire fighters and police officers.

Seven years ago, 343 of our brothers

rushed into the World Trade Centers and never came out, said Johnson. “They went in. They climbed those stairs that would end their life.”

“Why did they go in there?” said John-son. “Because there were people in there who needed their help.”

The tragedies that mar Sept. 11 were discussed briefly but the focus was on the overwhelming heroism the first respond-ers showed on “the day where heroes were asked for their last measure,” Johnson said.

Col. Dale Smith, the commanding offi-cer of MCAS Futenma spoke after Johnson on where people were when the attacks occurred and how that has affected their life choices.

Less than three percent of the population takes the road less traveled: serving in the military, Smith said.

“How could those who lost their lives look down from the breaches of Heaven and not smile?” Smith asked the formation.

“It’s a time of remembrance. It’s a time of honor, of reflection,” said Smith.

“9/11. We remember.”

mcAs futenma first responders honor september 11 sacrifices

Lance Cpl. Reilly P. Brennan, a military police Marine with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, and Yoshiki Higa, a Japanese security guard, salute morning colors Sept. 11 during a remembrance ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Photo by Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewicz

� okinawa marine | news | september 19, 2008

TO SUBMIT A BRIEF, send an e-mail to okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil, or fax your request to 645-3803. The deadline for submitting a brief is noon every Friday. The Okinawa Marine reserves the right to edit all submitted material.

cultural awareness seminarThe Japanese Government Ministry of

Foreign Affairs is scheduled to host a cultural awareness seminar Sept. 29 at the Foster Theater. The seminar will highlight Okinawa history and culture.

All SOFA personnel are invited to attend.For more information, call Kaori Martinez

at 645-4212.

ipac id card appointment schedulingThe Camp Foster IPAC will begin accepting

electronic scheduling for identification and com-mon access card service appointments Monday to decrease customer wait times.

There are three methods available to schedule appointments: the MCB Camp Butler Intranet, the Internet and the IPAC Sharepoint site.

Each of these sites contain specific require-ments for the customer’s selected status and will allow access to the appointment link.

mcB camp Butler weB site (intranet)https://ww1.mcbbutler.usmc.mil/IPAC/IPAC.html

This portal will access the IPAC page. Select Passports/ID/Naturalization at the page’s top, point to ID Cards and then CAC appoint-ments.

mcB camp Butler weB site (internet)http://www.mcbbutler.usmc.mil/default.html (allows access from home or non .mil domains)

This portal will access the MCB page. Select Information at the page’s top, point to ID Cards and then CAC appointments.

ipac sharepointhttps://wss.mcbbutler.usmc.mil/G1/IPAC/default.aspx

This portal will access the IPAC Sharepoint site. Select ID Card Center on the page’s left-hand side, then click on ID/CAC Appointments.

Once you have navigated through any of the above sites, select one of the three options available (civilian employee, contract employee or military and family members) to make your appointment.

For more information, call the ID Card Center at 645-4038 or 645-4039.

credo comBat Veterans worKshopThe Chaplain’s Religious Education

Development Operation is sponsoring a com-bat veteran personal development workshop Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Building 442 on Camp Foster.

The workshop focuses on building and maintaining management skills for combat operational stress as well as taking time to set personal and professional goals.

To register, call 645-3041. The registration deadline for the class is Monday.

briefs

Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Corderookinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — The “Criti-cal Days of Summer” safety campaign for 2008 came to an end Sept. 1; however, Base Safety officials stress it does not signal a time for personnel to drop their guard.

The “critical days of sum-mer” is the time period be-tween Memorial Day and La-

bor Day dur-i n g w h i c h the number of mishaps

historically increases. For years, base safety officials throughout the services have recognized the critical days and have worked to reduce the number of incidents by educating service members

on safety hazards and opera-tional risk management.

The summer season cam-paign included recognizing safety hazards such as heat casualties and water-related injuries. Though these haz-ards continue in Okinawa’s subtropical climate, the safety focus will now include the coming holiday season where activities change but accidents still happen, said Lawrence Ja-cobs, the Base deputy director of installation safety.

“Our number one goal is to have zero mishaps,” Jacobs said.

Some things that should be considered as the holidays ap-proach include proper installa-tion and maintenance of holiday decorations, recognizing and dealing with holiday stress and

taking steps to avoid driving while intoxicated, he said.

Tanisha Girley, an occupa-tional safety and health special-ist with the Base Safety Office added that personnel on Oki-nawa should plan ahead before making trips to the states during the holiday season. Sometimes travelers don’t consider the length of the flight and think they can drive for long distances upon arrival, she said.

Jacobs’ final words of advice were tied to the fact that ulti-mately, good safety practice is not about a season, but should be an everyday consideration. He said all personnel should consider the risks in any situ-ation and come up with ways to reduce those risks.

“Just about anything can con-tribute to mishaps,” he said.

Safety still ‘critical’ after summer campaign ends

Despite summer’s end rapidly approaching, safety at the beach, under the sun and in the waves remains paramount year round on Okinawa. File photo by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke

crItIcAL dAys of summEr

Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Corderookinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — The Marine Corps Com-munity Services Substance Abuse Counseling Center hosted a five-day gambling addiction clinic here Sept. 8-12.

The clinic, which was open to anyone wish-ing to increase their knowledge on available counseling for problem gamblers, prepared participants to recognize and approach a person with gambling issues.

Pathological gambling, or problem gam-bling, is the inability to resist impulses to gamble. It introduces problems at work, with families and money management.

According to officials at the U.S. Naval Hospi-tal Okinawa, gambling affects approximately five percent of the American population and can have a detrimental impact on military readiness.

Counseling officials on Okinawa aim to combat the issue.

“We recommend people for support groups, individual counseling, group counseling and finally to follow ups,” said Vernon Harris, the clinical program manager for the Substance Abuse Counseling Center.

According to clinic presenter Joanna

Franklin, the president of the Institute for Problem Gambling, those affected by problem gambling have time management issues, have trouble staying focused at work and often steal from their workplace to cover for expenses.

In order to help a person with problem gambling, a proper approach and response must be considered, she said.

“The best way to approach someone with a gambling issue is just simply to have a conversation with them,” Franklin said. “It’s conversation that invites people to get help.”

Franklin recommended not approaching a suspected problem gambler with accusations or advice. Sometimes, accusations and advice can stimulate increased gambling.

“Just talk to them,” Franklin said. She recommended simply telling the person

it looks as if they are in trouble and assuring the individual help is available for them.

Participants who completed the entire 30-hour clinic were certified as gambling counselors.

For more information about helping a problem gambler or to recommend a person for gambling counseling service, contact the Substance Abuse Counseling Center at 645-3009 or 645-3568.

Pathological gambling tackled on Okinawa bases

range

Kd33 - camp schwabCpl. Anderson, E.W. 1st MAW 339

pd17 - camp hansenMaj. Gillette, D.E. 1st MAW 380

high scoresJune 30-July 4

okinawa marine | news | september 19, 2008 �

absentee ballot request deadlines

80,000 from pg 1The achievement translates to

the fact that over a 36-year period, the squadron has not had a single Class A mishap.

The Department of Defense de-fines a class A aviation mishap as one where an aircraft is destroyed or there is fatal or disabling injury to personnel. Also, any aviation mishaps where damage costs equal or exceed $1 million fall in this category.

As Bussel stepped smiling from his aircraft he was visibly proud of the accomplishment. He was quick to acknowledge, however, the safety feat had little to do with this one flight and much more to do with the many years of dedica-

tion and hard work of the aircraft maintainers on the ground.

“We absolutely have the best mechanics in the business and it’s because of them we surpassed this milestone,” Bussel said. “The crew has been phenomenal.”

Since hitting the 30,000-hour mishap-free milestone in January 1990, H&HS, which currently oper-ates three Citation Encore jets and one UC-12 King Air propeller craft, has averaged about 10,000 mishap-free hours every three years and eight months, according to official squadron records.

Records also show in that time, the squadron has f lown to 30 countries to include the United States.

ILLEGAL from pg 1contractors supporting MCBJ. Although not subject to criminal prosecution, SOFA personnel and contractors could face de-barment and loss of command sponsorship for violating the order, officials said.

The driving force behind the new order, officials stated, is to eliminate any uncertainty that substances used to get “high” are prohibited. Enforcement of this new order will help to maintain a positive, disciplined atmosphere on Okinawa. The prohibited sub-stances create a detrimental impact on the Marine Corps’ mission on Okinawa and could adversely af-fect the Corps’ relationship with

the Japanese population it sup-ports, in addition to being physi-cally harmful to users.

“Any substance abuse can affect individual and unit readi-ness,” said John Velker, the direc-tor of the Marine Corps Commu-nity Services Substance Abuse Counseling Center.

Velker went on to say sub-stance abuse is typically triggered by unresolved personal issues in the user’s life, creating a desire to experience alternate states of con-sciousness. He stated personnel should seek counseling for trying to deal with things individually.

“There is a better way to live and deal with frustration than trying to get high.”

Master Sgt. Mark E. Bradleypress chief

CAMP FOSTER — Sexual assault is the most under reported crime in American society as well as the U.S. military, according to data maintained by the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.

In more than 70 percent of cases, the victim knows the attacker.

Studies show this often makes a victim reluc-tant to report the crime due to fear of humiliation, not being believed, being ostracized from peers, or in the case of military members, his or her unit.

Recognizing the unique circumstances military victims of sexual assault face, there are two DoD-established methods a victim may use to report a sexual assault: restricted and unrestricted.

Unrestricted reporting is the option in which a victim or other party reports a sexual assault and commands have direct involvement and are aware of the victim’s identity. This option allows com-mands to report the assault to law enforcement personnel and take appropriate action against the offender. Most importantly, it assists with ensuring the safety of the victim, said Capt. Sally A. Falco, the installation sexual assault response coordinator for Marine Corps Bases Japan.

However, many victims may not want to report sexual assault due to their desire not to alert their command or be sky lighted in an official investiga-tion, Falco said.

In these cases, the restricted reporting method allows the victim to maintain confidentiality when reporting to designated officials and pro-vides the victim the resources to seek medical treatment and counseling services, she said.

A designated official is defined as a uniformed victim advocate, a victim advocate, designated healthcare provider or chaplain.

In a restricted report only limited information is passed to the victim’s commander. The victim’s identity remains confidential and law enforce-ment officials are not informed. One drawback of the restricted report is limited steps can be taken to protect the victim from his or her attacker, Falco said.

In the process of making a restricted report, a victim may elect to receive a sexual assault foren-sic evidence exam, also referred to a SAFE exam, to collect evidence against his or her attacker. This

evidence may be stored for up to one year and can be used as evidence in an official investigation in the event a victim chooses to change to an unre-stricted report. This is a beneficial option as often victims of sexual assault may choose initially to make a restricted report and later come forward to make an unrestricted report, Falco said.

Falco stated there are a few misconceptions regarding restricted and unrestricted reporting commands and individual service members need to be aware of.

Only a victim can file a restricted report, she said. It is not uncommon for a friend or acquain-tance of a victim to come forward and request to make a restricted report on the victim’s behalf. However a restricted report does not apply in these cases. “Only a victim can make a restricted report,” she said.

Also, since all military members, with the exception of victims designated officials, are required to report any known or suspected inci-dents of sexual assault, a victim cannot make a restricted report if there are other military mem-bers aware of the assault. Once the command or law enforcement is notified of a suspected assault, an investigation must be initiated, Falco said. Fur-ther, commands are not allowed to conduct their own investigations, she said. DoD policy dictates all sexual assault investigations be conducted by law enforcement personnel.

However, when the conditions of a restricted report are met, victims can be completely con-fident their confidentiality will be maintained. “The program is victim based and the needs and desires of the victim will always be the top prior-ity,” Falco said. “The only way we can take care of our Marines and sailors is if they let us help them. To do that, victims must have complete confidence in the system and get the care they need.”

Falco said it is important for unit commanders and other leaders to realize in restricted reporting they do not have access to information provided to healthcare providers, uniformed victim advocates, victim advocates or sexual assault response coor-dinators regarding cases of sexual assault.

“The sole purpose of restricted reporting is to allow that victim who may have never come forward otherwise the opportunity to receive medical services and counseling,” Falco said. “It is imperative our Marines and sailors know they are our most precious assets and will be treated so.”

Sexual assault reporting procedures center on needs, concerns of victim

Time is running out to request absentee ballots for the general election. The dates listed below are the final days states and terri-tories will accept absentee ballot requests.

To register to vote or for more information, contact your unit voting assistance officer or visit http://www.fvab.gov.

AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirgin IslandsVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

October 24October 5October 6

November 4October 28October 20

October 6November 3October 30

October 6October 6

October 24October 6

October 10October 25October 6

November 4October 31October 6October 6

November 4October 14

November 3, noonNovember 4November 3

October 5October 8October 6

October 17October 4

November 3October 31

October 31, 5 p.m.October 10

November 3November 3

October 6October 29, 5 p.m.

October 14November 3September 4

October 14, 5 p.m.October 4

October 20October 6October 6

October 15October 27October 5October 6

November 4October 6

October 14October 31October 6

okinawa marine | feATuRe | september 19, 2008� okinawa marine | feATuRe | september 19, 2008

Marine Wing Control Squadron 18 conducts Warrior WeekLance Cpl. Joseph A. Cabreraokinawa marine staff

The Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18 Commanding Officer issued an order to his unit leaders

recently to put a war face on his Marines and sailors and get them back to the basics: every Marine is a rifleman, and every noncommis-sioned officer a leader.

Lt. Col. Roger Standfield’s order evolved into a training event that took MWCS-18 Marines and sailors out of their comfort zone and into the field for a scheduled five-day training regimen called Warrior Week. The training evolution included live-fire exer-

cises, rappelling, land navigation and basic field living practices.

Field training is uncommon for the squad-ron, which normally operates in the comfort of garrison when not deployed.

Warrior Week broke up the monotony of day-to-day operations where the Marines and sailors typically inventory gear, perform operations checks and prepare equipment for deployment, said Sgt. Andrew Stetson, a technical controller with the squadron’s Wire Platoon detachment.

During the first day of the exercise, the Marines drew weapons from the armory and embarked on 7-ton trucks with their sights set north to the bivouac site LZ Swan on

Camp Hansen. The Marines would call the site home over the next four days.

The following morning, the Marines set out to Range 2, where they fired Benelli tacti-cal shotguns and M240G machine guns.

The exercise marked the first opportunity some Marines have had to fire the shotgun, and it was their first time for the unit’s sail-ors to shoot the M240G machine gun.

“It was pretty cool. It was a new experi-ence. It was the biggest weapon I’ve ever shot,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan Pablo Juarez, a corpsman with the squadron.

The following day’s training included fast roping and rappelling. Some Marines were excited about receiving this opportunity

Gunnery Sgt. Micah Lewis (right), data communication repair chief for Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, monitors a period of instruction Sept. 11 on how to load, unload and clear stoppages on the M240G machine gun. Photos by Lance Cpl. Joseph A. Cabrera

Getting out ofGARRISON

okinawa marine | feATuRe | september 19, 2008okinawa marine | feATuRe | september 19, 2008 �

since their last chance was recruit training or Officer Candidates School. For some Ma-rines the exercise was about facing fears.

“It helped me overcome a fear of heights. I’m definitely afraid of heights and getting me on the rappel tower helped me out with that,” Stetson said. “The worst part about it is on the steps playing the waiting game. Once you actually get up there and get on it, it’s not so bad.”

Incoming bad weather and a change in the typhoon condition of readiness prompt-ed commanders to cut Warrior Week short.

Not only was the training called off for safety reasons, but also because the squad-ron plays an important role in communica-

tions during emergencies.“We have a number of responsibilities

we need to see to in the rear: moving gear inside, and (manning) radios throughout the base and several other places on the island. So to do that we need to get these Marines back,” Standfield said.

The training may have been shortened by two days, but the excitement of firing weap-ons, conquering fears on the rappel tower and the camaraderie were all experiences these Marines took away.

For Juarez, the excitement of shooting weapons and fast roping was not what he enjoyed most about the exercise; he most enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the

Marines who he doesn’t normally get the chance to know on a personal level in gar-rison.

“I was excited because I got to know them. Back in the rear, I don’t get to know them un-less I’m giving them shots and stuff, and here I get to know them better,” Juarez said.

In the past MWCS-18 has gone to the field to train one day a year conducting live-fire exercises. Standfield would like to see a weeklong quarterly training evolution adopted to ensure his Marines never lose sight of the basics, he said.

“It was motivational. Marines had a great time. It put a war face on them, and we want more,” Standfield said.

Cpl. Denby Hunter (bottom), a field wireman with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18 and Cpl. Stephen Gibbo, a switchboard operator with MWCS-18, take their first steps down the rappel wall Sept. 10 during the squadron’s Warrior Week.

A Marine with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, loads a Benelli tactical shotgun Sept. 10 during Warrior Week.

Cpl. John M. Gabbard, a Helicopter Rope Suspension Training master with the III Marine Expeditionary Force’s Special Operations Training Group, observes a Marine from Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18 rappel at the Hansen rappel tower Sept. 10 during the squadron’s Warrior Week.

� okinawa marine | feATuRe | september 19, 2008

Lance Cpl. Michael A. Bianco okinawa marine staff

A team of 75 Nepal Army soldiers and seven Okinawa-based Marines met in Kathmandu, Nepal, for a subject matter

expert exchange Sept. 1-13. The SMEE is the second of its kind in as many years.

During the SMEE, 40 Nepal Army military policemen engaged with four Marine Corps Base Camp Butler military police Marines and investigators with the Criminal Investigative Division. Simultaneously, 35 commanders from various units throughout Nepal and soldiers with the Nepal Army Directorate of Public Relations interacted with three Marines and the deputy director from the III Marine Expedition-ary Force/Marine Corps Bases Japan Consoli-dated Public Affairs Office.

The Nepalese military police used two classrooms, while all 35 officers and soldiers with the Nepal Army DPR were located in a single venue. Investigators with the Nepal Army attended classes with CID Marines. Nepalese se-curity forces interacted with Marines assigned to Camp Butler’s Special Reaction Team.

The Nepal Army investigators and military police shared with the Marines processes for investigations, martial arts and police protocol.

During the investigation classes, Nepalese investigators learned effective methods for han-dling fingerprints and the Marines’ procedures for interrogations.

Nepal Army, US Marines toss ideas around in Kathmandu

The Nepalese security forces observed the Marines’ close quarter battle tactics, martial arts skills and techniques for observing the enemy.

Public affairs Marines were briefed on several topics. They learned the history of the Nepal Army and political issues facing the country, including a recent election bringing a Maoist government to power and the nation’s current challenge of developing a new constitu-

tion. The Nepalese discussed the importance of public relations and its effect on national and international relations.

Nepalese commanders and soldiers learned basic Marine Corps knowledge, including rank structure and unit organization. The Marines referenced media communications equipment, as well as technological advances and their influence on media. They also discussed media

ExchangingExpertise

A Nepal Army soldier executes a shoulder throw on Staff Sgt. Gregory B. Popejoy, a military police Marine with the Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Provost Marshal’s Office Sept. 5 during a martial arts demonstration at a subject matter expert exchange in Kathmandu, Nepal. The SMEE was the second of its kind between the Nepal Army and Okinawa-based Marines. Photos by Lance Cpl. Michael A. Bianco

Nepal Army Lance Cpl. Ram Kumar K.C. (left) of the Nepal Army military police battalion, discusses his observations of a building Sept. 4 with Gunnery Sgt. Eric M. Meek, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the Special Reaction Team for the Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Provost Marshal’s Office, during a subject matter expert exchange in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sept. 4.

okinawa marine | feATuRe | september 19, 2008 �

Lance Cpl. Michael A. Biancookinawa marine staff

Service members took a break from the confines of their conference rooms and

enjoyed a unique opportunity, trekking and sightseeing Sept. 6 in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains in Nagarkot, Nepal.

The occasion presented itself during a day off from the subject matter expert exchange between the Nepal Army and U.S. Marine Corps.

Three military police Marines from the Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Provost Marshal’s Office and Criminal Investigative Division, three Marines and the deputy director of the III Marine Expeditionary Force/Marine Corps Bases Japan Consolidated Public Affairs Office and four Ne-

pal Army officers visited Nagar-kot Mountain, home of the Nepal Army’s infantry school.

With a vast mountain range sprawling with deep ravines, timbered forests and near-alpine meadows, Nagarkot is a perfect setting for Nepal’s only infantry school, said Capt. Anil K.C., the adjutant officer of Military Police Battalion Bhadrakali, Kathman-du, Nepal.

Nagarkot Mountain is 7,400 feet above sea level and, while exploring it, the officers and Ma-rines found a great opportunity to bond in a more personal way.

“Trips like this help strengthen relations between countries and make friends,” said K.C. “Sharing experiences is good for us.

“It’s not just about what you can take away from it as service members, but what you can take

away from it as people. Sharing methods and tactics is a great way to improve each other’s military. However, to be able to share in ex-periences and each other’s culture can open minds and help us seek self-improvement,” K.C. said.

While making the four-hour trek up the mountain, the Ma-rines were introduced to Nepal’s simpler, more traditional cul-ture instead of the urban hustle and bustle of its capital city of Kathmandu. The trekkers’ path guided them within feet of the local residents’ brick dwellings for an up-close look at everyday life. Elderly women, well into their 80s, wearing tradition-ally colored robes guided 1,500-pound buffalo through the coun-tryside. Rows of Nepali maize could be seen for miles, grow-ing on near-vertical slopes that

would render modern harvesting equipment ineffective. As the air became thinner, the Marines’ guides treated them to a roadside snack of seasoned cucumbers the size of watermelons.

Upon reaching their destina-tion, an observation tower high atop Nagarkot Mountain, the Marines had a ceremonious Tika dot placed on their foreheads and were given a Hindu blessing.

Before the Marines’ descent, they were able to view numer-ous mountain ranges from the balcony of a traditional Himala-yan lodge as the day’s cloud cover exposed dozens of mountain peaks in the distance, several of which were more than 20,000 feet in elevation.

“Trips like these give us an op-portunity to strengthen relations,” K.C. said.

Marines discover beauty in Himalayas with help from Nepal Army officers

operations in the Global War on Terrorism. The public affairs exchange also involved

practical application in the areas of scenario-based on-camera interviews and press releases, each of which were critiqued in a group setting.

The idea to engage with the Nepal Army began when Maj. Gen. MaryAnn Krusa-Dos-sin, the MCB commanding general, visited Nepal as a guest speaker during the 2006 Marine Corps Ball at the U.S. Embassy. Given Krusa-Dossin’s background as a former director of the Division of Public Affairs at Headquarters Marine Corps and as a career military police officer, she suggested military engagement with the Nepal Army.

“There has been an abundance of knowl-edge here,” said Lt. Col. Santosh B. Poudyal, the commanding officer for the Nepal Army Signals Battalion. “This allows the U.S. to

see how Nepal handles business. I think we can learn a lot from each other’s experi-ences,” he said.

Wartime experience is also very beneficial. With the Global War on Terrorism, the U.S. military has experience in small wars and post-conflict reconstruction, said Poudyal, whose own army recently ended hostilities with a decade-long Maoist insurgency.

Both countries are learning a lot from one an-other, and it helps to have a balanced distribu-tion of goals, so the countries can compliment each other on their strengths. It also gives the service members the opportunity to be evalu-ated, Poudyal said.

For now, the annual SMEE only involves the military police and public affairs military occupational specialties, but some hope it will expand to include a wide variety of specialties.

“This might be good, but we can expand and should. We are not fully exploiting this op-portunity,” Poudyal said. “It should be an open interaction with all [vocations].”

With the army as its sole military branch, Nepal, a predominantly Hindu nation, is eager to exchange training opportunities and infor-mation with the U.S.

Cultural differences do not create dif-ficulties for service members, according to Poudyal. It is easy for foreign service mem-bers to cooperate due to their commonalities in the profession of arms.

Poudyal said he was happy to support the SMEE and hopes everyone involved will take away as much as he did from the experience.

“We are very keen to change, and I hope to see quick, visible solutions with tangible results.”

10 okinawa marine | fROm THe fROnT | september 19, 2008

Cpl. James M. Mercurecjtf phoenix public affairs

u.S. Marines, along with coalition forces, carried out an assault on a Taliban-held compound Aug. 28 in Now Zad, Helmand

Province, Afghanistan.During the assault, the force seized enemy

ordnance and weapons, materials used to make improvised explosive devices and destroyed several enemy vehicles, buildings and fighting positions.

The raid was part of the on-going mission of Company F, Task Force 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and the coalition forces to exploit the enemy any way they can.

“Our overall mission here is to degrade the enemies’ ability to operate in Now Zad,” said Capt. Ross Schellhaas, the Co. F commander. “During this assault, we pushed far beyond our objective. We found and took several of the en-emies’ weapons, which takes away their ability to use them against us.”

“Whenever we get to an assault position, we’re already receiving fire and the Marines go right to the sound of the guns – no hesitation,” Schellhaas said.

During the assault, Co. F Marines had the support of the task force’s Combined Anti-Ar-mor Team, which provided the operation ad-ditional heavy firepower.

“Our main goal was to help Fox Company clear their objective by killing as many enemy fighters as possible,” said Maj. Urbano Cruz, the Weapons Co. commander. “The thing that CAAT brings to the fight is a sizable force. We’re

Task Force 2/7, coalition forces assault Taliban compound in Afghanistan

HAnds-On wITHTHe enemY

A Marine assigned to Company F, Task Force 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, posts security for his platoon Aug. 28 deep within a Taliban-held compound in Now Zad, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Photo by Cpl. James M. Mercure

the ‘big guns’ of the battalion, and the Taliban see that and think twice before attacking.”

To combat the IED threat, TF 2/7’s Combat Engineer Platoon was brought in to breach en-emy walls with explosives so Co. F could move forward to their objective.

“We can always get the Marines through the door, or through the wall,” said Sgt. David J. Lang, a squad leader with the Combat Engineer Platoon. “The infantry guys will always have a way in or a way out with us around.”

“In the few months we’ve been out here, the combat engineers have found approximately 120 possible IEDs while out on missions,” Lang said.

Co. F Marines and sailors have been relent-less in their pursuit of ridding the area of its threatening Taliban presence.

As TF 2/7 continues to conduct coun-terinsurgency operations throughout the Helmand and Farah provinces, Co. F con-tinues to make a name for itself by dominat-ing the enemy with superior firepower and maneuver.

“After months of sustained combat, it’s a tes-tament to the Marines’ strength, endurance and character that they keep doing the little things right,” said 1st Lt. Arthur E. Karell, a platoon commander with Co. F.

Lance Cpl. Ray Alvarado, a vehicle commander with Weapons Company, Task Force 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fires a Javelin missile at enemy targets Aug. 28 during an assault on a Taliban-held compound. Photo by Lance Cpl. Gene Allen Ainsworth III

okinawa marine | mARkeTPLAce | september 19, 2008 11

Movie schedule is subject to change without notice. Call in advance to confirm show times. For a complete listing, visit http://www.aafes.com.

CAmp FOStER | 645-7486/7487• Catholic: Mon.-Fri., 11:45 a.m.; Sat., 5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.• Christian Science: Sun., 11 a.m., Bldg. 442• Eastern Orthodox: Sun., 9:30 a.m.• Gospel: Sun., 11:30 a.m.• Hindu: Sat., 3:30 p.m., Bldg. 455• Jewish: Fri., Traditional, 6 p.m.; Informal (first and third Friday), 6:30 p.m.• Muslim: Fri., Prayer, 12:45 p.m.• Protestant: Sun., 8:30 a.m.

mCAS FutENmA | 636-3058• Catholic: Sun., noon• Contemporary: Sun., 9 a.m.

CAmp HANSEN | 623-4694• Catholic: Sun., 10 a.m., E. Chapel• Latter Day Saints: Sun., 1 p.m., W. Chapel• Protestant: Sun., 11 a.m., W. Chapel

CAmp SCHwAb | 625-2644/2866• Catholic: Sun., 5:30 p.m.• Protestant: Sun., 11:30 a.m.

CAmp SHIELDS | 632-4192• Protestant: Sun., 6 p.m.

CAmp mctuREOuS | 622-7505• Gospel: Sun., 12:30 p.m.• Lutheran: Sun., 9:30 a.m.

KADENA AIR bASE | 634-1288• Buddhist: Sat., 10 a.m., Bldg. 856• Catholic: Sun., 8:30 a.m., Mass, Chapel 1; Sun., 11:30 a.m., Reconciliation, Chapel 1; Sun., 12:30 p.m., Mass, Chapel 1; Sun., 5 p.m., Mass, Chapel 1; Sun., 10:30 a.m., CCD, Amelia Earhart School; Daily Mass, Mon.-Thurs., noon, Chapel 2• Protestant: Sun., 10:30 a.m., Contemp., Chapel 1; Sun., 8:30 a.m., Inspirational, Chapel 2; Sun., 10:30 a.m., Traditional, Chapel 2; Sun., 10:30 a.m., Gospel, Chapel 3; Sunday School, 8:45 a.m., Bldg. 856• Wiccan/Pagan: Fri., 7 p.m., Chapel 1; Sat., 6 p.m., Bldg. 856

CAmp COuRtNEy | 622-9350• Catholic: Sun., 8 and 11:15 a.m.; Mon.-Fri., 11:45 a.m.• Protestant: Sun., 9:30 a.m. • Episcopal: Sun., 6:30 p.m.

CAmp KINSER | 637-1148• Catholic: Sun., 11 a.m.• Gospel: Sun., 8 a.m.• Protestant: Sun., 9:30 a.m.

CAmp LEStER | 643-7248• Catholic: Sun., 8 a.m., Lester Chapel• Protestant: Sun., 9 a.m., Hospital Chapel Sun., 10 a.m., Lester Chapel Tue., noon, Hospital Chapel (Eucharist)

fOsTeR 645-3465

TODAY Babylon A.D. (PG13), 7 p.m.; The Dark Knight (PG13), 10 p.m.

SATURDAY Space Chimps (G), 1 and 4 p.m.; The House Bunny (PG13), 7 p.m.; Hell Boy II: The Golden Army (PG13), 10 p.m.

SUNDAY Wall-E (G), 1 p.m.; The House Bunny (PG13), 4 p.m.; Mamma Mia! (PG13), 7 p.m.

MONDAY Hell Boy II: The Golden Army (PG13), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY Mamma Mia! (PG13), 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY The Dark Knight (PG13), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY Hancock (PG13), 7 p.m.

kAdenA634-1869

TODAY Space Chimps (G), 6 p.m.; The Dark Knight (PG13), 9 p.m. SATURDAY Space Chimps (G), noon; Babylon A.D. (PG13), 3 and 6 p.m.; The Dark Knight (PG13), 9 p.m.

SUNDAY Space Chimps (G), 1 p.m.; Babylon A.D. (PG13), 4 p.m.; The Dark Knight (PG13), 7 p.m.

MONDAY The Dark Knight (PG13), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY Death Race (R), 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY Mamma Mia! (PG13), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY Death Race (R), 7 p.m.

cHAPeL scHeduLe

For more information or to sign up, contact the Single Marine Program

Office at 645-3681.

SATURDAY | FOREST ADVENTURE PARK• Experience 33 varieties of rope sport activities such as the Zip Slide Ride or the Amazon Rope Bridge. Bring ¥3,500 for entry and extra yen for lunch. Call your SMP representative for details or to sign up.• Bus departs Camp Foster at 7:45 a.m.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES• The Marine Thrift Shop on Camp Foster requests two volunteers on a weekly basis from Camps Kinser, Foster, Courtney, Hansen and Schwab and MCAS Futenma. Contact your SMP representative for more information.

IWO JIMA TOUR (RESCHEDULED FOR OCT. 21-23)• There are a limited number of seats available; only camp representatives may sign up tour applicants. Those interested should contact their respective camp representative for more information. • Camp Kinser: Cpl. Mwenya Mundende: 637-1717• MCAS Futenma: Sgt. Christopher Judy: 636-3549• Camp Foster: Cpl. Josh Altomare: 645-3300• Camp Courtney: Lance Cpl. Jan Blanca: 622-9445• Camp Hansen: Lance Cpl. Bianca Luna: 623-1028• Camp Schwab: Sgt. William Johnson: 625-2952

cLAssIfIed Ads

Ads appearing in the Okinawa Marine are a free service to active duty military and their dependents, DoD employees and retirees. Ads are restricted to personal property or service of inci-dental exchange. Ads are run on a space-available basis. The deadline for ads is noon Fridays. The Okinawa Marine reserves the right to edit ads to fit available space. Please include your name and the phone number you wish published. The Okinawa Marine makes every effort to ensure accuracy but assumes no responsibility for services offered in ads. Submit ads by fax to 645-3803, or send an e-mail to okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil.

sInGLe mARIne PROGRAm evenTs

All bus pick-up points will be at Semper Fit gyms or the Foster

Fieldhouse.

In THeATeRs sePT 1�-��

The USO hosts movie nights at the locations below.

For schedules and start times, call:

CAMP SCHWAB 625-3834

MCAS FUTENMA 636-2113

CAMP HANSEN 623-5011

KADENA AIR BASE 632-8781

usOMOvie nights

TODAY The Dark Knight (PG13), 6 and 9 p.m. SATURDAY Death Race (R), 6 and 9 p.m.

SUNDAY Mamma Mia! (PG13), 2 and 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY The Dark Knight (PG13), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY The Dark Knight (PG13), 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY Wanted (R), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY Babylon A.D. (PG13), 7 p.m.

HAnsen623-4564

TODAY Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG), 6:30 p.m.; Hell Boy II: The Golden Army (PG13), 9:30 p.m. SATURDAY Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG), 2 p.m.; Hell Boy II: The Golden Army (PG13), 7 p.m.

SUNDAY Death Race (R), 7 p.m.

MONDAY Hell Boy II: The Golden Army (PG13), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY Closed

WEDNESDAY Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG), 1 p.m.; Babylon A.D. (PG13), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY Closed

cOuRTneY622-9616

FRIDAY Death Race (R), 7 p.m.

SATURDAY Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG), 5 p.m.

SUNDAY Hell Boy II: The Golden Army (PG13), 5 p.m.

MONDAY-THURSDAY Closed

scHwAb625-2333

TODAY Space Chimps (G), 3 p.m.; Mamma Mia! (PG13), 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY Mamma Mia! (PG13), 3 p.m.; The Dark Knight (PG13), 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY Space Chimps (G), 3 p.m.; The Dark Knight (PG13), 6:30 p.m.

MONDAY Closed

TUESDAY Closed

WEDNESDAY The Dark Knight (PG13), 3 and 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY Closed

kInseR637-2177

TODAY Hell Boy II: The Golden Army (PG13), 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY Step Brothers (R), 4 p.m.; Hell Boy II: The Golden Army (PG13), 7 p.m.

SUNDAY Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG), 4 p.m.; Hell Boy II: The Golden Army (PG13), 7 p.m.

MONDAY Death Race (R), 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY Closed

WEDNESDAY Closed

THURSDAY Closed

fuTenmA636-3890

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JCI Sept. 09, $2,800 OBO, 646-2724’97 HONda sMxJCI Nov. 09, $2,700 OBO, (090) 6859-5377’96 NissaN cedricJCI Aug. 10, $3,000 OBO, (090) 6861-5353’93 NissaN

sKyliNeJCI Sept. 10, $4,500 (090) 5483-0303645-7215’93 Mazda deMiOJCI Jan. 10, $2,500 OBO, 623-9111’96 NissaN califOrNiaJCI May 09, $2,000 (080) 3595-7132

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 ref lect 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,

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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.

oKinawa marine newspaperH&S Battalion MCB PAO

Unit 35002FPO AP 96373-5002

central BureauCamp Foster

DSN 645-7422

northern BureauCamp HansenDSN 623-4054

commanding general Maj. Gen. Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin

puBlic affairs director Lt. Col. Douglas M. Powell

press officer 2nd Lt. Stewart M. Coles

press chief Master Sgt. Mark E. Bradley

design editor Cpl. Eric D. Arndt

editor Lance Cpl. Tyler Hlavac

okinawa marine | sPORTs | september 19, 20081�

Lance Cpl. Monty Burtonokinawa marine staff

The 7th Communications Battalion training non-commissioned officer in charge was

awarded recently for being the first person ever to complete the Marine Corps Community Services Semper Fit Fitness Summit Challenge.

It took Sgt. Morgan Hardman three years to complete all four sections of the challenge — running 500 miles, swimming 150 miles, walking 500 miles and cycling 1,200 miles.

The challenge is designed to help partici-pants achieve a higher level of physical fitness, according to Corey Carter, a sports specialist with MCCS.

“The challenge can help people to stay in shape or even push themselves to a higher limit,” said Carter.

Hardman said his boyhood idols inspired him always to set his goals very high.

“I used to watch Michael Jordan and Scot-tie Pippen play. They used to always say to set your dreams high, then go after them,” he said. “So now everything I do, I take it to the max.”

Hardman said the swimming portion was

the hardest part of the challenge, however, the miles he accumulated during a Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival Course and as a lifeguard helped him toward his goal.

He also credits his good health and lack of sports injuries during the challenge to doing the things he has learned in the Marine Corps.

“I basically do all the things my drill instructors told me in boot camp. I always stretch, eat well and hydrate,” he said.

Joycelin Tui, the administrative assistant for Camp Hansen Athletics, said Hardman’s suc-cess can be attributed to his dedication.

“I have been here since he began the program as a lance corporal. As soon as he finished one portion of the program, he started on the next one,” she said. “He has also brought in his junior Marines to regis-ter in the program. I think he is a great role model to all of his Marines.”

Hardman said being a role model has always been one of his top priorities.

“I just want to give my Marines the type of sergeant that I have always wanted,” he said. “I like to lead by example, not by rank. I feel if I can do it, anybody can do it. The key to com-

Sgt. Morgan Hardman receives the Semper Fit Fitness Summit Challenge trophy from MCCS athletic coordinator Jason Meyers. Hardman is the first-ever recipient of the award. Photo by Lance Cpl. Monty Burton

Fitness Summit Challenge completed by ‘hard man’ to follow

Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewiczokinawa marine staff

mentioned in the earliest texts of Hinduism, yoga is a

spiritual and physical discipline steeped in benefits prescribed to it by practitioners and sacred texts of what many consider the world’s oldest religion.

It is also taught through the Marine Corps Community Services Semper Fit program on Okinawa.

The concentration on breath-ing and meditation required for yoga leaves the practitioner both physically and mentally re-freshed, said Alexandra McLau-rin, a yoga instructor for MCCS.

“It is really something you can do for your whole life,” McLaurin said.

There are certain modifica-tions to poses and movements

one can make based on age or health, McLaurin said.

After consulting with a doc-tor and understanding medical limitations, yoga can be benefi-cial to most anyone.

Patients are often referred to yoga classes by their doctors for physical fitness, McLaurin said.

2nd Lt. Ariana M. Farber, the adjutant for Marine Wing Head-quarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and 12-year yoga enthusiast, began taking classes at Gunners Fitness Center on Foster in August. She brings her husband to the class every Tues-day and Thursday.

It helps her maintain her flexibility and prevent injuries, Farber said. This is especially important as someone gets older.

Typical classes begin slowly with simple movements and become increasingly dynamic.

This ‘flow,’ McLaurin said, and class structure makes it a more powerful workout than can be gained from individual yoga practitioners only doing poses.

During the flow, the instruc-tor offers the class a few modi-fications on poses to accommo-date the different skill levels.

“Anybody can do it,” McLau-rin said.

Since blocks and mats are provided by the gym, the only thing necessary to start is an in-terest and comfortable clothing.

Yoga classes are available through MCCS at the Court-ney Gym at 622-9221, Foster’s Gunner’s Fitness Center at 645-7834 and Futenma’s McCutch-eon Gym at 636-2674. To get the schedule and keep up to date on classes, visit http://www.mccso-kinawa.com and follow the links to Semper Fit.

Flexibility, strength join together in yoga semPeR GumbY

Katzuyo Iha, a yoga class participant, balances in a headstand at Gunners Fitness Center on Camp Foster Sept. 9 during the class’ cooldown flow. Photo by Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewicz

pleting something like this is to stay positive.”Hardman said he was at a loss for words

when he found out he was the first one ever to complete the program in its 10-year existence.

“When I started this program I didn’t even look at the minimum expectations,” he said. “One thing I have to say to anybody who is going after any type of goal is to take it to the max and never give up.”