With 4th of July in the rear view mirror and Summer vacations in full swing it marks the half way point of our deployment. By this time all the Marines and Sailors have settled into pretty solid routines and are as used to as they can be to the heat out here. Your husbands, Dads, sons, and friends in Recon Battalion continue to do amazing work here in Iraq. Recon Battalion is used like a bunch of fire fighters out here. While most units are assigned a specific piece of terrain or a city to be responsible for during their tours in Iraq, the Marines of Recon Battalion are called on to move all over the battlefield to where the biggest hot spot is and hopefully put the fire out. It's a challenging mission but also very rewarding as the Marines and Sailors get to make an impact in a lot of different locations. I would also be remiss if I didn’t again say thank you to all the friends and family that continue to provide such great support to the Battalion. In particular I’d like to send my greetings to Pete Hammer who with his group of friends of Recon Battalion have provided us literally hundreds of care packages that are very well received by all. Changing gears a bit let me also put a plug in for all of you back home to take the time to write a letter to your Marines here in Iraq. In this age of e-mail and moto mail it’s easy to never put pen to paper, but I assure you that getting an old fashioned letter still means a lot and gives all of us a chance to take our minds of the current days problems for a few minutes. Lastly, mark your calendars now for the Birthday Ball on 9 November. If you hadn’t heard it will be held at the Westin Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego and should be a great time for all after a long deployment.
LtCol Higgins
SgtMaj
Cpl. Smith was selected as the Battalion’s NCO of the quarter, based on his outstanding leadership as a recon team leader and always placing the welfare of his Marines above his own, while accomplishing every mission assigned. Cpl. Smith is currently serving in Bravo Company 2nd platoon as a Team Leader. He’s been with Battalion for over 2 ½ years and is on his second deployment. He has completed Dive, and SERE school and looks forward to attending more schools upon our return.
In Bravo Co.’s World:
Kudos also to GySgt James Stahl, SSgt Charles Pena, Sgt’s Peter Rodriguez, Sgt King Ritchie, and Cpls Clayton Dykes, Brian Kolo, and Jeremy Klobnak on their reenlistments for four more years in the Marine Corps! Sgt Ritchie wanted to reenlist for 15 years, but I had to tell him that you can only do four years at a time. The Company was also excited to see one of our former platoon sergeants, SSgt Josh Smith, get selected for GySgt.
The Company is thrilled to welcome our latest addition to our team! Sergeant Daniel Sanderford and his wife Amy proudly welcomed Ava Nicole Sanderford at 1713 on June 22nd. She reported for duty at 19” and 7 lbs, 13 ounces, she joins her big sister Faith.
Bravo Company is also excited to welcome back Captain Taranta, GySgt Turner and First Platoon! We missed you guys and are glad to have you back! Speaking of welcome backs, it is great to see that GySgt Sid “Hans’ Gruber (finally) made it out here!
I want to extend a special personal thanks to the men of Second Platoon for
recently getting me away from this desk for a couple of days and letting me go out with them. As usual, the platoon, under the dynamic leadership of Captain Adams and GySgt Stahl performed well beyond expectations in a very austere environment. As always, they do all the heavy lifting, I just watch and continue to be astounded by their professionalism, dedication, and proficiency. The platoon wants to know when I am going back out with them, so I guess I didn’t get in their way too much. Doc Sarazin continues to motivate me and was kind enough to educate me on some of the local customs to include the local’s version of Mardi Gras; this is another story that will have to be told in person to do it justice.
Great news, Corporal Ryan ‘Lucky’ Beseke had the stitches removed from his finger and was returned to full duty, however shortly after he twisted his ankle and is now limping around, the prognosis is good and he will be up and running in no time. We are starting to think that he is made out of porcelain. Lt Baker and GySgt Williams (although a long way removed from the mean streets of Pepperell, MA) and third platoon continue to stay busy and get work in. Cpl Brad Jungers, recon sniper extraordinaire, is highly trained in detecting if the enemy has a bead on him, he is eagerly shared this knowledge with his platoon and also gave a class on how to properly low crawl.
Happy Birthday wishes go out to, Cpl Amish Smith, Cpl Joseph Zimmerman, Sgt Cody Cowin, SSgt John Bottema. Cpl Ryan Pape turned 21 on July 7th, the Company wanted to take him out to a show (the ballet?) and then for some drinks, but we couldn’t find any establishments here; he will have to take rain-check when we get back.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Doc Edwin Albino, GySgt Davey Lind and GySgt Buck Doyle on speedy recoveries!
Thanks again for all your support, emails, packages, moto-mail, thoughts and prayers. Special thanks, as always, to our KVN and the RBE back in the States, we hope to see you all soon! Please feel free to contact our KVN at Camp Pendleton or me if you need anything from our end.
Semper Fi – 1stSgt Gaita
In Charlie Co.’s Corner:
The heat continues to be one of the greatest challenges out here and the Marines continue to amaze with there work ethic and their ability to cope. The average temp for the month has been 115 degrees and with Marines spending the vast majority of their time out in the field far from any air conditioners. I can tell you that one of the things that really motivate the Marines is the mail you send. I am continually amazed by the amount of mail the company receives and it truly shows the dedication and love you have for your Marines.
Well, we have finally hit the half way mark and while there was no celebration on the part of the company we all did feel like we have reached a major mile stone of the deployment. We were also joined for two weeks by a contingent from 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, who will be relieving us. It was nice to see them as many of them are old friends and of course they were very interested to see how our 3rd platoon is doing as they are actually on temporary loan from 2nd and will be returning at the end of the deployment.
To all who support the Marines and Sailors of the company I pass on our warmest regards and wish you all the best. I can tell you that you’re never far from our thoughts and we look forward to you’re continued support with all the things you do for your Marines and Sailor.
Standing tall in H&S Co.: Headquarters and Service Company is still staying busy supporting the line companies. The tasks really don’t change much, just keeping everything moving, working, and supplied, etc. Iraq is heating up. During the month of July the highs tend to hover around 115 give or take.
I am going to dedicate this issue to the sailors of 1st Recon Battalion. Although mostly corpsman we also have a Navy Doctor, Chaplain and his assistant RP2 Torrente as well as an electronic warfare officer (EWO) LtJg Anderson.
Throughout history we as Marines have always had a close working relationship with our Navy brothers. This tradition has held true mostly because they are so easy to pick on. With nicknames like Squid, Seamen, Chef, (to mention just a few) you see what I mean. They often wear PT shorts that are way too small for them (see our current chief during PT). Of course they will not go down without a fight and often make mention that the Marine Corps is part of the department of the Navy. Yes this is true and commonly referred to as the Men’s Department. Congrats to HM3 Swanson for his promotion to his current rank. Thanks and until next time, keep the mail coming. ----1stSgt Smith
On Camp Fallujah: Ensuring the safety of your Marines on Camp Fallujah, the Fire Department inspected all of the Battalions building, updating the Battalion’s safety plan. Along with safety is also the monthly CMR/ that’s military for getting all serialized gear checked visually by an officer. The company’s got their inspections done about a week and a half ago. Around the same time, the Armory Marines gave classes to Navy Sea Bees reviewing Machine gun maintenance, operations, immediate action drills, and nomenclature. The M240 Golf seemed to be the main interest of the Sea Bee’s. BAS decided to give classes on IV’s and how to properly administer them to victims. Some Marines had the opportunity to practice sticking each other with the needles and actually giving an IV while their partner got to feel the benefits of an IV first hand.
PSD has been busy not only out in the field but back in the wire as well, building their own “team room” which some would call the “club house” Its complete with netting for shade and sand bags soaring about 5 feet high to wall in their patio, not to forget the AC inside.
Standing tall in H&S Co.:
I am going to dedicate this issue to the sailors of 1st Recon Battalion. Although mostly corpsman we also have a Navy Doctor, Chaplain and his assistant RP2 Torrente as well as an electronic warfare officer (EWO) LtJg Anderson.
Throughout history we as Marines have always had a close working relationship with our Navy brothers. This tradition has held true mostly because they are so easy to pick on. With nicknames like Squid, Seamen, Chef, (to mention just a few) you see what I mean. They often wear PT shorts that are way too small for them (see our current chief during PT). Of course they will not go down without a fight and often make mention that the Marine Corps is part of the department of the Navy. Yes this is true and commonly referred to as the Men’s Department. Congrats to HM3 Swanson for his promotion to his current rank. Thanks and until next time, keep the mail coming. ----1stSgt Smith
On Camp Fallujah: Ensuring the safety of your Marines on Camp Fallujah,
the Fire Department inspected all of the Battalions building, updating
the Battalion’s safety plan. Along with safety is also the monthly CMR/
that’s military for getting all serialized gear checked visually by
an officer. The company’s got their inspections done about a week and
a half ago. Around the same time, the Armory Marines gave classes to
Navy Sea Bees reviewing Machine gun maintenance, operations, immediate
action drills, and nomenclature. The M240 Golf seemed to be the main
interest of the Sea Bee’s. BAS decided to give classes on IV’s and how
to properly administer them to victims. Some Marines had the opportunity
to practice sticking each other with the needles and actually giving
an IV while their partner got to feel the benefits of an IV first hand.
PSD has been busy not only out in the field but back in the wire as
well, building their own “team room” which some would call the “club
house” Its complete with netting for shade and sand bags soaring about
5 feet high to wall in their patio, not to forget the AC inside.
On Camp Fallujah:
PSD has been busy not only out in the field but back in the wire as well, building their own “team room” which some would call the “club house” Its complete with netting for shade and sand bags soaring about 5 feet high to wall in their patio, not to forget the AC inside.
Reenlistments:
2. Cpl. Dykes
3. Cpl. Harrison
4. Cpl. Hawkins
5. Cpl. Hruby
6. Cpl. Mcgrew
7. Cpl. Klobnak
8. Cpl. Kolo
9. Cpl. Quitevis
10. Sgt. Bannister
11. Sgt. Ortega
12. Sgt. Parkerson
13. Sgt. Ramirez
14. Sgt. Ritchie
15. Sgt. Rodriguez
16. Sgt. Scharffer
17. Sgt. Weise
18. SSgt. Macias
19. SSgt. Payette
20. SSgt. Pena
21. GySgt. Belcher
22. GySgt. Getman
23. GySgt. Stahl
Promotions:
2. LCpl. Weber
3. Cpl. Anderson C.
4. Cpl. Baker
5. Cpl. Casas
6. Cpl. Crane
7. Cpl. Layton
8. Cpl. Locke
9. Cpl. Miller
10. Cpl. Mounton
11. Cpl. Pape
12. Cpl. Spencer
13. HM3 Swanson
14. Cpl. Switzer
15. Sgt. Byers
16. Sgt. Harding
17. Sgt. Marquass
18. Capt. Adams
Awards:
2. LCpl. Meza (MCMAP Gray Belt)
3. LCpl. Weber (MCMAP Gray Belt)
4. Cpl. Caldas (MCMAP Brown belt Instructor)
5. Cpl. Quitevis (MCMAP Green Belt)
6. Cpl. Smith (Certificate Of Commendation)
7. Sgt. Geiger (Good Conduct Medal)
8. Sgt. Rodriguiz (Good Conduct Medal)
9. Sgt. Scharfer (Good Conduct Medal)
10. RP 2rd class Torrente (MCMAP Tan Belt)
11. 1st Lt. Kopach (MCMAP Green Belt)
12. 1st Lt.Taylor (MCMAP Brown Belt)
13. Capt. Baranowski (MCMAP Gray Belt)
14. Capt. Konicki (MCMAP Brown Belt Instructor)
