thedrifter
12-20-07, 07:45 AM
Marines share honor with their Navy teammates
JENNIFER HLAD
December 20, 2007 - 1:57AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
If a Marine is on the battlefield, a corpsman is never far behind.
In Iraq, Marines know that if anything happens to them, they will receive medical care within the hour, said Sgt. Maj. R.D. Himsworth, sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Force.
The sailors and Marines of 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, are responsible for providing that medical care to all of II MEF. Tuesday, they were recognized for their work with the Lt. Gen. Chesty Puller Outstanding Leadership Award, an award given annually to one small, medium and large unit within II MEF.
2nd Medical Battalion was chosen as the winner for the medium unit category. Lima Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, and 2nd Tank Battalion were the other two winners.
The award "has its origins in a desire to ... award good leadership," said Lt. Gen. Keith Stalder, commander of II MEF. "The Marine Corps spends a lot of time saying, 'Don't do this and do that.' ... We needed more positive reinforcement."
Former II MEF commander Lt. Gen. James Amos and his staff came up with the idea for the award, Stalder said.
Officials take into consideration the challenges the unit has had in the previous year, Stalder said.
"There is a degree of difficulty factor that weighs pretty heavily," he said.
2nd Medical Battalion's challenge is to support the entire MEF - deployed and at home, Stalder said.
It is "absolutely critical," he said.
"Without them, we wouldn't have our return to duty," Himsworth said.
The battalion is made up almost entirely of sailors, who are a crucial part of the Marine Corps team, Stalder said.
"We can't go to war without the Navy team," he said.
Navy Lt. Joseph Jenkins, executive officer of 2nd Medical Battalion, said he always assumed the battalion would never win the award, since most of its members are sailors. But he said he appreciates the honor.
"It is awesome to be recognized (with an award named for) such a strong Marine leader," Jenkins said.
Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller is the most decorated Marine in history and received five Navy crosses.
The battalion's long-term commitment to protecting Marines and sailors is evident, said Col. Steven Thompson, commander of 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
"The other units in the MLG model themselves against 2nd Medical Battalion," Thompson said.
In addition to the battalion's difficult mission, 2nd Medical Battalion had almost a complete turnover in top leadership this summer, Jenkins said.
But the sailors and Marines "still maintained a level of performance and safety," he said, because of good prior leadership and leadership at the lower levels - such as non-commissioned officers and staff non-commissioned officers.
Winning the award "is a testament to everyone (in the unit)," he said.
Contact military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 8467. To comment on this story, visit www.jdnews.com.
Ellie
JENNIFER HLAD
December 20, 2007 - 1:57AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
If a Marine is on the battlefield, a corpsman is never far behind.
In Iraq, Marines know that if anything happens to them, they will receive medical care within the hour, said Sgt. Maj. R.D. Himsworth, sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Force.
The sailors and Marines of 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, are responsible for providing that medical care to all of II MEF. Tuesday, they were recognized for their work with the Lt. Gen. Chesty Puller Outstanding Leadership Award, an award given annually to one small, medium and large unit within II MEF.
2nd Medical Battalion was chosen as the winner for the medium unit category. Lima Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, and 2nd Tank Battalion were the other two winners.
The award "has its origins in a desire to ... award good leadership," said Lt. Gen. Keith Stalder, commander of II MEF. "The Marine Corps spends a lot of time saying, 'Don't do this and do that.' ... We needed more positive reinforcement."
Former II MEF commander Lt. Gen. James Amos and his staff came up with the idea for the award, Stalder said.
Officials take into consideration the challenges the unit has had in the previous year, Stalder said.
"There is a degree of difficulty factor that weighs pretty heavily," he said.
2nd Medical Battalion's challenge is to support the entire MEF - deployed and at home, Stalder said.
It is "absolutely critical," he said.
"Without them, we wouldn't have our return to duty," Himsworth said.
The battalion is made up almost entirely of sailors, who are a crucial part of the Marine Corps team, Stalder said.
"We can't go to war without the Navy team," he said.
Navy Lt. Joseph Jenkins, executive officer of 2nd Medical Battalion, said he always assumed the battalion would never win the award, since most of its members are sailors. But he said he appreciates the honor.
"It is awesome to be recognized (with an award named for) such a strong Marine leader," Jenkins said.
Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller is the most decorated Marine in history and received five Navy crosses.
The battalion's long-term commitment to protecting Marines and sailors is evident, said Col. Steven Thompson, commander of 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
"The other units in the MLG model themselves against 2nd Medical Battalion," Thompson said.
In addition to the battalion's difficult mission, 2nd Medical Battalion had almost a complete turnover in top leadership this summer, Jenkins said.
But the sailors and Marines "still maintained a level of performance and safety," he said, because of good prior leadership and leadership at the lower levels - such as non-commissioned officers and staff non-commissioned officers.
Winning the award "is a testament to everyone (in the unit)," he said.
Contact military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 353-1171, ext. 8467. To comment on this story, visit www.jdnews.com.
Ellie