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Marines

Stories

Dress rehearsal prepares Marines for Iraq

Hollywood often enlists the military to consult on productions about the armed forces. Now the Marines are using a Hollywood element, in a sense, to help prepare them for real dramas in Iraq. Nearly 200 soon-to-deploy Marines from 3rd Civil Affairs Group — aided by local actors hired by a Marine Corps-contracted production company to portray Iraqi

Estrada laments USMC safety mark

Appealing to Marines’ reputation for excellence to improve in an area where they’re “not doing well,” the sergeant major of the Marine Corps asked Pendleton devil dogs to emphasize safety in a visit here Friday. Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, addressing staff noncommissioned officers at the Base Training Center Theater, also acknowledged the stepped-up

Device designed to enhance small-unit leaders' communication and battle planning could enter fleet by October

Small-unit infantry leaders who must serve on the digital battlefield are poised to take what observers say will be a huge leap forward in battlefield communications and navigation technology when they begin receiving and using a palm-pilot-like device called the Dismounted Data Automated Communications Terminal. Built to withstand the most rugged

Getting the hang of it again

Zipping down a rope into a combat zone is no casual matter. That's why 1st Force Reconnaissance Company likes to regularly recertify its Helicopter Rope Suspension Training masters. The company is training to recertify HRST masters within the command for an upcoming deployment to Iraq. Marines are required to re-certify every 18 months through the

Sergeant wins wedding

A "dream wedding" costs a fortune — so why not take a chance at a contest that offers one on the house. That's what Camp Pendleton Marine Sgt. John Plager, 23, of San Diego, and Patricia Villarreal, 25, of Riverside reasoned as they contemplated their wedding. Now, they've got a $30,000 wedding free, courtesy of the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce

$10,000 incentive approved

Would an extra $10,000 convince you to re-enlist? Effective Feb. 13, Marine Administrative Message 103/07 authorizes those Marines who are going to re-enlist in the Fiscal Year 2007, to receive $10,000. While 103/07 was cancelled yesterday, the premise has not changed. Leaders are encouraged to be on the look out for a new and more detailed version

Red Cross: Deployments may worsen blood shortage locally

Imminent large-scale deployments are coming at a bad time for local blood banks critically short of blood — a deficit that hasn't been seen in years, according to the American Red Cross. Military members are among the Red Cross' most reliable donors locally, said Stephen L. Whitburn, a spokesman for American Red Cross Blood Services of San Diego

Marines mobilize for last salute

"Ready," and the selector lever on an M-16A2 service rifle clicks to semi. "Aim," and the rifles are raised to the shoulder at a 45-degree angle. "Fire," and the shots ring out above the quiet sobs of grieving family members. The 21-gun salute is a tribute given by funeral details to honor those who've served and died. "The Marine Corps offers

Spouses cashing in on career help

Whether it's $24,000 to become a paralegal or $4,000 to become a medical secretary, the San Diego Workforce partnership bankrolls military spouses and family members who need a career boost. Julie Christiansen is among those who got a helping hand from the federally funded pilot program that offers career help to military spouses in San Diego

Governor sees 207 naturalized here

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California's most prominent naturalized immigrant, visited Camp Pendleton Friday to preside over the largest military naturalization in the state's history. More than 200 Marines and sailors from around the globe were granted citizenship at the South Mesa Staff Noncommissioned Officer's Club in a ceremony headed up by

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