thedrifter
12-11-05, 06:26 AM
Corps' top leader visits troops in Fallujah
II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story by Cpl. Heidi E. Loredo
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Dec. 11, 2005) -- The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, visited Marines and Sailors here Dec. 8 accompanied by Lt. Gen. John W. Bergman, commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman Jr., commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic.
Colonel Daniel D. Leshchyshyn, commanding officer, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD), introduced Marines and Sailors and their accomplishments and noted that most of them have been in country for at least nine months.
“They’ve run more than 180 tactical convoys,” said Leshchyshyn. “They account for over 125,000 items of portable gear. They’ve seen over 650 patients and are responsible for the administrative work of over 4,000 Marines and Sailors. The engineers of these units have
run more than 10 miles of wire to put the camp on prime power. But more importantly, they also helped [Regimental Combat Team] 8 install over 700 air conditioners and heaters.”
Hagee thanked the Marines and Sailors for their impressive list of accomplishments and their hard work to ensure mission success.
“Everything that each and every one of you do is important to the team,” said Hagee. “Obviously MHG is a team. Your success speaks for itself. I personally thank you for a great effort.”
Having been a MEF commander, Hagee also thanked the Marines and Sailors for accomplishing tasks they may not receive credit for.
“All of you ensure that the trains run on time and that everything gets done,” said Hagee. “Unfortunately, the only time you’re noticed is when there is a problem.”
Hagee and his group opened the floor to a series of questions from the Marines and answered on topics regarding compensation for injured reserve Marines and the role women Marines play in the Corps outside division units.
“The primary reason we do not have women in division units is because of congressional law that states women cannot move with a unit that can close with and destroy the enemy,” said Hagee. “As you know, women cannot serve in infantry units, tanks and artillery, and we do not put women in detachments, battalions or regiments who can close with and destroy the enemy. I can tell you where I personally am with this. If you’re in an [military occupational specialty] that is required somewhere, and you are proficient in your
job, you should be out there.”
In a final note from the commandant, Hagee warned Marines to take care of one another in the rear as they return from their yearlong deployment.
“Take care of one another out here, and as you go back,” said Hagee. “When our troops go back home we unfortunately get a rash of accidents. They find themselves in a friendly environment and want to party a little bit but all of a sudden they feel bullet proof again.”
Hagee said he is proud of the sacrifice his Marines made throughout this deployment and their hard-work has not been unnoticed.
“The performance of your Marines over here in this part of the world, in my opinion, is absolutely changing history, and you may find your job a whole lot easier,” said Hagee.
Ellie
II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story by Cpl. Heidi E. Loredo
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Dec. 11, 2005) -- The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, visited Marines and Sailors here Dec. 8 accompanied by Lt. Gen. John W. Bergman, commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman Jr., commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic.
Colonel Daniel D. Leshchyshyn, commanding officer, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD), introduced Marines and Sailors and their accomplishments and noted that most of them have been in country for at least nine months.
“They’ve run more than 180 tactical convoys,” said Leshchyshyn. “They account for over 125,000 items of portable gear. They’ve seen over 650 patients and are responsible for the administrative work of over 4,000 Marines and Sailors. The engineers of these units have
run more than 10 miles of wire to put the camp on prime power. But more importantly, they also helped [Regimental Combat Team] 8 install over 700 air conditioners and heaters.”
Hagee thanked the Marines and Sailors for their impressive list of accomplishments and their hard work to ensure mission success.
“Everything that each and every one of you do is important to the team,” said Hagee. “Obviously MHG is a team. Your success speaks for itself. I personally thank you for a great effort.”
Having been a MEF commander, Hagee also thanked the Marines and Sailors for accomplishing tasks they may not receive credit for.
“All of you ensure that the trains run on time and that everything gets done,” said Hagee. “Unfortunately, the only time you’re noticed is when there is a problem.”
Hagee and his group opened the floor to a series of questions from the Marines and answered on topics regarding compensation for injured reserve Marines and the role women Marines play in the Corps outside division units.
“The primary reason we do not have women in division units is because of congressional law that states women cannot move with a unit that can close with and destroy the enemy,” said Hagee. “As you know, women cannot serve in infantry units, tanks and artillery, and we do not put women in detachments, battalions or regiments who can close with and destroy the enemy. I can tell you where I personally am with this. If you’re in an [military occupational specialty] that is required somewhere, and you are proficient in your
job, you should be out there.”
In a final note from the commandant, Hagee warned Marines to take care of one another in the rear as they return from their yearlong deployment.
“Take care of one another out here, and as you go back,” said Hagee. “When our troops go back home we unfortunately get a rash of accidents. They find themselves in a friendly environment and want to party a little bit but all of a sudden they feel bullet proof again.”
Hagee said he is proud of the sacrifice his Marines made throughout this deployment and their hard-work has not been unnoticed.
“The performance of your Marines over here in this part of the world, in my opinion, is absolutely changing history, and you may find your job a whole lot easier,” said Hagee.
Ellie