thedrifter
02-24-07, 08:08 AM
The Marine Corps Special Operations Command turns one today
CHRISSY VICK
February 24, 2007 - 12:00AM
The Marine Corps Special Operations Command turns 1 today. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have some accomplishments under its belt already.
That was apparent Friday at MARSOC headquarters aboard Camp Lejeune during a celebration of the first anniversary. The command's flag received its first two streamers - an important tradition in the Marine Corps.
Streamers symbolize a unit's participation in a battle, campaign, service or unit citation.
Maj. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, MARSOC commanding general, noted the highlights of MARSOC, the Marine Corps component of the U.S. Special Operations Command, over the past year: standing up the command's first two battalions - Foreign Military Training Unit and Marine Special Operations Support Group - and deploying the first teams to Europe, South America and Africa. A team also deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
"We've come a long way," Hejlik said. "But we have a long way to go."
Marines and sailors with the command celebrated Friday with a prayer breakfast, command run, ceremony and dinner.
"This is a big day for the United States Marine Corps," Hejlik said Friday. "(today) marks our one-year anniversary. This morning we just went over 1,400 Marines."
That number brings MARSOC to 57 percent of its full strength, which is supposed to be reached by Sept. 30, 2008. The command is currently screening Marines, who will begin to be selected in May and then go through extensive training, to join the command.
Cpl. Danny Santos, of FMTU's third team, was honored to be chosen to be part of MARSOC, he said.
"I've been able to do more than I thought I'd get to do in my career," he said.
Training for the job has been a challenge, but something Santos says he was ready to do.
"It's more mentally challenging than anything," said Santos, who speaks fluent Spanish and hails from Los Angeles. "Physically anybody can do it, but working alongside people of other cultures requires something more - compassion and patience."
Sgt. Julien Guerrier, an instructor with FMTU's Alpha Company, also said that the journey has been a great experience. He, along with Santos, deployed with the unit last year to Africa.
"The best part has been training with the foreign troops," said Guerrier, who hails from France and has lived in the U.S. for 10 years. "To see their motivation, what they're doing, how they give us their full attention is great."
Guerrier, who came to the U.S. as a foreign exchange student and joined the Marine Corps five years ago, says his experience with MARSOC has allowed him to learn a lot from working closely with higher-ranking Marines.
"The relationships among the Marines is something you can't find elsewhere - the unity," he said. "When we deploy there's only a few of us to a team, so we need to be all together to get the job done."
That willingness to support one another is something Sgt. Maj. Richard Ashton of 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion of MARSOC has been impressed with.
"They are all part of the big team of fighting the global war on terrorism," he said. "Right now the Marines are lining up to come to MARSOC. It's a great feeling that you've got men and women who want to be there."
Contact staff writer Chrissy Vick by calling 353-1171, ext. 239.
Ellie
CHRISSY VICK
February 24, 2007 - 12:00AM
The Marine Corps Special Operations Command turns 1 today. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have some accomplishments under its belt already.
That was apparent Friday at MARSOC headquarters aboard Camp Lejeune during a celebration of the first anniversary. The command's flag received its first two streamers - an important tradition in the Marine Corps.
Streamers symbolize a unit's participation in a battle, campaign, service or unit citation.
Maj. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, MARSOC commanding general, noted the highlights of MARSOC, the Marine Corps component of the U.S. Special Operations Command, over the past year: standing up the command's first two battalions - Foreign Military Training Unit and Marine Special Operations Support Group - and deploying the first teams to Europe, South America and Africa. A team also deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
"We've come a long way," Hejlik said. "But we have a long way to go."
Marines and sailors with the command celebrated Friday with a prayer breakfast, command run, ceremony and dinner.
"This is a big day for the United States Marine Corps," Hejlik said Friday. "(today) marks our one-year anniversary. This morning we just went over 1,400 Marines."
That number brings MARSOC to 57 percent of its full strength, which is supposed to be reached by Sept. 30, 2008. The command is currently screening Marines, who will begin to be selected in May and then go through extensive training, to join the command.
Cpl. Danny Santos, of FMTU's third team, was honored to be chosen to be part of MARSOC, he said.
"I've been able to do more than I thought I'd get to do in my career," he said.
Training for the job has been a challenge, but something Santos says he was ready to do.
"It's more mentally challenging than anything," said Santos, who speaks fluent Spanish and hails from Los Angeles. "Physically anybody can do it, but working alongside people of other cultures requires something more - compassion and patience."
Sgt. Julien Guerrier, an instructor with FMTU's Alpha Company, also said that the journey has been a great experience. He, along with Santos, deployed with the unit last year to Africa.
"The best part has been training with the foreign troops," said Guerrier, who hails from France and has lived in the U.S. for 10 years. "To see their motivation, what they're doing, how they give us their full attention is great."
Guerrier, who came to the U.S. as a foreign exchange student and joined the Marine Corps five years ago, says his experience with MARSOC has allowed him to learn a lot from working closely with higher-ranking Marines.
"The relationships among the Marines is something you can't find elsewhere - the unity," he said. "When we deploy there's only a few of us to a team, so we need to be all together to get the job done."
That willingness to support one another is something Sgt. Maj. Richard Ashton of 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion of MARSOC has been impressed with.
"They are all part of the big team of fighting the global war on terrorism," he said. "Right now the Marines are lining up to come to MARSOC. It's a great feeling that you've got men and women who want to be there."
Contact staff writer Chrissy Vick by calling 353-1171, ext. 239.
Ellie