INSIDE Political Elections A-2 Hawaii Ship Life A-3 Donn Lewin A-4 Hale Koa Luau B-1 MCCS & SM&SP B-2 Veterinary Clinic B-3 Menu B-5 Technology B-6 Word to Pass & Ads B-7 Football C-1 Sports Briefs C-2 MMARINEARINE The Bottom Line C-3 Volume 34, Number 28 www.mcbh.usmc.mil July 16, 2004 NSA honors 3rd Radio Bn. Unit recognized for Director's Trophy for the third mission for the previous year. operations and exercises in their ing MAGTF commanders with consecutive year, July 8. The “This distinction recognizes role of providing signals intelli- effective electronic warfare and contributions to NSA director recognized 3rd the accomplishments and per- gence and electronic warfare: special intelligence communica- Radio Bn. (formerly 1st Radio sonal sacrifice of Radio to Marine Air Ground tions support. The Director of signals intelligence Battalion) at the Worldwide Battalion Sailors and Task Forces, as a contin- NSA believes we are the best in Awards Ceremony at the NSA Marines deployed gent of 250-300 the Marine Corps at accom- Lance Cpl. Headquarters in Fort George G. throughout the world. Marines deployed to plishing this mission,” said Bernadette L. Ainsworth Meade, Md. It is a privilege to serve Kuwait in support of I Aycock. U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific The NSA Director’s Trophy is as their commanding Marine Expeditionary The battalion also participat- awarded annually to the single officer,” said Lt. Col. Force’s attack on Iraq; ed in combined arms exercises CAMP H. M. SMITH, best tactical cryptologic unit Mark T. Aycock. during 1st Marine at Twentynine Palms, Calif., Hawaii — The Marines of 3rd from each service that has made In 2003, the Marines and Division’s march into Baghdad; and at Weapons and Tactics Radio Battalion received the the most significant contribu- Sailors of 3rd Rad. Bn. partici- and many others. National Security Agency tion to the signals intelligence pated in and supported many “We are tasked with provid- See NSA, A-6 Base Safety to inspect child seats Trained technicians will instruct parents, July 24, at the Marine Corps Exchange Cpl. Jessica M. Mills Sports Editor Most parents would go to any length to prevent injury to their child, and rightful- ly so. This natural instinct to protect our children should extend to all situations, including car travel. The Base Safety Center will sponsor a free child safety seat checkup, July 24 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Marine Corps Exchange parking lot here, to help minimize the risk of injury to children in case of a car accident. With the wide variety of child restraint systems, belt systems and passenger vehi- cles, however, correctly installing a child restraint system can be challenging. “Many parents don’t understand how to properly install a car seat,“ said Sgt. Timothy Kemp, the safety noncommis- Cpl. Gregory A.Russell sioned officer at the Base Safety Office Marines from 2/3 who were attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Battalion Landing Team recently returned here. “There are many common mistakes from their deployment. The unit performed exercises in the Republic of South Korea, Japan and Thailand. that are made during installation, and rather than taking the chance with your child’s safety, parents should come and 2/3 returns from MEU operations learn the correct methods.” During the inspection, technicians will Sgt. Joseph A. Lee According to Capt. Daniel Kalson, tions. First, 2/3 participated in sever- look for correct seat belt routing and veri- Combat Correspondent Fox Company commander, Marines al exercises to prepare the battalion fy the height and weight standards for from 1st Marine Division in for its Special Operations Capable each seat. A battalion from 3rd Marine California normally supplement the qualification test, or “SOCEX”. As In accordance with Hawaii state law, Regiment deployed in November on 31st MEU, but because of operations well, 2/3 participated in training in youngsters traveling in vehicles must be what was to be a “normal” Unit in the Gulf, the Marines from 2/3 preparation for the TRUEX and buckled in a child restraint system at all Deployment Program to Okinawa, were required to assist. MEUEX exercises. times until they are four years old and 40 but soon wound up aboard ship. “Normally on a UDP, we spend the Their first, TRUEX, took place in pounds. Children must meet both Second Battalion, 3rd Marines, was whole time on the island of Okinawa, Guam. While Fox Company execut- requirements before being taken out of a tasked in December — just one involved in jungle warfare and other ed airfield seizures and urban train- child restraint system. month after arriving in Okinawa on somewhat conventional training, but ing at the Barrigada Training Facility, Further, safety technicians will review their UDP — to supplement the 31st our Marines were more than happy the Maritime Special Purpose Force the most recent recall lists to verify that Marine Expeditionary Unit as its to supplement the MEU instead,” platoon honed its tactical skills at particular car seats have no defects and Battalion Landing Team for a series of said Kalson. Anderson Airfield. have not been subject to a recall. training exercises stretching across The MEU rapidly brought 2/3 Technicians said they will not install the the Far East. Marines up to speed on MEU opera- See 2/3, A-4 car seat for parents; instead, they will spend as much time as needed to train parents on how to properly install their child’s car seat. Changes on the way for TRICARE patients See SAFETY, A-6 Navy Capt. Kevin Berry, M.D. The contract changed to help control clinics each year. With that much Tripler Army Medical Center & Pacific government costs and improve cus- health care being provided, there are What: Child safety Regional Medical Command tomer service — the reason our mili- bound to be concerns and problems as seat check-up tary health care system exists. Still, we transition. HONOLULU — The month of July there may be incorrect perceptions that First, beneficiaries who are not When: July 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. brought many changes to the health customer service is suffering. enrolled in TRICARE Prime should care system serving military and their Tripler Army Medical Center cur- contact TriWest. For assistance in find- Where: Marine Corps Exchange families in Hawaii. First and foremost, rently supports more than 92,000 peo- ing a primary care manager or learning parking lot TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the cur- ple enrolled in its TRICARE Prime about your TRICARE benefits, call rent health care civilian partner with health care system. Altogether, that TriWest at (888) TRIWEST (874-9378), Who should attend: Parents of TRICARE, replaced HealthNet Federal translates into 1.2 million outpatient young children Services. visits at military and civilian TRICARE See TRICARE, A-5 A-2 • July 16, 2004 Hawaii Marine MCBHMCBH Political dos and don’ts NNEWSEWS BBRIEFSRIEFS DoD encourages employees to vote while keeping workplaces neutral Donna Miles choose, and to urge others to vote. spectators and not in uniform. Pyramid Rock Beach Closes American Forces Press Service Both groups can sign nominating They’re not permitted to make public Pyramid Rock Beach will be closed until petitions for candidates and express political speeches, serve in any offi- 11 a.m., Monday, due to an amphibious WASHINGTON — With election their personal opinions about candi- cial capacity in partisan groups, or training exercise for Rim of the Pacific. activity steadily picking up, defense dates and issues — but only if they participate in partisan political cam- officials remind members of the mili- don’t do so as representatives of the paigns or conventions. Early School Registration Urged tary and Department of Defense civil- armed forces. Also, all federal On the other hand, civilian Military service members are encour- ians that they’re subject to rules reg- employees can make contribu- employees (governed by the Hatch aged to register their elementary school- ulating their involvement in tions to political organiza- Act) may be active in and speak age children for school as soon as possible, political activities. tions or candidates. before political gatherings or serve as in order to avoid missed class time. Gone are the days when Beyond that, the list of officers of political parties or partisan Registration for kindergarten through the military dos and don’ts differs groups. They are also permitted to sixth grade for children who live aboard posted troops at the widely, depending on manage campaigns, distribute litera- Kaneohe Bay is held at Mokapu polls after the Civil War, an whether the employee is ture, write political articles or serve as Elementary School, 1193 Mokapu Rd., on a act that Steve Epstein, an active-duty service a spokesperson for a party or candi- first-come, first-served basis. director of the DoD General member, a rank-and-file date. When classes are filled at Mokapu, reg- Counsel’s Standards of Civil Service employee, a Military members generally aren’t istering students are referred to other ele- Conduct Office, said intimidated political appointee or member of the permitted to campaign for a political mentary schools (such as Kainalu or many southerners into not voting. career Senior Executive Service, office. Civilian employees are, as long Kailua Elementary), and arrangements for Today, Epstein said two sets of Epstein said. as it’s a nonpartisan election. bus transportation must be made. rules help protect the integrity of the Of all DoD employees, the men and While the dos and don’ts concern- However, off-base elementary school start political process: a DoD directive for women in uniform have the most ing political activity may vary, dates vary, depending on whether the active-duty service members and the restrictions regarding political activi- Epstein said the basic rules hold true school is on a traditional or year-round Hatch Act for federal civilians.