NEWS
CMC, SMMC spend Christmas with servicemembers in Afghanistan
Story and photos by Master Sgt. Brenda Varnadore
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HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett and the First Lady of the Marine Corps Bonnie Amos spent four days during Christmas visiting servicemembers throughout Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 23 through 26. Also on the trip was Lt. Gen. Richard Tryon, Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, and Lt. Gen. William Faulkner, Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics. The official party visited servicemembers deployed to forward operating bases and combat outposts throughout Regional Command Southwest’s area of operations to include Leatherneck, Payne, Geronimo, Hanson, Sabit Qadam, Kajaki and Musa Qal’ah, just to wish them a Merry Christmas. “General George Washington chose to cross the Delaware River, Dec. 25, 1776,” said Sgt. Maj. Barrett. “Here we are 276 years later on Christmas still at it. I am humbled to be standing here with you. There is nothing more honorable or noble than to serve your nation.” (Read the STORY)
Afghan soldiers one step closer to professionalization
Story and photos by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.
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CAMP SHORABAK, Afghanistan - Afghan National Army soldiers completed Helmand province’s first Afghan Inform and Influence Methods course on Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Jan. 3. The course helps promote the people skills of the soldiers, stressing the importance of dealing with the people of Afghanistan with dignity and respect, bringing the soldiers one step closer in professionalization. “A lot of work went into this,” said Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Miller, noncommissioned officer in charge of the AIIM course. “We were given the idea and looked around. We pulled a little bit from the course that is taught to the commandos and we went and talked to the Afghans and our highers and kind of combined the two.” After some deliberation and several planning meetings, the course material was chosen. Afghan soldiers were instructed by soldiers with the Regional Psychological Operations Support Element for Regional Command Southwest. The five-day course consisted of several classroom periods and then culminated with the soldiers being put to the test on their newly enhanced skills. (Read the STORY)
Nashville band plays New Year’s show for troops in Afghanistan
Story and photos by Cpl. Robert J. Reeves
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Servicemembers came together to be rocked and share in morale boosting music by an alternative rock ‘n’ roll band from Nashville, Tenn., Hip Kitty, at the town hall aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Jan. 1. Hip Kitty played classic songs from entertainers such as Bush, Nirvana, Joan Jett along with a few originals. They said they were honored to play for the troops. “We all have friends and family out here, somewhere,” said Jen Goncalves, the band’s lead singer. “We just really love playing our music, and we stand behind (the military). It’s really the least we can do. We really like seeing what you guys do.” The band kicked off the concert with “Rock and Roll All Night,” by Kiss and “Machinehead,” by Bush causing everyone in attendance to start bobbing their heads and tapping their feet by the end of the second song. The deployed servicemembers enjoyed the New Year’s Day entertainment. “(They were) amazing and outstanding. I don’t normally say this much, but it actually touched me in a way,” said Lance Cpl. Jose Esparza, a flight equipment specialist with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, and a native Nacogdches, Texas. “I love their song ‘Hero.’ It shows that people really do care about us.” (Read the STORY)
VIGNETTES
Austin Marine receives call from president
Story and photos by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - During a bitterly cold Christmas day in Afghanistan, Sgt. Rosa M. Quintero spoke on the phone at her desk with an unlikely caller on the other end, President Barack Obama. Through hard work and dedication, Quintero, an administrative specialist with I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), has had what most would call an amazing military career. She has climbed the ranks quickly and was recognized with a phone call from her commander in chief. Quintero has made hard work a part of her, embodying the epitome of dedication and adopting it in many parts of her life. Born in the Coahuila, Mexico, Quintero was shuffled from her hometown to Texas at the age of 7 and immersed into the U.S. lifestyle in Liberty Hill, Texas. “I was in Mexico until second grade, and then I came to the U.S.,” said Quintero, 26. “I was emerged into all of these English speaking classes. It was kind of hard.” (Read the STORY)
Family affair: Minnesota Marine continues family tradition
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE SABIT QADAM, Afghanistan – Marines often refer to their fellow Marines as their brothers and sisters. For Cpl. Frank Blundetto, team leader, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, his actual brother and sisters are Marines. Blundetto’s brother, Cpl. Dino Blundetto, is a crewman with 2nd Tank Battalion. His younger sister, 1st Lt. Mia Blundetto, is a combat air logistics officer stationed on Okinawa, Japan. His older sister, Capt. Mandy Featherstone, recently got out of the Marine Corps but worked at the Pentagon as an adjutant. To say the Marine Corps runs in this family is an understatement. “My dad was a Naval Academy graduate, and both my sisters are Naval Academy graduates,” said Blundetto, from Apple Valley, Minn. “If you look at all of our jobs and ranks and how we went about it, we all joined the Marine Corps our own way.” Blundetto’s father never pressured his children into the military, and Blundetto does not really remember when his father was active duty. (Read the STORY)
New Yorker’s goal to help people spans three continents
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE SABIT QADAM, Afghanistan – His journey started in Ghana, took him to the hustle and commotion of Brooklyn, N.Y., and now finds him in a different type of city, Sangin, Afghanistan. He learned many things in his life, but two things stick out, he wants to help people and appreciate what he has earned. “I came to the United States when I was about 14,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class George Felli, hospital corpsman, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7. “I was born in Accai, Ghana.” Felli is responsible for the health and safety of 26 servicemembers. He takes care of everything from their medical records and basic first aid to their physicals and periodic health assessments. “I wanted to work with Marines and volunteered for it,” said Felli. “I wanted to help people, and the Marines never go anywhere without a corpsman.” Felli’s responsibilities extend beyond the 26 Marines. He volunteered to help prepare and serve meals and works in the battalion aid station. “(Felli) operates the next pay grade above him,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jordan Fitzgerald, a corpsman and training petty officer with the battalion. “He’s a very hard worker. He can work on a team, but he can also work independently. I wish there were more people like him.” Felli worked on a vast array of injuries during his time in Afghanistan. He is called in for emergencies to the BAS. (Read the STORY)
Paris, Texas, native follows in ancestors' footsteps, defends country on second deployment
Story and photos by Cpl. Mark Garcia
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Coming from a rich military family history, Cpl. Wesley Giddens knew he wanted to serve his country as his ancestors had done. Giddens’ grandfather liked to study their family’s genealogy as a hobby. Through his studies, he was able to learn their family’s ancestors had served in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Giddens’ father, along with both grandfathers, had also served in the military. Giddens, an intelligence analyst with Regimental Combat Team 7 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, is currently serving on his second deployment. His first deployment was with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit where he spent time in Okinawa and the Philippines. “My family has been in the military for a while, so that’s what kind of drove me to enlist,” said Giddens, from Paris, Texas. “We have a very rich military family history.” Before deciding to join the Marine Corps, Giddens spent time talking to his father about each of the branches of service and what they had to offer. “I spent some thinking about which branch I actually wanted to join instead of just jumping right into it,” Giddens said. “I sat down and talked to my dad, and he gave me a lot of information about the differences between each branch of the military. The deciding factor was the Marine Corps seemed like there was more honor involved in it, and I could be proud to be a Marine.” (Read the STORY)
San Francisco Marine prepares for life outside Corps
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE SABIT QADAM, Afghanistan – Many Marines enlist soon after high school and range in age from 18 to 20. When a Marine joins later, he often has a different perspective of life. Enlisting four years after the typical age of new Marine recruits, Cpl. Casey Hunter is using his life experiences to better lead his men, while gaining military experience for his life after the Marine Corps. “I joined when I was 22,” said Hunter, vehicle commander, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7. “I tried school, and I tried working. I figured it was time I did what I wanted and needed to do.” Hunter, from San Francisco, thought of enlisting when he was 19. After careful consideration with family and friends, he decided not to join the Marine Corps and attend college while working. “The last job I worked before I joined was at a Lexus dealership,” said Hunter. “I’ve worked at restaurants and was a lifeguard.” (Read the STORY)
Santee Marine prepares to train next generation of Marines
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE SABIT QADAM, Afghanistan – A mortorman turned squad leader plans to use his experiences gained while deployed to teach new Marines as a combat instructor. Corporal Ethan Sullivan, squad leader, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, is currently deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan, and has gained significant infantry and leadership skills, which he hopes will prepare him for his next challenge. “This is my third deployment in four years,” said Sullivan. “But this is my first combat deployment.” Sullivan, from Santee, Calif., deployed twice with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Now, he is gaining knowledge in a combat zone. “I’m thinking of being a combat instructor,” said Sullivan. “I like the infantry, and I want to teach Marines.” As a combat instructor, Sullivan would teach the basic fundamentals to new Marines. Originally a mortarman, Sullivan and his leadership believe he has much to offer the School of Infantry. (Read the STORY)
VIDEOS
Gunnery Sgt. Hoversten preparing for surprise holiday R&R
Video by RCT-7
Gunnery Sgt. Jared Hoversten prepares to travel home on R&R and surprise his family for the holidays on the Katie Couric Show. (Watch the VIDEO)
CLB-2 conducts supply run to FOB Shukvani
Video by Lance Cpl. Quiles
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 (-) Reinforced (CLB-2(-)REIN), Combat Logistics Regiment 15 deliver supplies aboard Forward Operating Base Shukvani, Helmand province, Afghanistan. CLB-2(-) REIN provides tactical and logistical support to Regional Command Southwest units in order to enable and support operations in the region. (Watch the VIDEO)
Marketed/Republished Combat Correspondent Product
Sgt. Christopher R. Contreras from Novato, Calif. talks to a KCDZ reporter in Yucca Valley about his job in the Marine Corps, pervious deployments and plans for the future.
Petty Officer 3rd Class (HM3) Jeffery Casassa, from New Bern, N.C., talks to a WTKF-FM reporter about his duties as a hospital field corpsman deployed to Afghanistan and why he joined the Navy.
Lance Cpl. Anthony Zavala, Santa Barbara, Calif, talks to a KCDZ 107.7 FM Online reporter in Yucca Valley, Calif., about joining the Marine Corps, his dream of becoming a doctor after the Marines, his work as an ammunition and ordnance technician and working with the Afghan national army.
Gunnery Sgt. Jared Hoversten surprises his family for the holidays on the Katie Couric Show.
Family Affair: Minnesota Marine continues family tradition republished on The Patriot Files.
New Yorker’s goal to help people spans three continents republished on ISAF website.
San Francisco Marine prepares for life outside Corps republished on Newsroom America.
Santee corporal prepares to train next generation of Marines republished in the Santee Patch.
Paris, Texas native follows in ancestors’ footsteps, defends country on second deployment republished on SiloBreaker.
CMC, SMMC spend Christmas with servicemembers in Afghanistan republished on RoadRunner.
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