"A leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don't want to do, and like it."
Harry S. Truman Former US President and US Army Officer
Henley-Putnam University Offers Highly Relevant Degree Programs for Marines
Henley-Putnam University is a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security.
Henley-Putnam University is a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. Offering online Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Intelligence Management, Terrorism & Counterterrorism Studies, and Personal Protection, Henley-Putnam prepares intelligence community, law enforcement, military, and corporate security professionals with the skills, network and insights to advance in their careers.
“As a Marine who rose from Private to Colonel and attained all of my academic education while in uniform, I view Henley-Putnam as the university to lead the educational charge in fighting the war on terror.” - Phil Torres, Colonel, U.S. Marines, Retired Public Relations Officer, Henley Putnam University
We have developed a program designed to help you advance in your career, regardless of the direction that it will take. Here are the primary benefits of attending Henley-Putnam University:
Click here for a full description of the benefit of attending Henley-Putnam University.
Henley-Putnam University can take you one step closer to achieving your career goals in the Marine Corps and beyond!
Speak to one of our Admissions Coordinators today at 1-888-852-8746 or learn more at www.Henley-Putnam.edu
Social Security - Special Extra Earnings for Military Service
Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training), you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings. Since 1988, inactive duty service in the Armed Forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also been covered by Social Security.
Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for your military service from 1957 through 2001 can be credited to your record for Social Security purposes. These extra earnings credits may help you qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of your Social Security benefit.
Special extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active duty or active duty for training. Special extra earnings credits are not granted for inactive duty training.
If your active military service occurred
From 1957 through 1967, we will add the extra credits to your record when you apply for Social Security benefits.
From 1968 through 2001, you do not need to do anything to receive these extra credits. The credits were automatically added to your record.
After 2001, there are no special extra earnings credits for military service.
How You Get Credit For Special Extra Earnings
The information that follows applies only to active duty military service earnings from 1957 through 2001. Here's how the special extra earnings are credited on your record: Service in 1957 Through 1977
You are credited with $300 in additional earnings for each calendar quarter in which you received active duty basic pay. Service in 1978 through 2001
For every $300 in active duty basic pay, you are credited with an additional $100 in earnings up to a maximum of $1,200 a year. If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, and didn't complete at least 24 months of active duty or your full tour, you may not be able to receive the additional earnings. Check with Social Security for details.
Source: For more information visit the Social Security Official Website.
Vet Topics
VA Announces New Nursing Academy Sites
WASHINGTON - To provide compassionate, highly-trained nurses to serve the health care needs of the nation’s veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is establishing new partnerships with seven of the country’s finest nursing schools. The partnerships will bring to 10 the number of collaborations between the Department and nursing schools under the VA Nursing Academy.
“The expanded role of VA in the education of nurses will ensure the Department has the nurses needed to continue our world-class health care for veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “The VA Nursing Academy expands our teaching faculty, improves recruitment and retention, and creates new educational and research opportunities.”
The VA Nursing Academy is a virtual organization with central administration in Washington. It expands learning opportunities for nursing students at VA facilities, funds additional faculty positions so competitively selected nursing school partners will accept additional baccalaureate-level students, and increases recruitment and retention of VA nurses. The five-year, $40 million program began in 2007.
Seven nursing schools will form new partnerships with nine VA medical centers and join the VA Nursing Academy this year.
Partnerships already in the VA Nursing Academy include the VA medical center in Gainesville, Fla., with the University of Florida; the VA medical center in San Diego with San Diego State University; the VA medical center in Salt Lake City with the University of Utah; and the VA medical center in West Haven, Conn., with Fairfield University in Connecticut.
VA expects to add several more nursing-school partnerships.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has reported that in 2006 more than 38,000 qualified applicants were turned away from entry-level baccalaureate degree programs in nursing schools because of insufficient numbers of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space and clinical mentors. VA currently provides clinical education for approximately 100,000 health professional trainees annually, including students from more than 600 schools of nursing.
VA’s “Enhancing Academic Partnerships” pilot program enables competitively selected VA-nursing school partnerships to expand the number of nursing faculty, enhance the professional and scholarly development of nurses, increase student enrollment by about 1,000 students and promote innovations in nursing education.
Further information about the pilot program can be obtained from VA’s Office of Academic Affiliations web site at www.va.gov/oaa.
The Sedative sound of Liquid Mind
By Jon Yim Editor, TWS Newsletters
SAN DIEGO - It's called Liquid Mind.
It is ultra-slow music that soothes -- much to the point that some listeners completely relax and fall asleep.
And it's the greatest compliment to its composer and producer -- and former Vietnam-era naval officer, Chuck Wild. The Los Angeles-based keyboardist/composer has a collection of nine CDs, all designed to relax and transport the listener to a different level of consciousness, relieving stress or anxieties – or just send them off to restful sleep.
All, of which, are good things.
His musical experience spans three decades, including writing 125 songs and compositions used in TV, motion pictures and albums. Some of the artists that have recorded his songs include The Pointer Sisters, Jennifer Rush, Thelma Houston, Glen Medeiros and Philip Bailey.
Chuck was also a member of the 1980's new wave band, “Missing Persons,” which topped the charts, and garnered major radio airplay with their hits “Destination Unknown” and “Walking In L.A.”
So why did he decide to "apply the brakes" in his new approach to music?
Chuck created his slow, rhythm-free music as a response to anxiety and panic attacks caused by sleep deprivation while working on the ABC-TV series “Max Headroom.”
“The show got way behind schedule,” he recalls. “Normally, we'd have two to three weeks to write and record the music for the show. It's about 42 minutes of music to compose for a one hour program. Instead, we had four days – the network courier was literally standing outside waiting for us (himself and co-composer Michael Hoenig) to finish the music so they could dub it in.”
The closest experience to that, he added, was his time in the military.
Chuck Wild served from 1968 to 1972 as a commissioned officer in the US Naval Reserve during Vietnam; first as communications officer aboard the destroyer USS Ozbourn (DD-846) and the staff of Destroyer Squadron Nine. Later, he served as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Group Seventh Fleet (Western Pacific), under Rear Admirals Arthur Esch; and later, Rembrandt Robinson.
During his time in-uniform, Chuck received the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal.
The constant crush of the TV show's brutal work schedule and other factors started to wear him down – badly. So much that for a while, Chuck refused to leave his home, and had his assistant run errands for him.
“My concept, as part of my own healing, was to record albums of sedative music,” he said. “In my own case, I found that sedative music that I wrote was most helpful, because the music I was listening to wasn't really that relaxing.”
With that in-mind, Chuck went into the studio, and in 1995 created “Ambience Minimus,” a collection of sustained chords, soothing harmonic progressions, sensuous textures and non-rhythmic, non-repetitive structures. More albums followed, each with its unique approach in sedative music under the artist name of Liquid Mind.
His music is also helping those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
Chuck cited a veteran's hospital in Waco, Texas that uses his music. Though the hospital's music therapist, they help servicemembers returning from combat zones with PTSD.
“They also treat a lot of Vietnam veterans that have PTSD issues,” he added. “They find that my music, or just soothing music in-general, helps them through their anxieties.”
Chuck's also donates copies of his music to programs that help veterans and their families deal with stress, anxiety and PTSD.
So, what does he remember most about his time in-uniform?
“I think it was seeing the camaraderie, and the fact that we were working toward one goal really stands-out in my mind,” Chuck recalls. “I think there was also a bit more clarity then, as well as strict six-month deployment rule. But I know today people serve much longer tours.”
“Being in the Navy gave me a very high set of standards,” he said. “The personal discipline I learned helped me in the music industry, and that's pretty rare in this business.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: Liquid Mind CDs can be purchased online at liquidmindmusic.com or downloaded through iTunes. Veterans groups and other military support organizations that wish to use Liquid Mind music can contact Chuck Wild at:
*Note: The Liquid Mind CD's will be available soon through the TWSCafe - stay tuned.
- Photo courtesy Chuck Wild - Cover art courtesy realmusic.com
Useful Military Links
Defenselink -- The OFFICIAL source of news and information from the Department of Defense, related agencies and all military branches. Multi-National Force - Iraq -- Official website of MNF-I. Multi-National Corps - Iraq -- Official website of MNC-I, "Leading the transformation of Iraq." International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) -- Official website for coalition forces in Afghanistan The Pentagon Channel -- 24-hour broadcasts of official military news and information for members of the US Armed Forces through select stateside cable systems, and overseas via American Forces Network (AFN). My AFN.mil -- American Forces Network (AFN) provides multi-channel, broadcast-quality radio and television services and expanded internal information products to all DoD members and their families stationed overseas, on contingency operations, and onboard Navy ships around the world. We Bring You Home. Military Homefront -- A DoD Web portal for reliable Quality of Life information designed to help troops and their families, leaders and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need! Stars & Stripes -- The DoD-authorized UNOFFICIAL daily newspaper for US Forces overseas, printed in European, Pacific and Mideast editions. Department of Defense Educational Activity (DoDEA) -- DoDEA operates more than 218 public schools for grades K-12 in 14 districts located in seven U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Guam and 12 foreign countries to serve the children of military service members and Department of Defense civilian employees. Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) -- The military's largest retailer. A mission-essential, and the premier quality of life provider for all DoD military members, civilians, contractors and their families worldwide. Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) -- The Navy's Family Store providing quality goods and services at a savings and supporting the naval quality of life programs. Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) -- Delivering the premier quality-of-life benefit to military members worldwide. United Service Organizations (USO) --The USO supports U.S. troops and their families wherever they serve. Across the United States and around the world, the American military knows that the USO is there for them. Until Every One Comes Home. Space Avaliable Travel fact sheet --Answers to the most common Space A travel questions, courtesy of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, CA. OFFICIAL SERVICE BRANCH MAGAZINES: NAVY - All Hands MARINE CORPS - Marines ARMY - Soldiers AIR FORCE - Airman COAST GUARD - Coast Guard Navy World Wide Locator -- For locating individuals on active duty, those recently discharged, and current addresses for retired Navy service members. Navy Retired Activities Branch -- Keeps the retired community informed of their benefits and provides customer service to Navy retirees and their families. Shift Colors -- The Magazine for Navy Retirees.
UNIFORM REGULATIONS: NAVY - NAVPERS 15665I MARINE CORPS - MCO P1020.34G ARMY - AR 670-1 AIR FORCE - AFI 36-2903 COAST GUARD - COMDTINST M1020.6E Global Terrorism Incident Map If you want to know what is going on in the world of terrorism, threats, explosions, airline incidents, etc., keep this web page. It's not just about terrorism - it's about what is happening every day, every minute some place in the world that could affect all of us in some way. It updates every 30 seconds, constantly. You just click on any map icon for full info at any time. Global Incident Map
TWS Invite Cards - Free for the Asking!
TWS Invite Cards are two-sided (sample below) and include a spot for you to print your member number and instructions for your invitees to credit you with the invitation. As a reminder, you get 6 months of free premium access for every 5 members you invite that create a profile page.
There's also a new feature in the registration process as now new joining members are asked to include the member number of the person that invited them while they are registering. If you simply write your member number on the invite card, your invitees can enter your member number as they register and you'll automatically be credited for the invite.
These cards are a great ice-breaker to start conversations with other Marines and they're the perfect tool to help Spread The Word about TWS. We've mailed out over 45,000 of these cards in the last year. Please drop us a note to share any success stories you've had using these cards to meet other Marines. If you'd like to receive a batch of these cards, please send an email to [email protected] and tell us how many you'd like to receive and where to send them.
From our Marine Humor Board - "Planting the Tomatoes"
An old Italian man lived alone in the country. He wanted to dig his tomato garden, but it was very hard work as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:
Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. If you were here, my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me. Love, Dad.
A few days later, he received a letter from his son:
Dear Dad, Don't dig up that garden. That's where I buried the BODIES. Love, Vinnie.
At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son.
Dear Dad, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances. Love, Vinnie.
Source: American Forces Press Service (AFP) WASHINGTON, Iraq- Security gains made in southern Afghanistan could suffer if US Marines are pulled out later this year without replacements, the head of the Marine Corps has warned. General James Conway, the Marine Corps commandant, said the US Marines will be unable to provide more forces until there is a significant draw down of their numbers in Iraq. No firm plan has been made regarding who will replace the 2,200 Marines in the southern Afghanistan when their tours end in November, Conway told AFP. Conway made the remarks last week in an interview with a reporter who traveled with him on a visit to Afghanistan, where 3,500 Marines have been deployed, and to Iraq, where 24,000 Marines are stationed. "Our experience has been -- and it's drawn principally from Iraq -- (that) when you are in an area for a while, people will eventually come to trust you, they rely on your security, they will give you intelligence and expect you to continue to provide that security," said Conway on a stop at the Marine base outside the Iraqi city of Fallujah. "If you leave those people, the method of the Taliban or of the Al-Qaeda is to come in and exact a punishment," he said. His warning comes amid rising violence in eastern Afghanistan and around Kabul. The Marines have been credited with helping keep the Taliban forces at bay in southern and western Afghanistan since arriving in March.
Conway cautioned that pulling out without a replacement would make it more difficult for Marines -- or any military force -- when they returned.
"What happens when you come back is that there's not a level of trustworthiness that you've had there among the people because you did this once before," he said.
Marine Lieutenant Benjamin Brewster knows how difficult it is to gain the confidence of Afghan locals. Brewster leads some 70 Marines based at a small camp outside the village of Gulestan, in Afghanistan's volatile southwestern Farah province. The province borders Iran. Opium and marijuana crops are king in the region, said Brewster, interviewed at the Gulestan camp. The dusty military outpost of tents and camouflage netting is ringed by dirt-filled barriers and is located some 97 kilometers (60 miles) from the nearest Marine base. "When we leave, they will either go back to being farmers, or will be killed," said Brewster, whose Marines patrol an area some 15 square kilometers (six square miles) large.
Other forces with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) could provide security in the region that had intermittent patrols before Marines arrived, Conway said. "As long as someone is there -- someone who represents the government or represents security to the people -- I think we'll be OK. The question is who and to what degree," he said.
If the Marines return to Afghanistan after this deployment they will need to come back in much larger numbers, Conway said. "We are undermanned in order to be able to do all we need to do in the south," he said. Conway noted that the Marine battalion based in Farah province is responsible for 6,178 square kilometers (16,000 square miles) of territory.
"That's a huge area of responsibility. We can't nearly be every place we need to be in sufficient strength to manage that," he said.
Cyber Corner Website of Interest: Young Marines Travel Bookings!
The Young Marines are proud to announce that their very own travel site is up and running. They have partnered with Travelocity to provide you with all of your travel needs at competitive prices. The good news is that the Young Marines receive some of the commission every time you book on the Young Marines Travel site. Click here to visit the site and book your travel today.
Jobs for Marines
Recently left the Corps? Maybe you're looking for a new career, or planning on going in a different direction from your present job?
Visit the Marines Job Board which is on the left hand Home Page. You'll find numerous job listings.
All positions, described in detail, are posted by fellow Marines.TWS who are familiar with the credentials and experience offered by Marines.
Here is few highlights of jobs posted this month:
Position Offered: Construction Superintendent Location: Southern & Northern CA Salary Range: Above Average, DOE
Position Offered: Field Service Technician Location: Chicago, Southern Wisconsin Area Salary Range: $40-$56K
Additionally, if your company has any positions suited to Marines seeking employment, you are very welcome to post these on the Job Board. This is a FREE service to TWS subscribers Post a Job on TWSCurrently Posted Positions
Marines.TWS Forums and Chat Boards - Sound Off!
What was your best duty station or assignment and why? What is the recipe for that good chow you know how to make out of an MRE? Where's the coldest beer on on WestPac? Do you have any tips about keeping healthy, or things to watch out for if you have a disease? These are just a few of the topics that are covered by the many Forums on Marines.TWS. These forums provide you, the members, a variety of places to discuss with other members the many topics we have in common. Those members still on active duty would probably like to know about good assignments when they make out their "dream sheets" or talk to their Monitors. Those who have worked as Monitors or served on a board might want to provide a few tips for members in preparing to talk about their next assignment. If you have a disease like diabetes, what tips can you give others about the disease and things to watch out for with diabetes? Encourage a fellow Marine to keep on top of a health problem so he stays with us for a long time. These are but a couple of topics that are available for you to offer advice, warn others about, discuss with other Marines, etc, or just vent your frustrations about. So pull up a foot-locker and start shooting the breeze, the forums are for you.
Lost Your Password?
If you have forgotten your User ID and Password you can be quickly and easily reminded by clicking on the "Reminder" link contained on the Login page or following this Link. Your Username and Password will be immediately sent to you by e-mail.
For every five Marines who join TWS from your invitation, you'll be rewarded with 6 months FREE Full Membership allowing you special access to all the premium areas of the TWS website!
Your support will also be recognized by a special "Recruiting Ribbon" placed on your LH Profile Page -- and a bronze star for every five new members you invite!
To simplify the process, TWS Invite Cards are Free for the Asking!
The invite cards are now two-sided (sample below) and include a spot for you to print your member number and instructions for your invitees to credit you with the invitation. As a reminder, you get 6 months of free premium access for every 5 members you invite that create a profile page.
There's also a new feature in the registration process as now new joining members are asked to include the member number of the person that invited them while they are registering. If you simply write your member number on the invite card, your invitees can enter your member number as they register and you'll automatically be credited for the invite.
These cards are a great ice-breaker to start conversations with other Marines and they're the perfect tool to help Spread The Word about TWS. We've mailed out over 40,000 of these cards in the last year. Please drop us a note to share any success stories you've had using these cards to meet other Marines.
If you'd like to receive a batch of these free cards please send an email to [email protected] and tell us how many you'd like to receive and the address to send them to.
By inviting other Marines to join this site you not only greatly increase the chances for Members to find others with whom they served, but the site becomes even more enjoyable through the increased interaction between Marines from all eras. Inviting other Marines to join couldn't be simpler, just click the Invite tab at the top of the page and fill out the form, TWS will send the invite for you.
The "Guidon" - MTWS Monthly Newsletter
A monthly online publication of Marines.TogetherWeServed.com, a commercial entity in no way affiliated, authorized or endorsed by the US Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, or any of its agencies.
Opinions and views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Marines.TogetherWeServed.com, the U.S. Government, Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.
The GUIDON - MTWS Newsletter is published and distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered official Marine Corps policy, regulation or doctrine. Contact your command's administration section concerning all current Marine Corps policy, regulation and doctrine issues.
All photos used in this online publication are official US Navy/Department of Defense imagery and cleared for public release, unless otherwise indicated.
Please send any comments, quality improvement suggestions or story ideas to: [email protected].
Maj W.T. Prater (Ret) Administrator/Editor
Wreaths Across America
The Shenandoah Valley Young Marines will be taking part in the Wreath across America this year at Arlington national cemetery. If you have someone you would like the YM to place a wreath in your honor at Arlington let us know . So we can make the arrangements to pick the wreath up from you or forward it to our local FTD flower shop for us to pick up.
William & Kim Molitor Shenandoah Valley Young Marines where history comes alive http://svym.org
Source: Seamus Garahay's All-Hands email list
POW-MIA - You are Not Forgotten!
2008 Olympiad
Fireworks light the night sky above the National Stadium, nicknamed The Birds' Nest, at the opening ceremonies of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, China. Over 20 military athletes, trainers and coaches are part of the US Olympic Team. - US Army photo by Tim Hipps
Marines are there too...
Keith Sanderson, 2008 Olympic Pistol shooter, practicing at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado.Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army
-Keith Sanderson, US Marine (former serving, now in the US Army)
How he made it After earning the Olympic quota in rapid-fire pistol for the U.S. team, Keith Sanderson was forced to wait nearly a year before he could claim it for himself. In June 2007, Sanderson won the bronze medal at the World Cup Munich, which secured the United States one spot in rapid-fire pistol in the Beijing Games. Despite earning the quota, Sanderson was not guaranteed it and had to win it at the Olympic Trials for smallbore shooting in May 2008 in Ft. Benning, Ga. After the first day of competition, Sanderson, despite shooting the third-best qualifying round, found himself in first place after a strong first-day final. On Day 2, he left nothing to chance and earned the top marks during both the qualifying and final rounds -- with a 10.6 lead going into the final day, Sanderson's Olympic trip was pretty much secured. A final day consisting of the second-best qualifying score and the best final were more than enough to send Sanderson to the Olympics. "I am very excited about making the team, but I have a lot of work ahead of me," Sanderson said to the Associated Press. "I shot pretty good finals here, so I accomplished a lot of my goals, but I still have a lot to do to prepare for Beijing."
Serving his country The Olympics are going to be a much-deserved break for Sanderson, who has dedicated most of his professional life to representing the U.S. in the armed forces. In 1993, Sanderson enlisted with the United States Marine Corps. By 1996, he began shooting in Marine Corps matches. After eight years in the Marines, Sanderson became a reserve with the U.S. Army before moving into active duty in April 2005. He has been stationed in South Korea since August 2006 and was given permission by the U.S. Army to take a leave and train for the Beijing Games at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Accomplished marksman Despite sending plenty of representatives to the Olympics each year, the U.S. has lacked in winning medals at the Olympics in pistol shooting. The 2007 bronze Sanderson won was actually the first time an American had won a medal on foreign soil. Sanderson's comfort with the event stems from the fact that he believes rapid-fire shooting is, "the closest Olympic discipline to soldier skills."
By Dan Lamothe - Marine Corps Times Staff writer Source: Marine Corps Times, 14 Aug 2008
Marine trainers working in Georgia during the Russian invasion Friday have been relocated from an undisclosed military area to a hotel in the nation’s capital and may be moved out of the war-torn country completely, Marine officials said Tuesday.
Spokesmen at Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans and Marine Corps headquarters in Washington confirmed the move to Tbilisi, a city of about 1.1 million people about 40 miles southeast of South Ossetia province, where fighting was heaviest. They offered no details on when the move was made.
Maj. David Nevers, a Marine spokesman in Washington, said no decision had been made on whether the trainers — primarily reservists from Kentucky and New York — would be moved.
“They’re safe and awaiting orders,” Nevers said.
The nine enlisted reserve trainers and one active-duty captain are with 4th Marine Logistics Group, said Capt. Nathan Braden, a MarForRes spokesman. They are primarily assigned to Brooklyn, N.Y.-based 6th Communications Battalion and a Lexington, Ky.-based detachment with 4th MLG’s Military Police Company. The captain is with II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
On Friday, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said 130 U.S. troops and contractors were in Georgia at the time of the attack, to prepare the Georgian forces for their next deployment to Iraq. All were accounted for and uninjured at the time, Whitman said.
Nevers said the Marine trainers were sent to Georgia in June for a rotation in the Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program, a Marine Forces Europe-led program that trains Georgian troops for deployments to Iraq.
But Georgia pulled all of its 2,000 troops from Iraq on Sunday and Monday, raising questions about the program’s immediate future.
Most recently, the Marine trainers had been focusing on teaching military vehicle maintenance and operations to Georgian troops, Nevers said.
In addition to the trainers, there are seven active-duty Marines stationed in Georgia to guard the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi. Their mission would not be affected by whether the Marine trainers left Georgia, Braden said.
Corps introduces new Combat Fitness Test (CFT)
By: By Bryan Mitchell - Staff writer, Marine Corps Times Source: Marine Corps Times
ARLINGTON, Va. — The commander of Henderson Hall passed on the first run. So did the command sergeant major. At 47 and 43, respectively, that’s no small feat considering the unforgiving rigors of the Corps’ new Combat Fitness Test.
And both Col. William Lietzau and Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green finished with the contents of their stomachs still intact.
Not so for 22-year-old Cpl. Jacob Pena, who learned the hard way that a full breakfast, a bottle of Gatorade and the CFT make for unpleasant company.
Col. Brian McGuire, physical readiness programs officer at Training and Education Command in Quantico, Va., said Pena’s constitution is not the first to be flushed by the CFT.
“If vomiting during the event was an injury, we’d have an injury problem,” McGuire said. “But it isn’t, so we don’t.” Pena was applauded by the roughly 100 Marines gathered in the 90-degree heat Monday morning on a patch of Henderson Hall grass to watch six Marines perform the test created to prepare leathernecks for the uncertain demands of combat. Soon, the CFT will be well known from the Carolinas to Okinawa.
“I think it’s more of a gut check,” Pena said roughly 20 minutes after his battle with nausea. “It’s not impossible, but if you suck at it, you need to start preparing a lot more.”
The Combat Fitness Test is one part of Commandant Gen. James Conway’s move to forge a leaner Corps.
Unlike the traditional Physical Fitness Test that measures endurance and strength with pull-ups, crunches and a distance run, the Combat Fitness Test is designed to measure abilities demanded of Marines in a war zone.
McGuire conducted an hour-long introduction to the CFT and how it will complement the 36-year-old Physical Fitness Test.
Monday’s demonstration was the first in a series for McGuire and his team of CFT experts, who will travel the globe explaining the test to Marines.
When the test is implemented Oct. 1, it will be pass/fail. Starting Oct. 1, 2009, however, it will become a three-tier scored test that will be factored into cutting scores, meaning poor scores could damage promotion potential.
The CFT takes only about 20 minutes to perform, but it’s a challenge.
“Taken separately, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be that difficult,” said Lietzau. “Suddenly, when you string these things together, you get more winded than you think you should.”
The CFT starts with a 880-yard run, followed by two minutes lifting a 30-pound ammo can.
The third and final installment is where Marines test their mettle. The “maneuver under fire” drill is part obstacle course, part pre-season football conditioning glazed with a unique Corps mindset.
Participants run between cones, haul a mock casualty using two different carries and sprint, while saddled with two 30-pound ammo cans, the approximate distance “from the tree line to a helo.” Download a diagram of the obtacle course at http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/combatfitnesstest.
Lance Cpl. Antonio Young, 21, of Decatur, Ga., was among the fortunate ones who simply watched the six Marines perform the CFT on Monday. But he’s done it in the past and knows it will challenge even the fittest Marine.
“It sucks. It hurts. And I work out a lot. A whole lot,” Young said. “The third part is hell on wheels. It’s so long it wears on your mind more than your body.”
Featured Upgrades this Month
Site Map Top right (last tab on the right hand page) we have added a Site Map. This comprises a handy cheat sheet of all the most commonly needed site functions. If you can't remember how to do something on TWS just head to the Site Map!
Army Access From the Home tab we have added our latest sister site - Army.TogetherWeServed.com - to the list of sites that you can visit as a guest. Also dont forget that if you invite your Army buddies to sign up on their own site, you still receive credit here on Marines.TogetherWeServed.com. For every 5 new members who join from your invites we will extend your full membership by an additional 6 months.
Patch Selection Extended One of our most popular features has been the array of patches you display to show the units you have been assigned. However sometimes the exact unit you have selected (such as a particular company) has no patch available and you would prefer to show the patch of the parent unit. Well now you can - just edit your assignments and you will see not only the patches for the unit in question but also those of all the parent units all the way up to the USMC seal. You may select any of these to represent your unit:
From NFL Films: This is actually a link to a web-page, but the video is worth watching. A video tribute to Fly-By's and what they mean at NFL Games. (video contains an advertisement from the source)
TWS Marine Store - For All Your Marine Merchandise Needs!
Pay a visit to our online TWS Marine Store. For all your Marine Merchandise needs - Shirts, Jackets, Hats, Jewelry, Footwear, Medals, Patches and much, much more!
(The Marine Store can also be found under the "Marine Store" tab or on the left hand Home Page just as you log into TWS)
Over 9000 Quality Items at lowest prices and a 30 day money back guarantee! Here are some brand new items just arrived:
"I'm, a new customer, and a satisfied one at that. Your service is excellent, and so are your prices - talk about time to receive items! Its service like the old days. Semper Fi"
Thank you for your support of the TWS Marine Store. All Store proceeds go towards advertising the TWS website, bringing more Marines to the TWS Community.
This Month in Marine Corps History
Every month is historical when you're a United States Marines.
Click here for a list of historical event in Marine Corps History that occurred during the month of August.
Member Comments
"It is an honor to be a mamber of this site, it has proven to be well run and I found my boot camp members after many years of not knowing what happened to them. Howell, Jerome, Cpl
"...TWS membership has been quite fulfilling for me. Being stuck in the house every day, until my wife gets home from work, ain't no picnic. I enjoy posting cartoon and jokes so other members might get a laugh, or a smile to brighten their day. Semper Fi, Marine, JJ" Haight, JJ (JJ or snake), Cpl
"I am a member of MarineOCS.com and will post a new thread announcing this web site. I am sure there are many Veterans and ECP Marines there that would like to check this out. I just got a message from a guy I served w/ 7 years ago. We were good friends and we lost touch over the years. I already like this site!" Carver, Corey (nDundiz), Sgt
TWS Cafe - Coins Coffee & More!
We're proud to announce the opening of the new "TWS Cafe!"
In partnership with our friends at Devil Dog Brew, we've created the TWS Cafe where you can purchase custom coffee blends of "Devil Dog Brew" and "Snipers Brew" at a discounted price especially for TWS Members.
In addition to coffee, initial product offerings include the Marines and Navy TWS Challenge Coins shown below. (more products are coming soon, i.e,. custom TWS logo bumper stickers and coffee mugs!)
The coins are solid metal, 1 5/8" with an epoxy covering over the image.
Coins and coffee can be ordered directly from the TWSCafe page with payments accepted via credit card.
Coin prices are a flat $10 each which includes shipping.
Coins may also still be ordered via PayPal or Check/Money Order.
For PayPal, send an email payment (from within your PayPal account) to: [email protected]
For Check Orders: Send Checks payable to: TWS Events; P.O. Box 50, Bryantsville, KY 40410 -
BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR SHIPPING ADDRESS AND SPECIFY WHICH COIN YOU WANT with your check or PayPal order!
Customer Comments:
" Major, I want to say that I am very impressed with the coins that I bought from TWS. I want to thank you for having them so that they can be bought by us Marines. They are very hard corps coins that I will sure show off to my family and friends. Thanks again for having them and anytime something like this comes around, if you think of it, please let me know so that I can buy them. Thanks,Nathan." Blevins, Nathan, LCpl
Special thanks to LtCol Pat Riley of Lexington Metal Products Inc. for his design assistance and production of these coins. LtCol Pat Riley
Complimentary Upgrade to Those Serving in OIF/OEF
TWS proudly provides a FREE 12 month Premium Membership to any deployed service member.
Just let us know who you are, on the honor system and we'll upgrade your profile. email TWS Admin
IT'S THE REAL DEAL! -Three-time Olympian, Army SPC Walton Glenn Eller III, bites his Olympic gold medal after winning the double trap event Aug. 12 at the Beijing Shooting Range. Eller set an Olympic double trap record with a 190 total. Eller is assigned to the US Army Marskmanship Unit at Fort Benning, GA. - US Army photo by Tim Hipps
MEETING THE PRESS -Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates (left) and Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chariman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, brief reporters at the Pentagon on military humanitarian support efforts for Georgia. - DoD photo by MC2 Molly A. Burgess
A FLORAL WELCOME -Residents greet Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 with flowers as they march to Isivini Secondary School in Popondetta, Papua New Guinea. Members of NMCB-133 and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force Engineering Battalion worked side-by-side to construct and renovate one school building, two clinics and two water catchment systems as part of a Pacific Partnership 2008 civil engineering project. - USN photo by MC3 John J. Mike
NEW CSAF WELCOMED - Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley (left) prepares to pass the ceremonial Air Force flag to Gen. Norton A. Schwartz during a welcoming ceremony earlier this month at Bolling AFB, DC, in honor of General Schwartz. The general is the 19th Air Force chief of staff. - DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
IT STARTS WITH A SPARK... -Marine SSgt. Benjamin Luna, chief instructor at the Jungle Warfare Training Center (JWTC), demonstrates to students how to kindle a small fire once it has been started by using dried wood or wood shavings aboard Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa.
GOING MY WAY? - A donkey stands in front of a Mine Resistant Armor Protected (MRAP) vehicle near a rapid refueling point in the Jazirah Desert, Iraq. The Marines are assigned to the Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 and are securing the area as a part of Operation Defeat Al Qaeda in the North. - USMC photo by LCpl. Andrew C. Fellows
SAFETY FIRST, SAFETY ALWAYS - Coast Guard CWO Keith Raisch (standing, center), ship's Boatswain aboard the USCG Cutter Eagle, delivers a safety brief to academy cadets (known as "swabs") and guests from other service branches. During “swab summer”, USCGA cadets report to the Eagle -- the only active commissioned sailing ship in federal service -- to learn seamanship, navigation, teamwork and shipboard engineering. - USCG photo by PA3 Jetta H. Disco
Member Submitted photos of the month
TWS now hosts more than 627,000 member submitted photos - here's a sample of some of your photos that were added this month...
TWS Fallen Marine Project
TWS is a place to honor the service history of all Marines who served including those who fell in combat. So that they will not be forgotten, we have created a special facility where any TWS Member can post a Remembrance Profile for a Fallen Marine they knew or would like to honor, and this can be accessed via the "Remember a Marine" link on the LH Home page. We have also developed an important feature which will enable TWS Members to adopt the Profile of a Fallen Marine already posted on the site. TWS has already researched and compiled comprehensive information on all 14,387 Marines who fell during the Vietnam War, 1965-1975, and these are now installed as Fallen Profiles accessible via the LH Home Page link. As no one is assigned to maintain these Profiles, we invite TWS Members to adopt one or more Fallen Profiles as custodian and researching and adding any additional information when available. 4,700 Vietnam Fallen Profiles have already been adopted by TWS Members and there are just over 9,600 remaining. To adopt the Profile of a Fallen Marine from the Vietnam War, please click on the Adopt a Fallen Marine Profile link on the left hand Home Page after you log in or click here
Reunions & Get Togethers
The TWS Reunions & Get Together's Forum Board has grown into a clearing house of information and we're happy to feature any specific announcements you may have. If have reunion or get together information you'd like to have published let us know. Email your command/club/association reunion announcement as early as possible to: [email protected]
Announcements received this month:
The third "Black Marine Reunion" will be held at the Shades of Green Military Vacation Resort at Walt Disney World. The dates are June 26-28, 2009. More information can be found on our website : www.blackmarinereunion.com
"Third Herd" - The member's of the 3rd Herd, Marine Barracks, NWS Yorktown Va. are having a 25th year reunion from serving together at the on September 19, 20, and 21 in Yorktown, Va. Anyone who was a member of the 3rd Herd, please contact Corporal Rodney Orr at 302-260-5575 or [email protected]. Parris Island, Platoon 151, 1962: REUNION for Parris Island Platoon 151 (1962 vintage). October 24, 25, 26, 2008, Wingate Inn, Stafford Va. E-mail Phillip Deal ([email protected]) for more details.
Capt Jennifer J. Harris Ride: The Honorable Few Det.#1302 Riding Platoon will by holding it's 1st Annual Marine Capt.Jennifer J. Harris Ride. To benefit Local Veteran,s and Veteran's Programs, Sunday, Oct.5th 2008 This event is being held in memory of Marine Captain Jennifer J. Harris, 28, of Swampscott, Mass.; assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died Feb. 7, 2007 when the helicopter she was flying in crashed while supporting combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Contact Information: 978-974-0128, [email protected]
Trade Banner Links with TWS
If you operate a Marine orientated website and are willing to trade links with TWS, click here for information on posting a TWS banner on your site. In return, please contact us at [email protected] with your site's URL, up to 100 words describing your website and a 468x60 website banner in jpeg format, if available. We'll be happy to post a reciprocal link in our Preferred Marine Links Section in the category of your choice. TWS Marine Links Pages are conveniently organized under different categories including Marine Associations, MCL Detachments, Marine Businesses, Marine Charities and others.
Marine Family Needs Your Assistance
Brandon Hall, 13, a right fielder with the Cardinals little league team in Richlands, was playing baseball on June 2. It was the middle of the 5th inning and Brandon was running into the dugout from right field when suddenly, he collapsed at the first base coaches' box.Brandon was taken to the Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune and at 5:10 the next morning, he was flown by helicopter to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville where he remains in room 206 of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Brandon was diagnosed with Gliofibroma, a very rare inoperable tumor on his spine at the base of his skull.
Brandon still has an elevated blood pressure and is on a ventilator. Brandon has received two chemotheraphy treatments and eight more are planned. Treatments may continue for up to a year.
Brandon is a rising 8th grader at Trexler Middle School. Because of the serious nature of his diagnosis, he will not be there with his friends when school starts in a couple of weeks. There is some hopeful news. Brandon was able to get out of bed this week for the first time in 60 days and was able to walk with the use of a walker. Physicians also detected movement in his diaphragm which could be coming from the ventilator but they are hopeful that it means the tumor is shrinking and that Brandon is beginning to breathe on his own.
Brandon is a very special boy and we are trusting in God and standing in faith," his dad said. Please add Brandon to your prayer list and pray unceasingly for him and his family.the junior class at Richlands High School, and Christian, 5, who will be attending Richlands Primary School.
Michelle Hall works as a medical administrator at MedCare in Jacksonville. Steve Hall has closed his construction company Halcorp, during his son's illness to rotate with his wife to stay with Brandon at the hospital. This family needs our help and supporters have found a unique fundraiser - Brandon's last baseball trading card on the minor league Cardinals. It has Brandon's photo and stats and would look wonderful displayed in windows of businesses and on desks to show support for this family.
The cards are available for a donation of $10 on e-bay and at The Daily News. All money will go to the family to "cope with the enormous costs to see him (Brandon) through to a complete recovery."
Click here to link to the Ebay purchase page to support this Marine family. Click here to read the full story from the Jacksonville Daily News.
Marines stick together, this is what it's all about, Marines helping Marines in time of need....
Can you find Marines on TWS? More Success Stories this month
"Doc Fitz We served togather in 1st plt. 2/9 Hotel Co. on 29 July 1967, on the old french road. You saved my life, I was wounded four times. Thank You Doc Fitz. Semper Fi, Jim" Brewster, James, SSgt
"Found six of my recruits - and numerous friends!"
"AGAIN THANKS TO SMITTY, ANOTHER FORMER MEMBER OF 1ST PLT - "E" CO, 2/6 HAS BEEN LOCATED. CPL RAYMOND T. BOSWELL (BOS), JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH ME. IT HAD BEEN OVER 42YRS SINCE WE HAD SPOKEN, YET SITTING THERE TALKING TO HIM AND IT ALL SEEMED LIKE YESTERDAY. OLD NAMES, PLACES AND EVENTS JUST BROUGHT EVERYTHING BACK. THERE WAS NO NEED FOR REORIENTATION, WE WERE BACK IN THE BARRACKS, WITH THE WHOLE PLT. THERE WAS JJ, BABY HUEY, LEROY HILL, LT BURROW, SGT LOCKER, SGT O'NEILL, SGT WILLIAMS, SGT HUDSON, PETE, ANDY, MURRAY, WORLEY, MORALES, MUNSON, MURANTI, HOWARD,CPL WILLIAMS, HODGES, AURIA, SSGT ROCK & PAPPY. WE REMEMBERED THEM AS THEY WERE THEN, FOR SOME OF THOSE MARINES WERE KIA IN NAM. NOT ONLY ARE THEY REMEMBERED ON THE WALL IN D.C., BUT THEY ARE HONORED & REMEMBERED IN THE HEARTS OF THEIR FELLOW MARINES OF "ECHO" CO., 2/6 - 1ST PLT."
"GySgt Don Gee and I were in Platoon 307, 2nd Bn at Parris Island in 1957. The Gunny has been a member of TWS since 2005, but did not fill out his profile until about 2 weeks ago. I went to my profile, as I do from time to time, and checked if for anyone having served in any of the outfits with me. Well I checked boot camp first and there was Gunny Sgt Don Gee. I found his phone number and called him. Don lives near Doylestown, PA. I also found out that two of our DIs are now retired. SSgt Quigley, our senior DI, retired as a Lt.Col and lives in Texas. SSgt Kohler, one of the junior DIs, retired as a Captain and lives in California. I will probably make a trip to Doylestown, Pennsylvania in the near future. Thanks TWS and a fillled out profile, I finally found some one I served with.
Please forward any comments or suggestions that you feel would further improve the website to [email protected] or just reply to this newsletter.
Enjoyed This Newsletter?
Please forward this on to any other Marines you know. As TWS grows so does its potential to find old buddies and new friends as well as creating a vibrant and enjoyable Marine Community representing all eras from WW2 to present day.
Keith Sanderson, 2008 Olympic Pistol shooter, practicing at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado.Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army
"GySgt Don Gee and I were in Platoon 307, 2nd Bn at Parris Island in 1957. The Gunny has been a member of TWS since 2005, but did not fill out his profile until about 2 weeks ago. I went to my profile, as I do from time to time, and checked if for anyone having served in any of the outfits with me. Well I checked boot camp first and there was Gunny Sgt Don Gee. I found his phone number and called him. Don lives near Doylestown, PA. I also found out that two of our DIs are now retired. SSgt Quigley, our senior DI, retired as a Lt.Col and lives in Texas. SSgt Kohler, one of the junior DIs, retired as a Captain and lives in California.
Since 1957, if you had military service earnings for active duty (including active duty for training), you paid Social Security taxes on those earnings. Since 1988, inactive duty service in the Armed Forces reserves (such as weekend drills) has also been covered by Social Security.
“The expanded role of VA in the education of nurses will ensure the Department has the nurses needed to continue our world-class health care for veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “The VA Nursing Academy expands our teaching faculty, improves recruitment and retention, and creates new educational and research opportunities.”
His musical experience spans three decades, including writing 125 songs and compositions used in TV, motion pictures and albums. Some of the artists that have recorded his songs include The Pointer Sisters, Jennifer Rush, Thelma Houston, Glen Medeiros and Philip Bailey. 
collection of sustained chords, soothing harmonic progressions, sensuous textures and non-rhythmic, non-repetitive structures. More albums followed, each with its unique approach in sedative music under the artist name of Liquid Mind.
What was your best duty station or assignment and why? 
The Shenandoah Valley Young Marines will be taking part in the Wreath across America this year at Arlington national cemetery. If you have someone you would like the YM to place a wreath in your honor at Arlington let us know . So we can make the arrangements to pick the wreath up from you or forward it to our local FTD flower shop for us to pick up. 
The nine enlisted reserve trainers and one active-duty captain are with 4th Marine Logistics Group, said Capt. Nathan Braden, a MarForRes spokesman. They are primarily assigned to Brooklyn, N.Y.-based 6th Communications Battalion and a Lexington, Ky.-based detachment with 4th MLG’s Military Police Company. The captain is with II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
By: By Bryan Mitchell - Staff writer, Marine Corps Times
TWS is a place to honor the service history of all Marines who served including those who fell in combat. So that they will not be forgotten, we have created a special facility where any TWS Member can post a Remembrance Profile for a Fallen Marine they knew or would like to honor, and this can be accessed via the "Remember a Marine" link on the LH Home page. We have also developed an important feature which will enable TWS Members to adopt the Profile of a Fallen Marine already posted on the site. TWS has already researched and compiled comprehensive information on all 14,387 Marines who fell during the Vietnam War, 1965-1975, and these are now installed as Fallen Profiles accessible via the LH Home Page link. As no one is assigned to maintain these Profiles, we invite TWS Members to adopt one or more Fallen Profiles as custodian and researching and adding any additional information when available. 4,700 Vietnam Fallen Profiles have already been adopted by TWS Members and there are just over 9,600 remaining. To adopt the Profile of a Fallen Marine from the Vietnam War, please click on the Adopt a Fallen Marine Profile link on the left hand Home Page after you log in or click 
"Doc Fitz
"Found six of my recruits - and numerous friends!"
"AGAIN THANKS TO SMITTY, ANOTHER FORMER MEMBER OF 1ST PLT - "E" CO, 2/6 HAS BEEN LOCATED. CPL RAYMOND T. BOSWELL (BOS), JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH ME. IT HAD BEEN OVER 42YRS SINCE WE HAD SPOKEN, YET SITTING THERE TALKING TO HIM AND IT ALL SEEMED LIKE YESTERDAY. OLD NAMES, PLACES AND EVENTS JUST BROUGHT EVERYTHING BACK. THERE WAS NO NEED FOR REORIENTATION, WE WERE BACK IN THE BARRACKS, WITH THE WHOLE PLT. THERE WAS JJ, BABY HUEY, LEROY HILL, LT BURROW, SGT LOCKER, SGT O'NEILL, SGT WILLIAMS, SGT HUDSON, PETE, ANDY, MURRAY, WORLEY, MORALES, MUNSON, MURANTI, HOWARD,CPL WILLIAMS, HODGES, AURIA, SSGT ROCK & PAPPY. WE REMEMBERED THEM AS THEY WERE THEN, FOR SOME OF THOSE MARINES WERE KIA IN NAM. NOT ONLY ARE THEY REMEMBERED ON THE WALL IN D.C., BUT THEY ARE HONORED & REMEMBERED IN THE HEARTS OF THEIR FELLOW MARINES OF "ECHO" CO., 2/6 - 1ST PLT."