thedrifter
02-06-04, 06:43 AM
Chaplain brings home life to Marines in the field
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 20042318485
Story by Cpl. Benjamin M. George
HIJUDAI MANEUVER AREA, Japan(Feb. 2, 2004) -- When Marines and Sailors from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division left Okinawa for the Hijudai Maneuver Area, they left the comforts of base behind them to conduct live-fire artillery training in a harsh field environment. However, as they began their training, they saw Navy Lt. Thomas A. Ianucci and Petty Officer 3rd Class John Paul Boulden were working just as hard to bring those comforts to the field with them.
Ianucci, battalion chaplain, and Boulden, religious programs specialist (RP), make up the Religious Ministry Team (RMT) for 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. Although being assigned to a Marine unit offers challenges different from serving with a Navy unit, both agree it has also brought a certain level of achievement and satisfaction.
“Coming out to the field with the Marines makes communication so much easier,” said Ianucci, a Virginia Beach, Va., native. “When they see that I am right out here with them, it makes it easier for them to talk to me, because they know I can see what they are going through out here.”
Although services in the field are a big part of the RMT’s duties, it is not the only way for them to have a positive effect on the deployed Marines. Whether it’s distributing movies, books and games to the Marines and Sailors for recreation or helping coordinate home visits to local families, the RMT does what it can to boost troop morale.
“They are always around doing their part,” said Staff Sgt. Ronald L. Jones, liaison chief, Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 3/12 as part of the Unit Deployment Program. “They really go out of their way to ensure there is some sense of normalcy during a tough situation.”
Most Marines know morale plays a big role in the success of any mission, and that is why the chaplain and RP take their jobs very seriously.
“We sincerely care about the personal welfare of every Marine and Sailor out here,” said Boulden, a Gonzales, La., native. “Our main focus is personal relationships. Morale is boosted when they (Marines and Sailors) realize they are genuinely cared about. When morale is high, the job gets done.”
As hard as the RMT works to make the Marines and Sailors feel at home, their work does not go unnoticed.
“It’s great to have them out here with us,” said Lance Cpl. Jason M. Heighton, canoneer, Battery B, and Versailles, Ky., native. “They do a great job making life out here a little less stressful.”
Both Ianucci and Boulden agree it is an honor to serve with the Marines, admitting they both joined because they felt their services could be of use.
“I feel honored to have the trust of the Marines and Sailors,” said Ianucci. “It helps me see there is a reason God put me here…to serve along side them.”
“I’m serving with my heroes, that in itself is an honor,” Boulden added. “This is less of a job and more of a way of life. When I’ve finished this chapter of my life, be it six years from now or 20, I’ll be able to look back and say I’m proud to have done it.”
Now, as the exercise begins to wind down, the Marines and Sailors will be on their way back to Okinawa - back to the comforts of base…comforts they were not without in Hijudai, thanks to Ianucci and Boulden, the 3/12 Religious Ministry Team.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20042320212/$file/0037-2004-01low.jpg
Hijudai Manuever Area, Japan - Navy Lt. Thomas A. Ianucci, chaplain, 3rd Battalion, 12 Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, offers communion to Marines during a field service at the Hijudai Manuever Area on February 1, 2004. Photo by: Lance Cpl Adaecus Brooks
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/F9BFE0D7F27B865385256E2F0082BF0F?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 20042318485
Story by Cpl. Benjamin M. George
HIJUDAI MANEUVER AREA, Japan(Feb. 2, 2004) -- When Marines and Sailors from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division left Okinawa for the Hijudai Maneuver Area, they left the comforts of base behind them to conduct live-fire artillery training in a harsh field environment. However, as they began their training, they saw Navy Lt. Thomas A. Ianucci and Petty Officer 3rd Class John Paul Boulden were working just as hard to bring those comforts to the field with them.
Ianucci, battalion chaplain, and Boulden, religious programs specialist (RP), make up the Religious Ministry Team (RMT) for 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. Although being assigned to a Marine unit offers challenges different from serving with a Navy unit, both agree it has also brought a certain level of achievement and satisfaction.
“Coming out to the field with the Marines makes communication so much easier,” said Ianucci, a Virginia Beach, Va., native. “When they see that I am right out here with them, it makes it easier for them to talk to me, because they know I can see what they are going through out here.”
Although services in the field are a big part of the RMT’s duties, it is not the only way for them to have a positive effect on the deployed Marines. Whether it’s distributing movies, books and games to the Marines and Sailors for recreation or helping coordinate home visits to local families, the RMT does what it can to boost troop morale.
“They are always around doing their part,” said Staff Sgt. Ronald L. Jones, liaison chief, Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 3/12 as part of the Unit Deployment Program. “They really go out of their way to ensure there is some sense of normalcy during a tough situation.”
Most Marines know morale plays a big role in the success of any mission, and that is why the chaplain and RP take their jobs very seriously.
“We sincerely care about the personal welfare of every Marine and Sailor out here,” said Boulden, a Gonzales, La., native. “Our main focus is personal relationships. Morale is boosted when they (Marines and Sailors) realize they are genuinely cared about. When morale is high, the job gets done.”
As hard as the RMT works to make the Marines and Sailors feel at home, their work does not go unnoticed.
“It’s great to have them out here with us,” said Lance Cpl. Jason M. Heighton, canoneer, Battery B, and Versailles, Ky., native. “They do a great job making life out here a little less stressful.”
Both Ianucci and Boulden agree it is an honor to serve with the Marines, admitting they both joined because they felt their services could be of use.
“I feel honored to have the trust of the Marines and Sailors,” said Ianucci. “It helps me see there is a reason God put me here…to serve along side them.”
“I’m serving with my heroes, that in itself is an honor,” Boulden added. “This is less of a job and more of a way of life. When I’ve finished this chapter of my life, be it six years from now or 20, I’ll be able to look back and say I’m proud to have done it.”
Now, as the exercise begins to wind down, the Marines and Sailors will be on their way back to Okinawa - back to the comforts of base…comforts they were not without in Hijudai, thanks to Ianucci and Boulden, the 3/12 Religious Ministry Team.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20042320212/$file/0037-2004-01low.jpg
Hijudai Manuever Area, Japan - Navy Lt. Thomas A. Ianucci, chaplain, 3rd Battalion, 12 Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, offers communion to Marines during a field service at the Hijudai Manuever Area on February 1, 2004. Photo by: Lance Cpl Adaecus Brooks
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/F9BFE0D7F27B865385256E2F0082BF0F?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: