March 15, 2013 Since 1957 Vol. 57 Issue 10

Women’sHistory Month BATTLE COLORS Advice from the top

Story on B1 LANCE CPL. LAUREN A. KURKIMILIS

‘Darkside’ deploys to Afghanistan LANCE CPL. LAUREN A. KURKIMILIS Evie Cox, 10, Kaitlynn Woody, 11, and Allison O’Brien, 11, students from Palm Vista Elementary School meet Marines from the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps at the Combat Center’s Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field March 12, after a performance by the Marine Corps’ Battle Color Detachment. Combat Center families enjoy Battle Color Detachment

Lance Cpl. Lauren Kurkimilis The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Combat Correspondent Platoon is a 24-Marine rifle platoon. Their perform- ance is a precision drill exhibition without music, The United States Marine Corps Battle Color cadence or verbal commands. Detachment performed on the Combat Center’s Lance “This is my third year on the platoon,” said Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field March 12. More than 200 stu- Cpl. Anthony Smith, team leader, United States Marine dents from Palm Vista and Condor Elementary Corps Silent Drill Platoon. “I’ve been doing this so CPL. SARAH DIETZ Schools were in attendance as well as service members long that when I’m out there it’s kind of instinct now. Jessica Hernandez, kisses her daughter, Tianna, 2 months, from various Combat Center units. We memorize the drill in sections so the only thing I’m as her husband, Cpl. Anthony Hernandez, maintenance The United States Marine Corps Battle Color thinking of is what the next manual is, not the next management specialist, Headquarters and Service Detachment is comprised of the Marine Corps Drum move. It’s just making sure you’re in the right place at Company, 3rd , 4th Marine Regiment, boards the and Bugle Corps, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon the right time doing the right thing.” bus to begin his deployment to Afghanistan. and the Marine Corps Color Guard. The hard work pays off and getting to speak with Marines and kids after the ceremony is very rewarding Cpl. Ali Azimi The Drum and Bugle Corps, also known as “The Commandant’s Own,” is made up of 85 Marines who says Smith. Combat Correspondent are recruited from civilian drum corps, marching bands “This is my favorite part of the year,” Smith said. “We get to travel and share with people this proud tra- Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd and other musical units within the Marine Corps. dition. Everyone’s reactions are great.” Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, were staged with sea bags and “What we do, and part of our mission, is to The United States Marine Corps Color Guard has weapons while family members and loved ones squeezed in every motivate, inspire and entertain,” said Master three teams that perform in more than 1,000 cere- minute they could with their Marines before the buses arrived. Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Buckles, drum major, United monies every year. The company deployed to Afghanistan in support of States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps. “We “I think it’s important to come out to events like Operation Enduring Freedom, Tuesday. have these ceremonies, back at the Marine Barracks, this,” said Maj. Jamisen Fox, Combat Logistics Battalion For some Marines, this is a first deployment, but for Cpl. Anthony every Friday, during the summer months. So we 7, executive officer, who brought his 5-year-old son, Hernandez, maintenance management specialist, H&S, 3/4, this is take that large ceremony and turn it into a smaller Aiden, along to watch. “It teaches him about our cus- the first deployment he will be leaving a wife and daughter behind. one that we take out to the public and to the toms and traditions. It helps him to develop a good Anthony and Jessica Hernandez were married in 2012 and Marines. We’re here to show the tradition and pride of the Marine Corps.” sense of our professionalism and our military pride.” See DEPLOY page A5 New battery makes Leaving a history with first launch Cpl. Ali Azimi Combat Correspondent LEGACY Marines with Battery Q, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, con- ducted their first launch of the M31A1 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System at the Prospect Training Area, March 11. The battery was originally deactivated as a cannon battery and reac- tivated last year as a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System battery. “When I heard that Quebec was being activated, I was excited,” said Cpl. Andrew Robold, launcher chief, Battery Q, 5/11. “A new oppor- tunity to train Marines and make history.” That is what Robold did. He was the first Marine in Battery Q to fire the GMLRS and is now part of the battery’s history. “I’m excited to be part of Quebec’s history and that’s something I’ll never forget,” Robold said. The battery is currently at the Combat Center in support of 3rd Mobile, Ala. director, Advisor Training Group See HIMARS page A5 CPL. SARAH DIETZ

Cpl. Sarah Dietz Combat Correspondent > I stand on the shoulders of giants. > General Dunham said once, “A Marine should Col. William Gillespie spent the never be haunted by the ghost of another Marine. We last 30 years having fun. should always strive for operational excellence because Gillespie, a native of Mobile, Ala., to not do so we put Marines lives at risk.” That has and director of the Advisor Training always been something that should motivate you to Group, is retiring today. work the extra hour. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at > You don’t want to be haunted by the death of a 17 years old in 1979. Marine. Although you think you’re doing everything right, After reaching the rank of corporal, you can always improve. You have to constantly pursue he was commissioned as a 2nd lieu- excellence especially because the stakes are so high. tenant in 1983. > I’ve been in the Marine Corps over 30 years. This week, he tells his story and gives > I enlisted when I was 17. I wanted to do my 3 and advice to Marines as he exits active duty. then get out. But then I told myself I’ll stay in as long as I’m having fun, it’s been a lot of fun. It just kind of built Editors note: Gillespie is featured as a special CPL. WILLIAM J. JACKSON into 30 years. edition to the What I’ve Learned series. The Marines with Battery Q, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, fire the series features various Combat Center personnel See LEGACY page A5 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System at the Prospect training weekly as told in their own words. area March 11. A2 MARCH 15, 2013 OBSERVATION Post

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Women’sHistory Month

Rebecca San Diego, combat photographer, 20 FLOTO > I’m getting my sailing license in April. Well, I already have one FLOTO HAS BEEN AT THE now but it’s only for a 16 foot Caprice. So, I’m going to get a 25 1/2 foot yacht license so I can take a month off for my 21st birth- COMBAT CENTER FOR day to sail to Catalina with some friends. NEARLY A YEAR.ASONE > When I get out of the Marine Corps I want to buy a boat and OF COMBAT CAMERA’S live on it. I’d probably get a 50 footer. I could rig it up to where I PHOTOGRAPHERS, SHE CAN could do it by myself but you’d probably want to have someone BE SEEN AT MANY COMBAT else there with you. > My worst fear is being in the ocean. I love being on the CENTER EVENTS. ocean but in it is a whole different story. > Sharks! Shark week has forever influenced me. I am almost terrified of water. I’m just barely better than an iron duck. I had this weird idea that maybe one day I could be the first female Navy

CPL. SARAH DIETZ SEAL but I can’t even swim without holding my nose. > I was born in San Jose, Calif., and my parents lived in Phoenix. I was adopted when I was a baby and then when I was a little older, we moved to San Diego. That’s pretty much where I grew up. > I did soccer, track and field and a lot of horseback riding. > I was in the Pony Club of America. That’s pretty embarrassing. I did English riding and dressage. That’s basically where the rider shows control of the horse. There’s also cross country where you jump the horse over fixed logs and then you have hunter jumper where the horse jumps over a pole that’s not fixed. You learn how to compete and take care of the horses. > I took a photography class in high school and I was looking at a lot of Pulitzer Prize photos. When I read about them, I saw that a lot of the photographers would use police scanners to find out where things were happening so they could go take photos there. I went and bought one and then heard one time about a hostage situation and thought I could try and get some photos. I put the address in the GPS and it took us right behind the house. When I realized where we were, we drove off and then the police helicopter started hovering above us until eventually it was right behind us. They blinded us with the spot light and told us to put our hands up. They saw that we were just a bunch of kids so they just sent a cop car out to talk to us. I felt really stupid. > I’m part of a roller derby team. I just joined the Mojave Rattlesnakers. > You have a pack full of jammers and try to get your two fastest through the pack. You get points for each person you pass on the other team, but in the pack, they can just body slam you or completely take you out. > I like that it’s an all female sport. I can’t just go out and play football, and when I did Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, it was all guys so no one wanted to grapple me. > I like to climb. I boulder a lot because I can’t really afford rope. I’ll go out to Joshua Tree and go hiking but I’ve really been trying to get into high lining. It’s basically where you take a rope and draw it between one canyon wall to another and walk across it. It’s like tightrope walking. > It’s so crazy because you just put one foot in front of the other and then there’s just this 1,000 foot drop all around you. > I started slack lining first which is basically where the line is closer to the ground and the line is four inches thick. When I started off, it was really hard. At first, I wasn’t able to even stand on it and I would just get tossed right off but it's kind of like riding a bike, you just have to figure out the balance. > You want to use mostly your lower body to rock climb but upper body strength helps out a lot too. I do a lot of free climbing and there's sometime where you look down and think, “OK, I don’t want to fall and die today.” So you get this adrenaline rush and super strength and you just go for it. I think that really helped my upper body strength. > I can do 16 pull-ups now. I had to just work at them every day. I actually failed the Initial Strength Test the first time I took it. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to go to bootcamp but I worked on it every day. > I had a pull-up bar hanging in my bathroom, so every time I wanted to go, I would just make myself do a maximum set and now I’ve worked on stuff like breathing and my grip. That’s helped me a lot. > Seven months before I went to bootcamp, my friend and I decided to go on a road trip. All of our friends were in college so we just went from state to state and visited different friends we knew and couch surfed. We did around 8,000 miles but eventually we ran out of money. > She hit the lead singer of Zac Brown Band’s BMW when we were in Nashville, Tenn. His wife was driving it and she freaked out, so we just paid them $1,000 so it wouldn’t hit her insurance but that was basically the rest of our money. > We would pick up odd jobs here and there so we could keep traveling back west to get back home. I had my camera equipment so we did some videography for people and helped people move furniture. We found a lot of stuff on Craigslist. > We were in Florida and broke down somewhere outside Pensacola. So we told the tow truck driver to just take us to the cheapest place to stay that was close. He wouldn’t let us stay in a certain area and before he dropped us off he gave us his number and said that he had a daughter our age, so to be careful. The room we got was awful. The door didn’t even lock. We saw cockroaches and I may have seen a drug deal going on outside. When we started to fall asleep, someone kept calling us on the hotel phone and asking if we want to hang out so we had to sleep with a chair propped under the door. When we woke up in the morning we were relieved to be alive, and then we found out we had bed bugs. It was the worst. > You’ll never know when you’ll need a machete. It came in handy a lot that trip. > My family travels a lot so we went on this road trip to Canada when I was in high school and that’s when I started taking photos of animals and decided I wanted to take photos of every large mammal in North America. I’ve taken photos of grizzly bears, black bears, moose, and buffalo. > We would have a sun roof, so I could just stick my head out and snap the photos I needed and still be relatively safe. > Tourists are the ones that get mauled by bears and stuff. They’ll straight up get out of their car and try to take a picture with the bear in the background and them giving a thumbs up like that bear isn’t going to come run them down and eat them. > I’ve been trying to get a photo of a mountain lion for a while. One time in high school my dad found a deer carcass on top of our shed and we knew it had been a mountain lion because it left behind scat. So the next night, I got my climbing harness and I put on a ghillie suit. We left steak out for the lion and I thought I could hang from the tree and get pictures of it. I hung in that tree all night and never saw a thing.

Interviewed by Lance Cpl. Lauren Kurkimilis March 9, 2013

Observation Post OFF-LIMITS Commanding General - Maj. Gen. David H. Berger Correspondents ESTABLISHMENTS Public Affairs Officer - Capt. Nick Mannweiler Cpl. William J. Jackson Deputy Public Affairs Officer - 1st Lt. Sin Y. Kook Cpl. Ali Azimi MCIWest off-limits establishments guid- Local off-limits guidance prohibits service Public Affairs Chief - Gunnery Sgt. Leo A. Salinas Lance Cpl. Lauren Kurkimilis ance prohibits service members from members from patronizing the following Press Chief - Cpl. Sarah Dietz Lance Cpl. Alejandro Bedoya patronizing the following locations. This locations. Editor/Layout, Design - Cpl. D. J. Wu order applies to all military personnel. In Twentynine Palms: The Observation Post is published by Hi-Desert Publishing, a private firm in no way connect- In Oceanside: - Adobe Smoke Shop, 6441 Adobe Rd. ed with the Department of Defense or the United States Marine Corps, under exclusive writ- - Angelo’s Kars, 222 S. Coast Hwy, - STC Smoke Shop, 6001 Adobe Rd. ten contract with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. This commercial enterprise Oceanside, Calif., 92054 - K Smoke Shop, 5865A Adobe Rd. newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of the - Angelo’s Kars, 226 S. Coast Hwy, Observation Post are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the United States Oceanside, Calif., 92054 In Yucca Valley: government, the DOD, or the United States Marine Corps. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the In San Diego: - Yucca Tobacco Mart, 57602 29 Palms Hwy. DOD or Hi-Desert Publishing of the services advertised. - Club Mustang, 2200 University Ave. - Puff ’s Tobacco Mart, 57063 29 Palms Hwy. - Club San Diego, 3955 Fourth St. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or In Palm Springs: patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, - Get It On Shoppe, 3219 Mission Blvd. physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user - Main Street Motel, 3494 Main St. - Village Pub, 266 S. Palm Canyon Dr. or patron. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Affairs Office, MCAGCC, - Vulcan Baths, 805 W. Cedar St. Twentynine Palms, Calif. 92278. All photos, unless otherwise indicated are Official USMC In National City: For the complete orders, but not off-limits, Photos. Questions can be directed to the Public Affairs Office, located in building 1417, - Dream Crystal, 15366 Highland Ave. check out the Combat Center’s official website during normal working hours at 830-6213 or FAX 830-5474. The Observation Post is made at http://www.29palms.marines.mil with 60 percent recycled paper. - Sports Auto Sales, 1112 National City Blvd. OBSERVATION Post MARCH 15, 2013 A 3 Million man hours of safety KTR workers make unprecedented accomplishment Cpl. Ali Azimi Martin Harris Joint Venture. “These are two of recent accomplishment. Combat Correspondent the largest projects in both firms’ histories and as The ROICC has watched over the construction a joint venture.” from the beginning, providing oversight for safety Two construction projects with more than one Each package potentially houses approximately and quality control as well as monitoring schedules million hours of labor performed by approximately 1,000 Marines in two-person bedrooms. The bar- and plans. During the past five years of construc- 1,000 construction workers without a single case of racks feature sports areas, such as basketball and vol- tion. There has been no Day Away Restricted serious injury incurred. leyball courts, walking paths, barbecue grills and Transfer on either of the construction sites. Straub Construction and Martin Harris Group common areas. DART is a system used by the ROICC which construction workers have completed one million Bedard and Straub attribute the success of the refers to injuries a worker may sustain that would hours of safety during the production of two new contract workers to a “culture of safety” that has prevent them from returning to work. bachelor enlisted quarters aboard the Combat been instilled throughout the past five to ten years. “If a worker gets injured on the site, it may be Center, Package 4 and Package 9. “So what that culture of safety does is something as simple as a cut,” Bedard said. “That’s This is an unprecedented accomplishment of remove what was in the past where safety was first-aid, that’s not a DART, because they would safety, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Bedard, resi- established as a priority. That was essentially come back the next day no problem.” dent officer in charge of construction. good, but then priorities change in the field,” “Bottom line, you want to make sure everybody More than 500 workers, on each of these proj- Bedard said. “We’re not looking for safety as a goes home at the end of the day,” Bedard added. ects, have been working since 2008 to build new bar- priority because priorities can change; we’re “You want to make sure everybody comes to work, racks buildings for Combat Center Marines. looking for it as a culture. So we’re looking to everybody has a productive work day but also goes “The barracks enlisted quarters Package 9 drive it down to that individual guy to say, home safe every day. It’s really incumbent on each campus was designed to meet the needs of ‘You’re coming here to work and that’s good person to take that initiative and accept that culture today’s Marines and make a unique visual state- but we want you to go home safe every day. We of safety.” ment for this new generation of enlisted housing, don’t want you to compromise yourself by tak- Package 9 was finished in 2011 and is currently while still maintaining cohesiveness with the ing unnecessary risk in the field and compro- called home by hundreds of Headquarters Battalion Twentynine Palms base surroundings,” said mising your safety.’” and Combat Logistics Battalion 7 Marines. Package Richard Straub, joint venture partner, Straub This culture has proven to work with the 4 is scheduled to be completed in October.

DUDS See answers on page A5 SUDOKU 2846-D ACROSS 55. Narrow escape for 1. Takes a siesta a fashion designer? 6. Pays to play 58. Bull Run victor 11. Horace’s “__ Poetica” 59. Tucker of country 14. Imam’s deity 60. Beethoven dedicatee 15. “My fault!” 61. Bard’s nightfall 16. Asian holiday 62. Mill output 17. Fashion designer’s 63. Held sway favorite actor? DOWN 19. "Fore" site 1. Steak order 20. Maximilian and 2. Jack of old oaters Charlemagne 3. Take a spill 21. Angelou's “Still __” 4. Easy to manage 23. Ride the ump 5. Cool treat 24. Took the lead 6. pro 26. Frequent striker 7. Loaded Londoners 30. Defat, whaler-style 8. Play about Capote 31. Attu dweller 9. Drop an easy one 32 Many mall rats 10. Aleppo residents 33. Unaffiliated pol: Abbr. 11. Fashion designer’s 36. Verbal assault automotive tool? 37. Positioned 12. Ebbets Field great 38. Mold-ripened cheese 13. Knight’s ride 39. Kramden laugh 18. The Koh-i-__ diamond syllable 22. $200 Monopoly props. 40. “... I __ my way” 24. Winter fall 41. Go on and on and on ... 25. Work the bar 42. Kicked off the show 26 Big do through difficulty) 44. Make less intense 53. Iditarod vehicle 44. Conked with a fastball 27. Southwestern stew 34. Mudville complement 45. Of value 56. Long. crosser Visit the official 45. Like old movies 28. Fashion designer's 35. Scout’s doing 46. “Long time __!” 57 Sacagawea MCAGCC 37. Trig function 47. Taj __ denomination 47. Dallas NBAer favorite Dion and facebook page at 48. “Chinatown” the Belmonts tune? 38. Two cups? 49. Lid malady 40. Sniffs out, say 50. Rights org. http://www.facebook.co screenwriter Robert 29. Abner's radio partner m/the 49. Stuffs to the gills 30. Stinking to high heaven 41. Plan maker 51. Act the PI 54. Suffix with bull or bear 32. __ over (helped 43. Give no stars to 52. Ultimatum ender combatcenter A4 MARCH 15, 2013 OBSERVATION Post Crowd

1 2 in the 5 4 3 Faces

Story and photos by Between sets, Sinise made sure the [1] Combat Center fans remember their favorite Cpl. Ali Azimi audience knew the reason for their per- songs with a recording of Lt. Dan Band's performance Combat Correspondent formance that night. at the Combat Center March 8. “So many heroes in this audience that Gary Sinise’s “Lt. Dan Band” per- we can’t forget, so many families that are [2] The Lt. Dan Band invites kids on stage as they formed at the Combat Center’s Sunset struggling, so many deployments and perform at the Combat Center's Sunset Cinema Cinema March 8 to a theater filled to capac- things that we’ve asked of our Marines,” March 8. ity by service members and their families. Sinise said, addressing the crowd. “We’re Fans began lining up for the free show here for you, to play for you and give you [3] Jennifer Olley and her 1-year-old son, Rylan, more than an hour before the band was a good time tonight.” enjoy the performance made by the Lt. Dan Band scheduled to begin. Their early arrival Performing in front of service at the Combat Center's Sunset Cinema March 8. ensured them a seat in the soon-to-be members is only one of the ways Sinise filled theater. gives back. [4] The Lt. Dan Band performs during a show at the This was the band’s seventh perform- “Gary has been a very dedicated sup- Combat Center's Sunset Cinema March 8. This ance at the Combat Center in the past porter of the military,” said Col. Hal J. was the band's 7th show at the Combat Center in eight years. Sellers, assistant chief of staff, Marine eight years. The band was scheduled to perform in Corps Community Services. “In 2010, April of 2012 but were not able to make Gary founded the Gary Sinise Foundation. [5] Mitch Paliga, saxophone player, Lt. Dan Band, the show due to a car accident that the lead That foundation is dedicated to serving plays his part for the Combat Center crowd at the singer and frontman was in. the nation by honoring our defenders, vet- Sunset Cinema. “We were glad we could come back this erans, first responders and their families.” year,” Sinise continued. “Can’t forget our Sinise and his humanitarian and philan- Marines, right?” thropic work have earned him numerous The Lt. Dan Band has been performing awards nationally, including the president’s for service members since 2003, when Citizen Medal, the nation’s second highest they teamed up with the USO. They per- civilian award. form 30 to 40 shows a year for service At the end of the concert, the Combat LT. DAN BAND members, 75 percent of them overseas. Center added to Sinise’s wall of awards The band played a variety of songs with a token of appreciation, a framed visits Combat Center throughout their performance and had the picture of an M1A1 Abrams tank pre- audience up and screaming “Lt. Dan!” the sented by Sellers. whole night. Kids in the audience were The Lt. Dan Band is scheduled to go invited on stage and Sinise was more than on to perform at Marine Corps Air happy to reach down and shake hands Station Yuma, Calif., followed by Japan with members of the audience. later this year.

Visit The Combat Center The Combat Center the official has its own has its own Flickr photo MCAGCC facebook YouTube channel. and video streams. page at Find it at Find them at http://www.facebook.com/thecombatcenter http://www.youtube.com/user/CombatCenterPAO. http://www.flickr.com/thecombatcenter OBSERVATION Post MARCH 15, 2013 A 5

Jayshree Watkins HIMARS, from A1 Howitzer with greater accuracy. leans on her husband, “Cannon artillery gives accuracy, but this 1st Lt. John Watkins, Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and 2nd gives a precision strike with minimal collateral Headquarters and Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, conducting damage and a pretty fast turnaround when the Services Company, the Integrated Training Exercise, the Marine requesting unit calls for us,” Daly said. 3rd Battalion, 4th Corps premiere predeployment training. Even with its greater distance and accura- Marine Regiment, This has provided Battery Q with an oppor- cy, calculating the data to fire the HIMARS is shortly before the tunity to spread a little light on what the M142 not any more difficult than a cannon, accord- company boarded the HIMARS provides to the artillery Marines and ing to Staff Sgt. Jaime Olguin, operations busses to deploy to their infantry counterparts said Capt. Dominic chief, fire direction control, Battery Q, 5/11. Afghanistan March Daly, battery commander, Battery Q, 5/11. “It “It’s a precision-target weapon, so what- 12. The company can educate them on the process and their ever target you give us is the grid, it’s going to deployed in support of expectations of what they could provide us hit,” Olguin said. Operation Enduring and what we can do to help them in the fight.” However, because of the system’s far range, Freedom. “We provide a deep strike capability,” they must calculate its elevation and flight time CPL. SARAH DIETZ Daly added. “A specific tool for shaping the to avoid interference with air wing units. combat environment that goes a little deeper Their training at the Combat Center with DEPLOY,fromA1 spond mainly through e-mails and video than cannon artillery.” 2/8 and 3/3 has better prepared Battery Q calls, when internet is available, but The HIMARS’ high-mobility capabilities for their deployment to Afghanistan. The bat- since then have had a baby girl, Tianna. Hernandez says he will always keep a allow it to traverse rough terrain and emplace tery is scheduled to deploy later this year in Tianna turned 2 months old the day her wallet-sized picture of his wife and and displace quickly. It can also shoot signifi- support of Operation Enduring Freedom for father deployed. daughter with him. cantly greater distances than the M777 the first time as a HIMARS battery. “It’s hard to leave her,” Hernandez said. What makes this deployment more ful- “I know I have to, but I also know that she filling is that 3/4 will be taking the place of won’t be that old when I get back and she’ll another Twentynine Palms unit, allowing know me more when she gets older.” them to return home, said Kenney. Jessica’s first experience with the military The battalion will replace 2nd Battalion, and the sacrifices service members and their 7th Marine Regiment, in the mission to sup- families make was with her husband. It’s a port the Coalition Forces overseas. challenge she was willing to accept, she said. This is a mission they plan to accomplish “I know I have to stay strong for through hard work and disciplined action, (Tianna) and for him,” Jessica added. according to 1st Lt. Michael Dooley, execu- “Marines are clearly sad to leave their tive officer, Company L., 3/4. families. That’s a very hard thing to do, Marines with 2/7, currently in regardless of what service you’re in,” said Afghanistan in support of OEF, are sched- Lt. Col. Jeffrey Kenney, battalion com- uled to return to their families and loved mander, 3/4. “But the Marines are ready to ones at the Combat Center in April. go. You find that the morale of the unit Leading the voyage for 3/4, H&S picks up the closer you get to deployment.” Company will soon be followed by the rest Hernandez and his wife plan to corre- of the battalion.

LEGACY, from A1

> I wanted to be a Marine since I was eight, so I guess I’m living the dream. > When I was a corporal I was commissioned as an officer. I thought the officers were cool. I guess I don’t really like yelling at people, my initial perception of enlisted were drill instructors. > I didn’t know much about artillery at the time. I wanted to blow up stuff. > I enjoy working with Marines and sailors, having a great deal of responsibility and being able to have a positive impact on people’s jobs. > You try to look at the young Marines as your sons and daughters, try to help them out. > I’ve learned so much. Perhaps the greatest thing is working with Marines, learning how to lead Marines both positively and negatively. Positive leadership is a greater motivator. > My experience is people are a lot more motivated to help Marines and to work togeth- er if you treat them well. > When I was going through infantry training school, there was a major there, Maj. Kelly, and every time I would see him, he would be smiling. That was so impactful for me. Every time I saw this leader smiling, I thought that as bad as it is, you would look at the major and think that there must be some good stuff here somewhere. > I’ve had lots of role models. All Marines should find a role model or a mentor. Most

Marines are willing to do that if you ask them. CPL. SARAH DIETZ > I think it’s important to select many Marines and adjust them to your personality. Pull from the strengths of many. > Of all the people I’ve worked for, I can only think of two brief periods where it was not enjoyable to come to work. Both those experiences were net gains for me, because I saw how I don’t want to do it in the future. > Sometimes we get lost in the one or two negative things we see and we completely shut down and not benefit from all the positives and good things that are obvious in that organization. > When I was a battery commander, Gen. Michael Myatt said once at a PME, “You got to love Marines.” I thought that was interesting. When I thought about it, it’s a stronger rela- tionship than a typical business relationship. > The relationship between Marines have to be something stronger. Love is a good way to describe that relationship. > Love will make you take the next step, if he is a colleague, I might work with him, but if you love him you will take the extra step to review his records, make sure he’s squared away, promotionally competitive, financially solvent, making the right personal steps. > I try to treat young Marines like my own kids. > My favorite duty station is the one I’m at now. My duty station is always the place that I’m at now. I think the duty station is what you make it. You have to find the beauty and the majesty of the place you are currently living. > When I was a battalion commander, we had a day at Disneyland. During that time, it was free for military. > I have a wife and two daughters. I’m very proud of them. > We’ve been married 24 years. She’s absolutely beautiful, the love of my life. > You serve with no regrets. You can’t regret whether you served three years or 30 years. > The choices you make, you make them for good reasons. > The choices I’ve made have affected my family. They are more resilient, they persevere. > For the married Marines, be prepared for the long haul. There are ups and downs, but focus on the good times and be respectful of each other. > Tell your family you love them, and love them unequivocally, without any preconditions. Say it often and support them. > You’re always teaching your kids. A6 MARCH 15, 2013 OBSERVATION Post

CLB-7 reorganizes battalion for efficiency Story and photos by Cpl.William J. Jackson for the battalion. Combat Correspondent “We are shifting the unit’s support,” said Sgt. Maj. Michael Walton, battalion sergeant major, CLB-7, about Two new Marine logistics units were stood up March the unit’s reorganization. 7 during ceremonies aboard the center. The mission hasn’t changed and the efforts put forth The activations are two examples in a series of effi- by the Marines will continue to excel, said Walton. “The ciency-chasing reorganizations within 1st Marines Marines and sailors have done an excellent job.” Logistics Group. CLB-7’s second ceremony activated Combat Logistics “We have to change with the times,” said Lt. Col. Company 13, a new unit pulled from CLB-7’s ranks and Steven Delazaro, commanding officer, CLB-7. “What reassigned under the command of the Camp Pendleton- we’re doing now is in preparation for what makes us based Combat Logistics Regiment 15. most capable, most adaptable and most responsive to the “Even though we are a new company, they are not new units we support.” Marines,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy The battalion’s first ceremony redesignated CLB-7’s Hernandez, company commander, CLC-13. “We've all Support Company to Maintenance Services Company. been working together for years. I’m looking forward to Transportation Support Company was assigned to the Combat Center keeping us busy.” Transportation Services Company and Engineer Services The battalion, along with CLC-13, will continue to Company was stood up under its command. These support Combat Center Marines and sailors during changes provide the logistics community aboard the deployments and training. Combat Center a more resourceful way of working with “It’s not any different at all,” said Capt. Michael Marines and sailors. Tatosian, company commander, Transportation Services The unit names may be changing, but their mission Company, CLB-7. “We’ve obtained more assets. We’re focus will not. The new companies have gained and lost more focused now for (motor transportation) but we’re Marines but the overall outlook on the change is positive better as a battalion. We’re more efficient.”

[Top] Capt. Milton Rehbein, company commander, Maintenance Services Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 7, unfurls the guidon for his newly formed unit, March 7. CLB-7 re-organized to better support operations.

[Above] Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy Hernandez, company commander, Combat Logistics Company 13, salutes Lt. Col. Steven Delazaro, commanding officer, CLB-7 during CLC-13’s activation ceremony March 7. March 15, 2013 Since 1957 Vol. 57 B SECTION

Women’sHistory Month Advicefrom the Stories and photos by Lance Cpl. Lauren Kurkimilis Top

You’re competing against individu- als that innately do the physical part of the job more easily. So you’ve got to stand out and do your best. Do your best. This is a team aster Sgt. Carla Perez thought she had one shot at greatness. She organization and a team mentality. went to college directly after high school and enrolled in 18 credit Even though you’re competitive hours at the University of Montana, not knowing if she could and probably a Type A personality, M afford to attend school again the following semester. Despite her suc- as most Marines are, you still have cess in her studies, Perez found herself unable to pay anymore and moved back to have the collaboration effort. home. While working at Burger King, a recruiter came in and spoke with her. Ten You can’t get anything done here by days later, she was off to bootcamp to begin a long successful career that has now yourself. If you come in with the brought her to the rank of master sergeant. wrong attitude like, “I’m just going As of May 17 this year, I’ll have been in for 20 years. That sounds to judge others,” or, “I’m going to really long when I say it out loud doesn’t it? make you look bad so I look bet- For me personally, I have always had equal treatment. It’s always ter,” that doesn’t work. That’s not been about equal opportunity. It’s been about accountability of myself the way the Marine Corps runs and and about knowing my own vulnerabilities because if I can pick out my you will fail. You will not succeed in vulnerabilities, then someone else can too. aj. Jessica Acosta is from the small town this organization. I always just stay positive and focused. I think our reputation as indi- of Tehachapi, Calif., and had high hopes My platoon commander (in OCS) was a captain viduals is based on how we work and the goals that we set for our- of one day working for the Federal and she could do one-armed pull-ups. So she’d come selves. I think if we stay positive and we don’t give people, whether M Bureau of Investigation. While working out there and do her one-armed pull-ups in front of they be men or women, a reason to poke at us, then they’re not going toward her degree in criminal justice at State everyone, males and females alike and she was show- to. But if we’re sick, lame and lazy and that’s the attitude we take, then University, she learned the FBI would require her to have ing everyone up. That’s just an example of what I had other people will view us as just that. You've got to know yourself and experience in the field before even applying. Her answer to to look up to when I was first becoming a Marine. just be strong and positive. this was to join the military and then find her way to the When I was at TBS, Gen. Wilson was the com- One thing about the Marine Corps is the physical aspect of it and FBI. What she found instead was a life changing decision manding general of Quantico. When I’d drive by what people view us as. Some people think we’re always running and an unexpected journey. the general’s building, I remember I’d see her, the around with guns and that we’re all tough and big and bad, but I think I thought I was just going to be in this green female commanding general of the base and I just the intellectual aspect of it is key. I don’t care what your job is, what machine for four years, my requirement, and then thought that was so great. It was very inspira- your rank is or if you’re male or female, you have to bring something apply to the FBI. That was 15 years ago. I enjoyed tional for me to see female officers already to the table. By doing that you really close the gap on the whole team my time in the Marine Corps so much that I said, accomplishing so much. concept. I think I’ve always known my own capabilities and I’ve always “No, I think I’ll stay here instead.” My grandma is very motivating to me. I remem- been able to fit in or find my niche. I went to Officer Candidate School the summer ber she would always say, “We are women. Hear us It’s really worked for me. I think it’s because I’ve had good role of my junior year in college which was in 1996. roar.” She had that mentality that you can do what- models and good leadership, some female and some male. That was my first time on active duty. I finished my ever you want and to be the best. I’ve always had When I was a young Marine, my first sergeant I had was “the guy.” senior year of college and then I started at The women like her to inspire me. He was the one you could go to for anything. He was one of the ones Basic School in 1998. My other grandma went to college and got her that made me really good at my job. My leaders always looked out for When I was thinking about joining the military, real estate license. She became a professional in an me as a Marine and then they also always made me look things up. there was never a doubt as to which branch I would era when that wasn’t done. Women didn’t go to col- They’d say, “Don’t ask me, look it up in the book.” So they made me choose. It was because of the reputation, because lege. She had a job and she had seven kids. very independent. we’re the best. Maybe it was all of those commer- My mother was the same way. She got her degree I think when you’re good at your job and you know your job, it gives cials but I was convinced. My step dad was in the and had two jobs while she was in college and then you confidence in everything. It gives you the tools to only get better. Marine Corps as well so I had the family experience. went on to become a successful school teacher. If you believe that you suck at your job then you’re probably just I’ve been all over, which has been wonderful. My She’s very strong-willed and eager. She believed that going to keep doing poorly or just OK work. first duty station was in . I couldn’t ask for nothing was impossible. You can do and be what- I was a recruiter from 2001 to 2004 in Vancouver, Wash. It was my anything better. Then I went to Parris Island, S.C., ever you want. So I’ve grown up around all of that. first challenge as far as not being around other female Marines. Out of and had the opportunity to be a series commander Just having positive role models, like I did grow- 78 recruiters, I was the only female. It was really amazing to me how and company commander. I then went to Marine ing up, no matter what they do, makes a difference many people in my area had never met a female Marine. Stereotypically, Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., and worked for when you’re raising children. I would definitely the target market for the Marine Corps is males; males 18 to 27 and I 10th Marines. Following that, I went to Marine agree that my kids get the benefit of learning how was neither of those. So for me to go and meet a young male applicant Corps Air Station New River, N.C., so I got some to become healthy successful adults because of the with either their dad or uncle or grandfather, they’re looking at me, a experience working with the aviation component examples they’re given now. female staff sergeant like, “What can you do for my son to make him and now I’m here. I waited 10 years to have kids. I didn’t want to better? What can you do for my grandson, nephew to make him I’ve deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan and be a that was supposed to be stronger? You’re not in infantry. You’re not in artillery.” So I just talked participated in exercises in Korea. So my time in the taking care of her Marines and being there when about the intangible opportunities; being a better person, learning self Corps has been really exciting. It’s opened my eyes they needed it because I was being pulled away for respect and independence. I had to spend more time explaining. to things far beyond Tehachapi, Calif. my own personal family reasons. But now I’m in a The parents would always come to me later and be like, This organization is very male dominant. The position where I can take a sick day if my kid is “Thank you so much. You changed my son’s life.” Honestly, kids military is very male dominant but the Marine sick and all they want is mom. It won’t disrupt the want to be pushed. They want to be put on a schedule. Kids want Corps is even more so because of the nature of whole system if I do. to be challenged. our primary mission. We are the nation’s 911 My firstborn is five, her name is Camille and she At the end of the day, the Marine Corps is an experience that will force. We need to be ready, at a moment’s notice, just started kindergarten this year and my second last you a lifetime even if your commitment is just four years. to be able to go anywhere and do anything. born is Peter, he just turned two in December. I think women have gotten tougher over time; mentally and physi- Because of that, we’re a minority in the population It takes a lot of support from your command to cally. Society and the Marine Corps have evolved into a smarter gen- which makes us unique. be able to balance being a Marine and a mom. They eration. These young Marines that are coming in to the Marine Corps It’s always been my personal mission to be the have to give a lot of flexibility to the situation. It’s today are like wizards and that’s because education has improved. I best at what I do. Even if I were to fold towels at obviously not mission one but to complete the mis- think what I’ve seen for women is that there is more opportunity, but the gym, I’m going to be the best one who does it. sion, you have to support the troops and that we’ve also been more recognized. It all goes back to what you bring That kind of mentality helps you to be successful in includes letting them support their families. That’s to the table. the Marine Corps as a female Marine. always been visible in the Marine Corps. I know my job. I’m a hands-on worker and a go-getter. If you need to know something, I’m there. If you need me to move something, I’m there. If you need me to mathematically figure something out with my mind, I’m there. Marines are always going to form an opinion and sometimes it’s just by the way you look, but I make their opinions based on what I pres- ent to them and I pass that along to my Marines. I'm all about troop leadership and troop welfare. I take care of my Marines. B2 MARCH 15, 2013 OBSERVATION Post Liberty Call

Combat Center Clubs Pill of a twisty, turn-y movie packs a one-two punch Excursions Enlisted Club Monday: Margarita Mondays Thursday: Rockin’ Karaoke 7-10 p.m. Friday: Social hour with food, 5 - 7 p.m. followed by DJ Gjettblaque, 8 - 11 p.m., Ladies Night Saturday: Variety Night, DJ Gjettblaque 8 - 11 p.m.

Bloodstripes NCO Club Monday: Margarita Mondays Thursday: Warrior Night 4:30 - 9 p.m. Friday: Karaoke Night 6 - 9 p.m.

Hashmarks 29 SNCO Club Friday: Steak Night, 4:30 - 8 p.m. Monday-Friday: All-hands lunch from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Monday: All-hands steak night, 4:30 - 8 p.m.

Combat Center Officers’ Club Monday: Steak night, 5 - 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday: All-hands lunch, from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Thursday: Taco Night, 5 - 7 p.m. For complete calendars visit http://www.mccs29palms.com.

Local Events

Free Line Dance Lessons COURTESY PHOTO Learn to dance the night away When: 5 - 9 p.m., every Sunday NEIL POND gets going, though, the pathway to the crime becomes pret- Where: Willie Boy’s Saloon and Dance Hall ty obvious, pretty early. Then the dastardly deed actually 50048 29 Palms Hwy, Morongo Valley, Calif. “Side Effects” occurs, and we see it happen. For more information, call 363-3343. But perhaps all is not as it appears — and the movie then Starring: Rooney Mara and Jude Law shifts into its slippery second act. Gypsy Directed by Stephen Soderbergh Director Stephen Soderbergh, whose resume is packed When: March 8 through April 6 Rated R, 106 min. with more than two dozen feature films, including the Where: Theatre 29 “Ocean’s Eleven” franchise, “Traffic,” “Contagion” and 73637 Sullivan Rd., Twentynine Palms, Calif. “Side effects may include…” We’ve all heard the barrage “Erin Brockovich,” masterfully crafts a complex, shades-of- For more information call 316-4151 of patter at the end of TV commercials, and seen the teeny Hitchcock tale that’s actually two movies in one, both of or visit http://www.theatre29.org print in magazine ads, detailing the litany of often-unpleas- them playing off each other in smart, surprising ways. His ant things that might happen — other than the intended by camera hovers, circles and swirls around his characters, as if Lower Desert using various pharmaceutical products. it, like the audience, is sizing them up, trying to figure out Now a movie takes that idea and runs with it---and you’d who they really are: criminals, victims, someone caught in the LeAnn Rimes better hold on. It’s a twisty, turn-y ride that starts out with middle, or something else entirely? Country music star performs one story, becomes another midway through, and adds some Catherine Zeta-Jones has a pivotal role as another psychi- When: 9:00 p.m., Friday, March 22 other juicy, jarring jolts along the way. atrist with a mysterious connection to Emily’s past. Where: Morongo Casino Resort and Spa It’s difficult to describe much about “Side Effects” with- You’ll want to pay attention to soak up all the details; how, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, Calif. out spoiling it by spilling too much light into the deliciously for instance, the opening and closing zoom shots, into and For more information call 800-252-4499 or visit dark corners, but this crackling psychological thriller stars out of windows in different New York high-rise buildings, http://www.morongocasinoresort.com. Rooney (“The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”) Mara as a are reverses of each other; the exit signs that keep showing Gordon Lightfoot young Manhattan-ite, Emily, whose husband, Martin up in shots with Emily, in the first half of the movie, as she Canadian singer-songwriter performs (Channing Tatum), has just been released as the movie seeks a “way out” of her unhappiness; the way Soderbergh When: 8 p.m., Saturday, March 23 begins from a four-year prison term for insider trading. (who’s also his own cinematographer, working under the Where: Spotlight 29 Casino Resort The couple’s reunion isn’t as joyous as they’d like, howev- name of Peter Andrews, his father) shoots everything in 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella, Calif. er. Emily, with a prior history of depression, returns to a muted, almost monochromatic shades of light, suggesting For more information call 866-377-6829 or visit frail, possibly suicidal state as Martin talks excitedly about the drab, depressed fog inside Emily’s head. http://www.spotlight29.com regaining his financial high ground. Deliberately crashing her It hasn’t exactly been a blockbuster at the box office, sug- car into a concrete wall in her apartment’s parking garage gesting that many viewers are opting to plop down their tick- Matchbox 20 puts her under the care of hospital psychiatrist Dr. Jonathan et money for sunnier, splashier, less complicated fare. But Pop-rock band perfomers Banks (Jude Law), who treats her with anti-depressants to for anyone who might like a real pill of a movie that packs a When: 8 p.m., Saturday, March 30 “stop the brain from telling you you’re sad.” serious one-two punch as a detective drama coupled with a Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino One of the side effects of the (fictional) anti-depressant cautionary tale about the dangers of trying to pharma-cate 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio Dr. Banks prescribes for Emily is sleepwalking. our troubles away, all spiced with a zesty pinch of dirty For more information call 800-827-2946 or visit But let’s back up a few scenes: We already know, from the money, steamy desire and dastardly double-crosses thrown http://www.fantasyspringsresort.com. movie’s opening, that’s there’s been a murder. We just don’t in for seasoning… “Side Effects” could be just what the know who’s been murdered or who did it. Once the movie doctor ordered! Commodores American soul/funk band performs When: 9 p.m., Friday, April 5 Where: Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa 32-250 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage For more information call 888-999-1995 or visit http://hotwatercasino.com.

Sunset Cinema

Friday, March 15 6 p.m. – Warm Bodies, Rated PG-13 9 p.m. – Hansel and Gretel , Rated R Midnight – Bullet to the Head , Rated R Saturday, March 16 10:30 a.m. – Free Matinee Brave, Rated PG 12:30 p.m. – The Impossible, PG-13 3 p.m. – Hansel and Gretel 3D, Rated R 6 p.m. – Mama, Rated R 9 p.m. – Parker, Rated R Midnight – The Last Stand, Rated R Sunday, March 17 12:30 p.m. – Beautiful Creatures, Rated PG-13 5 p.m. – Sneak Preview Olympus has Fallen, Rated R 9 p.m. – Side Effect, Rated R Monday, March 18 7 p.m. – Side Effect, Rated R Tuesday, March 19 7 p.m. – Hansel and Gretel 3D, Rated R Wednesday, March 20 7 p.m. – Parkers, Rated R 8:30 p.m. Broken City, Rated R Thursday, March 21 7 p.m. – Mama, Rated R 8:30 p.m. The Last Stand, Rated R