Behind the Cover: Military benefits under fire
May 31st, 2011 | Behind the Cover budget Leadership The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by Dan Lamothe
This week’s Marine Corps Times cover story highlights an ongoing debate that could hit service members right where it counts: the wallet.
In a trio of stories, Pentagon correspondent Andrew Tilghman explores where cuts could be made to military benefits. Reductions to tuition assistance and pensions are possible, and military officials also are considering a partial pension for those who serve at least 10 years.
This week’s newspaper also offers three strong career stories for enlisted Marines. One focuses on promotion opportunities for sergeants, another looks at the Corps’ early-out program, and the third offers tips to Marines seeking their preferred special duty assignment.
Finally, we offer up a long-form feature this week exploring the personal relationship of Navy Cross recipient Jeremiah Workman and Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, the Corps’ senior enlisted Marine. It’s the kind of story that Marines will hopefully tell again and again.
‘I was just doing my job’
May 27th, 2011 | Afghanistan Awards Leadership | Posted by Gidget Fuentes
1st Sgt. Curtis Rice salutes Col. Bruce Nickle after receiving the Bronze Star w/V medal for his combat actions in Afghanistan in 2009.//LCpl. Kenneth Jasik
As a few dozen Marines watched, 1st Sgt. Curtis Rice stood stoic in the intimate courtyard at Camp Pendleton, Calif., as his regimental commander pinned on a Bronze Star medal, its gold “V” catching a glint of the sun.
Col. Bruce Nickle, the Combat Logistics Regiment 17 commander, tapped him on the shoulder and stepped aside so Rice could address the crowd. “I’m almost at a loss for words,” said Rice, 35, a native of Worcester, Mass., who serves as company first sergeant with Food Service Company. “I was just doing my job, as anyone in this formation would do.”
A minute earlier, the crowd listened May 24 as a Marine read the citation for the valor award for Rice’s “heroic example…extraordinary guidance…zealous initiative…total dedication to duty” stemming from his actions in Afghanistan’s Uzbin Valley on July 27, 2009, during a nine-month combat tour – his first in his 16-year career.
On that day, Rice, the staff noncommissioned officer with Embedded Training Team 1-11, was returning with his team of about 20 in Humvees returning from a shura meeting when a group of about 50 Taliban fighters attacked a small Afghan National Army post. Afghan soldiers with the 2nd Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 201st Corps, manned the post with Army Special Forces soldiers with an Operational Detachment-Alpha team. Rice, a gunnery sergeant at the time and machinist by training, had spent nearly six years assigned and working in Okinawa, Japan, but intense combat and field training before he left for eastern Afghanistan’s Kabul province prepared him to instinctively react that moment.
“He led an aggressive counterattack…, miraculously preventing the position from being overrun and any friendly loss of life,” states his award citation. “During the five-hour engagement, he answered the call as his actions turned the tide in very heavy and close combat with the enemy.
“He personally eliminated enemy fighters who were maneuvering on the pinned down combined patrol. He sprinted across open ground while taking enemy fire to resupply a MK-19 team with ammunition and perform remedial actions on an M-240,” it states.
As a medevac helicopter approached to evacuate a gravely wounded Special Forces officer, Rice killed an enemy fighter who was about to fire a rocket-propelled grenade at the helicopter. To Rice, the intense, long battle seemed like it lasted “a half hour.” Miraculously, only one member of his team, Marine Cpl. Ethan Nagel, who went thick into the fight alongside the Afghan soldiers as Taliban fighters tried to envelop their position, suffered a shoulder wound and earned a Purple Heart, said Rice. “I received absolutely no wounds,” he added.
The battle, said Rice, was “the biggest engagement” he and his team encountered during their time in Afghanistan. During that combat tour, Rice also earned another Bronze Star medal, awarded to him for his work with the team and as assistant operations chief, a job that included planning and commanding 63 convoys and tracking 315 convoys in the area with “no loss of life, limb or equipment” to the team, according to the award citation. “The Marines out there on the battlefield that day did extraordinary things,” said Rice, “much more extraordinary that what I did that day.”
How Rice landed in Afghanistan on Nov. 5, 2008, to work with ETT 1-11, assigned to Regional Corps Advisory Command-Center, is another story. By the fall of 2008, Rice had spent nearly six years in Japan and had worked for about 18 months as an instructor at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy. Many of his peers – and students – had amassed combat tours to Iraq or Afghanistan. While he enjoyed his work, he felt that something was missing. “I joined the Marine Corps to deploy,” said Rice. And that meant going to the combat zone.
Until then, he hadn’t gotten the call. One day, he told the academy’s director, Sgt. Maj. Ramona Cook: “I want to go on deployment.” It didn’t take much convincing Cook, who eventually helped him get orders to leave the staff academy ahead of the usual rotations and deploy overseas with a training team. During his deployment, Rice kept occasional contact by email with Cook, now the base sergeant major at Camp Pendleton, but didn’t detail his combat actions or even mention his Bronze Star medals until the day before the ceremony.
“He’s so humble that he hadn’t said anything,” said Cook, who rushed over to catch the ceremony and congratulate him. His actions detailed in the citation “didn’t surprise me at all.”
“That’s just the type of Marine he is. He cares about his team, certainly goes above and beyond the call of duty,” Cook said. “It’s never been about him.” Regimental Sgt. Maj. Brenda Jackson agreed, saying Rice’s award “is an indication of his type of leadership. He would do anything for anybody. He’s definitely a natural, he doesn’t have to think about it.”
Rice, who is married, wears a black metal bracelet etched with the name of Maj. Rocco Barnes, an Army Special Forces officer and National Guardsmen with ETT 1-11 who died in a vehicle accident in Afghanistan in July 2009. “A true hero,” Rice said.
He found solace in receiving the valorous award just days before Memorial Day and remembering those who have served and those who died for their country. He thanks Marines, who he called “average people coming from average places but (who) do extraordinary things in the Marine Corps.” And that even includes machinists. “It doesn’t really matter what MOS you hold, what job you have,” said Rice. “Every Marine is a rifleman.”
Remembering on Memorial Day
May 27th, 2011 | Afghanistan Infantry Wounded warriors | Posted by Dan Lamothe
Lt. Col. Michael J. Gann, the operations officer for Afghan National Security Forces Development, Regional Command Southwest, honors the late Lt. Col. Benjamin Palmer during a May 25 memorial service aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Bryan Nygaard)
A year ago today, I was at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, grateful that I had made it through a hairy three-week embed in the former Taliban stronghold of Marjah unharmed.
I haven’t been back to Afghanistan since, although another trip looks promising for the fall. I’ve continued to man this blog, though, and readers have continued to share their thoughts on the sacrifices that are necessary during long, hard deployments.
Frequently on Friday, you’ll find a new installment here of Bored Marine Video, which highlights the lighter sides of being a Marine. On Memorial Day weekend, however, that seemed wildly inappropriate.
The most recent Marine casualties announced are Lt. Col. Benjamin Palmer and Sgt. Kevin Balduf, who were reportedly slain by a member of the Afghan National Civil Order Police in a random act of violence May 12. There are scores of others since last Memorial Day, however, including many who died in Sangin, Marjah and other parts of Helmand province.
This post goes out to all the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the last year — and their families. Thank you.
MMA pro Brian Stann partners with Call of Duty Endowment to help veterans
May 26th, 2011 | Iraq Mixed marital arts | Posted by James Sanborn
Former Marine captain and UFC pro Brian Stann is partnering with the Call of Duty Endowment this Memorial Day weekend to raise money for programs that help place unemployed veterans in jobs.
You don’t have to actually empty your pockets to help. Just “donate” your Facebook status by visiting the endowment’s page here. For every person that does, the endowment will give Stann’s organization — Hire Heroes USA — $1 for a grand total of up to $50,000.
After transitioning to civilian life in 2008, Stann, who received the Silver Star for actions in Iraq, helped organize his own non-profit Hire Heroes USA. The organization provides job search training to troops from all branches through on-base workshops and resources at www.hireheroesusa.org. The organization now places at least two former service members in jobs each week.
Stann also plans to help troops and veterans with his soon-to-open gym called Warrior Legion MMA in Alpharetta, Ga. It’s doors will officially open after July 4 and its instructors will include up-and-coming fighter Sgt. George Lockhart who is a Marine Corps Martial Arts instructor at Quantico, Va. Stann and Lockhart, who is about to finish his time in the Corps, will be joined at the gym by big-name fighter Tom “Kong” Watson.
Stann not only plans to employ veterans, but he will allow those recovering from injuries to train for free.
“Specifically as we find veterans who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress, they are going to be allowed to train there for free because I’ve seen first hand how martial arts can affect those kinds of stresses for veterans and help them cope with the difficulties of reintegrating into society,” he said.
Marines likely to retain four 4-star generals
May 26th, 2011 | Afghanistan General officers Leadership | Posted by Dan Lamothe
Gen. James Cartwright has been a four-star officer since September 2004, and will likely retire in August. (Associated Press photo)
With news quickly spreading that Army Gen. Martin Dempsey has likely been selected to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, it’s time to make a prediction:
Even with Marine Gen. James Cartwright likely retiring by the end of the summer, the military will likely retain four four-star Marine generals.
That much seems obvious, even as speculation swirls over who will replace Cartwright as JCS vice chairman. No Marines are believed to be in serious contention for the four-star position, which Cartwright has filled since Aug. 31, 2007. Instead, rumors have centered mostly on Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz.
Cartwright was believed to be a prominent contender to become the next chairman, but, citing a defense official, the AP reports that Obama informed Cartwright last weekend that he was no longer in contention.
That may make it official, but Cartwright’s candidacy for the chairman job has been doubted for weeks. Bob Woodward’s 2010 book, “Obama’s Wars,” highlighted a growing rift between Cartwright and other Pentagon leadership. His judgment was called into question again after the release this year of a Pentagon investigation into claims of misconduct with a female aide.
Cartwright was cleared of having an inappropriate relationship with the woman, but the investigation found that he allowed the aide to either pass out or fall asleep in his hotel room, where he was working and his security staff stood nearby.
It wasn’t widely noted at the time, but another sign that Cartwright’s career was ending may have come when Obama announced April 28 that he had nominated Marine Lt. Gen. John Allen to become the top commander in Afghanistan beginning this fall. Conspicuously, Allen was not nominated for a fourth star at the time, even though he will be taking over the military’s highest profile combat assignment from the retiring Army Gen. David Petraeus.
Officials still haven’t said Allen will be promoted, but it seems imminent. That means another four-star general or flag officer will likely retire somewhere in the military.
Under U.S. law, only two four-star Marine officers can serve in the Corps at any one time. However, other four-star Marines can lead joint commands, or serve as JCS chairman or vice chairman. The president also can increase the number of three- or four-star generals in one service as long as there is a corresponding decrease in another service.
Currently, there are four four-star Marines, three of whom appear to be locked in for the immediate future. Gens. Jim Amos and Joseph Dunford fill the four-star slots in the Corps as commandant and assistant commandant, respectively. Gen. Jim Mattis fills a four-star billet as the head of CENTCOM, taking command there in August.
That leaves Cartwright — whose current gig ends in August, just before Allen is expected to take over as commander in Afghanistan. It seems reasonable to expect Allen would pin on that fourth star at that time.
Marine homes damaged in tornado
May 24th, 2011 | Recruiting | Posted by Tony Lombardo
The U.S. suffered its deadliest single tornado in 60 years on Sunday. More than 115 people were expected dead in the disaster, which destroyed much of Joplin, Mo.
Photos released today show Marine recruiters were among those whose homes were destroyed. Cpl. Bradley Rogers, a spokesman with 9th Marine Corps District, recently visited Joplin, spending time with members of Recruiting Sub Station Joplin, Recruiting Station Kansas City. Rogers snapped the following photos:
Staff Sgt. Neville Shiwdin (center) and his fellow Marines look over his family's home in Joplin, Mo.
Staff Sgt. Neville Shiwdin struggled to keep the door closed on his home's closet where he, his wife and kids took shelter.
Maj. Thomas McGee finds a ladder among debris so that he and others can begin patching one of his Marine's roofs May 23 after it was damaged by the tornado. McGee is the commanding officer of Recruiting Station Kansas City.
Marine Harriers to replace Hornet jets in Afghanistan
May 24th, 2011 | Afghanistan Aviation | Posted by Dan Lamothe
AV-8B Harriers with Marine Attack Squadron 513, of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., rest at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, following their May 20 arrival. (Photo by Pfc. Shaun Dennison)
The Marine Corps released an interesting update this morning: An AV-8B Harrier squadron out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., will soon replace a Hornet squadron out of MCAS Beaufort, S.C. in Afghanistan.
Yuma’s Marine Attack Squadron 513 has arrived at Kandahar Airfield, and will replace Beaufort’s Fighter Attack Squadron 122 beginning today, according to this news release.
Like the Hornet squadron, VMA-513 will operation from KAF to provide close air support to Marine and Afghan forces in southwestern Afghanistan. They’re scrambled in for help when there are “troops in contact” with the enemy on the ground, typically known as a TIC.
Video: HIMARS rockets at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan
May 23rd, 2011 | Afghanistan Camp Leatherneck Infantry Marjah Weapons | Posted by Dan Lamothe
I now introduce an insurgent’s worst nightmare.
Below is new video of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, better known as HIMARS. It was recorded by Combat Camera recently at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, where Kilo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marines, operates from to assists infantry units downrange:
The rockets carry M270 rounds, and are no joke. Military officials say they can be fired up to 186 miles, with the warhead reaching an altitude of more than 31 miles on long-range shots.
HIMARS use was briefly suspended in February 2010 after two rockets fired from a HIMARS unit fell about 300 meters short of their intended target and killed 12 civilians. It was later determined the technology was not at fault for the incident — the rocket hit the intended house, which also contained insurgents firing on Marine forces. They were not aware there were civilians in the building when the rocket strike was launched.
Behind the Cover: Corps-wide MMA contests
May 23rd, 2011 | Behind the Cover MCMAP Mixed marital arts The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps | Posted by James Sanborn
UFC-style competition will likely be rolled out Corps-wide within a year, according to Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent. While Kent was clear that the final decision rests with the commandant, Marine officials are already in detailed meetings to discuss how an Army Combatives-style tournament system could be rolled out.
Early this year, Kent sent Sgt. Maj. Howard Long, the senior enlisted Marines at Training and Education Command at Quantico, Va., on a fact finding mission that took him to the U.S. Army Combatives School at Fort Benning, Ga. There the Army’s master trainer, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Martin, gave Long the run down on the Army combatives system and how they run their tournaments.
Marine officials have said they will model the Marine Corps’ tournament system after the Army’s which. That would mean Marines will be allowed to compete at the small unit level. The best fighters will advance to compete against other units and climb the latter in an effort to earn a spot at an annual all-Marine competition that will determine who are the Marine Corps’ best hand-to-hand fighters.
For the details pick up this week’s Marine Corps Times, on newsstands now, or subscribe here.
Sgt. Maj. Kent: Marines ‘are kicking ass’ at Warrior Games
May 20th, 2011 | General officers The CMC The Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps Wounded warriors | Posted by Dan Lamothe
The Marines celebrate Wednesday at the Warrior Games as the All-Marine team takes down a team of airmen in sitting volleyball. (Photo by Sgt. Michael S. Cifuentes)
The Wounded Warrior Regiment would not be denied.
Competing Wednesday in the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., the All-Marine team swept the All-Air Force team in sitting volleyball. It already had dispatched the Army team a day earlier in the paralympic-style games, which are open to wounded, ill or injured service members.
If you’ve been reading Battle Rattle this week, you already know that Commandant Gen. Jim Amos and his wife, Bonnie, attended the event did the wave.
Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, the Corps’ top enlisted Marine, also visited and offered some blunt motivation for the Marines, according to this Marine Corps news account:
“It’s clear the Marines are kicking ass here,” Kent said. “The Marines have created a new kind of warfighting legacy, it’s just off the battlefield, and everyone is proud of them. [The All-Marine team] have a tremendous amount of support coming from all over the Marine Corps, and their brothers and sisters in Afghanistan are truly proud of them.”
Roger that, sir.
After watching the volleyball matches, Amos and Kent reportedly caught the final round of an archery event. Amos presented a gold medal to Sgt. Daniel Govier, and a bronze medal to Sgt. Stephen Lunt.
Not surprisingly, the All-Marine shooting team also exceled at the Warrior Games, as this news story points out.