Training at Fort Sill

>Rolling onto the field with the 6th 

Motor Transportation Battalion.

Inside:

> Paying final respects to the 27th comman- dant of the Marine Corps

> Learn about the lastest advances in ear 

protection

2/25 HITS THE GROUND 

> Their arrival at Korean Village

> New Chow Hall Manager spices things up

> Humanitarian efforts while on patrol

OCT/NOV/DEC 2008 
The Continental Marine Magazine is an official publication 

of the Department of Defense. Contents of the magazine are 

not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U. S. 

government, the DoD, or the Marine Forces Reserve Public 

Affairs Office. The editorial content of this publication is the 

responsibility of the MFR Public Affairs Office. Opinions 

expressed are not considered an official expression of the 

DoD or the United States Marine Corps. Any questions can 

be directed to: Marine Forces Reserve Public Affairs Office, 

4400 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70146, or by telephone 

at (504) 678-4289.

I

t seems as though this quarter has flown by in the blink of 

an eye!

 Another year has come and gone. As we look forward to 

the upcoming year, we look back and remember what made 

this year special.

 There have been some changes in our office, as the previous 

editor Staff Sgt. G. S. Thomas goes on to Marine Corps 

Recruiting Command. We also bid farewell to Cpl. Frans E. 

Labranche and anticipate greeting him as he returns to us on 

reserve duty. 

 We also pay our respects to Gen. Robert H. Barrow, 

who passed away on Nov. 3. Gen. Barrow was the 27th 

Commandant of the Marine Corps.

 Capt. Greenberg takes you up close and personal with the 

Marines of 2nd Battalion, 25 Marine Regiment, as they get 

their boots dirty in the sandbox. We have stories of their first 

experiences in Iraq. 

 Some of our reservists around the country have been 

accomplishing amazing feats. In this edition we bring you 

stories from Marines who have won various awards, both 

military and civillian.

 We also review a techonological advance for the Marines 

serving with the Marine Air Wings. The Navy and Marine 

Corps has been developing a new hearing protection device 

that is looking to be implemented by 2012. 

 I hope you enjoy this edition of your magazine.

Semper Fi,

Lance Cpl. Michael Laycock

Editor, Continental Marine Magazine

Marines with Direct Support Motor Transportation Company B, 6th Motor 

T. Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, based out of Lubbock, Texas, 

received extensive training on crew-served weapons like the M2 .50 caliber 

machine gun, the M240G Medium Machine Gun and the M249 Squad 

Automatic Weapon, during their training weekend at Ft. Sill, Ok. Official 

photo by Cpl. Johnathan D. Herring.

Public Affairs Office

Commander, Marine Forces Reserve

Lt. Gen. Jack Bergman

Sargeant Major, Marine Forces Reserve

Sgt. Maj. Kim E. Davis

Director

Lt. Col. Francis Piccoli

Deputy D irector

Mr. Allen Foucha

Media Officer

Capt. Nate Braden

Public Affairs Chief

Gunnery Sgt. J. J. Connolly

Media Chief/Combat Correspondent

Cpl. Johnathan D. Herring

Editor/Combat Correspondent

Lance Cpl Michael Laycock

Broadcast/Combat Correspondent

Lance Cpl. Mary A. Staes

Featured Contributor

Gunnery Sgt. Julia Watson

Marine Forces Reserve

The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008

Training at Fort Sill

>Rolling onto the field with 

the 6th Motor Transportation 

Battalion.

Inside:

> Paying final respects to the 27th com- mandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert 

Barrow

> Learn about the lastest advances in ear 

protection

2/25 HITS THE GROUND 

> Their arrival at Korean Village

> A new commander takes charge

> Humanitarian efforts while on patrol

OCT/NOV/DEC 2008 
The “President’s Own” 

United States Marine Band 

accompanies the funeral 

proccession of Gen. Robert 

Barrow, in St. Francisville, La. 

November 3. 

Columns

In Brief..........................................4

Taking a look at the accomplishments of MFR’s Marines.

Marine Forces Reserve Band..........7

Take a look at some of the engagements the band has performed 

over the past few months.

Marines in the Fight .................... 14

Highlights of MFR Marines taking the fight to the enemy across 

the globe.

Money Matters................................30

Foreclosures

è8

8

Marine Corps honors 27th

Commandant

The Marine Corps bids a final goodbye to the 27th 

Commandant Gen. Robert Barrow.

Features

12Service members volunteer for local

KaBOOM! project

Marines, sailors and other volunteers come together to 

build a playground 14Reserve Marines settle in

Korean Village

Follow 2/25 as they set down and get ready for 

missions in Iraq.

16Surgeon Takes the Reins on

Economic Development in Rural

Iraq

“Doc” takes care of community outside of surgery 17Marines Reach Out to SmallTown Kids

Local children see the softer side of the Marine 

Corps

18Harlem Cop Trades Plain Clothes 

for Marine Corps Cammies

From the streets of New York to the desert of Iraq. 20Reserve MP spices up life for

Marines

One lance cpl.’s civilian experience benefits the 

entire unit when it comes to chow.

21New York’s 2/25 attacks Shadow

Range

The Marines were the first to train at the new training 

facility known as Shadow Range.

10Composer chosen for Katrina

Piece

The Marine Forces Reserve Band has chosen its 

composer to help with a piece of music. 

246th Motor T Bn. trains at Ft. Sill

The Marines made the drive from their home base 

in Lubbock, Texas, and right away got into classes 

on the M249 , the M240G and the M2 .50 caliber. 

25National Shooting Record Set

(Twice?)

Imagine setting the national shooting record, only to 

have to re-shoot it. 263/14, Inspector and Instructor

receives Bronze Star

New Jersey Marine recieves Bronze Star upon 

return from Iraq.

29MLG exercise preparation for 28 ‘Javelin Thrust’

4th MAW Marines start receiving

new hearing protection

New steps are being taken to protect the hearing of the 

aviation Marines.

Master Sgt. Michael Retana

www.mfr.usmc.mil 
Marines and Sailors attend safety stand-down

Marines from Marine Forces Reserve participated in a safety stand-down Nov. 13 focusing on suicide prevention 

and traffic safety.

The traffic safety portion of the stand down was taught by Steve Veray, a comedian as well as a safety instructor. 

Veray used comedy and games to teach the class of Marines and Sailors important points about preventing drunk 

driving, being distracted behind the wheel, speeding and insurance guidance. 

The safety stand down was in preparation of the upcoming holiday season.

3/14 Marine is USO Service Member of the Year

For the second year in a row, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment has a reserve Marine that was honored as the 

United Service Organization Service Member of the Year.

Sgt. George Bolton, a cannoneer in his Marine life and a social worker in his civilian life, was honored at the Liberty 

USO gala in Cherry Hill, N.J. Oct. 3.

“In my mind, Sgt. Bolton epitomizes everything a citizen Marine 

should be,” said Maj. Artur Czapka, Bolton’s commanding officer. “He 

juggles two careers with an unwavering work ethic and that deserves 

recognition.”

Bolton said that the award was an unexpected delight.

“It was a shock when I heard,” said Bolton, a resident of Reading, Pa. 

“Volunteering is just something that people should do and feel good 

about, but it is still nice to be recognized for it.”

Bolton certainly knows about helping people. When he is not acting 

as a section chief for his unit, Bolton is a social worker that works with 

autistic children.

“Helping in any way is always a positive experience,” Bolton said.

Czapka didn’t think twice about nominating Bolton out of the more 

than 500 Marines in his command.

“Sgt. Bolton is a great Marine and a great worker,” Czapka said. “He 

fulfills a vital leadership role and not a day goes by that he does not deal 

with a military issue.”

Bolton does not take the honor lightly.

Crescent City Toys for Tots campaign kicks off 

Marine Forces Reserve Headquarters and Toys “Я” Us kicked off the 2008 Toys for Tots campaign at a local store in 

New Orleans, Nov. 6. 

This marks the 61st year of the campaign with the goal to bring a message of hope to less fortunate children. 

More than 20 million toys and books are given every year to motivate America’s children to grow into responsible, 

productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. 

According to figures posted on www.toysrus.com, in 2007, Toys“R”Us, Inc. raised over $3 million and collected 

nearly 600,000 toys to help Toys for Tots provide more than 16 million toys to 7.5 million children across the United 

States.

Since the beginning of the partnership with the Toys for Tots Foundation in 2004, Toys“R”Us, Inc. has raised over 

$13.5 million and collected more than 1.2 million toys.

Marines experience arctic survival, 

help local community 

Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost point in North America, 

was the location of the Company D, Antiterrorism Battalion 

4th Marine Division arctic survival training. During their most 

recent trip to Barrow Sept. 22-Oct. 3, 14 members of company 

D tackled several community service projects before taking on 

their arctic training. The Marines repaired sections of fencing 

surrounding the town cemetery and completed an outdoor 

deck outside the city community center. The Marines also 

temporarily converted a basketball court into a skate rink for 

the winter season.

 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008

Brief In

Taking a look at 

MFR Marines’ 

accomplishments.

 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
Responsibility on the 

roadways

April Phillips, 

Naval Safety Center Public Affairs

It’s a safe bet that very few young Sailors and Marines 

start out an evening of fun with the plan to drive home 

drunk. Yet, every year, several of them wind up in jail 

cells, sleeping it off and watching helplessly as their 

once-bright futures slip away in the aftermath. And that’s 

just the lucky ones who got caught. Others never get the 

chance to learn from this mistake and instead become tragic 

statistics. Unfortunately, the number of drunken driving 

arrests and traffic fatalities increases every year during the 

holiday season. 

“We see DUIs on an almost daily basis,” said Dan Dray, 

a traffic safety specialist at the Naval Safety Center (NSC). 

“With the extra time off work, Christmas and New Years is 

a time when we really want to remind and encourage folks 

to drink responsibly.”

It’s important to plan for a safe ride home before taking 

the first sip of alcohol. The best of intentions can fall apart 

as alcohol impairs judgment.

“Young Sailors and Marines may go out with the 

intention of having a designated driver, but because of 

peer pressure, the designated driver gets drunk too,” said 

NSC’s command master chief, CMDCM(AW/SW) Charles 

Blanks. 

“If you’re going to be the designated driver, then do your 

job. Don’t drink,” he added.

Young service members are at increased risk for driving 

impaired. Many are away from home for the first time. 

Nonetheless, personal responsibility is key and Sailors and 

Marines will be held accountable, regardless of their ages. 

That’s why it’s important to look out for one another.

“Make your plan before you go out drinking, whether 

it’s a sober shipmate, one of the Safe Ride programs, or a 

taxi,” Dray said.

The safe ride programs he mentioned are usually 

sponsored by a command’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation 

department. They involve “no questions asked” taxi rides 

back to the ship. Dray said there is no punishment for 

using the service, although Sailors will be asked to pay the 

bill later. However, even a large taxi bill is a lot cheaper 

than the fines, lawyer bills, community service, and career 

damage that come with a DUI charge.o

Courtesty of Navy Safety Center Public Affairs

Courtesty of Navy Safety Center Public Affairs

www.mfr.usmc.mil 
Marines deliver holiday 

cheer to remote areas

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Stephen Lee

3rd Wing Public Affairs 

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – As part 

of the “Toys for Tots” program, Marines from Company 

D, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Division departed 

Elmendorf, to deliver holiday cheer to 13 remote Alaskan 

villages. 

 This marks the 13th year the Marine Reserve unit has 

made the trek into the Alaskan wilderness. Their mission: 

to put smiles on the hundreds of children who anxiously 

await the arrival of Santa Claus- who for this trip-has 

traded his sled and reindeer for a Marine C-130 Hercules 

and a team of snowmachines. 

 To prepare the unit for these trips, two Marine 

instructors from the Mountain Warfare Training Center in 

Bridgeport, California came to Alaska to conduct intensive 

winter survival training, ensuring Co. D Marines had the 

skills needed to conduct the remote deliveries safely. 

 “From a training aspect, this trip into remote Alaska 

gives the Marines an excellent opportunity to put their 

winter-survival skills to the test, allowing them to gain 

confidence in themselves and the use of their equipment,” 

said Maj. William Allen, Company D Site Commanding 

Officer. 

 Gunnery Sgt. Jason Milbery, the 2008 program 

coordinator, lists his involvement with the program as one 

of the top five experiences of his entire Marine career, 

but at the same time describes the preparation for the 

remote deliveries as the most hectic six weeks he has ever 

experienced. 

“Manpower has been a particular challenge this year,” 

he said. “Figuring out the most efficient way to accomplish 

toy pickups with available personnel required detailed 

planning.” 

 Leader for the McGrath insertion team, 1st Sgt. Marvin 

Magcale, said he expects the 82-mile snowmachine trip 

from McGrath to Nikolai to put their winter-survival 

skills to the test, especially as they experience subzero 

temperatures. He added that we get a deep sense of 

accomplishment after completing such a trip. 

“The kids in the villages have everything they need to 

survive but when we, someone from outside the village, 

show up and start handing out toys to the kids, you can see 

the appreciation in their smiling faces,” said First Sergeant 

Magcale. 

 After the toys are distributed, the Marines get to spend 

time with the children participating in games and other 

activities. Magcale said he really enjoys getting to know the 

kids and uses the time with them to provide mentorship and 

guidance. 

 Lance Cpl. Gregory Bell offered testament to the 

generosity of Alaskans. While working one of the donation 

events, an individual approached him and remarked that 

“when he was a child, if it weren’t for Toys for Tots, he 

would not have had any toys at Christmas.” He said that 

now as an adult with a good job, he wanted to give back to 

the program. To Bell’s amazement, the individual presented 

him with a $500 cash donation. 

 The monumental efforts of the Marine Corps coupled 

with the generosity of the people here has provided the 

Toys for Tots program the ability to reach as many Alaskan 

children as possible. As Bell puts it, “Every kid deserves a 

Christmas.”o

Sgt. Hollis Versyp, Inspector Instructor Staff Co. 

D, Anti-Terrorism Battalion 4th Marine Division, 

drives a snowmachine onto a Marine C-130 

Hercules Dec. 12. The snowmachines were the 

mode of transportation for Sergeant Versyp 

and fellow Marines while they delivered toys to 

children in remote villages.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia

 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
Marine Forces Reserve Band

&

Gunnery Sgt. J.J. Connolly, Jr.

Marine Forces Reserve

The Marine Forces Reserve band completed its third annual concert series in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve 

Toys for Tots program with a rousing performance Dec. 12, in suburban Westwego, La. 

The holiday program featured the concert band in 

addition to nearly every small-ensemble within the unit, 

and was the culmination of a two-week-long “Santa 

Meets Sousa” tour that included eight performances in 

Texas and Louisiana, and collected more than 5,000 

toys. 

Teamwork by the band, receptive audiences and prior 

planning all contributed to the overall success of the 

tour, according to flutist Cpl. Sarah Gilman. 

“The audiences were much bigger, there were a lot more 

toys... it’s been much easier on us this year,” explained 

the native of Colorado Springs, Colo. “Our Marines 

stepped it up...after all that practice it all comes together 

smoothly as long as we get our own personal parts done.” 

The 90-minute-long concert was a choreographed mix of music, 

video and live performances that blended traditional classics and 

current favorites with sketch comedy. This unconventional approach 

added an extra dimension to the already challenging tour, but one that 

Marine leaders feel gave their troops a chance to shine.

 “Acting was never in any brochure we ever saw when we were 

getting recruited,” explained Staff Sgt. Seth Gehman, a percussionist, 

and the band’s public affairs officer. “A lot of the younger Marines are 

stepping up and doing things above and beyond what anyone would 

ever ask of them.” 

Each year the musicians of the band travel throughout the United 

States, performing more than 250 concerts, parades, and ceremonies 

and entertaining more than 6 million people. The band is composed of 

a ceremonial and concert band, jazz combo, and brass and woodwind 

quintets. 

“Personally, I think this is this best thing I get to do as a Marine 

musician, bring toys to the children who don’t have any,” added 

Gilman. “That’s probably the highlight of my Marine career so far.”o

www.mfr.usmc.mil 
Cpl. Frans E. Labranche

Marine Forces Reserve

Hundreds of people huddled beneath massive oak trees 

next to Grace Episcopal Church Nov. 3, to pay their last 

respects to Gen. Robert H. Barrow, 27th Commandant of 

the Marine Corps. 

“Gen. Barrow really focused on 

people; he believed that it wasn’t 

so important how many people 

became Marines, but their 

quality,” said Lt. Gen. Jack 

Bergman, commander of 

Marine Forces Reserve. 

“He knew that the 

quality of his Marines 

would help overcome 

the challenges facing 

the Corps.”

Another

Marine at the

ceremony 

said 

Barrow’s 

belief and 

dedication to 

the Corps may only have been rivaled by the Marines’ 

determination to honor him one last time. 

“He deserves everything we can do for him,” said 

Gunnery Sgt. William Dixon, Marine Corps funeral director. 

“It’s nothing for us to dedicate this time and work to a 

man that worked for more than forty years for the Marine 

Corps.”

Barrow’s family, who has been a part of the St. 

Francisville community even before the Civil War, is well 

known throughout the town. Many residents also consider 

him somewhat of a legend.

“I think that it’s really inspiring to know that an 

American hero lives in your town,” said Dorothy 

Hammond, a neighbor and local shop owner. “Even in his 

death, Gen. Barrow has brought something beautiful (the 

ceremony) to this sleepy town.”

Gen. James Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, 

and Gen. Carl Mundy, former commandant of the Marine 

Corps from 1991-1995, participated in the ceremony by 

delivering the eulogy and presenting the burial colors to 

Barrow’s next of kin.

 According to an article published in the Advocate (La.) 

newspaper, Conway praised Barrow for his many initiatives 

ranging from recruiting to training.

“He did a lot to enhance our war-fighting capability, and 

on a strategic level, moved the Corps into the Joint Chiefs 

of Staff. He was a powerful kind of statesman,” Conway 

was quoted as saying.

Conway added “Our country is a safer place and the U.S. 

Marine Corps a better institution because of Gen. Robert H. 

Barrow.” 

Barrow, who died in his sleep Oct. 30, joined the Marine 

Corps in 1942 and was commissioned in 1943, after which 

Marine Corps honors 

Lance Cpl. Mary Ann Staes

Body bearers from Marine Barracks Washington 

loaded the coffin of Gen. Robert H. Barrow into a 

hearse for a procession to funeral services via his 

home in St. Francisville, La. 

The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008 
27th Commandant

he deployed to the Far East with the 51st Replacement 

Battalion out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Shortly thereafter, Barrow received the Bronze Star 

for serving in Japanese-occupied central China. In June 

1949, he assumed command of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine 

Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

Barrow led Marines ashore at Inchon in September 1950. 

He received the Silver Star after fighting in Seoul, Korea, 

and the Navy Cross for actions during the Chosin Reservoir 

Campaign in December 1950.

In the early 1950’s, Barrow was assigned to a thenclassified position in the Far East on an island chain north 

of Taiwan. Then, in 1968 after serving in several overseas 

billets, Barrow took command of 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd 

Marine Division, in South Vietnam. In 1969, he received 

the Army Distinguished Service Cross for his valor 

during Operation Dewey Canyon. Later that year, he was 

promoted to brigadier general and took command of Camp 

Butler, Okinawa, Japan.

During his tenure as commanding general of Marine 

Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., Barrow began 

a crusade to improve the quality of Marines being 

recruited into the Corps. He was selected as the assistant 

commandant of the Marine Corps in 1978.

In 1979, Congress confirmed Barrow as the commandant 

of the Marine Corps. He was the first Marine to serve a 

regular four-year tour as a full member of the Joint Chiefs 

of Staff. He continued his leadership in personnel reform, 

believing that a better quality of recruit led to an increase in 

performance and retention in an all-volunteer service.

Barrow retired in the summer of 1983 and served on the 

President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and the 

Packard Commission from his home in St. Francisville, La.

Barrow’s personal decorations include the Navy 

Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, Defense 

Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service 

Medal, Silver Star Medal, three Legions of Merit, Bronze 

Star Medal with Combat V and gold star in lieu of a second 

award, and the Combat Action Ribbon. o

Master Sgt Michael Retana

Officers hold the flags before presenting them 

to the family of Gen. Robert Barrow, during his 

Funeral on November 3. Gen. Barrow, the 27th 

Commandant of the Marine Corps, passed away in 

his sleep on Oct. 30. 

Marine Corps Barracks Washington ceremonial 

marchers step into place in front of Grace 

Episcopal church in St. Francisville, La., before 

the funeral services for Gen. Robert H. Barrow, 

27th Commandant of the Marine Corps. More than 

200 Marines were brought from Marine Barracks 

Washington for the service.

Lance Cpl. Mary Ann Staes. 

www.mfr.usmc.mil 
Composer chosen 

for Katrina piece

Cpl. Johnathan D. Herring

MARINE FORCES RESERVE

New Orleans -- The Marine Forces Reserve Band has 

chosen its composer to help with a piece of music they are 

dedicating to the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast. 

Three years after Hurricane Katrina made her presence 

known, the MFR symphonic wind ensemble was 

hoping to meet the composer by September 2008, but 

Hurricane Gustav put a halt to that. Finally, on Nov. 5, 

the long awaited meeting took place. The MFR Band was 

introduced to Robert W. Smith, the musical composer who 

will be working with them to create this piece.

“There were 21 composers that responded to the inquiry 

of this project to write a piece to capture the spirit of 

the rebirth of New Orleans,” said Chief Warrant Officer 

3 Michael J. Smith, the officer in charge of the MFR 

Band. “Based on the criteria and the experience level and 

association with the people, Robert was the one that was 

awarded the contract.”

Robert, who also teaches music creation and music 

business at the University of Troy in Alabama, says he has 

a certain motivation the other composers might not have.

“I was a military brat. My father is retired Army and is 

buried in Arlington National Cemetery, and I jump at any 

opportunity given to work with the military,” said Robert. 

“For me, to take what I can do and hopefully aid and assist 

in their mission is probably the greatest thing I can do in 

terms of serving the country.”

Aside from wanting to do his part in helping Marines 

complete their mission, Robert has a personal motive as 

well. He says he can connect to the people of New Orleans 

because he had a similar situation.

“I’m also in a healing process,” Robert said. “When 

Hurricane Ivan hit, I was one of those guys you watched on 

TV. There was 15 feet of water on my property. I am still 

dealing with it. Writing this piece is part of that healing 

process. It was... amazing... to watch what unfolded here, 

and I feel like I’ve almost walked that walk, although it was 

a different storm.

“Between the military ties and my personal experience 

with dealing with a storm, I’m hoping to take whatever 

gifts I have to help bring attention and help the mission of 

this particular area,” Robert continued.

Both Michael and Robert have agreed that putting 

together a tribute piece as big as this one takes time, effort 

and a lot of research.

“Writing any new piece takes research,” said Robert. 

“The music can’t just come together, contrary to popular 

belief; everything has to be looked at. What kind of 

emotions are we trying to set? What do we want the 

audience to walk away with? What are my musicians’ 

strengths/weaknesses? All of this comes into play.”

Robert said that in creating this piece, he’s trying to 

move himself emotionally and that in doing that, hopefully 

it will move others.

A date hasn’t been set for the performance, but Robert 

and the MFR Band are eagerly shooting for next spring.o

Staff Sgt. Seth A. Gehman.

Composer Robert W. Smith speaks to members of 

the Marine Forces Reserve Band during a recent 

visit. Smith is doing research for a piece he is 

writing to dedicate to the people of New Orleans 

and other victims of Hurricane Katrina. The piece 

is expected to be performed by the MFR band in 

the spring of 2009.

10 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
Cpl. Johnathan D. Herring

Marine Forces Reserve

New Orleans – Marines, Sailors and civilian volunteers 

banded together here on the first and second weekend of 

October to help local residents repair their home, which had 

been destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. 

Manson McDonald, a 62 year resident of the 9th Ward in 

East New Orleans, lost his house when the levee broke after 

Hurricane Katrina’s storm surges. He and his daughter, 

Jackie Haynes, evacuated to Las Vegas for two years. 

Haynes cares for her 87-year-old father, who suffers from 

the beginning stages of dimensia.

“Mr. McDonald has owned this house for 34 years,” said 

Mary Sarsfield, an Americorps volunteer for Rebuilding 

Together, a national nonprofit organization that rehabilitates 

homes for low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly 

and those with disabilities. “He has really shown us how 

much he appreciates our help.”

The volunteers helped paint the home. 

“It’s good for me and the other Marines to give back to 

the community,” said Sgt. Kenneth Avery, one of the MFR 

volunteers. “It shows that we have big hearts.”

Haynes says that she has been eagerly waiting to move 

back into their home.

“The Marines really came at a good time,” said Haynes. 

“I didn’t know how I was going to be able to get the work 

finished on my home. They were a real God-send. I have 

been truly blessed.”

MFR has been steadily helping New Orleans and its 

surrounding communities get back to normal since the 

category three storm ravaged the city on Aug. 29, 2005. 

The McDonald home is just one of many that the 

Marines are helping to restore. 

If you would like to volunteer, contact the Marine Forces 

Reserve Public Affairs Office at 504-678-0700.o

Marines lend rebuilding 

hand to neighbors 

Sgt. Kenneth 

Avery, an MFR 

Toys for Tots 

coordinator, 

takes a break 

to chat with 

Manson 

McDonald and 

Jackie Haynes, 

who reside 

in the home 

that Marines 

and civilian 

volunteers 

helped rebuild 

during the first 

and second 

weekends of 

October. This 

is an ongoing 

effort by 

MFR to help 

restore New 

Orleans and 

its surrounding 

communities. 

1st Lt. Adrian Ambe

www.mfr.usmc.mil 11
Service members 

volunteer for local 

KaBOOM! 

1st Lt. Adrian Ambe

Marine Forces Reserve

New Orelans -- More than 35 Marines, sailors and 

soldiers from Naval Support Activity New Orleans and 

Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base Belle Chasse 

joined more than 120 volunteers from across the country 

Wednesday in a building project sponsored by KaBOOM! 

at Trinity Learning Center Inc., in Violet, La. 

The volunteers helped build a new playground for the 

school, by doing general yard clean-up and leveling, mulch 

hauling and raking, and playground equipment installation.

More than 120 cubic yards of mulch and more than 12 

tons of concrete was used for the project.

Cpl. LaToya McIntosh, one of the 12 Marine volunteers 

was excited about the build project and its overall 

objective. 

“I love it! Helping out this community, makes me feel 

good. I remember growing up not having a safe playing 

ground, however through our efforts, the children of this 

local community will realize a safe and fun playground,” 

said McIntosh.

According to Mr. Darell Hammond, co-founder of 

KaBOOM!, this was the 51st playground build in the Gulf 

Coast area and the 112th since Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. 

“We appreciate the support of Marines participating 

in builds all the way to the state of Mississippi. We 

acknowledge the sacrifice which is a shining light on the 

armed forces character that shares the cause, alongside its 

other responsibilities,” said Hammond.

KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that 

envisions a great place to play within walking distance of 

every child in America. o

1st Lt. Adrian Ambe

Lance Cpl. Rusty 

Henderson rakes 

mulch as Lance Cpl. 

Cory Howell hauls 

it in a tarpaulin. 

Henderson and 

Howell volunteered 

for the KaBoom! 

playground build Oct. 

1, in Violet, La. “It is 

fun and hard work to 

build a playground. 

Small unit leadership 

is the key ingredient 

that has carried 

the project,” said 

Henderson. The 

Marines amongst 

other volunteers 

hauled more than 

120 cubic yards of 

mulch to be distributed around the playground.

1st Lt. Adrian Ambe

Sgt. Nickolas Finewood, Cpl. Lobo Yurandir and Cpl. 

Melissa St. John listen to their team captain issue 

instructions for the construction of the playground’s 

school bus. The project was among others which 

included assembly of a swing-set, building a slide 

and assembling decks and posts around the playground.

12 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
Capt. Erin Wiener

Marine Forces Reserve

San Diego – The National Defense Industry Association 

(NDIA) recently named Col. David L. Inmon “Twice a 

Citizen” for his outstanding contribution to the country and 

community. 

“Our award to these individuals, who serve others so 

selflessly, symbolizes of the value our nation puts on such 

service,” said Michael Woiwode, awards chief for the San 

Diego chapter of the NDIA. 

The NDIA presents these awards to honor reserve 

or guard personnel who have deployed in support of 

the nation’s priorities and who, while deployed, made 

exceptional contributions to the nation. An honoree was 

selected from each of the armed services, and Inmon was 

named for the Marine Forces Reserve. 

Inmon deployed in support of 1st Marine Expeditionary 

Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and was assigned to the 

Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT), 

Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq 

(MNSTC-I). CMATT is responsible for manning, training 

and equipping the new Iraqi Army, and MNSTC-I 

specifically handles the Iraqi Security Forces. 

“It was one of the most challenging rewarding things 

I’ve ever done. I got really lucky with the job that I got. I 

got to be the OIC (officer-in-charge) of Besmaya Range 

Complex, (it was like) a mini-Twentynine Palms. In 10 

months, it got incredibly busy, training over 3,000 Iraqi 

soldiers, akin to predeployment training,” said Inmon. 

Inmon’s efforts laid the groundwork for Besmaya Range 

to become the most active live-fire training facility in Iraq, 

according to the award nomination. 

Inmon was assigned as a transition team advisor to 

Col. Abbas, the Iraqi army colonel who commanded the 

Besmaya Eagles at BRC and worked closely with the Iraqi 

Army to train the staff. Inmon led a team of over 150 

soldiers, Marines and civilian contractors in support of the 

training mission. He developed and executed a training 

plan that would enable Iraqi Army soldiers to take the lead 

in running the base.

The program greatly increased the capabilities of the 

Iraqi Army there, according to the citation.

Inmon cites his support as reason for success there. “I 

had great people working for me. I look back on it very 

fondly.”

In addition to the successful expansion of the Besmaya 

Range complex and its capabilities, Inmon impacted the 

local community beyond the range through missions that 

included providing medical support and repairing schools, 

meeting with tribal elders and being recognized by the Iraqi 

Minister of Defense for his work. 

Inmon saw a lot of positive change over the time he was 

there. 

“I’d go back to Iraq in a heartbeat if I could be part of 

the solution there and assist with the rebuilding of the Iraq 

economy,” he said. 

The award brought a sense of recognition and gratitude 

from American citizens to Inmon. 

“The sense I get is that the general population is very 

proud of the military and very gratified for the job that we 

are doing for them.” o

Marine translator honored 

for military, community 

efforts

Official Marine Corps Photo

Col. David L. Inmon shakes hands with an Iraqi 

tribal leader. Inmon received an award for his work 

with the Iraqi people to better their society, and 

assist with the transistion of U.S. forces out of Iraq.

www.mfr.usmc.mil 13
Marines settle in at 

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Marine Forces Reserve

CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq — Marines

from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental 

Combat Team 5, headquartered in Garden City, N.Y., 

arrived here during the latter part of September to 

support RCT-5’s security and stability mission in western 

al-Anbar province.

“We’re here primarily to conduct counter-insurgency 

operations with joint and coalition forces in support of 

Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Maj. Timothy Murphy, 

the battalion’s intelligence officer.

Maj. Byron Duke, the battalion executive officer, 

emphasized that the Marines will also mentor and 

provide operational overwatch for Iraqi Security Forces 

as they assume more responsibility for the area’s security.

Korean Village was first utilized as a forward 

observation base by the Marines in 2004 to monitor the 

Syrian and Jordanian borders with Iraq, both less than a 

hundred miles from the base. 

According to Maj. Christopher Donnelly, the RCT5 historian, American troops gave Korean Village its 

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

A Marine from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 

Regimental Combat Team-5, waits to take off from 

Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, for Camp Korean Village in a 

CH-53 helicopter Sept. 20. The battalion’s current 

deployment is their second overseas in support of 

the Global War on Terror. Their expected tour of duty 

here is seven months.

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

A Marine from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental 

Combat Team-5, debarks a CH-53 helicopter at Camp Korean Village, 

Iraq, Sept. 20. The battalion, which is headquartered in Garden City, 

N.Y., arrived here during September to support RCT-5’s security and 

stability mission in western al-Anbar province.

14 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
t Korean Village

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Lance Cpl. Alex Briere, Headquarters Company, 2nd 

Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat 

Team 5, debarks a CH-53 helicopter at Camp Korean 

Village, Iraq, Sept. 20. The battalion arrived in Iraq 

in September to support Regimental Combat Team5’s security and stability mission in western al-Anbar 

Province.

Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental 

Combat Team-5, patrol the streets in the town of Rutbah, Iraq, 

Sept. 24. The town is located in western al-Anbar province. 

The battalion’s current deployment is their second overseas in 

support of the Global War on Terror.

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Marines in the Fight

moniker because the camp was the site of an 

area inhabited by Korean laborers who built 

the main supply route leading from Baghdad 

to western al-Anbar Province during the reign 

of Saddam Hussein. 

The name stuck, and coalition forces still 

use the base as a launching pad for operations 

to intercept criminal elements crossing over 

the border and heading east toward Baghdad 

and other population centers.

The battalion will share the area 

of operations with 1st Light Armored 

Reconnaissance Battalion, RCT-5, an activeduty Marine unit based at Camp Pendleton, 

Calif.

The battalion’s current deployment is their 

second overseas in support of the Global War 

on Terror. Their expected tour of duty here is 

seven months.o

www.mfr.usmc.mil 15
Surgeon takes reins on economic 

development in rural Iraq

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Marine Forces Reserve

CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq— When Navy 

Cmdr. Dennis McKenna took his Hippocratic oath as a 

medical doctor in 1992, he vowed to devote his life to 

improving the welfare of human beings.

In the rural town of Rutbah in Iraq’s western al-Anbar 

Province, his efforts have gone beyond working with 

Coalition forces and the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior to 

reopen Rutbah’s only hospital. He is using his professional 

experience and business acumen to help the impoverished 

town establish an economic base.

McKenna is the battalion surgeon for 2nd Battalion, 25th 

Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. A Navy reservist 

himself, he is currently on a one-year mobilization with the 

battalion. 

Although he primarily has a science and medical 

background, McKenna volunteered to take on the collateral 

duty as the economics line of operations officer (LOO).

The battalion’s line of operations officers glean from 

their professional and military backgrounds to serve as 

advisors for local Iraqi governments in areas such as 

governance, essential services and rule of law. 

The lines of operations are about setting the people of 

Rutbah up for success. We need to find those people, those 

Bill Gates and Thomas Jeffersons. These people have been 

reluctant to show their potential in the past because of the 

situation that existed here for so long.”said McKenna

McKenna explained that the most important thing is 

getting out into the community, talking to “the average man 

on the street,” and getting the whole story.

McKenna made his rounds through the city Oct. 20-21, 

escorted by Marines and Sailors from Weapons and Golf 

Companies, 2nd Bn., 25th Marines on a series of security 

patrols, speaking with Iraqis from all socioeconomic strata 

to get a clear picture of the overall economic situation in 

order to determine how he can work with local Iraqi leaders 

to improve it. 

The project is not an easy one, considering the fact 

that this remote part of the country, about 230 miles from 

Baghdad, is just beginning to transition to a full-fledged 

democracy with a free-market economy. More than 

half the adult population is unemployed. Furthermore, 

Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have only recently 

quelled the violent insurgency which rocked al-Anbar 

province for more than three years.

“On a macro level, we’re not going to solve all their 

problems in five months,” said McKenna. “We make our 

recommendations so that they can find Iraqi solutions to 

their problems here.”

When meeting with the Rutbah City Council Oct. 21, 

Muthana Jubaer Juwana, the city council president, told 

McKenna that most local Iraqi businessmen with the 

capital to invest are putting their money into businesses in 

Jordan and Oman. Juwana alluded to foreign investment in 

a large-scale business, such as a cement or glass factory, as 

the town’s main hope to provide jobs. 

 “They have the skills and potential here,” said 

McKenna. “They built this city. They have educated 

people. We just need to focus on establishing a cadre of 

business leaders who have confidence in their city.”o

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Assisted by Bashar Basem Radi Ayesh (center), an 

interpreter from Amman Jordan, Navy Cmdr. Dennis 

McKenna (left), the battalion surgeon and economic 

line of operations officer with 2nd Battalion, 25th 

Marine Regiment, speaks with a shop owner in 

Rutbah, Iraq, in order to assess the economic 

conditions for small business owners. 

16 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
Toys bridge gap between Marines, 

small-town children

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Marine Forces Reserve

RUTBAH, Iraq— When people typically think of 

Marines on a combat patrol in Iraq, the last thing that 

comes to mind is the image of fluffy stuffed animals.

However, with the help of a grass-roots organization in 

the United States, the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine

Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 spread American 

goodwill to the children of Iraq Oct. 21-23. The Marines 

distributed more than a hundred stuffed animals while 

patrolling the streets of Rutbah, an impoverished town of 

about 20,000 in western al-Anbar province.

“The (stuffed animals) help to connect us to the local 

children and for them to view us in a positive light,” said 

Capt. Tim Leonard, 30, a Stamford, Conn., resident who is 

serving as the battalion’s communications officer. “We are 

fortunate that people back in the states have donated the 

stuffed animals to benefit the children of Iraq.” 

The gesture is key in building relationships between 

Coalition forces and the Iraqi civilians in Rutbah, most 

of whom have had little interaction with the Marines and 

Sailors.

“By engaging the local population and giving out stuffed 

animals to the children, we show the people of Rutbah that 

we are here to help them to rebuild their community and 

assist them in their efforts,” explained Leonard, a reserve 

Marine with more than seven years in the Corps and who 

is on his second tour in Iraq. “Humanitarian assistance is 

increasingly important for us, and any measure of good will 

is well received.”

Sara Khalid Rafa’a, 11, a native of Rutbah, received two 

stuffed animals from Marines Oct. 23 while walking home 

from school with her friends. These were the only stuffed 

animals she has ever received in her life.

“I want to say thank you to the people who sent them,” 

said Rafa’a through an interpreter. In addition to passing 

out the toys while on patrol, the battalion’s religious 

program specialist, Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Marie, 

includes the stuffed animals in his weekly care packages 

that he prepares for less-fortunate families in Rutbah.

“Local Iraqi leaders have identified close to 200 widows 

and their families for us to help, and you can be sure that 

most of these women have more than one child,” said 

Marie.

“I’m always happy to throw in stuffed animals when I 

have them,” explained Marie. “The food we deliver meets 

a physical need, but it doesn’t say, ‘We care,’ the same way 

a stuffed teddy bear or puppy dog can. ”

Since the Marines began passing out the toys to the 

city’s children and parents, some of the tension that the 

Marines felt in the city has dissipated, and some of the local 

citizens’ wary glances have been replaced with appreciative 

smiles.o

Capt. Tim Leonard

A Marine from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 

Regimental Combat Team 5 gives stuffed animals to 

children on their way home from school in Rutbah, 

Iraq, Oct. 21. The toys were donated and mailed to 

Iraq by citizens from throughout the United States. 

www.mfr.usmc.mil 17
Gotham cop trades plain clothe

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Marine Forces Reserve

COMBAT OUTPOST TREBIL, Iraq— When Sgt. 

Joan A. Ferreira took off his Marine Corps uniform in July 

2006 and joined the New York City Police Department, he 

thought he was saying good-bye to the Corps forever. 

The Marine Corps, however, had other plans for him.

Ferreira is now a 24-year old squad leader with Task 

Force Military Police, Multi-National Force-West, based at 

the Port of Trebil, a desolate border crossing between Iraq 

and Jordan. 

The turn of events that brought Ferreira from patrolling 

the streets of East Harlem to the western fringes of alAnbar province began with a letter he received in February 

2008 from Marine Corps Mobilization Command in Kansas 

City, Mo. 

The registered letter directed Ferreira to report within 

90 days to Camp Lejeune, N.C., for a one-year, active duty 

mobilization.

“I had mixed feelings,” said Ferreira, who had been 

working on foot patrols for more than a year in one of the 

most crime-ridden sections of New York City. “I like being 

a cop. You know when you find your niche in life; I found 

mine in the NYPD. It was hard to leave my job and my 

family to come back in.”

Ferreira was also working on his bachelor’s degree 

full-time, sharing an apartment with his twin brother, who 

works in New York City as an investment banker.

Although he had completed his four-year active duty 

commitment in the Marine Corps in July 2006, Ferreira still 

had four years of obligated service in the Individual Ready 

Reserve (IRR). 

All U.S. active duty service members, upon joining 

the military, incur an eight-year commitment. Most are 

on active duty for four or six years, and then serve the 

remainder of their contract in the IRR. 

During their time in the IRR, service members can be 

recalled to active duty at any time for a period of up to 12 

months, with one additional month for leave.

In July 2006, the President of the United States 

authorized the Marine Corps to involuntarily activate up 

to a maximum of 

2,500 Marines 

from the IRR at 

any given time, 

according to Maj. 

Winston Jimenez, 

41, the public 

affairs officer for 

Marine Corps 

Mobilization 

Command, who 

is a native of 

Merriam, Kan.

There are

currently about 

1,000 IRR 

Marines mobilized 

on active duty 

in support of 

Operation Iraqi 

Freedom. 

As IRR 

Marines complete 

their year and 

are deactivated, 

said Jimenez, 

others can be 

involuntarily 

activated, so long 

as the total number 

of IRR Marines on involuntary active duty at one time does 

not exceed 2,500. 

Jimenez explained the reasoning behind using IRR 

Marines to augment active duty forces. 

“The commandant of the Marine Corps has established 

minimum unit-manning levels for units to deploy in support 

of the Global War on Terrorism,” said Jimenez. “Individual 

Ready Reservists are used to fill the unit manning shortages 

and raise the units to required deployment manning levels.”

Task Force MP, which also consists of Marines from MP 

Co., Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, and 1st Battalion, 

12th Marines, needed a number of key junior leaders, like 

Ferreira, to fill out their ranks. In the spirit of “once a 

Sgt. Joan A. Ferreira (left), a 24-year-old 

Police, Multi-National Force-West, depart

his Marines Oct. 15. Ferreira is a New Yo

Ready Reservist currently on one-year m

18 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
es for Marine Corps cammies

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

d team leader with Task Force Military 

ts Combat Outpost Trebil on patrol with 

ork City police officer and Individual 

mobilization orders.

Marine, always a 

Marine,” Ferreira 

answered the call.

“Getting 

back into the 

Marine Corps 

way of thinking 

was tough after 

being out for two 

years and being 

an independent 

operator,” 

explained 

Ferreira.

Before joining 

Task Force MP 

in May 2008, 

he went through 

administrative 

processing 

and physical 

examinations at 

Camp Lejeune, 

then attended 

an abbreviated 

infantry course 

to ensure that 

his warrior skills 

were honed.

“It was basic 

Marine Corps knowledge that every Marine should know 

mostly weapons and convoy security,” said Ferreira, who 

served his first hitch as a motor transport operator. “The 

training was a refresher to get us back into the Marine 

Corps mindset. All the knowledge was still in the back of 

my brain housing group.”

Before deploying to Iraq, Ferreira spent the summer 

training with his new unit at Marine Corps bases in North 

Carolina and at Fort Polk, La., an Army base. 

While at Fort Polk, Task Force MP went through an 

intensive 30-day exercise called “Cajun Viper.” Training 

side-by-side with U.S. Army soldiers from the 82nd 

Airborne Division, the Marines learned critical antiinsurgency tactics and techniques. Many of the scenarios 

were set in an urban warfare environment and included 

thousands of Iraqi role players to lend a sense of realism to 

the training. 

In the end, Task Force MP emerged a cohesive team 

that was prepared to face any assigned mission during their 

seven-month tour in Iraq.

Ferreira’s team is currently responsible for monitoring 

traffic through the Port of Trebil, checking identification 

badges, passports and biometrics information to catch 

insurgents and other criminals on the lam. 

As the only major border port with Jordan, one of Iraq’s 

primary trading partners, Trebil is the crossing point for 

almost all vehicle traffic and commerce traversing the two 

countries.

Because the border port is a hot spot for insurgents 

and other criminals to pass into and out of Iraq, Ferreira’s 

Marines and their Iraqi counterparts vigilantly check those 

entering and leaving the country for counterfeit passports 

and identification badges and analyze the biometrics data to 

find and/or track people of interest. 

Although the possibility of a terrorist attack at the border 

is always present, Ferreira expressed that the atmosphere 

in Iraq is less hostile than what he faced day-to-day back in 

East Harlem, which the police refer to as an “impact zone.” 

Nonetheless, Ferreira is disappointed about missing his 

shot at moving on to being a plain-clothes police officer 

this past summer, the first step to achieving his life-long 

goal of becoming a narcotics detective.

Ferreira cited his sense of obligation to his country and 

his community for aspiring toward a position in such a 

dangerous field. 

“It’s the guy that would be selling drugs to my kids, to 

anybody’s kids,” he said. “You aren’t who you really are 

when you’re on drugs. It leads to theft, assault, and other 

criminal activities.... Chasing these people down, cleaning 

up the streets, that’s what I really want to be doing.” 

Regardless of his personal druthers, however, Ferreira, 

like thousands of other U.S. military veterans from all 

branches of the service in the IRR, continues to serve on 

the front lines of the Global War on Terror.o

www.mfr.usmc.mil 19
Reserve MP spices up life 

for hungry Marines 

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Marine Forces Reserve

COMBAT OUTPOST TREBIL, Iraq— When you 

step into the chow hall here, the first thing you notice is 

the smell of gourmet coffee. Next, you notice an orderly 

array of shelf-stable meals displayed in cubbies along the 

plywood walls, available to the post’s Marines 24-hours a 

day. 

If you come during morning or evening chow hours, you 

will find home-cooked meals, made mostly from scratch.

These amenities were made possible, in large part, by the 

knowledge, skills and experience of one of the post’s most 

junior Marines, Lance Cpl. Jennifer Shell, who is currently 

serving as the chow hall manager.

Shell, a military police officer, joined the Corps after 

graduating from culinary school with a bachelor’s degree in 

hotel and restaurant management in 2005. 

According to Shell, she enlisted in the Marine Corps 

“because of the pride associated with it, and more 

importantly because of my dad, who served on MSG 

[Marine Security Guard] detail in Singapore during the 

Vietnam War.”

The first five months of Shell’s tour here were spent 

serving in the role of military police officer, responsible 

for the outpost’s security and supporting the various U.S. 

military advisor training teams and convoy escort personnel 

that the base houses when they aren’t out on missions in 

this remote and barren region on the Iraqi-Jordanian border. 

A member of Military Police Company B, 4th Marine 

Logistics Group, based in North Versailles, Pa., Shell 

and four other reserve Marines from her unit deployed 

as individual augments to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine 

Regiment’s Task Force MP. 

Five months into her unit’s tour, Shell’s squad leader, 

Cpl. Kristyn Stewart, from Pittsburgh, recommended that 

Shell be appointed to take over management of the chow 

hall from a more senior Marine.

“She’s a restaurant manager and graduate of culinary 

school,” said Stewart, 26, who is on her third mobilization 

and tour in Iraq. “I identified a need, and (Shell) was a 

perfect fit for the job.”

Cpl. Nathan Dahlheimer, 28, is a military policeman 

and squad leader from Monticello, Minn, attached to 3rd 

Bn., 10th Marines. “The menu became really monotonous 

after five months and everything was boiled, usually in a 

bag,” said Dahlheimer. “Lance Corporal Shell prepared 

real meals from scratch. She helped improve morale, as her 

meals gave us something to look forward to every night.”

Not only did Shell’s experience create better meals, her 

work has enhanced the overall service of the chow hall in a 

number of ways.

“I thought it was outstanding,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jason 

Stephens who is serving as team chief for the Port of Entry 

Transition Team. “I was very impressed with Shell, as a 

junior Marine, taking over the job and running with it.”

“Cooking for people here is much more fulfilling than 

cooking in the civilian world,” said Shell with an ear-to-ear 

smile. “The Marines simply appreciate it more.”o

courtesy of Dhurgham Takleef Abdulzahra

Lance Cpl. Jennifer Shell, a military policewoman 

who is currently serving as the chow hall manager 

at a combat outpost near the Port of Trebil on the 

Iraq-Syrian border, enjoys a visit with children at 

an Iranian Kurd refugee camp in the region on May 

15. Shell is with Military Police Company B, 4th 

Marine Logistics Group, based in North Versailles, 

Pa. 

20 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
New York’s 2/25 attacks 

Shadow Range

Lance Cpl. Fredrick J. Coleman

3rd MAW Public Affairs Office (Forward)

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq – Activated reserve 

Marines from the Garden City, New York-based Company 

F, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine 

Aircraft Wing (Forward) tackled the challenges of a 

combined-arms training here Oct. 20 – 25.

The Marines were the first to train at the recently 

completed training facility known as Shadow Range.

As the role of Marines deployed to Anbar continues to 

shift to advising Iraqi security forces, the facility affords 

troops a means of maintaining combined-arms capabilities 

while supporting over-watch missions in the region. 

Fox Co. practiced combat scenarios that challenged their 

ability to communicate and move under fire. Simulated 

enemies fired at the Marines from trenches. Marines 

dashed to covered positions and practiced establishing 

mortar firing points. Squad leaders barked orders into radio 

handsets setting teams of Marines in motion on the training 

range.

The company concluded their training with a live-fire 

assault course in which the Marines put their refreshed 

combat skills to the test. Squads moved through the 

course employing a variety of weapons – mortars, rocket 

launchers, machine guns and their service rifles. During the 

movement, they engaged a simulated enemy hidden in the 

desert hills.

 “Now that we have the range, we have the ability to 

get the Marine skills back up to the level they were when 

they departed from the states.” said Maj. Tom Armas, the 

company’s commanding officer.

The exercises provided the unit an ideal opportunity to 

refresh ground combat skills and afforded instructors at the 

range an opportunity to evaluate the new facility and their 

curriculum. 

“The range is still in testing phase right now,” said Chief 

Warrant Officer 5 Stuart White, gunner, Advanced Infantry 

Training Center, Multi National Forces-West. “After the 

first group goes through, the instructors will look at the 

reports and make adjustments to the range to get the most 

out of the training.”

During their six-month deployment, the unit will 

continue to rotate Marines through combined-arms training 

at Shadow Range. Marines who have completed the 

training will return about once a week to maintain their 

combat skills. o

Mortarmen with Co. F, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine 

Regiment dig a fighting hole after arriving at 

Shadow Range for five days of training that began 

Oct. 20. The training ended with a live-fire exercise 

that tested their decision-making skills and ability 

to work as a unit. “The exercise went very well and 

I’m glad to serve with these Marines,” said Staff 

Sgt. Mark Pagan, a platoon commander with the 

unit.

Lance Cpl. Frederick J. Coleman

 Round casings fly off the M-249 squad automatic 

weapon as Lance Cpl. Tony DeLaire fires at a target 

here Oct. 20. “The more I shoot the weapon, the 

more I learn about it, making it easier for me to 

determine problems with it should any arise,” said 

DeLaire. 

Lance Cpl. Fredrick J. Coleman

www.mfr.usmc.mil 21
Reserve commander a

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Marine Forces Reserve

CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq— When Lt. Col. 

Geoff Rollins took command of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine 

Regiment, Regimental Combat Team in October 2006, he 

had a daunting task before him.

Rollins had 18 months to prepare his Marines for 

mobilization and deployment to Iraq.

Reservists attend weekend drills one weekend each 

month and an annual training session each year in order to 

keep their proficiency honed in their military occupational 

specialties. The rest of the time, many reservists have 

typical American lives, with full-time civilian jobs and 

families. 

Rollins, 42, drives more than 700 miles round trip from 

his home in Richmond, Va., once a month to attend his 

battalion’s drills. He balances his commitment to the Corps 

with his family, business career and passion for motorcycle 

riding.

In accordance with Marine Forces Reserve’s structure, 

2nd Bn., 25th Marines is geographically dispersed, for 

the most part, throughout the northeastern U.S. Weapons 

Company is co-located with the battalion’s Headquarters 

and Service Company in Garden City, N.Y.; Company E 

is based in Harrisburg, Pa.; and Companies F and G are in 

Albany, N.Y., and Dover, N.J., respectively. The battalion 

also includes a heavy-weapons detachment from Broken 

Arrow, Okla.

Although each company drills together one weekend 

each month, the battalion only comes together once a year 

for their annual training, which typically lasts between two 

to four weeks. 

Prior to the battalion’s mobilization in May, they 

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Lt. Col. Geoff Rollins (right) and Sgt. Maj. Anthony Allen distribute candy to children in Rutbah, Iraq, 

during their visit to a primary school with the town mayor Nov. 18. Rollins is the commander of 2nd 

Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, and Allen is the battalion sergeant major. 

22 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
adapts and overcomes

received several hundred individual augments from other 

Marine units to fill out their ranks. The end result was 

a melting pot of both reserve and active duty service 

members, both new recruits and veterans, who hail from 

companies and detachments in 11 states. 

They were trained and ready by September to join First 

Marine Expeditionary Force, an active duty unit based in 

Camp Pendleton, Calif., which was already in Iraq. 

“Through teamwork we can maintain our traditional 

relationship between reserve and active components,” said 

Rollins. “I want this battalion to be the epitome of the total 

force concept. Discipline means doing what is right, all the 

time.” 

The battalion is currently based at Camp Korean Village 

in Iraq’s western al-Anbar province with the mission of 

mentoring and providing operational over watch of Iraqi 

Security Forces.

Rollins cited one of his biggest challenges as “the loss 

of critical pieces of our pre-deployment training program,” 

as shortly before mobilization, the battalion’s timeline was 

moved up 30 days. 

Next, shortly before their arrival in Iraq, Rollins was 

informed that he would have to divide his unit into two 

separate elements, geographically dispersed, after arriving 

in-country. 

However, in classic Marine Corps fashion, the 

commander learned to adapt and overcome. 

“First and foremost, our greatest accomplishment 

thus far is the successful split of the battalion for its two 

missions,” said Rollins. 

“This has not been done since World War II, and we 

have successfully executed two distinct missions as two 

separate task forces. The security-force detachment has 

made significant improvements to the force-protection 

posture of Al Asad Air base. The (Korean Village) 

detachment continues to separate the insurgents from the 

population with an aggressive patrolling plan, coupled 

with lines-of-operations management that has involved the 

battalion in key leader engagements, where we are working 

with the local government officials in their attempt to build 

capacity for growth. These lines of operation include 

economics, government, rule of law and communications.”

Rollins credits much of the success to the increased 

level of maturity which reservists bring to the table. He 

explained that this is due, in large part, to the years of both 

active duty service in the Marine Corps and subsequent 

civilian work experience, particularly in the fields of 

emergency medicine and police work.

As a sales consultant for a major information technology 

firm for 12 years, Rollins cites his own professional 

experience as a critical element of his development as a 

leader of Marines.

“Strength comes from cohesion and unity,” wrote 

Rollins in his command philosophy. “The majority of our 

Marines and Sailors only spend a fraction of their lives in 

the Corps. During this period, we need to provide them 

the opportunity for improvement, not only to make a better 

Marine or Sailor, but more importantly a better American 

citizen. We need to help form positive attitudes of service, 

honor and commitment. We owe them nothing less.”

Rollins’ previous combat tours include serving as 

a platoon commander with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine 

Regiment in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, a company 

commander for 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment 

during Operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 1993 and as 

commanding officer of Company E, 2nd Bn., 25th Marines 

in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This is the battalion’s third mobilization since 2002 and 

their second deployment to Iraq. o

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg

Lt. Col. Geoff Rollins (rear, center), commanding 

officer, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 

Regimental Combat Team 5, and Qasum Marai 

Awwad, mayor of Rutbah, visit a classroom 

at Huran Primary School Nov. 18. This is the 

battalion’s third mobilization since 2002 and their 

second deployment to Iraq. 

www.mfr.usmc.mil 23
Texas Marines refine skills at Fort Sill

Cpl. Johnathan D. Herring

Marine Forces Reserve

FORT SILL, Oklahoma – Leathernecks with 6th Motor 

Transportation Battalion, trained extensively on an array 

of weapons and tactics here Oct. 16 – 18, for their four day 

drill weekend.

The Marines made the drive from their home base in 

Lubbock, Texas, on Thursday and right away got into 

classes on the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, the M240G 

Medium Machine Gun and the M2 .50 caliber machine 

gun. They also received a class on Improvised Explosive 

Devices. 

On Friday, they were given the opportunity to fire the 

weapons before training on nighttime convoys and driving 

with night-vision goggles. 

“The 50 cal. was my favorite weapon to fire,” said Pvt. 

Matthew C. Tiffin, who is fresh out of Marine Combat 

Training (MCT) and hopes to be a motor vehicle operator 

with the battalion upon completion of school. “We didn’t 

fire the 50 at MCT, so I really enjoyed today’s training. 

This is just my second drill, but I’m learning a lot,” 

continued the Midland, Texas, native.

The Marines fired the SAW from both short and long 

distances, but they fired the M240G and M2 from a range 

of about 500 meters. They mounted an M2 on top of one 

of their MK-23 motor transport vehicle replacement trucks 

(7-ton). 

“Our veterans haven’t fired these weapons in over a 

year, and our younger Marines have never fired some of 

these weapons,” said Capt. Matthew Beuchert, who plays 

duel roles as both the Inspector Instructor and the company 

commander for Direct Support Motor Transport Co. B. 

“This is an eight drill weekend and with the amount of 

time we can get these guys, they need to get some trigger 

time with crew-served weapons, especially firing from the 

vehicles. They also need to familiarize themselves with the 

nighttime driving, to get a feel of the effects of driving with 

no depth perception.”

While one squad fired the weapons, another would get 

a chance to talk to both the battalion commander and the 

battalion sergeant major, who have been flying to all of 

their units to get some face-to-face time with their Marines.

“We have units spread out all over the United States,” 

said Sgt. Maj. Donnie G. Boyer, battalion sergeant major. 

“Our job is not to just sit there in Red Bank, New Jersey, 

and shoot out e-mails and make phone calls. You have to 

get out in the field to be able to see how your Marines are 

doing.”

During chow, some of the Marines were presented coins 

from Boyer. Lance Cpl. Josiah Scully, a motor vehicle 

mechanic, Cpl. Jordan Eads, an administrative clerk, and 

Petty Officer 2nd Class David Domingo, a corpsman, all 

received coins from Boyer for distinguishing themselves 

from the others. Scully and Eads are scheduled to be 

meritoriously promoted on Nov. 2, and Domingo was the 

corpsman of the quarter.

“I had the opportunity to congratulate these Lubbock 

Marines on taking the Marine of the Quarter, NCO of the 

Quarter and Corpsman of the Quarter boards. They’re 

obviously doing something right here,” said Boyer.

Lt. Col. J. Eric Davis Jr., the commanding officer, said 

that he was excited about getting out and meeting his 

Marines.

“One of the great things about being the battalion CO 

is that you get to fly around to all the sites and see what 

they’re doing and to reinvigorate yourself,” said Davis. 

Once he met the Marines, Davis said this unit more than 

surpassed his expectations.

“I’ve been in the Marine Corps Reserves for more 

that 13 years, and I’ve never heard of a 100 percent 

participation from a unit,” said Davis, “I’m astounded and 

pleased that the Lubbock Marines have managed to do 

that.”o

Cpl. Johnathan D. Herring

One of the missions of the Marines training at Ft. 

Sill, Ok., the weekend of Oct.16-18, was to fire the 

M2 .50 caliber machine gun from a turret on top of 

a MK-23 motor transport vehicle replacement truck 

(7-ton).

24 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
National shooting 

record set (twice?) 

Gunnery Sgt. Julia Watson

Marine Forces Reserve

PHOENIX – Imagine setting a new national record, 

shooting from 800, 900, and 1,000 yards without a scope 

on your rifle, only to find out that you must fire the course 

again. This is exactly what happened to Gunnery Sgt. 

Justin Skaret during the Arizona State Long Range Palma 

Championships in November of 2007. 

The Palma Trophy Match is shot in three stages of slow 

fire in the prone position using an iron-sight .308-caliber 

rifle with a 155-grain bullet. Competitors aim for targets 

that have a 20-inch bull’s eye 800, 900, and 1,000 yards 

away. 

On the first day of the three-day competition, Skaret, 

the recently appointed head coach of the Marine Forces 

Reserve Rifle Team and the only Marine on the 2007 

United States Palma Team, had not dropped any points and 

was only down four X’s (center shots) going into the last 

stage of fire. Rain prevented the other relays of shooters 

from finishing the course, which resulted in the final stage 

being rescheduled for the last day. Skaret’s national record 

score of 450-35x for the 1,000 yd line was removed, and he 

would need to re-shoot that stage. 

Skaret thought he had to shoot another perfect score to 

set the record and recalls, “About my third shot in, I shot a 

nine ... that ticked me off, because I thought I had just lost 

the record, so I just started hammering rounds down range. 

When I was finished, I had shot a 149-10x which gave me 

an aggregate of 449-36x.” The previous record was only 

449-20x, which meant that Skaret’s score of 449-36x, along 

with his determination and talent, would indeed secure the 

record in his name. 

After the record was verified by the National Rifle 

Association, Skaret was presented with a Secretary of 

the Navy Trophy Rifle. When asked what it felt like to 

have shot the record twice and to have a rifle awarded, 

Skaret said, “It was frustrating [to re-fire], but I was 

happy to have set the record regardless, and I definitely 

felt it was an honor to receive the rifle, because it’s pretty 

rare for the Marine Corps to award someone a rifle.” The 

rifle was awarded during the National High-power Rifle 

Championships on the ranges of Camp Perry, Ohio, in 

August 2008. 

“Tryouts were tough for me.” Skaret added, “We had 

to shoot against previous Palma Team members who were 

more experienced.” With tryouts being solely an individual 

effort, Skaret said, “My wind reading ability wasn’t up to 

par back then, and I ended up placing 21 of 28 people not 

cut from the 110 trying out.” With additional evaluations 

and in specialized training sessions, Skaret’s hard work 

paid off when he became one of 16 people selected as firing 

members on the U. S. Palma Team in October 2005. 

“Becoming a member of the United States Palma Team 

felt like an accomplishment for me because Palma is 

considered the pinnacle of long-range prone shooting.” 

The World Long Range Championship is a quadrennial 

event. In team competition, the United States has won 13 of 

the 27 Palma competitions that have been conducted since 

the championship started in 1876.o

Gunnery Sgt. Julia Watson

August 2008 at the National Service Rifle 

Championships, Gunnery Sgt. Justin Skaret, 

member of the Marine Forces Reserve Rifle Team, 

is awarded a Secretary of the Navy Trophy Rifle 

by the Officer in Charge of the Reserve Shooting 

Teams, Lt. Col. Thomas Reid. Sakret set a new 

National Service Record of 449-36x out of 450 

in November 2007 at the Long Range Palma 

Championships in Phoenix.

www.mfr.usmc.mil 25
3/14, Inspector and 

Instructor receives 

Bronze Star

Lance Cpl. Michael Laycock

MARINE FORCE RESERVE

NEW ORLEANS – Capt. Joseph Lizarraga, Inspector/

Instructor, Battery G, 3rd battalion, 14th Marines, and a 

Hamilton, N.J. native, was awarded the Bronze Star for 

meritorious service while on deployment in Iraq, at the 

reserve center in Trenton, N.J., Oct. 20. 

Lizarraga received the award for his efforts during a 

seven month deployment to Iraq in which he oversaw 80 

Marines from the Trenton, N.J., area as they preformed 

detainee operations. Lizarraga deflected credit from 

himself, praising the overall team effort of his unit during 

the time frame.

“I just simply couldn’t have done it without their talents” 

said Lizarraga. “I truly am, from the bottom of my heart, 

proud to be able to serve with these Marines.”

Battery G provided combat assistance and detainee care 

for the area surrounding a regional detention facility in 

Iraq. Their work was similar to a warden’s. They oversaw 

the detainees and maintained security of the facility.

“Detainee operations are very complex,” Lizarraga 

explained. “To do it correctly, you really have to perform 

and do the right things for the right reasons. 

The Marines also worked closely with the local police, 

training them and augmenting their staff when necessary. 

This is what earned them the title of “most customer 

friendly RDF out there” according to Lizarraga. 

He was personally responsible for putting together a 

speech to help the detainees who were found innocent 

understand the Marines mission in Iraq.

“We are not here to conquer or to occupy,” Lizarraga 

would tell them. “We are here to help you. We are here to 

care about the safety and security of Iraq.”

Programs that Battery G started while in Iraq have gone 

on to other sites and have been very successful according 

to Lizarraga. He believes that it is because if you treat the 

Iraqis right, they will respect you.

Lizarraga received the Bronze Star because of the work 

he and his Marines did to make Iraq a safer place, and 

although he received the Bronze Star, if you ask Lizarraga, 

it’s his Marines that did all the work.o

Official Marine Corps Photo

Lt. Col. Rob 

Roberson, 

Commanding 

Officer, 3rd 

Battalion, 14th 

Marines, pins 

the Bronze Star 

on Capt. Joseph 

Lizarraga, 

Inspector/

Instructor, 

Battery G, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines. Lizarraga 

received the Bronze Star Oct. 20, for his 

involvement in Battery G’s recent deployment to 

Iraq. During that time, Lizarraga lead 80 Marines 

from the Trenton, N.J., area in detainee operations 

for a regional detention facility.

Official Marine Corps Photo

Capt. Joseph 

Lizarraga, 

Inspector/

Instructor, 

Battery G, 

3rd Battalion, 

14th Marines, 

stands before 

Lt. Col. Rob 

Roberson, 

Commanding 

Officer, 3rd 

Battalion, 

14th Marines, 

as the citation is 

read for Lizarraga’s Bronze Star. Lizarraga earned 

the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement while 

on a seven month deployment to Iraq. During that 

time, Lizarraga lead 80 Marines from the Trenton, 

N.J., area in detainee operations for a regional 

detention facility.

26 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
Reservist of the Year 2008

Lance Cpl. Michael Laycock

MARINE FORCES RESERVE

 NEW ORLEANS –Sgt. Denise Mason, Assistant 

Operations Chief, 4th Supply Battalion, Newport News, 

Va., and a Norfolk, Va. native, was announced as the 

Marine Corps League’s Reservist of the Year on Aug. 8.

Master Sgt. Patricia Harewood, Battalion Admin Chief, 

4th Supply Battalion, Newport News, Va. submitted the 

recommendation on Jun. 16. Harewood said Mason worked 

diligently during the 2007 annual training season to ensure 

that 4th Supply Battalion units would have the resources 

necessary to complete their annual training. Mason 

coordinated travel for large and small groups, wrote letters 

of instruction for the units, and developed matrices to track 

the Marines as they traveled from one place to another for 

training. 

Mason made herself available to solve problems such as 

ticket and gear issues and stranded Marines while keeping 

her superiors updated about the changes in the situation. 

Her work was crucial in coordination of chow, billeting 

and work selection during the Personnel Temporary 

Augmentation Program at Camp Lejuene, N.C. 

According to Harewood 4th Supply Battalion was 

instrumental in the development of Quantico Viper, a 

formal predeployment in Quantico, Va. Mason assisted 

in many of the crucial aspects of monitoring the Marines 

progress, contacting personnel and ensuring that 

transportation went smoothly for over 700 Marines. She 

helped maintain the Marines records and made sure that 

those records went were they belonged. 

“At first I was surprised,” Mason said about hearing 

she was to receive the award. “It’s a great honor and I 

appreciate my leaders submitting me for the award.”

Mason received the award Oct. 3, at the Twenty-Eighth 

Annual Modern Day Marine Military Exposition, at Marine 

Corps Base Quantico, Va. o

Official Marine Corps Photo

Sgt. Denise Mason, Assistant 

Operations Chief, 4th Supply 

Battalion, Newport News, Va., stands 

before the commander during her 

promotion ceremony to sergeant. 

Mason was chosen as the Marine 

Corps League’s Reservist of the year 

for her exceptional performance 

working with the Quantico Viper 

program.

www.mfr.usmc.mil 27
4th MAW Marines start 

receiving new hearing 

protection

Lance Cpl. Mary A. Staes

Marine Forces Reserve

Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans – Recently, the 

Navy and Marine Corps have been working together to 

introduce new technology for hearing protection.

Lt. Cmdr. David Peterson, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing 

safety officer, and Chief Petty Officer Julius Rivera, an 

aeromedical safety corpsman with 4th MAW, are starting a 

trend in hearing protection that is sweeping across the sea 

services. 

The new protection will feature hardened impressions 

of the individual wearer’s ear, instead of the foam plugs 

that have been used since the 1950’s. The impressions 

go into the wearer’s ears much like earbuds and are then 

covered by new earmuffs that feature a better seal for added 

protection.

“Aircrafts now produce noise of over 150 decibels,” 

said Peterson. Sounds in excess of 130 decibels can cause 

permanent hearing damage.

After an initial evaluation, Marines are then fitted for 

an otodam, a piece of foam that prevents the inserts from 

touching the eardrum. 

The ear is then filled with silicone, a material that makes 

the impression of their ear, and allowed to dry. Once the 

silicone dries and is removed, the ear is then inspected for 

agents that may have been left behind and redness. The 

actual inserts are made from this ear impression.

While many individuals may not be accustomed to the 

new protection, Rivera feels it is the best thing to save at 

least one of their five senses.

“This is something new to most people,” said Rivera. 

“Most people haven’t had anything stuck so far into their 

ear. At first, it may be a little uncomfortable, but people 

should give it a try. It’s like breaking in a new boot; you 

have to get used to it.”

Some Marines did have complaints about discomfort at 

first. However, once the impressions were looked at and a 

few fitting problems fixed, Peterson said the wearers could 

tell the change.

While the transition will not be complete until 2012, 

Marines should keep an ear to the ground for the new effort 

to make their jobs a little safer.o

Photo Courtest of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing

Photo Courtesy of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing

28 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
MLG exercise preparation for 

‘Javelin Thrust’

Cpl. Zachary Bolden

4th MLG Public Affairs

MARIETTA, Ga.

– Any large-scale 

training exercise 

involving several 

complex moving 

components takes 

months of intense 

preparation and 

coordination. 

Leaders of the 

4th Marine

Logistics Group 

were feeling some 

of the pressures 

involved with a 

command- post 

exercise for the 

upcoming 4th MLG 

training exercise Javelin 

Thrust 2009. 

Various elements of 4th MLG 

gathered at their Headquarters and Service 

battalion for the evolution on December 6-7, and 

focused on the coordination for the logistic movements 

involved with the exercise. 

4th MLG will be heading Javelin Thrust with support 

from 4th Marine Air Wing, 4th Marine Division, and 

Training and Education Command. 

The preparation for this large-scale exercise was 

composed of three separate CPXs. The 4th MLG began 

focusing on staff training, execution procedures, software 

systems, and a general overall rhythm which will be used 

during Javelin Thrust. The Commanding 

General of 4th MLG, Maj. Gen. 

Darrell L. Moore, explained that 

the first CPX is focused on 

setting the right tempo for the 

following two CPXs and to 

ensure a smooth exercise. 

“We are focusing on 

the proper steps and 

procedures to execute 

a successful battle 

rhythm,” Moore said, 

adding that the lessons 

learned from last year’s 

exercise were paired 

with new challenges for 

the current operation. 

“We are adding some 

altitude to this exercise to 

help prepare the battalions 

for real world scenarios like 

Afghanistan.” he added. 

Over the past five years the 4th MLG 

has been focused on providing support for 

Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom 

with individual augments, detachments, and platoons, 

Moore said. The MLG had lost a bit of its edge with 

regards to preparing battalion staffs for command and 

control of elements larger than a platoon or detachment. 

Olympic Thrust and Javelin Thrust are the initial phases to 

prepare the MLG leaders for real world major operations, 

he added. 

Javelin Thrust 2009 will be conducted next summer at 

various locations throughout the continental United States.

o

www.mfr.usmc.mil 29
Dealing with the Possibility o

Military OneSource

Recent changes in the housing market, including what 

financial experts are calling the “subprime mortgage 

fallout” have left many people struggling to pay their 

mortgages, which can lead to foreclosure. 

If you are in danger of falling behind on your mortgage 

or are already facing foreclosure, it’s important to know 

that you do have options. But in most cases, the quicker 

you take steps to deal with a potential foreclosure the more 

options you’ll have. 

What is foreclosure? 

Foreclosure happens when a property owner defaults 

(doesn’t pay) on a mortgage. When this happens, the lender 

who provided the loan has the right to foreclose, which 

is the term for the process that allows a lender to recover 

the amount owed on a defaulted loan by repossessing a 

property. 

Experts estimate that about 4 percent of homeowners in 

the U.S. face foreclosure. But that number may be growing 

because of the changing housing market and the growth of 

what experts call “subprime” mortgages, which are highrisk loans made to people who have a poor credit history 

and who wouldn’t qualify for a conventional mortgage. 

Subprime loans typically have a high interest rate and may 

also have other restrictions or penalties because subprime 

borrowers have a higher rate of default than conventional 

borrowers. Because the number of subprime mortgages has 

increased in recent years, the number of loans in default 

and thus foreclosures has increased, too. 

The foreclosure process 

Every mortgage lender has a different process, but there 

are two basic stages of foreclosure: preforeclosure and 

foreclosure. The preforclosure process is the best time to 

take steps to deal with the problem. Once the process enters 

a legal foreclosure process, it is not impossible but is much 

more difficult for homeowners to stop the proceedings. 

Here is a basic outline of the preforeclosure process: 

1. The borrower misses a mortgage payment. 

2. The lender sends a late notice. 

3. The borrower misses another payment. 

4. The lender attempts to reach the borrower in 

writing and by phone to resolve the situation. 

5. No arrangements are made and the borrower 

continues to miss payments. 

6. The lender issues a demand for payment of the 

mortgage in full. 

7. No payment is made. 

At this point, the lender will usually initiate the legal 

foreclosure process. Foreclosure is a complex legal 

proceeding that has many steps. Every step must be 

documented in court records and usually requires the 

homeowner to be formally notified. 

In general, the foreclosure process consists of three main 

steps: 

1. The lender files a formal Notice of Default (NOD). 

A NOD is a public record that states the bank’s intention to 

repossess the property. 

2. The lender files a Notice of Sale (NOS). If the loan 

isn’t paid off or some other kind of arrangement isn’t made 

within a certain period of time -- often three months -- the 

bank then files an NOS, which includes the date when the 

property will be sold at auction. Notices of Sale are usually 

posted on the property, filed in the local courthouse, and 

published in the local newspaper. 

3. The property is sold at auction. Finally, the 

mortgage lender will recoup whatever it can by selling the 

property to the highest bidder at a public auction. If the 

homeowner is still living in the property, the new owner 

often begins formal eviction proceedings.

What foreclosure means for a homeowner 

Foreclosure can be a devastating financial blow. A 

foreclosure can destroy your credit record, making it very 

difficult to get another mortgage or even rent an apartment. 

It takes years to rebuild a credit record, so you want to do 

anything you can to avoid a bad record. 

The emotional stress of going through a foreclosure 

and losing your home can also be devastating. For many 

people, the loss of a home is a major emotional crisis that is 

difficult to recover from. 

And the loss of a home doesn’t end financial 

problems. 

Borrowers who are foreclosed on may continue to face 

significant debt even after a foreclosure. In some states, if 

a lender forecloses on a home and is only able to sell it at 

a loss (for less than what the borrower owes) the borrower 

is still liable for the difference and the lender can go after 

other assets to get it. 

Many borrowers who go through foreclosure are also 

surprised to find that they owe taxes on what is called 

cancellation of debt income. This might happen if the 

mortgage lender accepts a payment arrangement that is 

less than what you owe or sells the property for less than 

the loan and agrees to “forgive” the outstanding debt. The 

IRS considers that forgiven, or cancelled, debt to be taxable 

income.

30 The Continental Marine Magazine - Oct/Nov/Dec 2008
of Foreclosure on Your Home

What you can do 

Foreclosure can be stressful and frightening. Fear 

of losing your home coupled with a financial crisis can 

make it difficult to think clearly and make decisions. 

Homeowners often think there isn’t anything they can do, 

or they find the situation so stressful that they simply ignore 

it. But in most cases, you do have options. You may not be 

able to keep your home, but you can take steps to reduce 

the financial impact of a foreclosure.

It’s important to realize that foreclosure is an expensive 

process for the mortgage lender. In most cases, lenders 

would rather work out an arrangement with a homeowner 

than enter into foreclosure, which can take a year or longer, 

during which the bank is not making any money on the 

loan. 

The most important thing you can do if you’re 

falling behind on payments or facing foreclosure is to 

communicate with your lender. Don’t ignore letters 

and phone calls. The longer you wait to act, the fewer 

opportunities you will have to avoid foreclosure. Reach out 

to your lender as soon as you know you might be unable to 

make a payment and ask what your lender can do to help. 

Lenders have many options available to people who are 

having financial difficulties including the following: 

• Forbearance, which allows you to pay less than 

the full amount of your mortgage payment or even pay 

nothing at all for a certain period of time. Forbearance is 

a good option for people who expect to be able to bring 

their mortgage current at a specific time in the future. For 

example, if you are behind in payments but are expecting 

a bonus or a tax refund in the near future that you can use 

to pay off everything you owe, you might want to request 

forbearance. 

• A reinstatement occurs when you pay your 

mortgage company the total amount you are behind, in a 

lump sum, by a specific date. This is often combined with 

forbearance. 

• A repayment plan is an agreement that gives you 

an agreed on amount of time to repay the amount you are 

behind by combining a portion of what is past due with 

your regular monthly payment. At the end of the repayment 

period, you have gradually paid back the amount of your 

mortgage that was delinquent. 

• Loan modification is an agreement that changes 

the original terms of your loan to make the payments more 

affordable. Common modifications include the following: 

• adding missed payments to the existing loan 

balance 

•	 Changing the interest rate

• Extending the number of years you have to repay 

If you aren’t able to use one of the options listed above 

and keeping your home isn’t an option, there are still steps 

you can take to protect your credit and avoid a foreclosure. 

Your lender can help you figure out which of the following 

options might be best for you: 

• Selling your home. Lenders will usually give you 

a specific amount of time to sell your home and pay off the 

total amount owed. Most lenders require specific terms for 

this agreement, such as the use of a real estate professional. 

• A short sale. In a short sale, the lender agrees to 

a sale of the property for less than what is owed on the 

mortgage and then “forgives” the rest of the debt. This can 

be a good option if changes in the real estate market have 

left you with a home that’s worth less than what you owe. 

However, it’s important to realize that the government 

considers forgiven debt -- the difference between what you 

owe and what the property sells for -- taxable income and 

you will be responsible for paying that tax. 

• Assumption. Under this arrangement, the loan 

company allows a qualified buyer to take over or “assume” 

the existing mortgage. This shifts ownership of the home to 

a new person without the need to secure new financing. 

• Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. This solution is exactly 

what it sounds like: you give the deed for your house back 

to the mortgage lender and your debt is forgiven. But there 

are limitations to this option that make it more complicated 

than it sounds. For example, you may have to try to sell the 

home for at least 90 days before the lender will consider 

this option. And a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure arrangement 

may not be available to you if you have other liens, such as 

a second mortgage or home equity loan. 

Filing for bankruptcy may also be an option for some 

people. Filing for bankruptcy temporarily stops the 

foreclosure process and can force the lender to agree to 

some kind of arrangement. However, bankruptcy has many 

other implications and should only be considered with the 

help of a financial expert. 

Foreclosure rescue scams 

Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous people who 

take advantage of the emotional and financial stress that 

homeowners go through when they are facing foreclosure. 

Foreclosure rescue scams are deals that claim they will save 

your home or pay your mortgage, but they are just moneymaking schemes. o

www.mfr.usmc.mil 31
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