March 16, 2010Issue 44

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Marines take aim during shooting

competitionStory and Photos by Cpl. Jacob A. SingsankThe Convoy Staff

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Steady, aim, fire was the mind set for participants during an annual marksmanship competition. The annual Western Division Match-es consisted of more than 380 Marines, retirees and civilians competing March 8-19 here. It was marked as one of the largest turnouts in more than 20 years with an average of 10 participants per team ranking in an array of grades and time in service. Marine Corps Order 3591.2J states that the small arms marksmanship competition objectives are to enhance the marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness of the Marine Corps by stimulating interest and desire on the part of the individual Marine for self-improvement of skill and confidence with the rifle and pistol. It’s for Marines

“He’s the epitome of what living

life to the fullest meant,”

Sgt. Daniel L. McDonald, EOD technician, CLB-13.

Marines pay their respects and consol the family at the Marine Memorial Chapel here to mourn the death of a fellow comrade March 15. Sgt. Thomas A. Elliott, 24, from Horseheads, N.Y., explosive ordnance disposal technician, Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, died from injuries sustained off-duty March 9.

Marines remember fellow comrade

Story and photos by Cpl. Jacob A. SingsankThe Convoy Staff

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Family, friends and fellow service members gath-ered at the Marine Memorial Chapel here to remember a fellow comrade March 15. Sgt. Thomas A. Elliott, 24, from Horseheads, N.Y., explosive ord-nance disposal technician, Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Lo-gistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Lo-gistics Group, died from injuries sus-tained while off duty March 9. During the memorial, fellow service members spoke of Elliott’s legacy as a Marine and his qualities as a friend. “Tom was proud to be a Marine and to be doing the work that he did,” said Sgt. Daniel L. McDonald, EOD tech-nician, CLB-13. “He’s the epitome of what living life to the fullest meant.”

See COMP, Page 2 During the memorial, Marines spoke about Elliott’s unique sense of humor that he shared with everyone. “Tom was always making people laugh,” said Sgt. Thomas M. Jones, EOD technician, CLB-13. “He can make a joke at any time or situation.” Service members who worked with Elliott shared how he could lighten any situation with his ability to find

Story and Photos byCpl. Jacob A. SingsankThe Convoy Staff

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - It was a change of scenery for some service members who took a trip to San Fran-cisco with a recreational organization. Thirty Marines and sailors from vari-ous units aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. participated in a Single Marine Program trip to San Francisco March 12 -14. Individuals paid a small fee that in-cluded transportation and lodging. To-tal costs of the trip required from each service member was $40. During their stay, service members

SMP’s trip to San Fran

See SMP, Page 2

humor in any circumstance. “If everyone was having the worst day of their life, Tom would have found something to say to make light of the situation,” said Jones, 28, from Prescott, Ariz.

Jones added that Elliott was such an honest and trustworthy friend that people would let him babysit their kids or borrow their car for the week-end. “Tom was valuable to a lot of people in a lot of different ways,” said Mc-Donald, 29, from Saginaw, Mich. “Men like him are far and few be-tween.”

Marines pay respects to fellow comrade Sgt. Thomas A. Elliot.

jacob.singsank@usmc.mil

March 16, 2010, Issue 44

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SMP_____Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

COMP______

Lance Cpl. Wade M. Williams, 19, from Creston, Calif., chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear special-ist, Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regi-ment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, looks down his rifle sights and prepares to fire during the Western Division Matches March 11 here. jacob.singsank@usmc.mil

to gain and maintain a Marine Corps ability to compete and win, as teams and individuals, in interservice and national matches and to provide competitors for United States teams in international matches. Many see this event as an opportunity to further their career in the Corps. “The competition increases weapon profi-ciency in the Marine Corps,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher J. Geraci, meteorology and oceanography chief, Headquarters Co., Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. “It’s one on the most impor-tant core skills all Marines should have.” Prior to firing the first round, participants went through hours of classes refreshing skills in weapon marksmanship. Competitors used this as an opportunity to smooth out bumps in their performance. “It’s a great opportunity to participate in this competition. I get more practice with (firing) the rifle and become qualified (with) the pistol,” said Lance Cpl. Quintin L. Harrison, 21, from Altoona, Iowa, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist, Head-quarters Company, Combat Logistics Regi-ment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. “A lot of Marines forget their weapon fundamentals because they only fire (their weapon) once a year.”

Lance Cpl. Quintin L. Harrison, 21, from Altoona, Iowa, chemical, biological, radio-logical and nuclear specialist, Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regi-ment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, looks down his pistol sights and prepares to fire during the Western Division Matches March 11 here.

During the 11-day match, competitors fired more than 740 rounds down range in a vari-ety of distances and firing positions. They fired with an M9 pistol, an M16A4 service rifle and an M4 service rifle. Participants were qualified to partake in the competition as long as Marines rated a sharp-shooter badge for marksmanship and retirees and civilians had proof as marksmen with the Civilian Marksmanship Program. As the competition ended March 17, Marines were given the opportunity to participate in the rapid fire portion know as ‘table two,’ where they engage targets at a closer distance. This is a marksmanship requirement to receive an-nual qualification with the rifle. Many of the participants were vivid competi-tors with high rifle and pistol scores who work as marksmanship instructors, infantrymen, scout snipers, coaches and range operation personnel. “The competition trains Marines to effec-tively kill bad guys,” said Warrant Officer Eric G. Brayman, 39, from Milltown, Wis., officer in charge of Wilcox Range, Operations and Training, Marine Corps Base. “It hones Ma-rines’ fundamentals in marksmanship and ethos that every Marine is a rifleman because that is our success in battle.”

were able to walk the Golden Gate Bridge and tour Alcatraz prison and other world-famous landmarks. “The Single Marine program gave me the opportunity to travel for an (afford-able price),” said Lance Cpl. Claribel Dejesus, 25, from Boston, disbursing clerk, Service Company, Combat Lo-gistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logis-tics Group. For some, it was an opportunity to experience something new; for others, it was a chance to meet new friends. “During the trip, I got to meet new people and experience different ar-eas,” said Pfc. Javier B. Chavez, 18, from Bakersfield, Calif., warehouse clerk, Supply Company, 1st Supply

Battalion, Combat Logistics Regi-ment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group. “I would definitely go on the next SMP trip.” According to the SMP website, the purpose of the trips and events is to motivate single Marines. Let them know that they have a supportive com-mand and the Marine Corps Commu-nity Services staff. “It tremendously affects morale, be-cause it allows service members to get out of the barracks and gives them fun activities to partake in,” said Ed-die L. Hadley, 42, from Lakeland, Fla., SMP manager, 21 Area. For future trips or activities, contact your local Single Marine Program or visit their website at http://www.mcc-scp.com/home/recreation/SMP.aspx

jacob.singsank@usmc.mil

Lance Cpl. Claribel DeJesus, 25, from Boston, dispursing clerk, Service Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Lo-gistics Group, looks off of the Golden Gate Bridge during the Single Marine Program trip to San Fransico March 13.

March 16, 2010, Issue 44

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Check the following sites for updates:- victorythroughlogistics.vox.com-fl ickr.com/photos/victorythroughlogistics-dvidshub.net/units/I-MLG-myspace.com/1stmlg-youtube.com/user/1stmlg-facebook: Group name “1st Marine Logistics Group”

Public Affairs Offi cer...............................2nd Lt. Jeremy D. McLeanDeputy PAO.............................................2nd Lt. Rebecca A. BurgessPress chief............................................Staff Sgt. Matthew P. ShelatoEditor....................................................Staff Sgt. Jennifer D. BroferReporter.........................................................Sgt. Whitney N. FrasierEditor..........................................................Cpl. Shannon E. McmillanReporter............................................................Cpl. Robert C. MedinaReporter........................................................Cpl. Jacob A. SingsankReporter..................................................Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffi nReporter..................................................Lance Cpl. Khoa N. Pelczar

For more information, please contact the 1st MLG Public Affairs Offi ce at (760) 763-7795.

Visit the 1st Marine Logistics Group The Convoy Staff

Happenings

2010 Battle Color Ceremony

The 2010 Battle Color Cer-emony is Mach 19 at Camp Pendleton. There are two performances: 10:30 a.m. at the School of Infantry (52 Area), and 3:30 p.m. at the 11 Area football fi eld in Mainside. Ceremony in-cludes performances from the Commandant’s Own Drum and Bugle Corps and the Silent Drill Platoon. This event is free of charge and open to the public. Call the base information line at (760) 725-9045 or toll-free at (866) 430-2764 for details.

Spring Career and Education Fair

Attend the annual Spring Ca-reer and Education Fair at the South Mesa Club March 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Recycle your electronicsAttention to all: the base is scheduled to hold a free Electonics Recycling Event at the 22 Area Recycle Cen-ter, bldg 22054, April 17 from 8 a.m. till 1:30 p.m.

The Base TheaterMon-Tues - CLOSED Wednesday - Legion (R) 6:30 p.m.Thursday - Edge of Dark-ness (R) 6:30 p.m.Friday - From Paris with Love (R) 6:30 p.m.The Book of Eli (R) 9 p.m.Saturday - The Spy Next Door (PG) 4 p.m.Tooth Fairy (PG) 6:20 p.m.Dear John (PG-13) 9 p.m.Sunday - !!Free Movies!!Twilight Saga: New Moon (PG-13) 1 p.m.The Princess and the Frog (G) 4 p.m.Couples Retreat (PG-13) 6:30 p.m.

Story by Rajiv ChandrasekaranWashington Post Staff Writer

DELARAM, AFGHANISTAN -- Home to a dozen truck stops and a few hundred family farms bounded by miles of fore-boding desert, this hamlet in southwest-ern Afghanistan is far from a strategic priority for senior offi cers at the inter-national military headquarters in Kabul. One calls Delaram, a day’s drive from the nearest city, “the end of the Earth.” Another deems the area “unrelated to our core mission” of defeating the Tal-iban by protecting Afghans in their cities and towns. U.S. Marine commanders have a dif-ferent view of the dusty, desolate land-scape that surrounds Delaram. They see controlling this corner of remote Nimruz province as essential to promoting eco-nomic development and defending the more populated parts of southern Af-ghanistan. The Marines are constructing a vast base on the outskirts of town that will have two airstrips, an advanced combat hospital, a post offi ce, a large conve-nience store and rows of housing trailers stretching as far as the eye can see. By this summer, more than 3,000 Marines -- one-tenth of the additional troops autho-rized by President Obama in December -- will be based here. With Obama’s July 2011 deadline to begin reducing U.S. forces looming over the horizon, the Marines have opted to wage the war in their own way. “If we’re going to succeed here, we have to experiment and take risks,” said Brig. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the top Marine commander in Afghanistan. “Just doing what everyone else is doing isn’t going to cut it.” The Marines are pushing into previ-ously ignored Taliban enclaves. They have set up a fi rst-of-its-kind school to train police offi cers. They have brought in a Muslim chaplain to pray with local mullahs and deployed teams of female Marines to reach out to Afghan women. The Marine approach -- creative, ag-gressive and, at times, unorthodox -- has won many admirers within the military. The Marine emphasis on patrolling by

Breaking News from Afghanistan

foot and interacting with the population, which has helped to turn former insur-gent strongholds along the Helmand River valley into reasonably stable communities with thriving bazaars and functioning schools, is hailed as a model of how U.S. forces should implement counterinsurgency strategy. But the Marines’ methods, and their insistence that they be given a degree of autonomy not afforded to U.S. Army units, also have riled many up the chain of command in Kabul and Washington, prompting some to refer to their area of operations in the south as “Marineistan.” They regard the expansion in Delaram and beyond as contrary to the popula-tion-centric approach embraced by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, and they are seeking to impose more control over the Marines. The U.S. ambassador in Kabul, Karl W. Eikenberry, recently noted that the inter-national security force in Afghanistan feels as if it comprises 42 nations instead of 41 because the Marines act so inde-pendently from other U.S. forces. “We have better operational coherence with virtually all of our NATO allies than

we have with the U.S. Marine Corps,” said a senior Obama administration of-fi cial involved in Afghanistan policy. Some senior offi cials at the White House, at the Pentagon and in McChrys-tal’s headquarters would rather have many of the 20,000 Marines who will be in Afghanistan by summer deploy around Kandahar, the country’s second-largest city, to assist in a U.S. campaign to wrest the area from Taliban control instead of concentrating in neighboring Helmand province and points west. Ac-cording to an analysis conducted by the National Security Council, fewer than 1 percent of the country’s population lives in the Marine area of operations. They question whether a large opera-tion that began last month to fl ush the Taliban out of Marja, a poor farming community in central Helmand, is the best use of Marine resources. Although it has unfolded with fewer than expected casualties and helped to generate a per-ception of momentum in the U.S.-led military campaign, the mission probably will tie up two Marine battalions and hundreds of Afghan security forces until the summer.

At Afghan outpost: Marines leading the fi ght

Capt. Stephan P. Karabin II, left, with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, meets with British soldiers with Alpha Squadron, Cavalry Regiment; local Afghan leaders and Afghan National Policeman near Marjah, Afghanistan, Fe. 21. Their units are working to improve se-curity and stability in Helmand province. (Photo by Cpl. Albert F. Hunt, Regimental Combat Team 7)

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Photos from the 1st Marine Logistics GroupMarch 16, 2010, Issue 44

An award ceremony was held March 12 at the 1st Marine Logistics Group Headquarters building to honor the Ma-rines and sailors of the Year as well as the quarter for 1st MLG. Along with their certificates, the service members re-ceived a knife presented by Retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Art Leedale, operations manager for Freedom Furniture and Electronics. Both Marines and sailors, who were de-ployed, had a representative to accept their award for them during the ceremony. The Marine of the Year award went to Lance Cpl. John J. Carr; Jr. Sailor of the Year went to Petty Officer Second Class Sarah M. Bremmer; Sr. Sailor of the year went to Petty Officer First Class Trinidad A. Alva-renga; Blue Jacket of the Year went to Seaman Kemen W. Horne; Noncommissioned officer of the Year went to Sgt. Lasia J. Brown. (Photo by Cpl. Robert C. Medina)

Lance Cpl. Angela M. Kouraimi, 21, from Detriot, food service spe-cialist, Service Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Ma-rine Logistics Group, looks at the Lt. Gen. Lewis ‘Chesty’ Puller’s display at the Marine Memorial Hospital during the Single Marine Program trip to San Francisco March 14.

Lance Cpl. Wade M. Williams, 19, from Creston, Calif., chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist, Headquarters Company, Combat Logis-tics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, looks through his rifle combat optics and prepares to fire during the Western Division Matches March 11 here. (Photo by Cpl. Jacob Singsank)

Marines and sailors of the year

Marines pay their respects and consol the family at the Ma-rine Memorial Chapel here to mourn the death of a fellow comrade March 15. Sgt. Thomas A. Elliott, 24, from Horseh-eads, N.Y., explosive ordnance disposal technician, Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, died from injuries sustained from off duty March 9. (Photo by Cpl. Jacob Singsank)