Marines Welcome New CO SGTMAJ
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MEMMIGIM C , el CWIK Vol. 52 No. 26 Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Friday, June 30, 1995 Marines welcome new CO SGTMAJ Guantanamo Bay - COL Joseph Composto re- lieved COL John Himes as commanding officer of the Marine Barracks here and SGTMAJ Sylvester Browder relieved SGTMAJ Bruce Keirnan as Sergeant Major during a formal change of command ceremony Mon- day. During the ceremony, Himes was awarded the Legion of Merit and Keirnan was awarded the Merito- rious Service Medal. After the awards presentation, Keirnan was re- lieved as the barrack's Sergeant Major and Browder was posted. Command of Marine Barracks was then turned over as the Marine Corps flag was passed from Himes to Composto. Himes entered the Marine Corps in 1968 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1971. An infan- try officer, he served in numerous command and staff positions with the First Marine Division (two tours), Second Marine Division and Third Marine Division, and the First Marine Aircraft Wing. While assigned to these commands he served as a leader in various expedi- tionary units in SoutheastAsia during the Vietnam War; Beriut, Lebanon; and Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Additionally, Himes commanded both a Marine Task Unit that operated in COL Composto, COL Himes, SGTMAJ Browder and SGTMAJ Keirnan salute the national ensign as it passes Central and South before the reviewing stand during the ceremony's pass and review. Photo by JO1 Jon E. McMillan America subsequent to the Falkland Is- lands war, and a SPMAGTF working JTF6 on a In brief around the fleet counter narcotics mission. Tours in the FleetMarine Force qualification Combatant craft crewmember Fleet Marine Force enabled him to train becomes designation qualification designator in all terrains almost Washington (NNS) - Sailors who earn the Fleet Washington (NNS) - Qualified naval special everywhere on the Marine Force (FMF) ribbon will now have the qualifica- warfare combatant craft crewmembers (NEC 9533) globe. tion recognized as an official designation. are now authorized to place the qualification designa- Himes trans- Qualified Sailors are authorized to place th FMF tor (CC) next to their source rating designator. If ferred to 2nd Marine designator next to their source rating or after their warfare qualified, any warfare designator would pre- S MAJK eirnan passes me Expeditionary Force Marine Corps flag from COL warfare designator. cede the qualification designator. to become theirchief Himes to COL Composto, Beginning with the September 1995 advancement For all naval special warfare combatant craft of staff. Keirnan symbolizing the changing of cycle, personnel who have earned the designator will crewmembers taking the E-4 through E-6 exams, two transferred to the command. Photo by JO1 be awarded two points toward their final multiple score. points will be applied as awards points. Paris Island Recruit- Jon E. McMillan ing Depot. FTG closes doors in Gitmo, departure ceremo ny held Officer, it became Am"WHIM, apparenttothe Navy that it would be more economical to train The Fleet Training Group "depar- ships where they ture" ceremony took place Monday in were already the FTG Auditorium. The ceremony homeported as well marks the end of 52 years of training in as it being a shorter Guantanamo Bay. distance from Nor- RADM Ernest Christensen, U.S. folk, Va. to Florida Navy Commander, Training Command, opposed to Gitmo. U.S. Atlantic Fleet, said the ceremony FTG's mission was an opportunity to acknowledge the was, and still is, to hard work and dedication that FTG per- train crews and con- sonnel in Gitmo have contributed over duct refresher train- the years. ing on board ships. Training in Gitmo has only been sus- According toYandle, pended twice since 1943, during the Mayport training Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and when should begin by early Hurricanes Edith and Flora sweptthrough August. the Naval Station in 1963. "We knew it was "I guessthis could be considered the coming but it's still third time," said CAPT C.M. Tuck, Com- hard to see them modore FTG. leave," said CAPT The move to Mayport is due to the J.F. Boland, Jr., com- RADM Ernest Christensen gives his honored speech during the FTG decommissioning ceremony recent down-sizing of the Navy. Accord- mander of the naval Monday, as Capt. C.M. Tuck intensely listens. Photo by JOSN Tonia Fogundos ing to CDR Tim Yandle, FTG Executive base. Page 2, Friday, June 30, 1995, The Gazrete Fireworks: July 4, 1995 HERE NOW, THE NEWS. Come out and see the show of your life at the waterfront as fireworks are set off from Hospital Cay. A the cooperation between all persons, the better the reminder: This will be the only authorized fireworks result. If any of us fail, we all fail and the armed forces display on the base. By CDR M.C. Albury will get a black eye. We have worked long and Chief Staff Officer sacrificed too much to let anything stand in the way of JTF 160 Change of Command: July 8, 1995 Naval Base Gitmo complete success. GEN John Allen, USAF will be relieved as Com- mander, JTF 160 by RADM Michael D. Haskins, USN Good News, Navy & Marine Corps Relief Radiothon 1995 at McCalla Hill. Bad News Today's the last day! All dollars pledged on this show go to Navy/Marine Corps Relief, one of the few Did you know. First the bad news: charities where 100% go to the people in need. Help We had a request in to some others help themselves. Pledge! If you don't Have you ever had a thought about how to improve BUPERS several want to think of itas a pledge, then join in on the fun and life here at Gitmo? Something on your mind about an months ago to waive the frolics of the show. Sponsor a song or pay to have one issue you feel critical to our mission or people here at payback of one month's taken off the air. Gitmo? Talking to your Leading Petty Officer, Chief or advance pay for those Division Officer is a good starting point. Did you realize Sailors who evacuated family members. That request Cuban American Friendship Day that you can also talk directly to the Commanding has been disapproved. However, if you are in that It happens Wednesday. Established December 10, Officer of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay? Every situation you may be able to individually request a 1969 by RADM J.B. Hildreth, it began as a day which other Tuesday, CAPT Boland has a talk show entitled waiver. celebrates Cubans and Americans working together - "Good Evening Gitmo." Now the good news: The Humanitarian Service side by side. In addition to the CO putting word out, you can talk Medal and the Joint Meritorious UnitAward have been Like Thanksgiving and Christmas which celebrate directly to the CO! He is happy to answer your approved. The documents have not been received man's love for his fellow man, this celebration is one question. So, the next time you find yourself wanting to here yet, but should be soon. When those documents which emphasizes the better characteristics of man- talkdirectlytothe Commanding Officer, call in. Chances arrive we'll announce the availability of the awards for kind. are that if you have a question, your fellow workers individuals. I am told that there are no ribbons in the A great reason to get out and celebrate. particu- would also like to know the answer. Remember, it's exchange. We have gotten the medals for everyone larly in the name of our Cuban Migrant Friends now better to fax the question ahead of time so the answer but no ribbons. These awards coverthe period May 20, present on this Naval Base. Also be aware that can be researched and provided when you call. "Good 1994 to May 19 1995. The HSM requires 24 hours on Jamaican Independence Day will be celebrated in Evening Gitmo" runs every other Tuesday at 7 p.m. base and the JMUA, 30 days on base during the period. early August. Another cultural event. Call 2251 or 2351. Return of Dependents Still no final word. SHORELANT will brief CIN- CLANTFLT shortly and then he will brief CNO. What will the brief say? I think it leans towards return of dependents but will not know for sure until it has been briefed. Is that a waffle? Yes, it is but it is the best I can Presented by the U.S. Naval Hospital do. Keep your fingers crossed and say your prayers (a Preventive Medicine Staff novel but effective approach to problems beyond our control). TUBERCULOSIS THE REAL FACTS More awards for Gitmo's great people The Comptroller Department, under the leadership Since arriving at Guantanamo Bay, you may have heard many rumors regarding Tuberculosis of Mr. Larry Mooney, has earned the honorable men- (TB). We'd like to set the record straight and give you the real information. tion in the team achievement area of the American First, let's make surethat everyone understands some basic facts about TB and its prevention. TB Society of Military Comptrollers annual awards. The is a communicable disease caused by a bacteria that usually affects the lungs. When someone with team spirit was vital to the comptroller's ability to untreated active TB coughs, sneezes, laughs, or sings they can spread the TB bacteria on tiny function in Gitmo. This was evident in the naming of droplets thatfloat in the air. A person in close proximity mightthen unknowingly breath in the bacteria several augment personnel in the nomination pack- and become infected. Fortunately, only a small percentage of those who become infected (aboutfive age, along with numerous staff members who had percent) ever develop active TB.