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thedrifter
07-13-04, 07:48 AM
Detachment enlists, adopts 'faithful' recruit
Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification #: 2004712132132
Story by Staff Sgt. Rory Pettway



GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas(July 1, 2004) -- Capt. Tom Hodge, commanding officer of the Marine Corps Detachment at Goodfellow Air Force Base, enlists Smedley Fidelis into the United States Marine Corps with the help of Master Gunnery Sgt. Rickie Jones and Lance Cpl. Mary Goodwin July 1.

Fidelis, a 2 year old English bulldog, was adopted from the Dallas-Fort Worth bulldog rescue. He was in a Houston foster home for 6 months before being adopted by the detachment, where he will be assigned as the detachment’s mascot.

Fidelis was named for Gen. Smedley Butler, who won two Medals of Honor during World War I. He will live in the Marine barracks and will be promoted the same as other Marines.

His promotions will be based on his daily actions in the barracks and detachment area. Now that Pvt. Fidelis is a Marine, the military will pay for his food as well as any medical bills.

"This is a morale booster," Hodge said. "The barracks that the Marines live in is their home and having a dog makes them feel more at home. We want them to train hard, but also feel comfortable. Part of that is having a dog around."

Pvt Fidelis will be eligible for promotion to Lance Cpl. in 180 days.

Goodfellow Air Force Base is a training base located in San Angelo, Texas. The Marine Corps detachment is comprised of approximately 282 Marines, of which 232 are students attending Crash Fire and Rescue, Signals Intelligence or Imagery Analysis Apprentice school. The remaining 50 Marines are instructors and administrative staff.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004712132615/$file/smedleylow.jpg

Capt. Tom Hodge, commanding officer of the Marine Corps Detachment at Goodfellow Air Force Base, enlists Smedley Fidelis, a 2 year old English bulldog, into the United States Marine Corps with the help of Master Gunnery Sgt. Rickie Jones and Lance Cpl. Mary Goodwin July 1. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Rory Pettway

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/3CDD0E33D1D1F5DD85256ECF005F5B1E?opendocument


Ellie