Okinawa Area Coordinator Directs Period of Reflection
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iii marine expeditionary force and marine corps bases japan FEBRUARY 22, 2008 WWW.OKINAWA.USMC.MIL Hours extended for The Okinawa Area Coordinator Green Line Express Buses The Green Line will extend hours Mondays through Thursdays for all directs period of reflection express buses. The extended hours will continue throughout the recent- Consolidated Public Affairs Office scheduled activities and facilities aboard any U.S. ly-mandated period of reflection. base or installation. Final departures will now be 10 CAMP FOSTER — Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, com- This order comes on the heels of a two-day Marine p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. manding general of III MEF and also the Okinawa Corps Ethics and Leadership stand down conducted Final departures will remain mid- Area Coordinator, ordered that all Status of Forces Feb. 14 and 15, which was held so that all Marines night Fridays through Sundays. Agreement personnel, which includes service mem- could reflect on individual roles and responsibili- This change does not affect In- bers, Department of Defense civilians, DoD invited ties as Americans and service members serving in tra-Camp Shuttles – numbers 11, contractors, and their respective family members, Japan. However, due to alleged off-base misconduct 44, 55 and 66. observe a “period of reflection” that began Wednes- by service members over the President’s Day holiday TGL will suspend the weekend day morning. weekend, Zilmer ordered the period of reflection. number 14 Express Bus (Hansen- During this period of reflection, which is for an “I fully realize and appreciate the overwhelming Foster) and the 33 (Courtney-Mc- indefinite period of time, SOFA-status personnel majority of service members, family members and Tureous Intra-Camp Shuttle) to are limited to their place of duty or employment, DoD civilian employees here in Japan who demon- support this extension. The cutting worship, education, medical or dental treatment, or strate only the highest levels of personal and moral of the 14 is mitigated by the 2 and 4, off-base residence. There is no restriction to regularly SEE REFLECT PG 6 both of which pass through Hansen. The 33 will be reduced to morning and noon-time services only. Updated schedules will be post- 31ST MEU PASSES EVALUATION ed at all bus stops and on the of- ficial TGL Web site at http://www. mcbbutler.usmc.mil/greenline/. III MEF provides command and control systems training for Marines Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Todd OKINAWA MARINE STAFF CAMP HANSEN — Command and control systems have become a way of life for the Marine Corps, and the Marine Corps Systems Command is ensuring Marines know how to get the most out of them. Command and control systems are computer and network systems that allow fast and reliable infor- mation gathering and dissemina- tion, both in garrison and on the battlefield. For the Marine Corps to ef- Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Battalion Landing Team prepare for an amphibious landing near fectively use the systems, the Okinawa Feb. 1. As the Asia-Pacific region’s maritime contingency force, the 31st MEU completed its semi-annual Marine Corps Systems Command evaluation exercise Feb. 13 and was certified as mission capable. SEE STORY PAGE 8 Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl SEE SYSTEM PG 6 SURVIVOR OKINAWA TASTE OF ASIA PERFECT GAME 5th ANGLICO Marines complete Festival brings drum shows, Marine bowls first DE Basic Jungle Survival Course at dances, martial arts displays perfect game in a Camp I Jungle Warfare Training Center. and more to Butler O’ Club. Commander’s Cup. INS PG. 10 PG. 14 PG. 17 okinawa marine | NEWS | february 22, 2008 3 HIT, Iraq | Iraqi AROUND THE soldiers march in formation, followed by Marines assigned to the 7th Marine Regiment’s 1st Battalion, during a Transfer of Authority Ceremony Feb. 14. Photo by Cpl. Seth Maggard CORPSFOR MORE MARINE CORPS STORIES AND PHOTOS, VISIT HTTP://WWW.MARINES.MIL arabIAN sea | Capt. Heather R. Holbert, a pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (Reinforced) 166, conducts a preflight inspection of her CH-53E Super Stallion on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1) Feb. 12. U.S. forces maintain a naval and air presence in the region to promote stability and safeguard vital links to the global economy. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Doolin SAQLAWIYAH, Iraq | Sgt. Josh K. Bloomquist, a squad leader with 2nd CHebellIer, Djibouti | Marines from A Battery, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, speaks with a local Iraqi Battalion, attempt to move a boulder while constructing a new well cover man through a company interpreter during a census Feb. 12. The Marines for local villagers Feb. 7. Though the Camp Pendleton-based Marines serve are putting their face out in the community as much as possible so locals as a security force for Camp Lemonier, they routinely conduct civil affairs become familiar with them. The Marines are currently embarking on a 7- engagements with the local villages. Photo by Sgt. Alec Kleinsmith month deployment in the Anbar Province. Photo by Pfc. Jerry Murphy okinawa marine | OPINION & EDITORIAL | february 22, 2008 5 Voting — a right we should exercise 2nd Lt. Kurt Stahl siderable effect on their lives. research and making educated they are overseas and believe MEDIA OFFICER However, every election year decisions in choosing their po- that voting absentee is too com- millions of Americans forfeit litical leaders. plicated. Voting while overseas is hat if someone instantly the opportunity to have a voice Others may refuse to vote simple and free of charge. All you gave you the power to because they do not vote. because they feel there are no need to do is apply for an absen- Wcommand the U.S. mili- People may refrain from voting candidates who represent their tee ballot, fill it out, and mail it to tary, enact laws, and influence because they believe that politics views. While there may not be your respective county. If anyone the national economy? does not accomplish anything, a candidate who fully embodies has a question about this process, This year, the American people and therefore, they find no value your beliefs, it is certainly bet- they can contact the voting assis- will give this power to one per- in taking the time to vote. Re- ter to have a policy maker who tance officer at 645-7462. son virtually gardless of what some people partially represents you than one America will choose its next COMMENTARY overnight, and think, politicians influence the who ignores or works against president this November. If you those who do not vote will have nation’s course, and the policies your views. When researching have not begun researching the no influence on the outcome. they create can have a significant politicians and key issues, you candidates and issues, it is time Therefore, it is to the advan- impact on military members and will likely find that there is a to start. Voting is not only your tage of Americans, particularly their families. candidate whose position is rea- right, it is your responsibility. military members, to exercise Therefore, service members sonably close to yours. Take part in the future of the na- their right to vote because na- should actively engage in the Still, there are some who fail tion your Marine Corps defends tional policy can have a con- political process by conducting to take part in elections because by voting this November. Marines are always faithful, but are they always ready? Lt. David B. Thames Family Care Plan lately? These have impor- said he knew these parts would need to be tant information such as your power of at- replaced while he was gone so he planned on ost people are familiar with the Ma- torney, plans for your children if your spouse replacing them early to reduce the potential rines’ motto of Semper Fidelis, or always is hospitalized, and other vital arrangements problems that his family would face during his faithful,M but there is another type of semper for families. We must take the time to update deployment. What other steps can you take that Marines are well known for maintain- these forms and make contingency care plans for your family? Ask your chain of command ing. That would be Semper Paratus, or always for our family because with each deployment and Family Readiness Officer for additional ready. something unexpected usually happens. For ideas and visit the Chaplain’s Office as well as Marines, historically, have always been more information about these forms, contact Marine Corps Community Services. ready to defend our country and are com- your Family Readiness Officer to help you Thames is the chaplain for Headquarters monly referred to as a unit in readiness. This with these things. Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. readiness does not come easily. Marines Emotional: There is a cycle of emotions that continually train to we experience with each deployment. We CHAPLAIN’S CORNER be ready to take the begin to anticipate the separation, which fight to “every clime leads us to withdrawing from each other to FACT CHECK and place.” It is this constant push for readi- make the actual separation hurt less. This DOG TAGS ness that has continually proven that Ma- creates arguments. Then, with the deploy- rines are faithful to answer the call to go at a ment, there is a lot of sadness and trying to moment’s notice. learn how to be a single parent. Talking to I can’t find anything in the For this reason, especially during this time each other and maintaining those emotional uniform regulations that talks of war, Marines know that sooner or later they connections in the face of separation will Q: about dog tags.