Best Friends
Sgt. Dahl, all the messmen and a few sailors!
Best Moment
Nearly fighting a chief because I called one of his seamen a no good sonofabitch. (He was in the rack sleeping when he should have been in the potshack. I woke him up Lee Ermy style!)
Worst Moment
SSgt. Chambers and I standing outside of the command master chief's hatch while 1stSgt. Theilen talked to him.
Other Memories
Seeing all the guys come through the chow line in cammie paint and soaking wet and I was the one getting 'punished' with mess duty!
Criteria The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not suff... The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not sufficiently to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation). It may also be awarded to a unit that distinguishes itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat (but in support of military operations), which renders that unit outstanding when compared to other units performing similar service. MoreHide
Criteria The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. ... The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. Marine Corps while on active duty for a specified period of time. MoreHide
Criteria The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps assigned to U.S. homeported (including Hawaii and Alaska) ships, deploying units, or Fleet Marine Force commands, f... The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps assigned to U.S. homeported (including Hawaii and Alaska) ships, deploying units, or Fleet Marine Force commands, for 12 months accumulated sea duty, or for duty with the Fleet Marine Force that includes at least one deployment of 90 consecutive days. MoreHide
Description Exercise Crocodile is a major Australian-led joint bilateral exercise promoting interoperability between the two nations. Exercise Crocodile replaced the Kangaroo series of exercises. A joint exerciseExercise Crocodile is a major Australian-led joint bilateral exercise promoting interoperability between the two nations. Exercise Crocodile replaced the Kangaroo series of exercises. A joint exercise involves forces from more than one service while a combined exercise involves forces from more than one country. Crocodile combines these two by bringing together U.S. and Australian air, ground and naval forces under a set scenario.
Crocodile '99 (CROC-99) was the first in a series of Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed joint-combined exercises involving the Australian Defense Force and the U.S. military. More than 28,000 Australian troops were in the Northern Territory for Australia's biggest military exercise of the year. Other countries such as New Zealand and Indonesia did not participate in, or have observers at Crocodile 99.
The main part of the exercise took place from September 13 to October 22 along the eastern coast of Australia. The RAAF base "Scherger" on Cape York, which is normally a bare base, was activated. Further south around the Shoalwater Bay training area live firing and bombing took place in environmentally sensitive areas, near the last habitat of Dugongs in the southern reef area.
A 4000-plus-strong contingent of US troops passed through Brisbane Airport over four weeks en route to exercise Crocodile '99 at Shoalwater Bay. The US soldiers arrived on charter flights from Japan, Korea, Hawaii and mainland USA. The 11 charter flights involved MD11 and Lockheed Tristar aircraft from American Trans Air and World Airways. After receiving a meal in a specially-erected tent at Brisbane Airport, the troops traveled by bus to Rockhampton and Gladstone. Transportation to and in the Shoalwater Bay Training Areas was restricted to four wheel drive vehicles. They left Australia via Brisbane Airport from late October to mid November.
About 3,000 United States Marines were in Central Queensland for two months as part of the joint military exercise, Crocodile 99. They saw plenty of action at Australia's Shoal Water Bay training facility. Between September and November 1999 a contingent of several thousand US Navy, Marines and Air Force personnel together with members of the Australian Defence Force participated in a training exercise, around Shoalwater Bay in Queensland.... More
People You Remember
Shannon Siems, Sergio Sanchez
Memories
Beautiful Brisbane in October! Man what a country.
Best Friends
Mostly a loner during my first deployment. I met a lot of guys and didn't really get close to anyone until we did super squad together.
Best Moment
Perfecting our portion of a maritime takedown aboard the Jack Lummus (MFPF Ship) and performing in concert with my fellow warriors to get SOC qual'd. Fast roping onto a helo deck of a moving ship! I'd of signed up for 20 more years right then and there if I could have kept doing that!
Worst Moment
Losing my A bag when I slipped on the ramp of the CH-46. Cpl Thompson smoked my ass for that but luckily the crew chief found it and I got it back!
Criteria The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous ... The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous or meritorious achievement which renders that unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation. MoreHide
Criteria The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps assigned to U.S. homeported (including Hawaii and Alaska) ships, deploying units, or Fleet Marine Force commands, f... The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps assigned to U.S. homeported (including Hawaii and Alaska) ships, deploying units, or Fleet Marine Force commands, for 12 months accumulated sea duty, or for duty with the Fleet Marine Force that includes at least one deployment of 90 consecutive days. MoreHide
Other Memories
Trying to adjust my blouse under my war belt and Gausepohl yelling "Who do you think you are boy, G-mother fucking Q? You're gonna look like shit just like everyone else."
All of super squad.
Finishing our 10 mile run before colors in full gear to win the competition. We smoked Bravo and Charlie!