december 8, 2009 issue 32 spice

December 8, 2009Issue 32

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLE-TON, Calif. - A new order passed by the commander of Marine Corps Forces Pacifi c, order 5355.2, gives guidance on the popu-lar substances Spice and Salvia Divinorum. Although it is not illegal by the United States to posses these substances, it is now prohibited for Marines in the Ma-rine Corps Forces Pacifi c area to pos-ses, sell or distribute any substances that are intended to produce a psycho-tropic high when smoked or ingested. The substance known as Spice is a mixture of medicinal herbs laced with synthetic cannabinoids, and is known to cause short-term memory loss, de-creased motor functions and loss of con-centration. Salvia Divinorum is known to have psychological and physical effects on the users such as dizziness, loss of coordination, hallucinations, changes in perception, and body or object distor-tion. Both of these substances, if taken in high doses, can make the user uncon-scious or have short-term memory loss. In any case, legal or not, both substanc-es are dangerous to the users’ health and have no place in the Armed Forces. Violators of this policy are subject to Uniform Code of Military Justice.

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SPICE:no place in militaryStory by Cpl. Robert C. MedinaThe Convoy Staff

According to the new Marine Corps Forces Pacifi c order 5355.2, it’s prohibited to posses, sell or distribute Spice, Salvia Divinorum or any substance that is intended to produce a psychotropic high when smoked or ingested.

Photo Illustration by Cpl. Robert C. Medina

Staff Sgt. Chris L. Maxwell, administration chief with Combat Logistics Company 151, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, 28, from Mesquite, Tex-as, spends time with his wife and son after returning home to Camp Pendleton, Calif., from an eight-month-long deployment to Afghanistan, Dec. 6. The returning troops were greeted home at the 22 Area parade deck by fellow service members, friends and family.

WELCOME HOMECLC-151 service members reunite with friends and family members after 8-month Afghanistan deployment

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – More than 100 Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Company 151, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, returned home from an eight-month-long deployment to Afghanistan, here Dec. 6. The returning troops were greeted at the 22 Area parade deck by fellow service members, friends, family and new faces eager for their return. “The best part about coming back is see-ing my wife and son,” said Cpl. Trever D. Ges-sell, a Traffi c Management Offi ce specialist with CLC-151, 22, from Salt Lake City. Gessell met his two-month-old son, Logan, for the fi rst time. Some Marines and sailors were in culture shock and disbelief after returning to American soil after spending more than half a year in the Middle East. “It’s still kind of hard to believe that we’re back home in the United States,” said Lance

Cpl. Fautua A. Thompson, a warehouseman with CLC-151, 19, from Pago Pago, American Samoa. “When we were deployed to Afghani-stan, it felt like we were never coming back.” During the CLC-151 deployment to the Helmand Province, Afghanistan, they con-structed and setup operations from scratch for future units that are scheduled to deploy there. “The deployment was a great experience,” said Pfc. Daniel J. McDonald, a warehouseman with CLC-151, 19, from Pago Pago, American Samoa. “It made me realize everything I took for granted.” Relief and happiness seemed to fi ll the atmo-sphere as the members waited to be dismissed. Finally, CLC-151 Marines and sailors were re-leased from the parade deck, gathered their be-longings and left to spend time with their friends and family.

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Story by Cpl. Jacob SingsankThe Convoy Staff

Photo by Cpl. Jacob Singsank

December 8, 2009, Issue 32

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Two corps-men who share a common career choice with a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifi ce, will be awarded scholarships after they complete their military service. Petty Offi cer 3rd Class Erik A. Johnson, a hospital corpsman with Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and Petty Offi cer 3rd Class Carlos I. Hernan-dez, a hospital corpsman with 1st Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st MLG were select-ed to receive $500 Patriots Ministry Scholarships. The scholarship was created in memory of a fallen soldier, Army medic Bryce Gautier, from Cypress, Calif., who was killed in Iraq earlier this year by an improvised explo-sive device. Gautier’s mother had funds do-nated for the purpose of awarding a scholarship to a corpsman or medic who plans on departing the military and continuing to serve in the medi-cal fi eld. Her son was a medic who


Scholarships help corpsmen continue medical career after

soldier made ultimate sacrifi ce Story by Cpl. Jacob Singsank

The Convoy Staff

Petty Offi cer 3rd Class Carlos I. Hernandez, a hospital corps-man with 1st Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, in-ventories medical equipment at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 30. Hernandez was one of two corps-men selected to receive a $500 Patriots Ministry Scholarship. The scholarship was created in memory of a fallen soldier, Army medic, Bryce Gautier.


planned to do just that when his ser-vice was completed. “I’m grateful for their offering and I’ll accept it with gratitude and in memory of their fallen son,” said Johnson, 26, from Flint, Mich. “I’ll use the scholarship money for the purpose it was intended for.” Johnson is in the process of apply-ing to the Louisville, Ky. Fire Depart-ment. He’s scheduled to start the fi re academy December 2010. He said he intends to use the scholarship to take advanced medical classes af-ter he completes the academy. Chief Petty Offi cer Ronald L. Frazier, the leading chief petty offi -cer for the CLR-17 Regimental Aid Station, 1st MLG, 37, from Laporte, Texas, said he nominated Johnson because he’s a stellar corpsman who does great work. “He is the perfect refl ection of what it is to be a great service member of the armed forces and in the medical fi eld.” Hernandez, 24, from Mariposa, Calif., has been accepted to San Diego State University and plans to use the scholarship for books and

fees in pursuit of earning a bach-elors degree in health care admin-istrations. “The scholarship is going to help me out as I depart from the military and progress with my education,” he said. Hernandez was nominated by Petty Offi cer 1st Class Crystal E. Ruff, 37, from Cleveland, the lead-ing petty offi cer with Company B, 1st Medical Bn., CLR-15, 1st MLG, because she noticed that he’s al-ways pushing to get his degree. “After working hours, I’m always seeing him with a book or doing homework,” she said. Johnson and Hernandez were chosen to receive the Patriots Ministry Scholarship by the senior medical leadership in the 1st MLG. The corpsmen are scheduled to be presented the scholarships in late December.

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Petty Offi cer 3rd Class Erik A. Johnson, a hospital corpsman with Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, searches through medical record books at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 30. Johnson was one of two corpsmen selected to receive a $500 Patriots Min-istry Scholarship. The scholarship was created in memory of a fallen soldier, Army medic Bryce Gautier, from Cypress, Calif., who was killed in Iraq this year by an improvised explosive device.


MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Most of today’s corporals here may not re-member when the buildings on base were white, when the 14 Area gym was a busy chow hall, or when the bus stop on Vandergrift Rd. was a horse-shoe-shaped, stand-in phone booth center. Maybe they don’t remember be-cause it was 1992, but one 39-year-old corporal does. Cpl. Michael L. Erskine grew up working on a farm. He knew how to drive a tractor before he learned to drive a car. The day he stepped foot in a recruiter’s offi ce, he knew what his job would be just by look-ing at a picture. With less than a year in the fl eet during a deployment in Somalia, he was assigned to a three-day opera-tion transporting a piece of heavy equipment to the Ethiopian border for the French Foreign Legion. When he didn’t return after a week, members of his platoon as-sumed he was killed in action, but Erskine returned unharmed before they were sent out to search for him. “I enlisted in the Marine Corps during a war,” said Erskine, Logis-tics Vehicle System operator, Motor Transport Platoon, Support Com-pany, 7th Engineer Support Bat-talion, 1st Marine Logistics Group. “Operation Desert Storm was going on, and I wanted to deploy.” Although he didn’t make it to Oper-ation Desert Storm, the meritorious lance corporal had three deploy-

ments under his belt less than two years after graduating boot camp in Parris Island, S.C. “We were still driving fi ve-speed- 5-tons back then,” said Erskine, 39, from Youngstown, N.Y. Five-speed-5-Tons weren’t the only things he was driving. His ag-gressive motivation may have been what drove him back overseas. “I was in Kuwait for Operation Na-tive Fury in 1994,” said Erskine, who has a spouse and four children. “It was much like a clean-up effort.” Four years in the Marine Corps wasn’t long enough for Erskine, who spent the majority of his enlist-ment deployed. “At the end of my enlistment, I tried to stay in,” said Erskine. “At the time they were cutting the num-ber of members down, and my [military occupational specialty] was closed, along with four others I tried to get into.” He then decided to get out of the Marine Corps as a corporal if there wasn’t a job available he was inter-ested in, he said. “It would have been benefi cial to the Marine Corps if they let him stay in,” said Gunnery Sgt. Samuel Rios-minera, motor transport operations chief, Motor Transport Platoon, Support Co., 7th ESB, 1st MLG. “He’s defi nitely an asset to the [ca-reer fi eld].” Erskine took on the same job once he was discharged from the service. “I like working with my hands, so I went back to construction and driv-ing tractor trailers when I got out,” said Erskine, a Native American, who drives a Harley-Davidson. “I

did it for twelve years.” Every job he had was better than his last, but Erskine said he was never happy. “Every time I would see a military commercial, I would think about when I was in,” said Erskine. “I missed the Marine Corps.” Again, Erskine decided to join the Marine Corps during a time of war, more than a decade after the end of his fi rst duty assignment. Erskine explained that he was ea-ger to get back to the Marine Corps

even though he would be a 37-year-old corporal in the same unit he left 12 years earlier. To his surprise, the wealth of knowledge he obtained as a civil-ian worked to his advantage in the military. “When I arrived at the unit, I no-ticed the Marines weren’t using him to his potential,” said Riosminera, 37, from Compton, Calif. “They may have been intimidated by his age.

Story by Sgt. Whitney FrasierThe Convoy Staff

‘Uncle Mike’ meets Uncle Sam:


Photo by Sgt. Whitney Frasier

Cpl. Michael L. Erskine, a Logistics Vehicle System operator, Motor Transport Platoon, Support Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1992. Erskine, 39, Youngstown, N.Y., got out of the military in 1996, but his dream to live the life of a Marine didn’t fade. In 2008, Erskine began his second tour and expects to stay in service until retirement somewhere around 2020.

Take two

See ERSKINE, PAGE 4

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghani-stan – The 8th Engineer Support Battalion, a subordinate command of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, was scheduled to deploy to Iraq’s al Anbar province in early 2009. The engineer unit from Camp Lejeune, N.C., steadily trained for more than three months in prepa-ration for its return to al Anbar. That changed in early February when Lt. Col. William Truax, the battalion’s commanding offi cer, received word that his Marines

were headed to Afghanistan. He learned of the decision while his Marines were on their predeployment leave. “I expected it,” said Truax, who served in Afghanistan two years ago with the International Secu-rity Assistance Force’s Regional Command Capital. “The com-mandant [Gen. James T. Con-way] visited us while I was there and told us Afghanistan was where we needed to be, not Iraq.” This expectation is the reason why Truax implemented con-tingency measures for training. These measures went into effect as soon as the Marines returned from leave. The battalion deployed throughout the following months. Truax’s Marines were forced to hit the ground running upon their arrival in Helmand province due to the fact that there was little in-frastructure waiting for them or

the many Marines who followed. Throughout the next seven months, the unit helped pave the way for follow-on forces by set-ting up bridges throughout the area of operations and reinforcing and winterizing combat outposts. “We expected to do a little bit of everything,” Truax said. “That’s exactly what we ended up doing.” Truax said his contingency plan worked out well. Part of that plan was to lay the foundation for the fol-low-on unit’s success. “It was the best of times - it was the worst of times,” said Truax, of the seven-month deployment. “But my goal for my Marines was to tee up the ball so [the Marines of 7th ESB] could kick it through the uprights.” Lt. Col. Phillip Frietze, com-manding offi cer of 7th ESB, re-sponded by stating he’s ready to continue his predecessor’s pace. “It’s time to get to work,” he said.

Lt. Col. Phillip Frietze, command-ing offi cer, 7th Engineer Sup-port Battalion, unfurls his bat-talion colors during a transfer of authority ceremony, Nov. 23. Seventh ESB took control of 8th ESB’s battle space, Afghanistan.

Engineer Marines overcome ad-versity in Afghan deploymentStory by Sgt. Aaron Rooks

Photo by Sgt. Aaron Rooks


Marines, OHF, Walmart give back to troops

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – When the economy suffers it affects everyone and can really take a toll on this year’s holiday spirit. But Marines, Operation Homefront and Walmart teamed up and threw on their elf hats to spread the holiday cheer. About 25 Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group and Marine Headquarters Group volunteered at a toy shop in Oceanside, Calif. to assist Operation Homefront and Walmart employees distribute 10,000 toys to military families, Dec. 4. “The economy is down right now and it is affecting service members, too,” said Lance Cpl. Ishmael G. Gonzalez, information systems specialist, Alpha Platoon, Communications Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st MLG. “Volunteering is the least I can do; they are helping me give toys to my little girl.” The volunteers took on responsibilities to be personal shoppers, gift stockers, parking advisors and more to ensure the parents’ shopping experience was enjoyable. “It feels good to hand these gifts out and volunteer because you know kids are going to have gifts for Christmas,” said Cpl. Carlos Salinas, military police, 3rd Platoon, Military Police Co.,

Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 17 and Marine Headquarters Group hand-out toys donated to Operation Homefront by Walmart. The Marines acted as toy stockers, personal elf shoppers and more during the Operation Homefront toy event for families of deployed military members in Oceanside, Calif., Dec. 4.

CLR-17, 1st MLG. “It takes stress off parents and gives them something to look forward to for the holidays,” said Salinas, 24, Edinburg, Texas. The toy shop was geared toward family members of those who are deployed, about to deploy or have recently returned from a deployment, said Tricia De La Paz, the vice president of operations, Southern California Chapter, Operation Homefront. “Parents were allotted three toys per child,” said

De La Paz, 30, Corona, Calif. “They choose from two small toys and one large toy, plus each child receives a book.” The toys ranged from Barbies to DVD players, with a maximum value of almost $40. “Walmart has a history of supporting the troops,” said Ryan Brandenburg, store manager of the Walmart Supercenter on College Blvd. “Through ‘Walmart Gives Back,’ we are recognizing the sacrifi ces our service men and women


Story by Sgt. Whitney FrasierThe Convoy Staff

are making.” At the end of the day, Walmart contributed $1.1 million worth of toys to Operation Homefront for six separate toy shops nationwide. The locations of the toy shops were determined by the military installations that had the largest deployment schedule. Camp Pendleton was the only Marine Corps base this year, said De La Paz. “I am extremely happy [Walmart and Operation Homefront] were able to

use their assets and reach out to the members that are about to deploy,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan D. Morris, data chief, Bravo Platoon, Comm. Co., CLR-17, 1st MLG. “Some people are in that unfortunate situation to not be able to get their kids anything, so it’s really helpful that they can come in here and get a few things for them. It’s really appreciated,” said Morris, 27, Menifee, Calif. Operation Homefront use their assets to reach out to deployed military and their family members. Now CLR-17 plans to use its assets to reach back. That means more volunteer opportunities for the Marines. “It’s important our Marines volunteered for this event because they are taking the time and donating toys to help out our deployed military families,” said First Sgt. Leveta S. Smith, company fi rst sergeant, Headquarters Company, CLR-17, 1st MLG. “There are a lot more events coming up and we will be here to participate because they are providing support to our Marines,” said Smith, 39, Louisburg, N.C. Although this particular event is completed this year, Operation Homefront is a year-round program that assists with more than just toys for the holidays. For more information on future events and registrations, visit their website at www.operationhomefront.net [email protected]

Now he is in charge of the section.” Transitioning from civilian to military life was not diffi -cult for him. “The transition was simple for me,” said Erskine, “It feels like I never left.” Although the change may have been easy for him, strange looks and respons-es remind him everyday of his lost time in the service. Most of his peers from his prior service are now senior leaders, and Erskine said he receives mixed reactions

from rank and age difference “A lot of people ask me if I was [demoted] or how does it feel to have to answer to sergeants that are younger in age,” said Erskine. “I am glad I came back in as a corporal because I can in-fl uence the Marines.” Many staff noncommis-sioned offi cers’ duties re-quire them to spend a lot of time behind a desk or in an offi ce somewhere, but Ers-kine believes senior leader-ship is being wasted when it’s not spent on the troops. “I have a lot of experience and patience that I didn’t have before,” said Erskine. “Now, I can teach junior Ma-

rines better because I am more knowledgeable than I used to be.” A certain degree of re-spect exists between ‘Uncle Mike,’ his nickname, and his junior Marines. “There’s nothing you can’t ask him he won’t have the answer to,” said Lance Cpl. Christopher N. Petersen, motor vehicle operator, Mo-tor Transport Platoon, Sup-port Co., 7th ESB, 1st MLG. “I look up to him and a lot of other people do, too.” Infl uence and mentoring Marines is only part of what Erskine wants to accomplish while in the Marine Corps. “I am going to apply to be

a warrant offi cer when I am eligible,” said Erskine. His diligence will increase his chances of success of becoming a warrant offi cer. “He’s a mature individual,” said Riosminera. “His work ethic goes above and be-yond. I think he will be an effective warrant offi cer.” Most career Marines will retire at the age Cpl. Ers-kine is, but for him retire-ment is just an advantage of spending his life as a U.S. Marine. The real benefi t for him will be infl uencing se-nior leadership and instilling core values into one Marine at a time, he said.

[email protected]

ERSKINEContinued from Page 3


Cpl. Michael L. Erskine, is a Logistics Vehicle System operator, 7th En-gineer Support Battalion, from Youngstown, N.Y.

Photos from around the 1st Marine Logistics GroupDecember 8, 2009, Issue 32

Lance Cpl. Nicasio A. Zamora and Pfc. Danny Voravoutvongsa, both with Ground Support, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, participate in the Vista Christmas Parade, Vista, Calif., Dec. 5. The parade featured a vintage WWII airplane fl y-over that surprised the spectators. The 1st Marine Division band led the parade while playing the Marines’ Hymn and holiday music.

CLR-1 participates in Vista’s Christmas

Parade

Photo by Cpl. Robert Medina

Derrick Garland performs a stunt jump for Marines, sailors and family members dur-ing the 2009 Sprint Cup Tour, Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 2. Sprint Cup Champion Jim-mie Johnson made an appearance and gave away prizes to fans and signed autographs. The band Saving Abel also performed.

Motocross rider Rick Kearns performs a stunt jump for Marines, sailors and family mem-bers during the 2009 Sprint Cup Tour, Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 2. Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson made an appearance and gave away prizes to fans and signed autographs. The band Saving Abel also

performed.

Four-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson signs an au-tograph during the 2009 Sprint Cup Tour, Camp Pendleton, Ca-lif., Dec. 2. There was a motocross show and the band Saving Abel also performed for the Marines, sailors and family members.

2009 Sprint Cup

TourPhotos by Lance Cpl. Jerrick Griffi n

december 8, 2009 issue 32 spice

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