thedrifter
10-22-03, 06:03 AM
0311 Infiltrates Headquarters Element
Submitted by: Marine Forces Europe
Story Identification Number: 20031019174832
Story by Sgt. Micheal Hjelmstad
BOEBLINGEN, Germany (October 19, 2003) -- From ski slopes to rifle ranges, Sgt. Jeremiah Randle takes training to new heights for both himself and the Marines of Marine Corps Forces Europe. As the training Chief, Randle is responsible for coordinating and monitoring all training for Marines assigned to MFE.
Randle is a subject matter expert on training because of his experience as an infantryman in the Marine Corps and a variety of unique personal experience. This knowledge and experience has made Randle a great asset at MarForEur and to other units in the area.
An average looking Marine by appearance, it takes little interaction to learn that there is something different about Randle. When asked to describe the best part of his job he perks up and says with a gleam in his eye, "Taking all the Marines out and blowing things up."
Randle is known by fellow Marines to revert back to his time 'in the grunts' and to carry that standard to the headquarters element. He considers it great fun to think up new ways to torture the command when it?s his turn to lead physical training.
"Sometimes I don't know what's wrong with that guy," said Cpl. Armando Rodriguez, MarForEur driver, referring to Randle's unique physical training techniques.
At MarForEur Randle ensures training events in the command are planned, scheduled and accomplished in a timely manner.
"Randle keeps everyone current on professional military education, battle skills testing, physical fitness tests and the Marine Corps martial arts program," said Master Gunnery Sgt. Jose Garcia, Operations Chief. "He also coordinates with the Army to make sure training areas are available and sets up all live fire events."
"Sgt. Randle works closely with the U.S. Army and host nation military to ensure support for training," said Col. Timothy Kolb, assistant chief of staff G-3.
Randle has developed a good rapport with the Army European Command training office that has benefited both services. He helped coordinate a familiarization shoot with the German military that allowed soldiers and Marines to fire German weapons. This type of joint training expanded the good relations between the U.S. and German militaries.
"They have helped us with our training, and when they needed someone they called us," said Randle.
When the U.S. Army recently conducted its required annual common task testing in the Panzer Kaserene training area, where headquarters MarForEur is located, they enlisted Randle's help.
"Sgt. Randle brings a great level of expertise across the board," said Army Master Sgt. Ronald Singletary. "We're glad to have him, he knows this area better than anyone I've seen."
Besides giving instruction in subjects like land navigation, Randle was called upon to assist as an observer/controller on the range for the final testing phase of this training.
"In staff jobs like we have you don?t think you'll be faced with this type of scenario," said Army Sergeant First Class Dave Coop, European Command J-1. "But recent real world events have proved otherwise."
Randle's impact on the European theater has reached far beyond the training of the local headquarters element. He was recently recognized for his contributions to Task Force Georgia Train and Equip Program, a joint military operation designed to train and equip selected units from the former Soviet Republic of Georgia.
Randle was brought to GTEP specifically to help set up ranges and to instruct the Georgians in small arms tactics.
Randle's ability to coordinate a thorough training regiment can be traced to his own extensive athletic training. He has a background on the slopes that goes back to his childhood in Laramie, Wyo. where he started skiing as early as age 7 with his parents who are also accomplished skiers. He won his first medal at age 15 when he placed second in a race called Frisco Gold Rush in Colorado. He began biathlon training, a sport that consists of cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship at age 16, the minimum age for competition.
Before he became a Marine, Randle spent the better part of two years training under the Norges Toppidrettsgymnaset, a Norwegian elite athletics school, to compete in biathlon events. The training included academics and Randle also learned to speak Norwegian.
Competitive training brought Randle to Bozeman, Mt. in 2000 to ski with a race program at Bridger Ski Foundation. He spent a short time training then made an important life choice.
"At that time I decided I needed a break," said Randle. "I had always flirted with the idea of becoming a Marine, and the funny thing was, a Marine recruiter was right there."
Randle says part of the reason he joined the Marine Corps was to make a difference, he was given that opportunity in the summer of 2001. At that time he was participating in Operation Rapid Cheetah, a multi-national exercise in Kosovo with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. During this time his unit had the opportunity to perform real world operations and put their training to use.
"That was the first place I got a taste of what you can really do," said Randle. "We knew that our presence there was making a difference."
He was making a difference at a patrol base near Camp Bonsteel on September 11 when his unit went on lockdown for two days, then was back loaded to the ships. The MEU conducted 'gator squares' circling for two and a half weeks in anticipation of combat before returning the anxious Marines to Camp Lejune, N.C.
The needs of the Marine Corps eventually brought Randle to MarForEur where he has had the opportunity to see many interesting places in Europe. Randle went back to Norway where he worked with the Norway Air Landed Marine Expeditionary Brigade, a prepositioning program where Marine Corps equipment is stored and maintained for rapid deployment. He was able to use his language skills and leadership ability to help load a ship in a joint effort with the Norwegians.
Although his duties around Europe keep him busy, Randle has not given up the slopes for the Marine Corps. In addition to his current duties he is involved with the Stuttgart Ski Patrol, part of the federal association dedicated to providing education services about emergency care and safety. This involves a lot of training and winter patrolling, glacier traverse and rescue. Randle is currently an instructor with the local patrol which is responsible for the 'backyard' portion of Garmish, an armed forces recreation center and world-renowned ski area in Germany. He has been involved with the Ski Patrol in the U.S., but the Stuttgart Ski Patrol offered his first chance to obtain his Alpine certification from the National Ski Patrol.
Randle's future with the Marine Corps is uncertain, but an option he'd like to explore is duty at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif.
"I'd like to go there to expand on new skills as well as teach the experience I have now," said Randle.
Randle has made exceptional use of his time in the Marine Corps and his personal life and is living by his own theme of expanding his experience and teaching what he knows. While in Germany he has been able to re-develop some skills that he will continue to work on and is planning to make a run at the 2006 winter Olympic team to compete in biathlon events.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/4F99D37838FF0DEC85256DC40077CD07?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: Marine Forces Europe
Story Identification Number: 20031019174832
Story by Sgt. Micheal Hjelmstad
BOEBLINGEN, Germany (October 19, 2003) -- From ski slopes to rifle ranges, Sgt. Jeremiah Randle takes training to new heights for both himself and the Marines of Marine Corps Forces Europe. As the training Chief, Randle is responsible for coordinating and monitoring all training for Marines assigned to MFE.
Randle is a subject matter expert on training because of his experience as an infantryman in the Marine Corps and a variety of unique personal experience. This knowledge and experience has made Randle a great asset at MarForEur and to other units in the area.
An average looking Marine by appearance, it takes little interaction to learn that there is something different about Randle. When asked to describe the best part of his job he perks up and says with a gleam in his eye, "Taking all the Marines out and blowing things up."
Randle is known by fellow Marines to revert back to his time 'in the grunts' and to carry that standard to the headquarters element. He considers it great fun to think up new ways to torture the command when it?s his turn to lead physical training.
"Sometimes I don't know what's wrong with that guy," said Cpl. Armando Rodriguez, MarForEur driver, referring to Randle's unique physical training techniques.
At MarForEur Randle ensures training events in the command are planned, scheduled and accomplished in a timely manner.
"Randle keeps everyone current on professional military education, battle skills testing, physical fitness tests and the Marine Corps martial arts program," said Master Gunnery Sgt. Jose Garcia, Operations Chief. "He also coordinates with the Army to make sure training areas are available and sets up all live fire events."
"Sgt. Randle works closely with the U.S. Army and host nation military to ensure support for training," said Col. Timothy Kolb, assistant chief of staff G-3.
Randle has developed a good rapport with the Army European Command training office that has benefited both services. He helped coordinate a familiarization shoot with the German military that allowed soldiers and Marines to fire German weapons. This type of joint training expanded the good relations between the U.S. and German militaries.
"They have helped us with our training, and when they needed someone they called us," said Randle.
When the U.S. Army recently conducted its required annual common task testing in the Panzer Kaserene training area, where headquarters MarForEur is located, they enlisted Randle's help.
"Sgt. Randle brings a great level of expertise across the board," said Army Master Sgt. Ronald Singletary. "We're glad to have him, he knows this area better than anyone I've seen."
Besides giving instruction in subjects like land navigation, Randle was called upon to assist as an observer/controller on the range for the final testing phase of this training.
"In staff jobs like we have you don?t think you'll be faced with this type of scenario," said Army Sergeant First Class Dave Coop, European Command J-1. "But recent real world events have proved otherwise."
Randle's impact on the European theater has reached far beyond the training of the local headquarters element. He was recently recognized for his contributions to Task Force Georgia Train and Equip Program, a joint military operation designed to train and equip selected units from the former Soviet Republic of Georgia.
Randle was brought to GTEP specifically to help set up ranges and to instruct the Georgians in small arms tactics.
Randle's ability to coordinate a thorough training regiment can be traced to his own extensive athletic training. He has a background on the slopes that goes back to his childhood in Laramie, Wyo. where he started skiing as early as age 7 with his parents who are also accomplished skiers. He won his first medal at age 15 when he placed second in a race called Frisco Gold Rush in Colorado. He began biathlon training, a sport that consists of cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship at age 16, the minimum age for competition.
Before he became a Marine, Randle spent the better part of two years training under the Norges Toppidrettsgymnaset, a Norwegian elite athletics school, to compete in biathlon events. The training included academics and Randle also learned to speak Norwegian.
Competitive training brought Randle to Bozeman, Mt. in 2000 to ski with a race program at Bridger Ski Foundation. He spent a short time training then made an important life choice.
"At that time I decided I needed a break," said Randle. "I had always flirted with the idea of becoming a Marine, and the funny thing was, a Marine recruiter was right there."
Randle says part of the reason he joined the Marine Corps was to make a difference, he was given that opportunity in the summer of 2001. At that time he was participating in Operation Rapid Cheetah, a multi-national exercise in Kosovo with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. During this time his unit had the opportunity to perform real world operations and put their training to use.
"That was the first place I got a taste of what you can really do," said Randle. "We knew that our presence there was making a difference."
He was making a difference at a patrol base near Camp Bonsteel on September 11 when his unit went on lockdown for two days, then was back loaded to the ships. The MEU conducted 'gator squares' circling for two and a half weeks in anticipation of combat before returning the anxious Marines to Camp Lejune, N.C.
The needs of the Marine Corps eventually brought Randle to MarForEur where he has had the opportunity to see many interesting places in Europe. Randle went back to Norway where he worked with the Norway Air Landed Marine Expeditionary Brigade, a prepositioning program where Marine Corps equipment is stored and maintained for rapid deployment. He was able to use his language skills and leadership ability to help load a ship in a joint effort with the Norwegians.
Although his duties around Europe keep him busy, Randle has not given up the slopes for the Marine Corps. In addition to his current duties he is involved with the Stuttgart Ski Patrol, part of the federal association dedicated to providing education services about emergency care and safety. This involves a lot of training and winter patrolling, glacier traverse and rescue. Randle is currently an instructor with the local patrol which is responsible for the 'backyard' portion of Garmish, an armed forces recreation center and world-renowned ski area in Germany. He has been involved with the Ski Patrol in the U.S., but the Stuttgart Ski Patrol offered his first chance to obtain his Alpine certification from the National Ski Patrol.
Randle's future with the Marine Corps is uncertain, but an option he'd like to explore is duty at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif.
"I'd like to go there to expand on new skills as well as teach the experience I have now," said Randle.
Randle has made exceptional use of his time in the Marine Corps and his personal life and is living by his own theme of expanding his experience and teaching what he knows. While in Germany he has been able to re-develop some skills that he will continue to work on and is planning to make a run at the 2006 winter Olympic team to compete in biathlon events.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/4F99D37838FF0DEC85256DC40077CD07?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: