Wednesday night, family and friends gathered at Sacramento International Airport to welcome reservists with the Marines’ 4th Maintenance Battalion back home to Northern California.

“We’ve been together since my freshman year in high school,” said Tonya Gonzales of Turlock, whose fiancee, Eduardo Castellanos, is a truck driver and diesel mechanic when he’s with his Marine Reserve unit. At home, he is a deputy with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department.

“When he comes home, we’re planning on getting married,” said Gonzales, who screamed as he came down the escalator after his arrival was delayed by over two hours. Gonzales was hugged for several minutes by his fiancee, his family and friends.

The first group of arrivals was reportedly delayed by one of their own.

“My husband told me one of the Marines neglected to clean out a bathroom, so their flight had to get changed because he didn’t do his job,” said Jessyca Foreman, whose husband Randy Foreman is a mechanic with the unit. “I would like to know who that guy was.”

But all was soon forgiven and forgotten as her husband arrived, along with about 30 other members of the unit. “What he wants to do is celebrate all the holidays he missed and he’s really excited about Valentines Day,” Foreman said.

At least part of the unit will be deployed again in about six months, said several family members. But for now, it is time for members to get back to their civilian jobs and the lives they left behind.

“They say out of the military, one of the hardest jobs of all is the wives,” said Foreman, whose husband plans to take her out to a very fancy restaurant for Valentine’s Day.

News10/KXTV
Dave Marquis

First lady Michelle Obama delivers Christmas toys from White House staff to the Toys For Tots Stafford County Distribution Center in Stafford Va

Mrs. Obama visited a Toys for Tots warehouse near Marine Corps Base Quantico to deliver a portion of the more than 500 toys collected during a White House drive. She helped sort a pile of toys for girls, and appealed for gifts for 11- to 14-year-olds after longtime volunteer and base public affairs officer Wilma Vaughn told her about the shortage of toys for bigger kids.

On the warehouse floor, bins marked for youngsters overflowed with goodies while those for older kids were almost empty.

“If you’re 11, you’re still waiting for Santa, and you still want to make sure that they have something in the stocking,” Mrs. Obama said.

She told Vaughn: “I’m going to go back shopping because we still have a couple of more days, and we’re going to pick up some more toys.”

President Barack Obama and the first lady personally donated toys to the White House drive, her office said. No details were given on what the items were, other than that daughters Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8, helped make selections for kids in their age groups.

In all, Mrs. Obama brought a total of six bulging sacks – three red, three green – and two cardboard boxes of toys that the first lady’s office said included board games, a Barbie Corvette car, Legos, clothes and books.

Toys dropped off at this warehouse will be delivered to needy children throughout a nine-county area of Virginia. Other items from the White House drive, which continues, were to be sent to a distribution facility in the District of Columbia’s Anacostia neighborhood.

“We’ve tried to do our part at the White House,” said Mrs. Obama, promising to “be a part of this as long as I am in the White House.”

Since Toys for Tots began in 1947, Marines have distributed more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children.

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE
Associated Press Writer

Eric Piotrowski, 41, of Elk Grove, Calif., was sentenced Monday in U.S. district court in Sacramento, Calif., for violating the Stolen Valor Act, which prohibits falsely claiming or wearing unearned military decorations. He will be required to perform his community service at a veterans hospital or similar facility, U.S. authorities said in news release.

Former Cpl. Eric Piotrowski was arrested and charged May 8 with one misdemeanor count of violating the Stolen Valor Act and one felony count of lying to agents investigating his case.

U.S. authorities also ordered Piotrowski, an officer with the California Exposition & State Fair Police Department at the time of his May 8 arrest, to turn in his peace officer’s certification from the state of California and banned him from serving in law enforcement ever again.

In 2007, Piotrowski was honored by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, with California VA Undersecretary Roger Brautigan presenting him with a Silver Star in his home.

Authorities said this year that the medal was never earned and that a citation read by Brautigan — a retired two-star Army general — during the award ceremony was fraudulent. It said Piotrowski earned the medal for actions in 1991, when he supposedly put himself in harm’s way to allow “breaching units” to move forward, provided suppressive fire to cover an anti-tank team, and guided separated elements of his unit through enemy forces after an assault on Iraqi defenses near Kuwait International Airport.

The citation was wrought with details inconsistent with history and Piotrowski’s own DD Form 214, a document that describes a service member’s assignments and awards upon military separation.

Piotrowski’s service record shows he did not serve in 1st Force Recon and did not earn either version of the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal. The medals were awarded by the Saudi Arabian government to any service member with direct participation in Desert Storm and by the Kuwaiti government for participation in either Desert Storm or Desert Shield.

Piotrowski served from November 1986 to July 1991, according to his Military Report of Separation. His records show that he spent most of his career as a rifleman with infantry units at Camp Pendleton, Calif., but did not see combat.

Marine Corps Times began investigating the case in December 2008, before FBI agents charged Piotrowski. In a Dec. 3 phone interview, he expressed surprise when his citation was questioned, saying he was first notified he rated the Silver Star in 2007 after he sought his military medical records. That prompted an audit of his service record, he said, adding that he later received the citation from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis.

Pressed on the details of his purported actions in Kuwait, Piotrowski said he remembered the event, “but I don’t recall the specifics of it.”

“I remember being on a Humvee and providing fire support,” he said. “We were out there trying to provide fire support so that we could move the mission forward. That was it.”

By Dan Lamothe,
www.marinecorpstimes.com

General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps

Thanksgiving Message from General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps

Our national security depends on you – the brave men and women who willingly go into harm’s way – sacrificing time with your families to defend our freedoms and way of life. For your service in answering our Nation’s call in a time of war, you have earned her eternal gratitude.

As you prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday, i encourage you to reflect on the blessings of the past year, to remember our comrades deployed far from home, and to enjoy your own well-deserved time with family and friends. By all means, have fun. But as you celebrate, please use sound judgment and common sense to make good decisions. You are a cherished member of an elite fraternity; your country and your Corps are counting on you to return safely.

Leaders at all levels – especially our NCOs – should discuss holiday plans with their marines. your leadership makes a decisive, life-or-death difference here at home, just as it does on the battlefield. i trust each of you will take care of one another and ensure every marine remains in the fight.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Semper Fidelis, James T. Conway, General, U.S. Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Thanksgiving Message from President Barack Obama

Luckily for them, the Marine Corps Reserves offers several programs which allow them to get the best of both worlds, said Staff Sgt. Matthew T. White, a prior service recruiter with Prior Recruiting District 12, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

“When a Marine initially signs his first four-year contract, he or she signs up for four years active duty and four years in the [individual ready reserve],” White said. “There’s roughly 65,000 Marines in the IRR, and there are four different programs within the Marine Corps Reserves. There’s the IRR, the [Selected Marine Corps Reserves], the [Individual Mobilization Augment Detachment] and the Active Reserves.

“I affiliate Marines in the SMCR, IMA DET and the AR,” he continued. “Nine times out of ten, the Marines I affiliate come from the IRR.”

The SMCR is the basic reserve program, requiring Marines to train or “drill” one weekend each month and two weeks in the summer.

“During the year, a Marine must complete 50 drills for a satisfactory year toward their retirement.” White said. “Ae Marine can do three or four drills in a weekend and make hundreds of dollars for only a couple of days of work.”

Prior Service Recruiter

White also said Marines in the SMCR deploy to countries around the world other than Iraq and Afghanistan.

The AR program consists of reserve officers and enlisted Marines who serve in designated, full-time active duty billets. The program, established in 1994, evolved from the former Full Time Support program and currently employs nearly 2,400 Reserve Marines. AR Marines support the organization, training, instruction, retention, and administration of the Marine Corps Reserve.

The AR program provides qualified Marines an opportunity to serve on active duty and qualify for retirement benefits after 20 years of service. AR Marines are assigned to major Marine Corps bases and stations, headquarters, and reserve unit locations.

IMA DETS serve the purpose of supporting active duty organizational requirements. During periods of mobilization and wartime, IMAs fill out active duty structures and occupy organizations not needed during peace time.

During other periods, the IMA supports the active duty mission, and becomes prepared to step in and be fully functional during mobilization.

In order to be eligible for the reserve programs, Marines need to provide several documents and be up-to-date with their annual training requirements like the physical fitness test and the rifle range, White said.

“The most important thing Marines need is the [DD Form 214],” he said. “Every Marine knows what this is because it’s the form that says they are out of the Marine Corps. Some Marines laminate it, some Marines are going to wear it around their neck like ‘What About Bob?’ and his goldfish. Some Marines are going to put it up above their fireplace and stare at it aimlessly all day long because it’s just the greatest thing to them.”

White also said up-to-date medical and dental records, as well as a copy of their service record books, are required. For sergeants and above, there can be no gaps in their fitness reports whatsoever.

White said there are several benefits for Marines to consider when deciding whether or not to join the reserves.

“These programs give Marines the option of going to school, having a part-time job and maintaining affiliation with the Corps while choosing where they want live,” he said.

Besides the benefits the SMCR provides to Marines, there is another stipulation which may mean more to those who have multiple deployments under their belts.

According to MARADMIN 253/06, Marines who join the SMCR may defer deployments for a period of up to 24 months after their last combat deployment as an active duty Marine if the deployment fell within the last 12 months of their end of active service date.

“This is one of the best things for Marines who have deployed over and over again to Iraq and Afghanistan,” White said. “It’s a great way for them to stay affiliated with the Marine Corps and get a break from going overseas.”

White said he takes a different approach when recruiting Marines for the reserve programs.

“Typically when Marines get out, they think it’s better on the other side,” White said. “We don’t use traditional recruiting methods. Marines know what the Corps is like, and we’re here to let them know what they can do and the programs available as a Reserve Marine.”

Cpl. Eloy Lopez, recently worked with White to rejoin the Corps ranks as a reservist.

“I went through the [Yucca Valley, Calif.] recruiter’s office and got in contact with him,” said the Andrews, Texas native. “We discussed all the options I had and I ended up with [4th Tank Battalion].”

Lopez also said he encourages Marines who are getting out soon to stay in touch with recruiters and look into the opportunities for reserve Marines.

“What we want to accomplish here is to give a Marine options and we’re giving them the option of the reserves,” White said. “It lets them know the Marine Corps isn’t turning its back on them.”

For more information about any of the reserve programs, contact your unit career retention specialist or phone Prior Recruiting Office at (916) 387-7123 .

11/13/2009 By Cpl. R. Logan Kyle , Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

A group of Marines who just finished high altitude desert warfare training in the eastern Sierra got a day of rest and relaxation at Lake Tahoe before they head off to Afghanistan

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA - A group of Marines who just finished high altitude desert warfare training in the eastern Sierra got a day of rest and relaxation at Lake Tahoe before they head off to Afghanistan.

Roughly 60 members of the elite 3rd Recon Battalion were treated to a day of sightseeing around the lake at the end of their six weeks of intensive training at Hawthorne, Nevada and Bridgeport, California.

A community group in Gardnerville, Nevada hosted the Marines for breakfast, the Zephyr Cove Resort prepared a beachfront lunch, and in between, Heavenly Ski Resort offered complimentary gondola rides to the top of the mountain.

Marines at Heavenly Ski Resort (l-r) Cpl. Bo Houser, Cpl. Gregory Stultz, Sgt. Josh Parick, Sgt. Ryan Ludlum, Sgt. Brian Melo, Cpl. Justin Kozlowski

“It’s seems like a small gesture on our end for what they’re doing to help serve our country,” said Heavenly’s Andrew Strain.

Most of the Marines visiting the lake were in grade school or junior high when the war began. They said they were more excited than frightened about their impending deployment.

“I’m excited. That’s why I joined,” said Sgt. Josh Parick of Los Angeles.

“I imagine the fear doesn’t come until the point of actually arriving there,” added Cpl. Justin Kozlowski of Lowell, Indiana.

The Marines will spend two weeks with their families before shipping off to Okinawa and then Afghanistan.

by George Warren @news10.net
© News10/KXTV

Happy Halloween and Semper Fidelis

Come Oct. 31, goblins, haunts, witches and more hit the streets of “Anytown, USA” for a night of candy, scares, laughter and bellyaches. This is the night children–mostly falling into an acceptable age bracket for knocking door-to-door, although there is always that group of questionably “older kids”–ask hosts the ultimate ultimatum, “Trick or treat?”

But this ghoulish holiday isn’t just a night of tricks or treats. There are service members standing watch around the globe. Some at sea, others in fighting holes, and some jumping out of airplanes, while thousands of miles away their wives and children carved pumpkins alone.

And what exactly did Marines for Halloweens past, and even up to present?

In 1799, Marines did their trick-or-treating in Guahani, Haiti, in action between the U.S. brig Norfolk and a Picaroon barge. The active duty strength of the Corps was roughly 400 warriors, enlisted and officers.

By 1833, with the forces’ population more than doubled, Marines and seamen from Commodore Woosley’s squadron landed at Buenos Aires, Argentina, to protect American lives and property.

On Halloween, 1916, during a conflict in the Dominican Republic, Marines were advancing on enemy strongholds. Later in the year, Marines would arrive in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to protect American citizens in the Caribbean. The U.S. would go on to proclaim the military occupation of the Dominican Republic. Marines would further continue to Cuba to protect American interests during a revolutionary period in early 1917.

In late October 1926, then President Calvin Coolidge approved the use of 2,500 Marines to guard the U.S. Post Offices. On Halloween of the same year, a detachment of Marines from the USS Rochester landed at Bluefields, Nicaragua, to support the Banana Wars.

Warfighting excellence on “All Hallows Eve” continued during the Pacific Island Hopping Campaign of WWII. In 1942, Marine bomber squadrons arrived at Guadalcanal to provide close air support against the Japanese.

During the Korean War, Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 2 realigned to augment the 1st Marine Division. Combat operations would continue across the war torn country for nearly two more years as forces battled the communist Chinese. By Halloween, 1954, the strength of the Marine Corps was 221,352 men.

The Vietnam conflict, nearly peaking in escalation in 1968, is also a prominent element of the Marines’ history. In October, 1968, operation MAMELUKE THRUST, conducted by elements of 1st Marine Division, ended 25 miles southwest of Da Nang. The overall operation accounted for 2,730 enemy kills.

Oct. 29, 1982, Marines were rotating units in and out of Beirut, Lebanon, as part of a multi-national peacekeeping force.

Two CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters collided while conducting routine training operations in Okinawa, Japan, on Halloween of 1988.

In a secret decision to double the number of U.S. troops in Kuwait, President George H. Bush rapidly escalated the occupation of the Persian Gulf Oct. 31, 1990, leading to the Gulf War of 1991. The decision was made public Nov. 8.

And in early October 2001, members of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit secured Kandahar Airport, Afghanistan, beginning Operation Enduring Freedom.

Marines have continued to battle enemy forces throughout the world over a long and illustrious past. No matter what the season, Marines are on the job.

By Cpl. Andy J. Hurt, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

The partnership with O’Neal was inspired by his 15 years of visits to Toys’R'Us stores on Christmas Eve to purchase toys for children in need.

This holiday season, the legend of Shaq-A-Claus will continue when O’Neal makes surprise visits to Toys’R'Us stores to shop for needy children and encourage customers to give back.

Shaquille O'Neal - or Shaq-A-Claus

“I’m really just a big kid myself, and I can’t imagine a child going without a toy to unwrap during the holidays,” O’Neal said. “Toys are magical for kids! My life was transformed one Christmas morning when, as a boy, I received an autographed Dr. J basketball from Toys’R'Us.”

During the nine-week campaign, new unwrapped toys will be collected through Dec. 6 at Toys’R'Us and Babies’R'Us stores across the country. Collected toys will be distributed by US Marines to children in the communities where they are donated, making this a truly local program. Monetary donations will be accepted at all Toys’R'Us and Babies’R'Us locations and online at Toysrus.com/ToysForTots through Christmas Eve.

On Thursday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov.6 2009, Sacramento Marines and other Toys for Tots representatives will be stationed at Toys’R'Us and Babies’R'Us stores nationwide to bring added attention to the “Join Shaq Give Back” campaign.

Toys’R'Us, Inc. has raised more than $16.2 million and collected more than 1.4 million toys since the partnership began in 2004. To jumpstart the 2009 campaign, the Toys’R'Us Children’s Fund made a $250,000 grant to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. This program is also supported by the Toys’R'Us Children’s Fund.

Source: http://www.sacbee.com/848/story/2281719.html

The rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt) is the entry point to the Staff NCO ranks. There are significant differences as you step up from the NCO to the Staff NCO levels.

The Staff Sergeant’s Roles and Responsibilities

The major difference between the staff sergeant and the sergeant is in the scope of responsibility. The staff sergeant has a greater level of responsibility and accountability. Understanding these differences is vital. As a staff sergeant, you will be expected to use your greater experience to lead marines and lesser ranked sergeants.

As a staff sergeant, you will often have one or more sergeants who work under your direct leadership. You will be responsible for the continued successful development of your sergeants as well as the soldiers in your section, squad or team.

The complexities of your job as the staff sergeant will increase as your responsibilities broaden. Your professional competence will be measured by how well you develop, maintain and use the full range of human potential of your Marines.

The Staff NCO Promotion Process

Unlike the Corporal (CPL) and Sergeant (SGT) promotion process, the Staff NCO (E6-E9) promotion process includes a centralized selection board. The normal sequence from recommendation to promotion to Staff NCO follows.

Basic Eligibility Requirements for Staff Sergeant (E-6)

• Command recommendation
• 48 months Time-In-Service
• 24 Months Time-In-Grade
• Must complete the required Professional Military Education (PME) courses:
  Marine Noncommissioned Officer Course (MCI)/ NCO Basic Nonresident Course, or
  The Sergeant’s Nonresident Program/Sergeants Distance Education Program

  Note: Completion of a tour of duty as a Drill Instructor, Recruiter, or Marine Security Guard assignment can replace the requirement to complete the resident PME courses.

The Staff NCO Centralized Board

The Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) will convene selection boards each calendar year to examine the qualifications of Marines in the grades of Sgt, SSgt, GySgt, MSgt and 1stSgt for the purpose of recommending those “best and fully qualified” for promotion to the next higher grade. The centralized promotion board generally consists of 16 to 18 members.

Your entire military career is evaluated to determine if you qualify among the “best and fully qualified.” This determination is based on the “whole Marine” concept. In the course of its evaluations, the Selection Board will consider your demonstrated performance/achievement, leadership, professional and technical knowledge, experience (type and level), growth potential, motivation, military proficiency, physical fitness, personal appearance, conduct, moral character, and maturity.

General Board Procedures

The Selection Board will be told the number of promotions are available for each intended MOS for active duty Marines, Marines in the Active Reserve (AR) Program, and in each occupational field for all other reserve component Marines. The Selection Board will also beprovided with the records of Marines eligible to compete within each zone.

You are entitled to correspond directly with the President of the Selection Board considering their case for promotion. Your personal correspondence may include, but is not limited to, letters to the President, copies of award certificates, school completion certificates, MCI’s, photographs, third party correspondence (letters of recommendation or explanation), etc.

Correspondence to SNCO selection boards need to be addressed as follows:

President (Specific Board) Headquarters,
U.S. Marine Corps (MMPR-2)
Harry Lee Hall 17 LeJeune Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5104 5.

Note: All correspondence must be under cover letter, signed by the eligible Marine, listing all material being forwarded to the Selection Board as enclosures. The board will not consider correspondence not meeting these criteria.

The Selection Process

The Marine Corps then takes all the selectees (without regard to MOS), and assigns them a promotion sequence number, which is assigned according to seniority.

For example, if you are on the GySgt list and you have the most TIG as an SSgt, then you will be given the lowest sequence number (0001).

Each month, over the next 12 months, the Marines will release the sequence numbers of those to be promoted during that month.

Sgt Majorof the Marine Corps

In the Marine Corps each Marine — regardless of rank, in war or in time of peace — has goals and responsibilities. Goals change from time to time and from situation to situation. But, the elementary and constant responsibility of each Staff NCO is outlined in the Staff NCO Creed:

I am a Staff Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps. As such, I am a member of the most unique group of professional military practitioners in the world. I am bound by duty to God, Country, and my fellow Marines to execute the demands of my position to and beyond what I believe to be the limits of my capabilities.

I realize I am the mainstay of Marine Corps discipline, and I carry myself with military grace, unbowed by the weight of command, unflinching in the execution lawful orders, and unswerving in my dedication to the most complete success of my assigned mission.

Both my professional and personal demeanor shall be such that I may take pride if my juniors emulate me, and knowing perfection to lie beyond the grasp of any mortal hand, I shall yet strive to attain perfection that I may ever be aware of my needs and capabilities to improve myself. I shall be fair in my personal relations, just in the enforcement of discipline, true to myself and my fellow Marines, and equitable in my dealing with every man.

(excerpt from Warrior Culture of the U.S. Marines, copyright 2001 Marion F. Sturkey)