Marines

New graphic novel covers Marine Corps heroism through the ages

By James Sanborn on November 4, 2013 Battle Rattle, History and heritage, Iraq, Marines

A new comic book, set for release Wednesday, will cover Marine heroism from Tripoli to Afghanistan. Titled “American Defenders: The Marines,” it is part of a series published by Bluewater Productions that highlights the history of each branch of the U.S. armed forces. In it, “we find out how the few, the proud and the brave not only fight for freedom, but continue to defend America in their greatest times in need whether it be in the Halls of Montezuma or on the shores of Tripoli…,” reads a company press release. The comic will be available in digital format from…

Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen resort to liposuction

By James Sanborn on October 31, 2013 Battle Rattle, Fitness, Marines, Medical, Military appearance

The New York Times, Washington Times and the New York Daily News and others are just now reporting a story that is old news for Military Times readers — service members are resorting to extreme weight-loss methods to meet strict body composition standards. Marine Corps Times reporter James K. Sanborn first broke the story three years ago in July 2010, when it was revealed that a large number of service members were resorting to risky and sometimes deadly weight loss methods including dehydration, purging, diet supplements and yes — even liposuction. Doctors told Marine Corps Times then that often perfectly…

Behind the cover: How (not) to talk to lance corporals

By Gina Harkins on October 28, 2013 Behind the Cover, Leadership, Marines

The Corps’ new leadership development initiative will take a fresh look at mentoring as part of a wider effort that will allow leaders more time to get to know their junior Marines, as the service continues its fight against bad behavior in the ranks. It’s coined Leadership Development, and it will introduce a new brand of more engaged leadership that might remind Marines of what they experienced at boot camp. From values-based discussions on the rifle ranges to more one-on-one mentoring, the initiative is aimed at reminding Marines that their values and behavior shouldn’t change when they hang up their…

Behind the cover: Cracking into intel

By Gina Harkins on October 7, 2013 Behind the Cover, Deployments, Marines

Corps officials are soliciting Marines to consider a lateral move into a job with opportunity for new experiences, deployments and huge cash bonuses. The demand for Marines in the 0211 counterintelligence/human intelligence military occupation specialty has more than doubled over the past decade. The Marine Corps’ intelligence community is asking sergeants, corporals and even some lance corporals, to consider moving to the 0211 MOS. Not much was known about what 0211s did until the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and then Iraq. CI/human intelligence Marines assisted commanders with gathering information they needed to be successful on the battlefield. Now as things wind…

Miramar Air Show cancelled amid government shutdown

By Hope Hodge Seck on October 3, 2013 Battle Rattle, budget, Events, Marines, Miramar

A Marine Corps air show that draws crowds of 750,000 every year has been cancelled the day before it was scheduled to begin. Officials with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., announced Thursday morning that the Miramar Air Show, set to start Friday, could not be held during the federal government shutdown, according to regulation. “Guidance from the Deputy Secretary of Defense mandates that non-excepted activities, including outreach events, are not authorized under the current shutdown guidelines,” air station officials said in a statement. “We want to thank everyone involved in the air show for their hard work, dedication and…

2nd Tanks Battalion has its first female field-grade officer

By Hope Hodge Seck on September 13, 2013 Battle Rattle, Marines, women

Navy Lt. Shannon Stout made history for 2nd Tank Battalion this month when she pinned on the rank of lieutenant commander, making her the unit’s first field grade officer, according to Marine Corps reports. A battalion surgeon, Stout joined the unit in 2012, according to the report. The promotion is significant because the Marine Corps only recently opened a limited selection of billets in ground combat elements, including tank units, to female Marines. Beginning in May 2012, women have been able to serve in 371 new billets within combat units. The change opened more than 14,000 new positions to women.…

Vietnam War Marine earns Bronze Star with “V” 46 years later

By Gina Harkins on September 1, 2013 Awards, Marines

A 72-year-old was awarded the Bronze Star with combat “V” for heroic achievements during the Vietnam War. Retired Staff Sgt. David Nugent was presented with his award Aug. 26 aboard Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. The former section leader with Mortar Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, was surrounded by more than 100 family members and friends, according to an Air Force news release. “I am grateful that I was able to receive this now so my children, grandchildren, brothers and their children can see this ceremony,” Nugent said during the ceremony. “By seeing it, I hope…

Marines to hike 81 miles over Labor Day weekend to honor Fallujah heroes

By Gina Harkins on August 29, 2013 Infantry, Iraq, Marines

A group of Marine reservists are leading a three-day, 81 mile hike in Florida this weekend to honor those who died in the Battle of Fallujah in 2004. Maj. Charleston Malkemus, an infantry officer who fought in the infamous Battle of Fallujah in Iraq in 2004, carries a flag he received from a Marine who was killed in action. He said he now displays it in his company office to remind other Marines of their commitment to uphold the expectations of their brothers-in-arms. And this weekend, he will carry the flag 81 miles as he helps lead a hike from…

31st MEU teams with Darwin Marines for Australian exercise

By Gina Harkins on August 29, 2013 Australia, Battle Rattle, Life at sea, Marines, MEU operations, Training

About 850 Marines headed to the remote Australian outback to test the capabilities of a training range as the U.S. prepares to deploy a battalion-landing team-sized unit there next year. Exercise Koolendong 2013 kicked off on Tuesday at Bradshaw Field Training Area outside Darwin, Australia. The two-week long exercise will be conducted with about 1,000 Australian and U.S. troops. It is designed to assess the capabilities of the training field to accommodate live-fire training for a battalion-sized unit, according to a Marine Corps news release. Included are about 700 members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, based out of Japan,…

Marine to retire from ‘President’s Own’ band with 23 years as master gunnery sergeant

By Dan Lamothe on August 20, 2013 Marines, Washington

It was a different time in 1974, when Master Gunnery Sgt. D. Michael Ressler joined the Marine Corps. President Richard Nixon was about to resign, Commandant Gen. Robert Cushman had recently overseen the Corps’ withdrawal from Vietnam, and Hank Aaron had just become baseball’s all-time home run king. Thirty-nine years later, Ressler will leave the Corps this month with more time on active-duty than any other enlisted Marine. A member of the “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band, he will be honored in a retirement ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington on Friday, and officially retire Aug. 31. He served under 11…

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