iii marine expeditionary force and marine corps bases japan SEPTEMBER 10, 2010 WWW.OKINAWA.USMC.MIL Marines from Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., make a formation spelling out “9/11 we remember,” Sept. 11, 2003, as a patriotic gesture commemorating the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. Saturday marks the ninth anniversary when more than 2,700 people were killed in the devastating attacks. Photo courtesy of Sgt. Maj. David L. Jobe 12th Marines arrive in Awareness prevents suicide Lance Cpl. Kris B. Daberkoe a chaplain. The opportunity to OKINAWA MARINE STAFF have a confidential conversation is usually enough to encourage Fuji for artillery shoot CAMP FOSTER — Within the them to speak of their destruc- first seven months of this year, tive thoughts,” he said. “Once Lance Cpl. Kentavist P. Brackin 28 Marines died by suicide. the conversation has begun and OKINAWA MARINE STAFF At the same date last year, the the matter is finally on the table, Marine Corps had suffered 35 the chaplain is usually able to CAMP FUJI, Japan — The last of more than 300 Marines and sailors from suicides. One death by suicide link the individuals up with the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine can affect 100 or more people ac- appropriate medical resources Expeditionary Force, departed Okinawa Monday to conduct Artillery cording to MarAdmin 484/10. in order to obtain the help they Relocation Training Program Exercise 2010 at Camp Fuji Sept. 4-28. National Suicide Prevention need and want.” The purpose of the training is to efficiently execute artillery command Week was recognized Sept. The MarAdmin outlined and control, accurate and timely delivery of fire, tactical movements 5 to 11 in order to increase the purpose and methods for while conducting convoy operations and to employ basic combat and awareness among Marines and installations, activities and field skills during the exercise, according to Lt. Col. Ricardo Miagany, sailors about such a tragic topic. commands to observe Suicide the battalion commander for 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. World Suicide Prevention Day Prevention Week. 12th Marines visits the artillery firing range on Fuji several times is today. “Experts know that people a year to ensure Marines accurately and efficiently operate artillery According to Capt. Robert L. who are suicidal generally give weapons while making the most of its allotted amount of days to conduct Keane, chaplain, Marine Corps warning signs that they need live-fire training here. Bases Japan, Suicide Prevention help, but those signs are of- “It’s not a simple backyard shoot, it’s a bit more involved than that Week is important to remind ten missed,” says Sandra M. and has a lot of moving parts,” said Miagany. “Our mission is to get all personnel of the resources and Beecher, prevention specialist, our Marines and equipment up there and then get all of our Marines help available surrounding Counseling and Advocacy Pro- and equipment back.” suicide. gram, Marine Corps Community Weapons to be fired during the exercise include the M777 A2 howit- “Time and time again we Services Marine and Family zer, .50 caliber Browning machine gun, M240 Golf machine gun, M249 have seen that troubled indi- Services Branch. “Signs may squad automatic weapon, and the M4 carbine. viduals will often come to talk to include a change in behavior, SEE FUJI PG 5 SEE SUICIDE PG 5 KINSERFEST THIS WEEKEND MARKSMANSHIP EXPERTISE Kinserfest will be held Sept. 11-12 from Marksmanship coaches uphold 1 - 10 p.m. on Camp Kinser. It was postponed traditions and assist Marines to perfect THIS THIS due to approaching storms last weekend. their shooting skills. ISSUE IN IN PG. 9 2 okinawa marine | OPINION & EDITORIAL | september 10, 2010 TIPSDiving back into TO work after returning from leave Lance Cpl. Jovane M. Holland days after returning to your job, but make a point of getting back to the everyday recently returned to Okinawa from schedule as quickly as possible. Making U.S. MARINE CORPS HISTORY DIVISION almost a month of leave. For 29 glorious sure you complete your tasks and responsi- September 11, 2001 - At 9:38 a.m. a commercial Idays, I bounced around from state to bilities proficiently and on time will show airliner, piloted by terrorists, slammed into the state visiting family and friends, sleeping your command you can handle extended Pentagon, the headquarters of the Department in, eating whatever I pleased, wearing my breaks from the job without it affecting of Defense, located across the Potomac River hair in an afro puff and not lifting anything your work performance. from Washington, D.C. The Marine Corps was for- heavier than a toddler if I didn’t have to. 4. Swing of Things tunate in that no Marines were killed or seriously As my leave drew to a close, I began to Get yourself back into a regular sleep, injured in this attack. The weekend before, most fret about going back to the work space exercise, diet and work schedule as soon of the Department of Marine Aviation, located directly above the site of impact, had been relo- and Marine Corps environ- as possible. Getting back into the swing EDITORIAL cated to another area of the Pentagon, during ment. Would I die at physical of things as soon as possible will help you building renovation. Immediately following the training? Still be proficient at my job? Roll return to feeling normal and comfortable in attack, Marines set up a “command center” under heinous sleeves? Accidentally drink while your everyday military routine. an overpass of Interstate 395, which runs beside walking in uniform? 5. Begin Saving, Planning the Pentagon. Working alongside fellow service- To prepare myself for the inevitable “first Start planning your next vacation to ease men and civilians for weeks after the tragedy, day back,” I took some time to browse a few the pain of this one being over. Start saving Marines assisted in the rescue and recovery websites and see what I could do to make right away. No matter how much you love effort. Aboard the hijacked Boeing 757, 189 men, the transition back into the military mind- your job, if you’re like me, you never want women, and children were killed in the terrorist set as smooth as possible. your vacation to end, and coming back can attack on the Pentagon. I ended up coming across some extreme- seem like the end of the world. To quell the September 12, 2001 - For the first time ever, ly useful advice. Here are a few tips and “just back blues,” get a jump on planning Marine aviators made combat air patrols in the tricks I learned for when it comes to return- and saving for your next vacation. skies over the Unites States. Washington, D.C. ing to work after vacation. 6. Brainstorm Vacation Ideas was guarded by F/A-18 Hornets flown by pilots 1. Time To Unpack, Prepare Start researching where you want to go from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 321 based Schedule time into your vacation to next. Taking leave doesn’t always have to out of Andrews Air Force Base in southern unpack and settle in when you get back. mean going home. Look into cruises, dif- Maryland. The Marine pilots flew the patrols Returning from leave and having to report ferent countries, another state - whatever to give a day’s respite to the Washington Air to work the next day can be a nightmare. intrigues you! National Guard, who had flown the patrols on Giving yourself ample time after you return Even with all these tips, returning from Sept. 11, and resumed command of the mission to unpack, wash clothes and prepare for leave and going back to work can still on Sept. 13. your next workday will make settling in be stressful. There will always be a last September 13, 2002 - The Marine Corps ex- that much easier. minute meeting or some surprise training panded its stop-loss policy to hold onto about 2. Jet Lag Recuperation thrown into the mix to make it interest- 500 Marines needed to guard U.S. bases and If you’ll be traveling through time zones, ing and cause your heart to start beating stations during the war on terrorism. The new try to return from leave on a Friday so you a little faster. However, by implementing policy allowed commanders to keep any Marine have the weekend to recuperate. Jet lag has all these tips and tricks, I was able to ease in any military occupation specialty they deemed a tendency to kick your behind for a couple back into my day-to-day routine with little necessary and affected those whose End of Ac- days. Using the weekend to get your sleep- to no trauma. tive Service date was Oct. 15 or later. The policy ing schedule back on track will ensure So next time you’re on leave and your allowed commands to keep Marines six months you’re alert and ready Monday morning. remaining days start to dwindle, don’t fret. past their EAS. 3. Everyday Schedule Simply follow these steps to make diving Stay focused when you do return to back into the military work environment September 15, 1950 - The 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines landed on Wolmi-do Island in Inchon work. Find your place back in your normal as easy as 1-2-3. Harbor, Korea, and secured it prior to the main routine and do your job well.