iii marine expeditionary force and marine corps bases japan JANUARY 30, 2009 WWW.OKINAWA.USMC.MIL Tax Center offers Paint the town free service for eligible personnel Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbrough OKINAWA MARINE STAFF CAMP FOSTER — In life there are few guar- antees, however most Americans would prob- ably agree there are two: you die, and you pay taxes. Although the Marine Corps can do little to change the first, they do offer a free service to assist with those Uncle Sam woes. The Camp Foster Tax Center will open for business Feb. 3 in building 437 on Camp Foster for eligible personnel wanting to complete and file their federal and state tax returns. The Camp Foster Tax Center offers free fed- eral and state tax return services for active duty and retired personnel and their dependents, as well as Department of Defense civilians and contractors. Marines of Team 4 make their way up a ladder well during a mock room clearing drill in the Central “This is a great opportunity for service Training Area Jan. 23. Marines from Ammunition Co., 3rd Supply Bn., 3rd Marine Logistics Group, members to save money,” said Sgt. Brandon M. practice close-quarters battle, urban patrolling and room clearing training, instructed by Marines from Sheffield, the Camp Foster Tax Center noncom- 1st Platoon, Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, to sharpen their urban missioned officer in charge. “They are also combat skills. SEE STORY ON PAGES 6-7 Photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas W. Provost guaranteed to get professional service because it’s Marines serving Marines.” The Tax Center will assist walk-in customers Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. New PT uniform arrives on Okinawa Appointments may be scheduled Monday and Tuesday from 3-5:00 p.m. until April 15. The Tax Center will continue to operate past Running suit authorized for liberty attire the April 15 tax deadline until June 15. Dur- ing those two months, the center will assist Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbrough Every Marine must own units to receive the new run- customers Monday through Thursday from 8 OKINAWA MARINE STAFF one running suit before Octo- ning suits were the Wounded SEE TAX PG 4 ber; however the new running Warrior Regiment, Marine CAMP FOSTER — Okinawa suit does not replace the exist- recruiting commands and Marines may soon notice a dif- ing green physical training recruit depots. ference in formation runs as uniform. The new uniform The development of the the new Marine Corps physi- can be worn in any combina- running suit has been a hands- cal training running suits tion with the green PT shorts on process for most Marines. begin to arrive on island. and undershirt; however it is Marine Corps Systems Com- Starting next week, III Ma- not authorized to wear with mand asked both active duty and reserve Marines to fill-out rine Expeditionary Force’s the USMC sweat suit. a uniform survey on what they major subordinate commands Also, Marines are autho- wanted in a PT uniform. will begin distributing the rized to wear the running Taking into consideration running suits to Okinawa- suit jacket while on leave and the recommendations made by based Marines. liberty as an outer garment. Marines, the Corps developed According to Marine Ad- Although the running suits The Camp Foster Tax Center will be open for two designs and allowed Ma- business Feb. 3 for eligible personnel wanting ministrative Message 0015/09, are new to Okinawa, they have rines to vote on the uniforms. to complete and file their federal and state tax all Marines will be initially already been distributed to The new design is a hit with returns. Photo by Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbrough issued one running suit at no several commands throughout most Marines. cost to the individual. the Marine Corps. The first SEE UNIFORM PG 4 HUSKies CleAR the WAY FOLLOWING IN HIS SONS’ FOOTSTEPS New explosive device detecting equipment Father of two Marine Corps lieutenants pays tribute to fallen DE I helps Marines clear route in Afghanistan. son by joining Navy Medical Corps. PG. 9 PG. 10 INS okinawa marine | OPINION & EDITORIAL | january 30, 2009 Cardinals perched to win Superbowl XLIII Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbrough quarterback Kurt Warner this season. Warner’s ers on their toes as he mixes a solid run game last trip to the Super Bowl was in 1998. with aerial trick plays. ho would have guessed at the begin- For most of the season this rag-tag bunch This Super Bowl will be the ultimate battle, ning of the season Tom Brady wouldn’t was laughed at, but as of late they have shown as it pits offense versus defense. Even though play more than three snaps, the Detroit they are serious about winning. the saying goes “offense sells tickets, defense Lions would set a winless record of 0-16 and The Cardinals finished the season 9-7, and wins ball games,” I think the veteran play of the Arizona Cardinals would be in the Super there were certainly teams with better regular Kurt Warner, with a completion percentage of Bowl? records in the NFL. But because of their ter- 68 percent, will prevail over the hyped Pitts- Okay, maybe everyone guessed the Lions rible division, the Cardinals clinched a playoff burgh defense. We will find out if the “Steel would go winless, but I don’t think anyone seat; not a huge accomplishment. Curtain” lives up to its name. could have predicted the Cardinals making Most critics wrote them off as a lost cause at So even though in the past the Cardinals it to the Super Bowl. I mean, how the beginning of the playoffs, but the Cardinals have been mediocre at best, I am going out on OPINION could they? proved they are a team to be reckoned with. a limb and predicting them to win Super Bowl Since moving to Arizona from St. Louis in Putting up 95 points in their last three games, XLIII. 1988, the Cardinals have had only two win- an NFL post-season record, they have shown Although every sports enthusiast in the ning seasons. they deserve to be on the NFL’s main stage. nation will probably be against me on Super They have a history of second-rate football While they face a tough task at routing the Bowl Sunday, I will proudly stand and root for teams and everyone assumed this year would perennial powerhouse Pittsburgh Steelers, I the underdog in anticipation of the Cardinals Wbe no different. Last year they started quarter- believe they will win if they stick to their high raising the Lombardi Trophy. back Matt Linear, a Heisman trophy winner, tempo offense. Coach Ken Whisenhunt will Yarbrough is a combat correspondent with but decided to go with 37-year-old veteran most likely keep Troy Polamalu and the Steel- the Okinawa Marine Newspaper. No miracles here, Steelers destined for victory Cpl. Ryan Wicks in this year’s Superbowl. most difficult schedule in 2008, enough to toss would-be blockers The Steelers are nothing like with an opponent winning per- and he’s got eyes all around his he playoffs often times pro- last year’s Patriots. They don’t have centage of .598 which makes their head. vide an opportunity for teams a perfect record, their poster-boy record more than impressive. Harrison became the first like the Arizona Cardinals quarterback is not hidden behind a One of the hidden battles this undrafted player to win the NFL’s to make a name for themselves seemingly impenetrable offensive Sunday will be between Ken Defensive Player of the Year Award by sticking it to the bullies of line and they don’t have a poorly Whisenhunt and the Steelers. in 2008. the National Football dressed and depressed head coach Whisenhunt is Pittsburgh’s former On the offensive side of the ball, OPINION League. The Cards have in Bill Belichick. offensive coordinator. players to look out for are running done just that and now What the Steelers do have is a Most of the players on Pitts- back Willie Parker and quarterback it is time for them to face the most 12-4 record, an under-rated and burgh’s defense have seen first Ben Roethlisberger. Parker has prestigious football team in history, under-appreciated quarterback in hand the inner-workings of been pretty quiet this year, mostly the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roethlisberger and a coach wise Whisenhunt’s brain housing due to an injury taking him down The story line is similar to last beyond his years, Mike Tomlin. group. This will allow the Steel- early in the season. However, let no year when the Giants came out of Oh, and I forgot to mention that ers’ defense to become impervious one forget that he is “Fast” Willie nowhere to take down the un- they actually have heart and play to those game-changing double Parker and he will explode through beaten New England Patriots. But as a team. reverses and flea-flickers Whisen- the Cardinals defense, just like he there will be no Cinderella stories The Steelers played the NFL’s hunt loves to run. did to the Seahawks two years ago. T The Steelers’ suffocating and By the way, if anyone forgot, Parker confusing defense will soak up the holds the NFL record for the longest spotlight. They have been doing run in Superbowl history: 75 yards. it all year and are ranked number Big Ben will be contributing in a Sempertoons one in the NFL.