September 1, 2009 Issue 19

New ASVAB Shootin’ up targets policy affects re-testing rules

Story and photo by Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin The Convoy Staff

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A new policy in ef- fect Sept. 1 gives new rules for Marines who want to retake the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. According to Marine Corps Order 1230.5B, no Marine will be allowed to re- take the ASVAB without permission from his or her command. “Marines used to come and take the ASVAB on their own,” said Pat Jeffress, branch manager for the Joint Education Center here. “It became a problem when some Marines ended up with lower scores and their command didn’t know that they had even retaken the ASVAB.” Under the new order, Marines are only allowed to retest for the following reasons: to meet the score for formal schools, spe- cial duty assignments, and retraining in other Military Occupational Specialties, to Photo by Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank meet the basic requirement for reenlist- Lance Cpl. Alex J. Olivares, 20, from San Antonio, and Lance Cpl. Matthew S. Lundh, 22, from Chicago, military policemen ment options, to meet the prerequisites with Military Police Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, work as a team to fire the M-240 for enlisted-to-officer programs and to G machine gun at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 28. The Marines were training for their upcoming deployment. replace test scores not retrievable from the Marine Corps Total Force System or the Official Military Personnel file held at Headquarters Marine Corps. S-3 officer pushes Marines to succeed Even if a Marine has permission from See ASVAB, PAGE 2 Story by Pfc. Khoa N. Pelczar poster advertisement with Chesty The Convoy Staff Puller holding a sword, and his mom joked with him about how he should MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP join the Corps. He gave her the PENDLETON, Calif. – A young child same answer every time, ‘No way who wanted to become an architect mom, because they kill people.’ ended up enlisting to be a part of the As he became of age, a recruiter brotherhood of the Marine Corps. called him and gave him another Growing up, all Capt. Alexis option to consider after graduating Sanchez wanted to do was de- high school. A bit wiser and after sign works of art, so he went to a seeing another kid at school who fine performing arts high school to was in the Delayed Entry Program, study and prepare his art portfolio Sanchez decided that it was time for to be submitted to a college. With a change, so he walked right up to a sudden change of heart, 18-year- the recruiting station and enlisted. old Sanchez decided he wanted to After Sanchez was enlisted for Staff Sgt. Michael L. Ward reads become a Marine. seven and a half years, he figured over the Armed Services Voca- Sanchez, the operations officer it was time for another change, but tional Aptitude Battery at the for S-3, Headquarters Company, wasn’t ready to leave the Corps Joint Education Center Aug. 26. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st yet. So he earned a commission Starting Sept. 1, a new policy Marine Logistics Group, remembers Capt. Alexis Sanchez runs to third pertaining to Marines retaking when he first saw the Marine Corps See OFFICER, PAGE 2 base during a softball game Aug. 27. the ASVAB will go into effect.

Page 1 September 1, 2009, Issue 19 RCT-3 Marines implement methodology to understand local problems Story by Sgt. Scott Whittington Marine to get the information. The Regimental Combat Team 3 method is designed to be uncompli- cated so that any Marine of any rank HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan can gather public concerns. — There’s a new weapon in the arsenal “You have to have people skills,” said of Marines and it’s considered a key to Lance Cpl. Jasmin A. Gagnon, 23, civil winning a war against an insurgency, but affairs specialist. The Falls Church, Va., it doesn’t fire or explode. native added, “It would just be awkward Marines from 4th Civil Affairs Group, to walk up and ask questions without attached to Regimental Combat Team establishing a rapport.” 3, use a method known as Tactical “I’m very encouraged by the intelli- Conflict Assessment Planning and gence of the Marines and locals,” said Framework to engage the local popu- DeFrancisci, a Melbourne, Fla., native. lace to get feedback on sources of in- “The fact that we’re listening is key to stability, according to Lt. Col. Leonard building a relationship (with the Afghan J. DeFrancisci, CAG detachment com- people.)” mander, RCT-3. The method uses basic questions and Tactical Conflict Assessment Plan- any local citizen can be interviewed, ning and Framework is a standard- not just key leaders. The questions ized diagnostic tool, created by United were designed to get to the root causes States Agency for International Devel- of instability, not just the surface. The Photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau opment and used since 2006 in mul- Marines then aggregate these answers Maj. George Anikow, Civil Affairs detachment executive officer with Regi- tiple countries. locally, and work by, with and through mental Combat Team 3, jokes with local children during a patrol in Helmand “Our goal is to go out and see what the Afghan government to solve the Province, Afghanistan, Aug. 18. the problems are in the eyes of the lo- problems. cals,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Wil- “One problem isn’t unique from village “We can direct resources to address people, they have met a few challenges. liam L. Lowry, civil affairs specialist and to village,” said Sgt. Scott M. Spaulding, the most significant problems,” said De- “People in certain areas are still intimi- corpsmen with the 4th CAG detach- civil affairs noncommissioned officer and Francisci. “Since the local populace is a dated by the enemy,” said DeFrancisci. ment, and Tampa, Fla., native. “We de- Milford, Del., native. “TCAPF should be center of gravity in a counterinsurgency “They aren’t always willing to work with termine if we should bring the Afghan kept at a local level.” operation, this tool helps us focus on that, us. Establishing consistent presence government in to foster a relationship.” For example, one community may which is the people.” over time, they’ll realize we are the good Due to the limited amount of local have a lack of drinkable water. Another Every Marine outside the wire focuses guys.” government assets, the Marines take village two miles away may have a need on the threats of enemy contact and IED “We do what we say, and we say what part in assessing the locals’ status, us- for more security or access to medical strikes, but the CAG Marines deal with an we do,” stressed DeFrancisci. “We’ll de- ing TCAPF. But it doesn’t take a CAG services. additional issue. In interactions with the liver on our promises.”

concept in my career,” Sanchez said. OFFICER “You can always learn something from Continued from Page 1 anyone.” Sanchez said he treats his Marines the Marine Corps Enlisted Commis- the way he would treat his children. He sioning Education Program. spends time with them to get to know “Having the enlisted background, it them and help them do well. gives me the sanity check, I know what “I want to be able to wake up every works and what doesn’t,” said San- morning and push my kids to do their chez, 31, from Paterson, N.J. best by mere example. That translates Having been prior enlisted, Sanchez to my professional career by wanting can relate to enlisted Marines, which to push my Marines to do their best by has helped him out tremendously in setting the example as well,” said San- his job. chez. As the S-3 operations officer, his job Sanchez likes to meet people in per- Photo by Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin is to develop a pre-deployment training son, and he said doing so makes it eas- Sgt. Gabriel Sotelo looks up information about the Armed Services Vocational plan, which involves attending meet- ier to actually get to know that person. Aptitude Battery at the Camp Pendleton Joint Education Center Aug. 26. ings to discuss different types of train- In the process, he is able to get out of ing and coordinating with subordinate the office and meet a lot of people. by the Marine’s command. units and outside agencies. One way he likes to spend time outside ASVAB “The six-month period between retak- “If I take time to do a detailed plan the office is participating in one of Head- Continued from Page 1 ing the test will give Marines time to study now, it would eliminate a lot of head- quarters Company’s softball teams. and actually get a better score instead of aches down the road,” Sanchez said. “I enjoy participating on the softball their command to retake the ASVAB, if just taking it again right after you just took “Marines would be able to train properly team because it allows me to engage they already have the minimum score for it,” Jeffress said. with no downtime. Knowing that I have the Marines outside of work, and I be- an assignment, he or she will not be al- Marines who participate in the Military contributed to something that would af- lieve it builds camaraderie,” said San- lowed to retest to increase their score. Academic Skills Program may retake the fect the Marines and bring them back chez, who plays left-center field, pitcher The new policy also states that Marines test after 90 days have passed from the safely from deployments due to proper and first base for 1st MLG team, The won’t be allowed to retest any earlier than last retest date, but a test waiver is still training, it makes me feel good about Dirty Dogs. six months after their last retest. Any ex- required. my job.” Sanchez plans to stay in the Corps ceptions to this rule will require a waiver Marines who are interested in retaking His junior Marines agree that he is a for at least 20 years. Once he retires, and can only be authorized by the CMC, the ASVAB can contact the JEC at 760- very approachable person, who they he hopes to become either a math or Manpower Plans and Policy-50. But a 725-6414. can come to for anything, and he treats Spanish teacher. This way, he can waiver can’t be submitted until a mini- them with the utmost respect. keep on passing down his knowledge mum of 90 days has passed from the last “Treat others like how you want to and continue to make a difference in retest date and a request has been sent [email protected] be treated; I have always followed this someone’s life. Page 2 September 1, 2009, Issue 19 ‘Once a Marine’ Author tells inspirational story of combat, courage and recovery Story and photo by Sgt. Jennifer When Popaditch first wrote his Brofer story, it was more of an “after action” type report that he passed along to I try not to judge a book by it’s a Marine major, who suggested he cover, but this one is pretty hard not turn it into a book, said Popaditch in a to judge. Looking at the cover of the phone interview. One of the reasons book, “Once a Marine: An he wrote the book, he said, was to say Tank Commander’s Inspirational “thank you” to the people who helped Memoir of Combat, Courage and him along the way – the Marines who Recovery,” the reader sees Gunnery pulled him from the burning tank, the Sgt. Nick Popaditch, a salty-looking corpsman who gave up his own body Marine smoking a victory cigar as he armor to shield the wounded Gunny, sits atop a tank with the faded image the doctors who gave him hope, his of a statue hovering wife and children who stayed by his in the background. Although he is in side through everything, and the the middle of a war zone, the “Cigar countless others who made his re- Marine” smiles and laughs. This is a covery possible. Marine who looks like he has one hel- In addition to giving thanks, Po- luva story to tell. And he does. paditch said writing the book also In his 288-page memoir, “Gunny proved to be “therapeutic” having to Pop” tells his story about the fateful relive experiences that many people day in April 2004 in Iraq during Oper- in his situation might try to forget. ation Iraqi Freedom II, a year after the Reading the book proved to be famous “Cigar Marine” photograph therapeutic for me, too. I’d be lying was taken, when an Iraqi insurgent if I said I breezed through all 288 fires the rocket-propelled grenade pages in one sitting. But whenever I that changes his life forever. did crack open the book, it was as if I Reading the book, I can almost see was stepping into the shoes of Gunny the white flash of light that Popaditch Pop, hearing the voice of the salty sees as the RPG explodes inches Gunny who so badly wants to get from his face, causing him to nearly back on a tank and into the fight. go blind after doctors later remove his Whenever he receives bad news right eye, barely saving the other. And from doctors, my heart sinks. When this is just Chapter One. What follows his son Nick Jr. helps win the basket- is a moving story of the docs who ball championship, it’s as if I’m also save his life, then struggle to save his there cheering him on. When Popa- sight, and the effects his injuries have ditch is told he might have to leave on him and his family. the Marine Corps if found “unfit for Popaditch, from East Chicago, In- service” by the Physical Evaluation diana, co-wrote his memoir with Mike In his 288-page memoir, ‘Gunny Pop’ tells his story about the fateful Board, I cross my fingers and hope Steere, and takes the reader on a day in April 2004 when an Iraqi insurgent fires the rocket-propelled for the best, but expect the worst. journey starting from just moments grenade that changes his life forever. But all the while, Gunny Pop never before the RPG explodes, to the loses sight of his core values of hon- hospital where he calls his beloved or, courage and commitment, which wife, April, which just happens to be ‘My hand touches nothing but goo on the right- he says can be applied on and off the the same day as their wedding anni- hand upper quandrant of my forehead and face, battlefield and will “always get you versary. In the many hospitals where through adversity.” Popaditch recovers, he shares ca- and the blood gushes fast enough that I know This book should be read by not maraderie with the Marines who are I’ll bleed out pretty soon without expert medi- only all Marines, but all Americans, to also combat wounded, and they mo- cal attention. Dying is not authorized, though. I help them gain an understanding and tivate each other through humor and appreciation of what injured service stories, never letting each other feel won’t even consider it.’ members have to go through and the sorry for themselves, because they physical and mental wounds they are are Marines. left with. The scars of war go deeper Even after losing an eye, Gunny - Excerpt from ‘Once a Marine’ written by Gunnery Sgt. than just the surface, and this book is Pop never seems to lose his fighting Nick Popaditch a powerful reminder of the sacrifices spirit, or his sense of humor. Talking men and women on the battlefield are on the phone with his young son af- making every day. ter being flown to a hospital, his son “Once a Marine” can be found at the asks him what he looks like after his damaged right eye, he later replaces combat wounds, but fights to remain Mainside Library in Bldg. 1146, or pur- injuries, fearing the worst. The Gunny it with a glass one, bearing the Eagle, the “Gunny” he was before his injury, chased online at www.onceamarine.com. nonchalantly tells his son “to think Globe and Anchor, which, among his never allowing himself to appear weak back to that scene in The Terminator, other prosthetic eyes, he considers in front of other Marines, never com- (one of his favorite movies), where his “favorite.” plaining about the unfortunate situation the robot cuts his own eye out.” Throughout the book, Gunny Pop he is in. He’s still a Gunny, and darnit if After doctors remove Gunny Pop’s not only fights to recover from his he’s going to appear otherwise. [email protected] Page 3 September 1, 2009, Issue 19 Photos from around the 1st Marine Logistics Group A look at what Marines and their units are doing this week Happenings USAA Auto Event Head to Del Mar Beach Satur- day, Sept. 5, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. for the USAA Auto Event including car displays from Ford, GM and Mercedes. Participants can enjoy free face painting, a bounce house and coupons.

Mario Andretti to visit Meet racing legend Mario An- dretti at the 13 Area Firestone Complete Auto Care Center grand opening Sept. 11 from 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. For more infor- mation, call 725-6233.

Dan Aykroyd to Visit Dan Aykroyd, well known for his stint as a Conehead on Saturday Night Live, will be at the Vine- yard (Mainside) Sept. 24 from 4-6 p.m. Aykroyd will be sign- ing his new Crystal Head Vodka and hosting Dan Aykroyd wine tasting. For more information, Photo by Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin please call 725-6233. Sgt. Maj. Carrie Belle (right), 36, Wauconda, Wash., Supply Battalion sergeant major, Combat Logistics Regi- ment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, patiently awaits her fate as a pie is thrown at her at the Supply Bn. family Ball Gown Giveaway day Aug 28. There were many activities for service members and their families to enjoy including karaoke and Camp Pendleton Armed Ser- a dunk tank. vices YMCA will hold its Annual Ballgown Giveaway Sept. 26 at the Abby Reinke Community Center on base. Eighteen-hun- dred gowns will be distributed on a first-come, first-served ba- sis with priority given to active duty and dependents for ranks E-5 and below from 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., and then open to all ranks from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Mili- tary I.D. must be presented to participate. For more informa- tion, visit www.camppendletona- symca.org.

Medieval Times Trip The Single Marine Program is planning a trip to Medieval Times Sept. 18. Cost is $10 per Marine or sailor and includes transpor- tation, show and meal. For more information, or to sign up, call 725-6722 or 725-6288.

Photo by Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank Base Movie Theater Harry Potter and the Half-blood Lance Cpl. Andrea R. Victor, motor Prince (PG) - transport operator with Combat Lo- Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. gistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Lo- The Ugly Truth (R) - Photo by Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank gistics Group, 20, from Spanaway, Friday at 6:30 p.m. Wash., sprints to make a layup at the Orphan (R) - Friday at 9 p.m. Service members compete in a game of volleyball at the 101 Days of 101 Days of Summer Sports Jam at G-Force (PG) - Summer Sports Jam at the Paige Fieldhouse at Camp Pendleton, Calif., the Paige Fieldhouse at Camp Pend- Saturday at 8 p.m. Aug. 28. The event was held to celebrate the end of the summer safety leton, Calif., Aug. 28. The event was Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (PG-13) - promotion. The event drew more than 200 service members and their held to celebrate the end of the sum- Sunday at 1 p.m. families who participated in a variety of games and activities. mer safety promotion.

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