HAWAII MARINE I nip roved version 3d Marines receive new generation LVT by Cpl. Pat Lewandowski is now equipped with engine An added feature is a monitoring equipment, better generation device which The new command tracked maintenance access areas and bellows white smoke to cover landing vehicle - LVTC7A1 removable headlights to the movements of the - was delivered recently to the prevent salt water corrosion. amphibious tractors. Smoke Assault Amphibian Vehicle grenade launchers have also Detachment, Co. A, Head- Company A received their vehicle been added to help conceal the quarters and Service Com- first new command vehicles during an assault. pany, 3d Marines, as part of a and expect to receive 20 "The most noticeable Marine Corps-wide rebuilding personnel carriers and one some time in change in the vehicle is the program. recovery vehicle front," said Cpl. Todd Wade, February. The Service Life Extension to crew chief on the LVTC7A1. Program is designed to The LVTC-7, in addition extend rebuilt, has a new "The headlights are mounted the useable life of an assault being higher and are removeable for vehicle into the next decade. electronics and communica- amphibious operations. tions system that is compat- This is the first modernization According to Wade, the its initial able with the newest of the LVT-7 since equipment in the Marine driver's controls have also introduction 1970. in Corps inventory. It also has a been upgraded using printed Along with the rebuilding circuit boards and a heads-up came an array of new features built in auxiliary unit that provides electricity for a display. A LED display shows Todd Wade and LCpI. Jeff Meyers, and equipment designed to and functional Cpl. of the Amphibious Assault Vehicle Detachment put a new enhance its survivability and multitude of radios and operational LVTC7A1 through its paces. command equipment. areas both during operation maintainability. Features and when a problem occurs. include a 400 h.p. Cummings In the area of self-defense, Maintenance time is also modification, all parts Corps," said GySgt. Carl amphibious vehicle in the diesel engine, which can move the new assault vehicle is reduced since the circuit can be essential to combat operation Hurtt, maintenance chief. world. "The implementation of it at speeds up to 60 mph on flat. equipped with an electric replaced in seconds. can be replaced immediately "Due to budget limitations, a this program is way ahead of terrain. turret instead of the old and with little down-time, new amphibious vehicle could Other features include new hydraulic model, which was Another important modifi- adding to the operational not be developed, but a new suspension, a redesigned prone to leaks and pressure cation has been the instal- readiness of infantry units generation of vehicles was "Manuals, parts, and supplies ventilation system and an loss. The new turret is outfitted lation of removeable fuel cells throughout the Marine Corps. needed - out came the have already begun to arrive upgraded transmission. In with the standard .50 caliber which can be replaced at any LVTAI. At about $500,000 ahead of the vehicles. When we addition to comfort and machine gun and, redesigned time without tearing the "These changes are being each they are a good get them in. February we will survivability items, the vehicle night vision sights. vehicle down. With this new implemented around the investment. It is the only true be 100 percentcombat ready." Congress approves new education program Reprinted with the permis- program would be allowed to Vietnam-era sotrve duty additional "kicker" of op to it would be possible under the Vietnam-era enlisted members sion of Nov) Times. continue their contributions, people who elect to participate. $400 a month for persons in program for some members to and certain officers - those by Martha Lynn Craver not no new participants would New members, who would be critical skill areas. This collect a maximum of $1800 a not graduated from service be accepted. enrolled automatically WASHINGTON - Con- unless provision was adopted to give month in education benefits. academies or ROTC - could gress has approved a new "When the three years are they chose not to participate, the Army the edge it says it While Congress refused to qualify to keep one-half of their educational assistance up, if the program worked well, would be required to contribute needs to compete with the eliminate the 1989 deadline old GI Bill benefits, and at the it probably will be extended, $100 a month for 12 months. In other services for available date for using Vietnam-era GI same time qualify for program that will be available maybe with a not only to new members but to few modifica- return for a two-year manpower. Bill benefits, the program does additional benefits under the most active duty members still tions," one congressional enlistment, the government The Secretary also would protect the education benefits, new program. To do so, they 'eligible for grant-type source said. would pay $250 a month in have authority to provide $300 and, in fact, may enhance would have to agree between Vietnam-era GI Bill education Persons entering the educational assistance for up more a month to persons who them for enlisted members and July 1,1985, and June 30,1988, benefits. military after June 30, 1985, to 36 months. For a three-year reenlist for five additional some officers who elect to to remain on active duty for and before July 1, 1988, would enlistment the government years, or a total of eight. extend their service obliga- three years. They would As a result, the program not be only would protect Vietnam- eligible for the program, as would pay $300 a month for up Additionally, the Secretary tions. receive credit for $300 a month would enlit tL.' members and to 36 months. would be allowed to provide a Most officers would still lose in future education benefits for era benefits for many, mainly some enlisted servicemen, from the officers on active duty In addition, the Secretary of $300 supplemental to members their Vietnam-era benefits up to 36 months and could go still eligible for Vietnam-era Defense would have the in critical skills who reenlist after the 1989 deadline. Under on to use their allowable 1989 expiration deadline but benefits benefits actually may be who extend their authority to provide an for five additional years. Thus, a key provision of the bill, Cont. on Page A-14 4- enhanced. service obligations during the three-year period. Officers who If the bill is signed by the enter President it will begin next or have entered the summer and is scheduled to military through service last three years. It will replace academies or Reserve Officer the current contributory Training Course programs Veterans Educational Assis- would not be eligible. tance Program during that The program would be period. Service members 'contributory for new members already enrolled in the but noncontributory for the CFC Campaign nears completion The sixth week of the Honolulu Area Combined Federal Campaign ended Friday with about $199,000 having been collected from Hawaii Marines. The figures reflect total contributions with more than 97 percent of Hawaii Marines contacted. Although no official monetary goals were set for this year's drive, most units are striving to contact 100 percent of its people. the chart shows the percentage of the number of people contacted. The' inal tally for this year's drive, which ends Noy.1, will be in next week's Hawaii Marine. Unit Percent Amount Camp Smith 100 $21,300 Marine Barracks 97 8,996 MCAS Kaneohe Bay 97 39,471 lstRadBn 95 11,684 BSSG 100 20,463 CommSptCo 100 2,643 HqCoBde 90 3,122 Halloween Fun MAG-24 100 34,504 3d Marines 97 56,901 Stephanie Pickett paints a ghoulish face on Robby Reed. Halloween Carnival here Saturday, for the story and additional Mothers painted faces and helped children win prizes at the photos, see Page R-1. Published by RFD Publications, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the the Department of the Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps. The appearnce of Department of the Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps. Opinions expressed by publishers advertisements in this publication, including inserts, does not constitute an an official products and writers herein are their own and are not to be considered expression of - endorsement of the firms, or services advertised by the Department of the Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps. HAWAII MARINE What's inside Courts Martial Horses help area handicapped kids A-4 Report Kaneohe Bay sportsmen help balance habitat A-6 SSgt. Leslie J. Hester, Cpl. Timothy S. Hoffman, three separate occasions Golf Pro Shop. H&HS, was convicted during H&HS, was convicted during valued in excess of $200; and of He was sentenced to forfeit a General Court-Martial of a Special Court-Martial, July unlawful entry to the $350 a month for three months; Hot chow in the field A-10 conspiracy to commit larceny 2, of conspiracy to break into Commissary on two occasions, be reduced to private; of food items valued in excess the Commissary and the the Golf Pro Shop on two confinement at hard labor for of $100 from the Commissary; Exchange; larceny of food occasions, and the Exchange. three months; and a Bad MARS prepares for theft of food items in excess of items from the Commissary on He was sentenced to forfeit Conduct Discharge. $100 from the Clubs System; four separate occasions; golf $396 a month for six month; be Pvt.