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thedrifter
03-29-05, 06:09 AM
Navy Corpsman earns FMF pin
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 2005326111058
Story by Lance Cpl. Athanosios L. Genos



CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (March 20, 2005) -- Working hard, studying often and taking lessons from senior corpsman, the Lafayette, Ind., native earned his Fleet Marine Force pin as a Hospitalman Apprentice. This pin symbolizes the sailor's knowledge of and service with the Fleet Marine Force.

Making extraordinary efforts, Hospitalman Joseph M. Gendron, a Navy corpsman with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Battalion Aid Station, took advantage of the downtime he had to understand more about how the Marine Corps works and earn his FMF pin as the most junior corpsman in 2d Marine Division.

"Whenever we had free time when we were training at the Combined Arms Exercise back in November, all of us who brought our FMF books to study," explained the 2003 West Lafayette High School graduate.

The senior corpsmen often made time out of their busy schedules to help Gendron study for his tests. The information studied helped him become more familiar with different parts of the Marine Corps. Working daily with Marines, the knowledge he gained builds a stronger foundation for him to work from.

Gendron has met the requirements and learned the information needed to pass the test since being assigned to the battalion. Shortly before deploying to Iraq, Gendron, along with other corpsmen, took the test and he earned his pin. Once the pin is earned and a sailor changes units, he may wear it if he is not stationed with Marines.

"I was always interested in the Naval medical field," explained Gendron. "Along with being in the Navy, I always wanted to work with the Marines in a deployable unit."

Communication between corpsmen and Marine is essential to all aspects of operations in a combat environment. According to Gendron, the pin shows to others the bearer of it has knowledge of the Marine Corps and it.

"Learning what comes with the pin helps us understand what the Marines are doing as well as keep communication going between the corpsman and the Marines," Gendron explained.

Gendron, using the knowledge he has learned from his senior corpsmen and classes, he works hand-in-hand with Marines while deployed to Iraq with the battalion. He is currently working daily, going on convoys each day through the battalion's area of operations.

Providing Marine medical support on convoys, he ensures they are all in good health and able to continue supporting the battalion, keeping them fighting in the Global War on Terrorism.

Ellie