thedrifter
12-13-08, 06:57 AM
Families of Lejeune Marines prepare for Iraq deployment
12/12/2008 By Cpl. Jo Jones , II MEF (FWD)
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. —For the past five months, Marines and sailors with II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) have spent their formal training hours honing their combat skills and warfighting techniques. While these tangible skills contribute to mission preparedness, service members also face the challenge of ensuring their family members are prepared and their personal matters are in line.
“Are you ready to deploy—personally?” This was the question Sgt. Maj. Kip Carpenter, sergeant major of II MEF (Fwd), posed to the service members and their families at the Family Readiness Predeployment Townhall meeting aboard Camp Lejeune, Dec. 2, 2008.
The meeting addressed a variety of issues including legal matters, communication methods and Red Cross messages.
Maj. Gen. R. T. Tryon, commanding general of II MEF (Fwd), and his staff stressed the importance of family readiness to both veteran and first-time deploying service members.
“Our philosophy is to ensure we are mission capable,” said Tryon. “We are not mission ready until our families are mission ready.”
Service members and their families picked up predeployment information packets filled with pamphlets, checklists and contact cards at the entrance to the conference room. Traci Norris, the family readiness officer for II MEF (Fwd), and other family readiness speakers were also on hand to answer any attendees’ questions.
“It’s important that the Marines’ information is updated so their families can be part of the family readiness program,” said Norris. “In turn, it’s also important for the family members to participate so they can get good, accurate information.”
Norris said these efforts help facilitate relationships between the military family members and gives them a strong support network.
Family members don’t have to go through the deployment alone. Norris said they form a bond with the other families of deployed Marines and face the same challenges, anxiety and stresses.
Cpl. Joshua Murray, a combat correspondent with 2nd Marine Division, has already served in Iraq, but now prepares to serve on the home front. His wife Megan, is scheduled to deploy to Iraq with II MEF (Fwd).
“Family readiness does a great job of preparing Marines and sailors for deployments,” said Murray. “It gets them fully prepared for anything they have to deal with.”
He said he has a deeper understanding of the issues both parties face during deployments and feels he and his wife can better prepare for their second deployment together.
“Just knowing there is someone you can contact any day of the week to address your problems and get you through any hardships you might have provides a sense of security that you can’t anywhere else.”
As II MEF (Fwd) prepares to assume responsibility for Iraq’s al Anbar province early next year, deploying Marines and sailors can take comfort in knowing their families will be able to deal with the pressures of deployment.
For more information on II MEF (Fwd), visit the unit’s web site at http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd, and to learn about the ongoing mission in Iraq, go to http://www.mnfwest.usmc.mil.
Ellie
12/12/2008 By Cpl. Jo Jones , II MEF (FWD)
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. —For the past five months, Marines and sailors with II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) have spent their formal training hours honing their combat skills and warfighting techniques. While these tangible skills contribute to mission preparedness, service members also face the challenge of ensuring their family members are prepared and their personal matters are in line.
“Are you ready to deploy—personally?” This was the question Sgt. Maj. Kip Carpenter, sergeant major of II MEF (Fwd), posed to the service members and their families at the Family Readiness Predeployment Townhall meeting aboard Camp Lejeune, Dec. 2, 2008.
The meeting addressed a variety of issues including legal matters, communication methods and Red Cross messages.
Maj. Gen. R. T. Tryon, commanding general of II MEF (Fwd), and his staff stressed the importance of family readiness to both veteran and first-time deploying service members.
“Our philosophy is to ensure we are mission capable,” said Tryon. “We are not mission ready until our families are mission ready.”
Service members and their families picked up predeployment information packets filled with pamphlets, checklists and contact cards at the entrance to the conference room. Traci Norris, the family readiness officer for II MEF (Fwd), and other family readiness speakers were also on hand to answer any attendees’ questions.
“It’s important that the Marines’ information is updated so their families can be part of the family readiness program,” said Norris. “In turn, it’s also important for the family members to participate so they can get good, accurate information.”
Norris said these efforts help facilitate relationships between the military family members and gives them a strong support network.
Family members don’t have to go through the deployment alone. Norris said they form a bond with the other families of deployed Marines and face the same challenges, anxiety and stresses.
Cpl. Joshua Murray, a combat correspondent with 2nd Marine Division, has already served in Iraq, but now prepares to serve on the home front. His wife Megan, is scheduled to deploy to Iraq with II MEF (Fwd).
“Family readiness does a great job of preparing Marines and sailors for deployments,” said Murray. “It gets them fully prepared for anything they have to deal with.”
He said he has a deeper understanding of the issues both parties face during deployments and feels he and his wife can better prepare for their second deployment together.
“Just knowing there is someone you can contact any day of the week to address your problems and get you through any hardships you might have provides a sense of security that you can’t anywhere else.”
As II MEF (Fwd) prepares to assume responsibility for Iraq’s al Anbar province early next year, deploying Marines and sailors can take comfort in knowing their families will be able to deal with the pressures of deployment.
For more information on II MEF (Fwd), visit the unit’s web site at http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/iimeffwd, and to learn about the ongoing mission in Iraq, go to http://www.mnfwest.usmc.mil.
Ellie