thedrifter
09-10-09, 09:02 AM
Island hop II: More seats, open to more
9/11/2009 By Lance Cpl. Salvador Moreno , Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marines and sailors of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron are scheduled to embark on another South Pacific trip of a lifetime Sunday.
H&HS commanding officer Lt. Col. Tray J. Ardese has set forth a new set of challenges for all Marines and sailors of H&HS to earn one of five seats on a four-day island hopping expedition to commemorate the anniversary of the Peleliu landing, which occurred during the Guadalcanal campaigns.
The islands to be visited during this second island hopping trip are Iwo To, formerly known as Iwo Jima, Saipan, Peleliu, and Guam.
“Virtually the same professional military education classes given in the first trip will be given on every island,” said Ardese. “They were so successful and so informative. The knowledge that was gained will be very similar.”
As of Tuesday, three of the seats were filled. Sgt. Carrie White, a Provost Marshall’s Office physical security crime prevention specialist, was afforded the first seat by Ardese during an award and promotion ceremony held at the parade deck in front of Building 1.
“Sgt. White had the highest total score of all three events of the last Bring Out Your Champions Competition,” said Ardese. “She finished with the highest combined total of the people who didn’t get to go.”
The second seat was won by Lance Cpl. Daniel Negrete, an Armed Forces Network combat correspondent, who won the first competition; a 750-meter swim followed by a Navy-Marine Corps knowledge test.
“I received word from Gunnery Sgt. Ruby about the competition, I only had the afternoon to prepare and I knew there was nothing to do but relax and get mentally prepared for it,” said Negrete.
The third seat was won by Cpl. Justin Hudnall, a PMO military police officer, after winning a marksmanship competition and a knowledge test held at the indoor small arms range here Friday.
“I was on duty when Lt. Col. Ardese informed me of it,” said Hudnall. “I was confident on shooting, but was worried about the knowledge.”
The first island hopping trip was only open to career Marines and there was an outcry from so many first-term Marines and sailors Ardese decided to open this competition to everybody.
“The longer you stay in the Marine Corps, the more you truly appreciate our heritage of winning battles, making Marines, and those who have gone before us,” said Ardese.
The second trip is like the first trip. Ardese set forth criteria for Marines and sailors to meet in order to compete in the events, but this trip is open to all Marines and sailors, not just career Marines.
Ardese required Marines and sailors to be up to date medically, dentally and military education complete.
As well, vying competitors had to have a first class physical fitness test for their age group and a first class combat fitness test, or physical readiness test for sailors.
“This competition is very inclusive vice exclusive because the prerequisites encompass a large group,” said Ardese. “I want everybody to come out; I wish the whole squadron was out there.”
It has been called a trip of a lifetime, but it is more than that for some Marines.
Some Marines have not had grueling physical challenges like these since boot camp and are eager to show off their combat readiness.
“It felt great to be a winner, but it feels greater to know we have a commanding officer who does these kinds of trips for his Marines so other Marines can have this opportunity as well,” said Negrete.
Ellie
9/11/2009 By Lance Cpl. Salvador Moreno , Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Marines and sailors of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron are scheduled to embark on another South Pacific trip of a lifetime Sunday.
H&HS commanding officer Lt. Col. Tray J. Ardese has set forth a new set of challenges for all Marines and sailors of H&HS to earn one of five seats on a four-day island hopping expedition to commemorate the anniversary of the Peleliu landing, which occurred during the Guadalcanal campaigns.
The islands to be visited during this second island hopping trip are Iwo To, formerly known as Iwo Jima, Saipan, Peleliu, and Guam.
“Virtually the same professional military education classes given in the first trip will be given on every island,” said Ardese. “They were so successful and so informative. The knowledge that was gained will be very similar.”
As of Tuesday, three of the seats were filled. Sgt. Carrie White, a Provost Marshall’s Office physical security crime prevention specialist, was afforded the first seat by Ardese during an award and promotion ceremony held at the parade deck in front of Building 1.
“Sgt. White had the highest total score of all three events of the last Bring Out Your Champions Competition,” said Ardese. “She finished with the highest combined total of the people who didn’t get to go.”
The second seat was won by Lance Cpl. Daniel Negrete, an Armed Forces Network combat correspondent, who won the first competition; a 750-meter swim followed by a Navy-Marine Corps knowledge test.
“I received word from Gunnery Sgt. Ruby about the competition, I only had the afternoon to prepare and I knew there was nothing to do but relax and get mentally prepared for it,” said Negrete.
The third seat was won by Cpl. Justin Hudnall, a PMO military police officer, after winning a marksmanship competition and a knowledge test held at the indoor small arms range here Friday.
“I was on duty when Lt. Col. Ardese informed me of it,” said Hudnall. “I was confident on shooting, but was worried about the knowledge.”
The first island hopping trip was only open to career Marines and there was an outcry from so many first-term Marines and sailors Ardese decided to open this competition to everybody.
“The longer you stay in the Marine Corps, the more you truly appreciate our heritage of winning battles, making Marines, and those who have gone before us,” said Ardese.
The second trip is like the first trip. Ardese set forth criteria for Marines and sailors to meet in order to compete in the events, but this trip is open to all Marines and sailors, not just career Marines.
Ardese required Marines and sailors to be up to date medically, dentally and military education complete.
As well, vying competitors had to have a first class physical fitness test for their age group and a first class combat fitness test, or physical readiness test for sailors.
“This competition is very inclusive vice exclusive because the prerequisites encompass a large group,” said Ardese. “I want everybody to come out; I wish the whole squadron was out there.”
It has been called a trip of a lifetime, but it is more than that for some Marines.
Some Marines have not had grueling physical challenges like these since boot camp and are eager to show off their combat readiness.
“It felt great to be a winner, but it feels greater to know we have a commanding officer who does these kinds of trips for his Marines so other Marines can have this opportunity as well,” said Negrete.
Ellie