Company F recruits prepare for range

Depot names
2009 Athlete of
the Year
Marines played
hard in 2009
Pg. 8
Pg. 3
HONOR
PLATOON
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO
Vol. 70 – No. 1 – COMPANY F
AND THE WESTERN RECRUITING REGION
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010
WWW.MCRDSD.USMC.MIL
Bronze Star awarded
to local Marine major
by Cpl. Wayne Edmiston
Chevron staff
See pages 4 and 5
Company F recruits
prepare for range
by Lance Cpl. Rebecca A. Lamont
Chevron staff
Chevron staff
The Table 2 Basic Combat Marksmanship Course is the first step in
transitioning a Marine from fundamental marksmanship to becoming a
proficient combat marksman.
During Field Week, the second
three-week phase of recruit training,
Company F recruits completed the
Table 2 Basic Combat Marksmanship Course at Edson Range, Camp
Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 3.
“Table 2 prepares the recruits for
combat by teaching them the fundamentals of marksmanship with a
combat load and aiming at close distances,” said Sgt. Juan J. Solando, line
staff non-commissioned officer, Alpha
Range, Weapons and Field Training
Battalion.
Recruits are given 150 rounds for
practice drills and 50 rounds for qualification. The drills include rifle presentation, moving targets, head shots,
failure to fire drills and failure to stop
the enemy drills on targets 25 to 100
yards away.
During Table 2, recruits’ full combat
load includes a Kevlar helmet, flak
jacket, load bearing vest, web belt and
pouches for magazines and canteens.
“I think Table 2 is more practical because it utilizes what we would
actually do in the field,” said Recruit
Christopher R. Brown, Platoon 2126,
Company F. “I don’t feel like I would
see Range, page 2
A Weapons and Field Training Battalion Marine was awarded the Bronze
Star Medal in a ceremony aboard Edson
Range, Dec. 18 for actions while serving
as team chief for Iraqi Military Transition Team 0720 in 2008.
Maj. Carlos V. Gomez’s responsibilities were leading a team involved in the
training of an Iraqi Army Brigade by
assisting them in the transition to a selfsustaining fighting force.
Gomez now serves as the company
commander for Field Co., Weapons and
Field Training Battalion and oversees
the field training of U.S. Marine recruits;
a mission and responsibility that differs
very little from where he had come from
last year.
“I served as the senior advisor to an
Iraqi Army general,” Gomez said. “My
purpose was to help him and his staff to
properly plan, coordinate and execute
operations.”
These Iraqi Army soldiers conducted
a myriad of humanitarian and direct
action missions to try to eliminate a
fragmented and irresolute insurgency
remaining in Iraq without the help of
coalition forces, Gomez said.
No mission comes without difficulties and obstacles, and neither did
Gomez’s.
Gomez explained that the Iraqis
can be misunderstood. Their nature is
often confused as being lazy, when they
just work differently then we are accustomed to in America.
“The biggest challenge was the
(Iraqi’s) impression that we, as Americans, don’t understand the Iraqi culture,” Gomez said. “But after working
and living with them for awhile, we
began to develop a mutual understanding.”
With the obstacles also came small
victories of a democratic nation beginning to stand on its own.
“We performed seven large scale
military operations and we were the first
to perform a full combined arms exercise very similar to how we train our
Marines,” Gomez said.
All the missions that these Iraqi
soldiers and U.S. Marines performed
resulted in success and steps forward for
the nation, Gomez said.
As troops begin to leave Iraq and
move into Afghanistan, it is hard not
to reflect on the effort that transported
us to the doorstep of victory, said Col.
Patrick G. Looney, commanding officer
of WFTBn.
Success in Iraq and the continued
successes in Afghanistan are the result
of many teams like these, Looney said.
“Teams like Maj. Gomez’s are the
reason we are going to be able to get
our guys out of there and home safely,”
Looney said. “The (Iraqis) need to be
able to protect their own nation and
people.”
Gomez has now come full circle and
instills the same mentorship and fervor
towards the Marines who he is in charge
of currently, he said. But it is the Marines
who served along with him in Iraq who
enabled him to receive his award.
“I had a rock star staff over there,”
Gomez said. “Every Marine and corpsman who worked for me were outstanding individuals.”
The Bronze Star Medal can be given
for both meritorious and valorous
actions in a combat zone. The medal
was first proposed and created in 1944
by Gen. George C. Marshall. It was created in response to the Air Medal given
to members of the aviation community,
and he felt a similar award should be
given to members of the ground combat
community. The medal consists of a ½
inch in diameter 5-point star and the
back of the medal reads, “Heroic or
meritorious achievement.”
Maj. Carlos V. Gomez stands before
members of his company during
his Bronze Star award ceremony at
Edson Range, Camp Pendleton Calif.
on Dec. 18. Gomez was awarded the
medal for actions while serving as
team chief for Iraqi Military Transition Team 0720 in 2008.
Cpl. Wayne Edmiston/Chevron
CHEVRON ~ NEWS AND COMMENTARY ~ JANUARY 8, 2010
2
Martin Luther King Jr.,
observance
The depot will conduct a Martin
Luther King Jr. observance January
15 from noon to 1 p.m., at the depot
theater. Active duty, retiree’s, dependants and civilian Marines are invited.
Commanders and A/CS, please allow
personnel to have an opportunity to
participate in the observance. Contact Master Sgt. Scrofne at [email protected] or (619) 524-8730;
for information.
Gamers’ Grub Video Release
Lunch
The video release lunch will be
held Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
at the depot Recreation Center, Bldg.
590. Newly-released video games
of the month and free food will be
offered. To register, call (619) 5248083.
MCRD Surf Team
MCRD San Diego needs active
duty team members aboard the depot
to surf competitively. No experience
is necessary, only dedication. For
information, contact Capt. Borrelli,
at (619) 524-4324 or at [email protected].
A Company F recruit wears a full combat load including a Kevlar helmet, flak jacket, while aiming in at a close-range
target Dec. 1 on Edson Range, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Lance Cpl. Rebecca A. Lamont/Chevron
Range, from Pg. 1
be prepared as well for
the field if I didn’t get this
training.”
“The course is designed
to shoot at time-engaged
targets from multiple
positions,” said Solando, a
Chicago native.
The targets are shaped
as a silhouette of a human
figure and have three vital
areas recruits are taught to
aim.
“A shot inside the T-box
on the head is an instant
kill because that’s where
the brain-housing group is
located,” said Solando. “A
chest shot critically damages the heart and lungs
and a pelvic shot would
cause the enemy to bleed
out.”
At the 25 yard line,
recruits earn two points for
each shot in the designated
areas on the targets and
one point outside the selected
area. At the 100 yard line, it is
scored simply a two-point hit
or no points for a miss. Table
2 requires recruits to shoot a
total of 60 points or greater
for qualification.
The points will be added
to the Table 1 qualification
score, which recruits complete
the week before Table 2. Table
1 emphasizes basic long-distance marksmanship.
“During Table 2, we are
preparing for a closer-range
fight as opposed to a longdistance one,” said Brown, a
24-year-old Peachtree City,
Ga., native. “I feel like the
potential that I will be taking
short-distance shots is far
greater than the likelihood of
shooting long-distance.”
“At 25 yards, if you can see
the enemy, then he can see
you and it’s in your best interest to eliminate him as soon as
possible,” said Solando.
Chevron staff
In the first decade of our new millennium, we have seen changes in
how wars are fought, changes in our
nation’s economic situation and perhaps, in our own. We’ve seen countless
changes in technology and pop-culture
(as always), as well as a president who
chose the word change as one of his
campaign slogans.
Despite living in rapidly changing times, surely we will see one thing
remain as static as it ever has been:
New Years resolutions.
Millions of us will make promises to
ourselves to try harder to eat healthier
and exercise more. We will make an
oath to watch our pennies and other
oaths covering a myriad of perceived
faults and problems. Millions of us
will break these promises within three
months of having made them.
This thought process may sound
depressing, but it is simply realistic.
How can we expect the average
working person who has lived a certain
way for his entire life to make drastic
Semper Fit Strolling classes are
open to authorized depot personnel
Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30
to 10:30 a.m. at the Fitness Center.
For information, call (619)524-4427
or (619) 524-8465.
Single Marine Program
Recruits load 150 rounds into their magazines for
practice drills and 50 rounds for qualification. A company recruit loads each round by hand during rifle
qualification. Lance Cpl. Rebecca A. Lamont/Chevron
New year, old habits
by Cpl. Matthew Brown
Semper Fit Strolling
changes to lifestyle cold turkey and
without someone to whom he must be
remain accountable?
How can anyone attain intangible
goals such as exercising more, or
eating healthier? You simply can not.
There is no way to measure more as
an amount, and more is unlikely to
happen without specific plans to reach
those benchmarks that should be laid
out over the course of the year.
Instead of thinking about exercising
more, how about buying a decent pair
of running shoes and a notebook prior
to the New Year? Then make a few easy
short term goals like running three
miles a week for two weeks and write
them down in your notebook.
Once you accomplish these goals,
try to increase the distance to perhaps
8 miles per week for two months and
three sets of 60 sit-ups prior to stretching after your runs. Soon enough, the
mirror and the notebook will show you
how much you have accomplished.
Of course not everyone is going
to choose fitness as their main point
of interest when it comes to resolutions. But that idea of tangible goals
and benchmarks that don’t begin too
harshly can apply to nearly anything
we want to accomplish.
Some of us, like myself, may have
problems following through with our
resolutions. This is not due to difficult in reaching measured goals, but
because I grade my own homework so
to speak, and can quit anytime for any
reason without consequence. There’s
always next year!
I am fed up with accomplishing
nothing, and am going to employ a
new tactic to counter my system of
zero checks and balances. I am going
to find a friend who is also trying to
take his resolutions seriously. We
will check on each other to maintain
accountability.
Unfortunately, breaking the near
endless cycle of false resolutions and
actually making a positive change for
oneself still relies heavily on the individual wishing to do so. All I can do
for you is wish you luck on your keeping up with that self-given promise.
Make this 2010 the year you make the
change you have been seeking. Happy
New Year.
The Single Marine Program plans
on and off base activities and community involvement for single Marines
and sailors.
The program supports the overall
quality of life of our Marines and
sailors. It encourages the planning
of recreational and social activities
and offers them the opportunity to
participate in and contribute to their
communities.
Meetings are held on the last
Wednesday of each month at 3:30 PM
at the Recreation Center, Bldg. 590.
This meeting is for activity and event
planning as well as addressing quality of life issues for all MCRD single
Marines and sailors. Free pizza and
soda will be provided for all attendees.
L.I.N.K.S. classes
L.I.N.K.S. is a volunteer team-mentoring program, designed by spouses.
The ongoing classes offer an orientation to the Marine Corps lifestyle to
help Marines and their family members to better understand and adapt
to the unique challenges military
life often presents. The curriculum
is open to active duty, reservists,
retirees, DoD and their guests. Unit
sessions are available upon request.
Classes are held in the Bldg. 5E
classroom. For information, call (619)
524-0916.
Volunteers needed for televised spots
Marine Corps Community Services televises “What’s Happening at
MCCS,” a weekly segment on upcoming events throughout the depot and
is looking for volunteers to narrate.
Candidates can be active military,
DoD civilians, or military dependants
aboard the depot. Taping takes 30
minutes reading a prepared script. For
information, contact Rachel Landolt,
MCCS Coordinator, at landoltrr@
usmc-mccs.org.
Send briefs to:
[email protected]. The
Chevron staff reserves the right
to publish only those briefs that
comply with Department of Defense
regulations and the standards of the
U.S. Government.
3
CHEVRON ~ FEATURE ~ JANUARY 8, 2010
The house that Harmon built
Depot crowns 2009 Athlete of the Year
by Sgt. Carrie C. Booze
Chevron staff
It is no mystery that Sgt. Richard
Harmon is a sports enthusiast. You
may not know him personally, but
it hard to miss the signature New
England sports team memorabilia
that he dons daily, and has plastered
on the back of his over-sized truck.
With such a calm, yet often monotone demeanor, it is hard to imagine
Harmon as the raging, ultra-competitive athlete that he is.
As 2009 dwindled down to an
end, the depot started a thorough
screening for the Athlete of the Year.
Seven depot Marines were chosen
as prospective winners and were
judged on an array of characteristics
including the amount of events in
which they participated, how many
times they placed, sportsmanship,
leadership and support from command. Harmon’s well-rounded
athleticism earned him the title.
Harmon competed in 13 out of
20 events and placed in six; three
were first place. The sports included,
flag football, tackle football, softball,
soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis,
ultimate Frisbee, bowling and
racquetball.
“He is an incredible athlete in
both team and individual sports,”
said Rachel Dickinson, intramural
sports coordinator, Marine Corps
Recruit Depot San Diego. “He was
always taking charge, very responsible, and showed great support.”
What many do not know, is that
Harmon’s love of sports began at
the young age of 5 years old, and it
wasn’t totally by choice.
Sgt. Richard Harmon, Ceremonial Detail, Marine Corps Recruit
Depot San Diego, exhibits his sports trophies and awards.
Harmon earned the title Athlete of the Year for 2009 with his participation in the CG Cup competition. Sgt. Carrie C. Booze/Chevron
Harmon, a native of Glendale,
Ariz., was born with a severe case of
asthma and while in the third grade,
he suffered from an extreme attack
that landed him in the hospital.
It was there that a doctor told his
parents that the only way he could
outgrow his asthma is by staying
very active.
“I became involved in every form
of sports I could find, and eventually
outgrew my asthma,” said Harmon.
Aside from his health, Harmon
had other motives for playing
sports.
“As a child, I wanted to watch
cartoons, but my dad would be
watching sports all the time, so it
was either become interested in
sports or be bored,” said Harmon.
“My dad is a huge sports fan and
it has always been a way him and I
could relate. My way of getting close
to him was through sports.”
The older he grew, the more
Harmon’s participation in sports
evolved. By 10 years old he was
playing baseball, tackle football and
ice hockey avidly.
As a student at Ironwood High
School in Glendale, Ariz., Harmon
played baseball, basketball and
football for his high school teams.
Harmon played as a wide receiver
and strong safety for his football
team and ended up going to the
state championships during his
senior year.
“Football is my favorite sport
because I like the physicality and
teamwork that goes into it,” said
Harmon. “I like smashing people
and getting smashed.”
After graduating from high
school, Harmon completed a
semester of college before enlisting in the Marine Corps with the
military occupational specialty of
mortarman.
“I enlisted because I felt obligated to serve my country for at
least 4 years and give back the same
freedom that was given to me,” said
Harmon. “I also really wanted to
fight in Iraq.”
Harmon completed two tours in
Iraq with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine
Regiment, where he served as a
squad leader and forward observer.
In 2007, Harmon received orders
to MCRD San Diego’s ceremonial
detail and his love of playing sports
rekindled. Harmon served as the
coach or team captain for every sport
he has played, and the quarterbacks
for both tackle and flag football.
Harmon refers to the table inside
the ceremonial platoon’s office, that
is currently cluttered with sports
trophies, “The House that Harmon
Built.” This theme is similar to
Yankee Stadium which is dubbed
“The House That Ruth Built,”
after Babe Ruth whose prime years
coincided with the stadium’s opening and beginning of the Yankees’
winning history.
“The leadership skills used in
sports are similar to those used in
combat,” said Harmon. “As the
quarterback, I execute a five paragraph order to advance my team
down the field. We are all out there
together, rain or shine, with the same
goal in mind.”
As a close friend and full back
for the MCRD Titans, Sgt. Jason
Mazur, Ceremonial Detail, said that
Harmon is a natural-born leader
and calls many of the plays from the
huddle.
“He is the most sports-minded
person I know,” said Mazur, a Big
Bear, Calif., native. “When I have a
question about sports I know that I
can go to him for the answer.”
He also described Harmon as
extremely competitive.
Some may think of Harmon as
borderline arrogant, but he describes
himself as confident.
“I have a championship wrestling
belt that I bring to some of our competitions to let our opponents know
they need to bring their A-game,”
said Harmon. “I’m open to anyone
who wants a shot at the title.”
Harmon will kick off his 2010
Command General Cup sports
season with the first flag football
game Jan. 12. He said that he is
excited for the upcoming sports
season, but also hopes to be a volunteer coach for a high school football
team in the New Year.
“I want to start coaching for a
high school football team and work
my way up through college football
with the ultimate goal of becoming
an offensive coordinator for a NFL
team,” said Harmon.
He may have big dreams, but
those who know him best don’t
doubt his abilities to achieve them.
“He has a wealth of sports knowledge and skill,” said Mazur. “He has
what it takes to coach for the pros
and definitely has the drive.”
Harmon will be awarded the
Athlete of the Year award Friday
during the morning colors ceremony.
Fitness center reopens with more exercise space
by Cpl. Matthew Brown
Chevron staff
After more than a year of extensive remodeling, Brig. Gen. Ronald L.
Bailey, commanding general of Marine
Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and
the Western Recruiting Region, cut the
ribbon for the grand opening of the
newly renovated Fitness Center here,
also known as Phillip’s Hall, Jan. 4.
Following the ribbon cutting,
attendees were invited inside the
building for a tour of the facility and
were offered free healthy snacks and
received free workout towels, T-shirts,
water bottles and other workout gear.
Some attendees went straight to the
weight room after previewing the rest
of the building.
“The first thing I noticed was how
nice the facility was, especially for
being a military building,” said Jesse S.
Lloyd, a boatswain’s mate for Pacific
Tactical Law Enforcement Team San
Diego. “There is also just a lot of room
to work out and the equipment is new.
It’s nice.”
The extensive upgrades came after
approximately a year of work by Allen
Engineering, the company contracted
to work on the remodeling.
“The whole building was completely
gutted except for the weight room,
though it was still improved,” Giovanna
Thiesen, Fitness Center manager, said.
“We wanted to preserve the building’s
historic nature while bringing the outdated design of Phillip’s Hall to current
standards.”
The building was constructed in 1922
and didn’t become a gym until 1951.
Thiesen says the building is now more
efficient with the way it uses its space.
“The second floor used to be almost
completely filled with the female locker
room and a lot of office space,” Thiesen
said. “Now it houses several additional
exercise spaces like a spin class room
and the female locker room has been
moved next to the males’ on the first
floor.”
Now that the building is completed,
many plan to use its space for personal
growth and development.
“This will help the physical aspect of
my life,” Brig. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey said
after being one of the first to check out
the building. “Congratulations to the
team for a job well done.”
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
Maj. Christopher B. Logan
ESTABLISHED 1942
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Janice M. Hagar
COMMANDING GENERAL
Brig. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHIEF
Gunnery Sgt. Laura Gawecki
SERGEANT MAJOR
Sgt. Maj. Brian K. Jackson
PRESS CHIEF
Cpl. Matthew Brown
Several visitors begin taking advantage of their newly improved weight room
immediately after Phillips Hall grand re-opening here, Jan. 4. Although the weight
room was not completely changed, the center podium that used to be there was
taken out, allowing space for more attendees to pump iron. Cpl. Matthew Brown/Chevron
COMBAT CORRESPONDENTS
Sgt. Carrie C. Booze
Lance Cpl. Rebecca Lamont
Lance Cpl. Dustin Hamby
Pfc. Lauren Stehwien
EDITOR
Roger Edwards
Mail comments to:
[email protected]
chevron/public affairs office
1600 henderson ave. #120
san diego, ca. 92140
(619) 524-8722
The Chevron, printed with appropriated funds in compliance with Marine
Corps order P5600.31F, is published by Marine Corps Recruit Depot San
Diego personnel. Opinions and views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Marine Corps or the Department of Defense. The Chevron
is promulgated for informational purposes only and in no way should be
considered directive in nature. All photos are official USMC property unless
otherwise indicated.
4
CHEVRON ~ FEATURE ~ JANUARY 8, 2010
Petty Off
unannou
Recruit Jonathan A. Petrowicz, Platoon 1047, Company C, yells the command “up,” signaling the rest of the recruits to execute a push–up while at
one of the exercise stations outside of the body sparring ring at Weapons Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan.
6. Lance Cpl. Matthew Brown/Chevron
Company F recruits navigate themselves up and under the logs of The Weaver obstacle on the Weapons Field Training Battalion obstacle
course, while their drill instructor supervises, Jan. 13. Lance Cpl. Matthew Brown/Chevron
Recruit Jacob S. Ward, right,
yells “Aye Aye, sir” to Sgt. Anteli
L. Linares, drill instructor, Platoon 2133, Co. F, acknowledging
that he understands the order
given to him while on the Crucible. Lance Cpl. Matthew Brown/Chevron
Brig. Gen
Recruit D
from Brig
and WRR
change o
CHEVRON ~ FEATURE ~ JANUARY 8, 2010
5
ficer 3rd Class Bradley Haines, right, law enforcement officer, Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, clears a room on a simulated vessel with his five-man team during their
unced nighttime boarding training at Silver Strand Beach, July 28. Sgt. Carrie C. Booze/Chevron
A depot Competition in Arms
Program competitor raises the
range flag as the morning sun
rises over Bravo Range at Edson
Range, Weapons Field Training
Battalion, Marine Corps Base
Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 12.
The range flags are positioned
between the firing line targets so
shooters can observe them and
estimate the wind speed.
n. Ronald L. Bailey assumes command of Marine Corps
Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region
g. Gen. Angie Salinas. Sgt. Maj. Brian K. Jackson, depot
R sergeant major, renders honors during the Aug. 28
of command ceremony. Pfc. Dustin Hamby/Chevron
Cpl. Carrie C. Booze/Chevron
Marine Corps Drum and
Bugle Corps buglers play
and march in sync toward
the center stand of the
parade deck during the
Battle Colors Ceremony on
the depot’s Shepherd Memorial Drill Field, March 7.
Cpl. Matthew Brown/Chevron
CHEVRON ~ RECRUIT FEATURE ~ JANUARY 8, 2010
6
Reservist police officer protects community, country
by Lance Cpl. Rebecca A.
Lamont
Chevron Staff
After helping his father
build and maintain a ranch for
23 years in Woodland, Calif.,
Recruit James R. Mount, Platoon 2121, Company F, took a
break from being deputy sheriff
in his hometown to enlist in
the United States Marine Corps
Reserves.
“My father always emphasized hard work, instilled
discipline and taught me to be
courteous,” said Mount.
His father, a professor at
University of California School
of Veterinary Medicine, shared
his knowledge of animals and
their habitats, which helped
teach Mount how to maintain a
ranch. He also taught him how
to build fences and irrigation
lines.
“I really admire him because
he pursued such a high level of
education,” said Mount. “I hope
to have a ranch myself someday.
It’s really fulfilling. It teaches
me to take initiative and gives
me a high responsibility because
the animals depend on me.”
Mount remembered when
he was five years old, he first
began helping his father on the
ranch.
“One morning I saw jackrabbits running across the field
and it was then I really noticed
the beauty of farmland,” said
Mount. “I got excited because I
was out in the open and never
noticed the vastness before.”
Growing up, Mount always
fancied himself as a future firefighter, or serviceman.
“I wanted to serve the community – or even better – the
county,” said Mount. “My
whole family has a high respect
for serving our country.”
Mount’s grandfather was the
catalyst that interested him in
military service because he had
served in the Army and was a
prisoner of war in World War
II.
“After high school, I kind
of let go of being a firefighter
and just continued helping my
father with the ranch and got a
local job as a heavy equipment
operator,” said Mount.
His boss told him he was
a natural at operating heavy
equipment because he could
make quick decisions and safely
maneuver the equipment.
With seven years of experience working as a heavy equipment operator, Mount decided
to take a different direction and
pursue law enforcement.
After six months of training
at the police academy, Mount
became a deputy sheriff at the
Yolo County Sheriff’s Department in Woodland, Calif.
Soon he was responsible for
transporting prisoners, attending court services as an escort
and patrolling.
In the following years,
Mount attended a Marine
Corps Recruit Depot graduation of a long-time friend.
“After I saw the graduation
ceremony, I was so inspired,”
said Mount.
When Mount’s friend came
home to visit, he volunteered
for the Permissive Recruiter
Assistance Support Program.
PRASP allows a new Marine to
spend time in his home town
assisting Marine recruiters.
Seeing his friend as a recruiter’s
assistant motivated Mount and
caused him to enlist.
“Swearing in felt so right,”
said the 28-year-old. “I will
never forget the day; it was
Aug. 4, 2009.”
Mount took an oath upon
enlisting into the Delayed Entry
Program, which allows individuals to commit to becoming
Marines and prepares them
mentally and physically for
recruit training up to a year
before going to boot camp.
“I chose to go into the
reserves because I enjoy my job
as a deputy sheriff, and I want
to compliment each job with
the other.”
Mount has an advantage
because he already has leadership qualities from his experiences as a deputy sheriff, said
Staff Sgt. Gilbert T. Rosas, drill
instructor, Platoon 2121, Company F.
After recruit training and
10 days of leave, Mount will
learn his military occupational
Recruit James R. Mount, Platoon 2121, Company F, was a
deputy sheriff for Yolo County,
Woodland Calif., before joining
the Corps.
Lance Cpl. Rebecca A. Lamont/Chevron
specialty 1371, or combat engineer, at Marine Corps Engineer
School, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
His future goal is to be part
of the Anti-Terrorism Battalion, Scout Sniper Platoon
in Reno, Nev., and become a
sniper.
Company F drill instructor conquers waves, slopes, trails
by Lance Cpl. Rebecca A.
Lamont
Chevron staff
Staff Sgt. Heath A. Gomez,
senior drill instructor, Platoon
2122, Company F, grew up hitting
Staff Sgt. Heath A. Gomez,
senior drill instructor, Platoon
2122, Company F, participates
in extreme sports during his
free time.
Lance Cpl. Rebecca A. Lamont/Chevron
the slopes on his snow board.
With the need for adrenaline
coursing through his veins, it
is no wonder he would test the
water of other extreme sports.
After Gomez became a Marine,
the Pismo Beach, Calif., native
began surfing, riding dirt bikes
and cycling.
His horizons broadened when
his brother-in-law, a student at
San Diego State University, asked
him if he wanted to go surfing
with him one morning. Gomez
figured the water would be a lot
warmer in San Diego than it was
at Pismo Beach, so he opted to
give it a try.
“Both snowboarding and
surfing are a balancing game and
a test of good coordination,” said
Gomez.
Although snowboarding and
surfing have similarities, surfing
didn’t come easy for Gomez.
“It took me a couple of weeks
before I caught my first wave,”
said Gomez. “When I stood up for
the first time, I felt exhilarated to
be gliding on water.”
Retired Navy lieutenant,
Medal of Honor recipient,
John Finn
Parade Reviewing Officer
John Finn dropped out of school after
the seventh grade and worked at various
jobs until a few days before his seventeenth birthday, when he joined the Navy.
It was 1926, and the world seemed permanently at peace, without even a rumor
of war. What Finn wanted was to travel.
Over the next few years, he got his wish,
serving on a variety of ships that took him
up through the Panama Canal and six
hundred miles up the Yangtze River.
In December 1941, he was stationed
at the Naval Air Station in Kanoehe Bay,
Hawaii. He had moved rapidly through
the ranks during his years in the Navy and
was now a chief petty officer in charge of
a twenty-man ordnance crew whose primary duty was maintaining the weapons
of a squadron of PBY naval patrol planes.
On the morning of December 7, he and
his wife were in their quarters about a
mile from the aircraft hangars when he
It’s that feeling when he caught
that wave that kept him going
back for more.
“Surfing is really relaxing, even
If there aren’t any waves,” said
Gomez. “I just sit on my board
and watch the sunset and stuff
like that. Sometimes dolphins
come up next to me.”
What he likes about surfing is
how simple it is to start; All you
need is a wet suit and a board.
“It’s something I can just do
by myself, and it can be really
serene,” he said.
Gomez said he would surf
every morning if he had the time,
but due to his fast pace job as a
drill instructor, sometimes he
must wait to indulge between his
recruits’ graduations.
“I’m part of the depot’s surf
team, and when I have a break I
try to surf with them every week
and go to competitions,” said
Gomez.
We have really good camaraderie out there, he said.
Another way Gomez builds
camaraderie is by riding dirt bikes
was awakened by a popping noise. His
first irritated thought was that some fool
had decided to do gunnery practice on a
Sunday morning. Then he heard planes
passing overhead and shouting in the
street, followed by a loud knock on his
door. It was the wife of one of his men.
When he asked her what was wrong, she
just pointed up in the air and ran off.
Still not aware of what was causing all
the confusion, Finn jumped in his car and
headed for the hangars. He was observing
the base’s strictly enforced speed limit of
twenty miles an hour until a fighter plane
came roaring down out of the sky above
him. He watched it with curiosity for a
moment until he saw the “red meatball”
of the Japanese insignia, then rammed the
car into second gear and stomped on the
accelerator.
He came to a skidding stop at the
launching ramps where the amphibious
patrol planes were towed back and forth
between the water and their hangars and
found total chaos. Most of the thirty-six
PBYs were already on fire. (Only three
would be left at the end of the day because
they happened to be on antisubmarine
patrol when the Japanese attacked.) Some
of his men were inside the burning planes
with his Marine friends.
“I bought a bike three years
ago and do it regularly, between
training recruits,” said Gomez.
Gomez tries to ride his 2007
Yamaha YZ450F three times a
week.
“Being on two wheels is really
fun and dirt bikes are very powerful because of the high torque,”
said Gomez. “Once you get accelerating, it’s a good feeling because
it’s almost like you’re flying.”
Gomez notes he loves the smell
of the exhaust and the sound of the
pipes.
“I wear a helmet, chest pad,
elbow and knee pads, chin pad,
eye protecting glasses, gloves and
riding boots,” said Gomez. “I keep
it real while keeping it safe.”
Gomez’s favorite place to ride
is the Pala raceway in Pala, Calif.,
where a lot of professional motocross racers.
“My favorite rider is James
Stewart because he is the best rider
of his decade,” said Gomez. “And
like myself, he rides a Yamaha.”
Gomez also likes to cycle when
trying to fire at the enemy from the PBYs’
machine guns. Others were struggling to
get the guns out of the damaged planes;
there were no stationary gun mounts to
hold them, and the sailors were trying to
improvise using pipe from the machine
shop and other materials.
Finn found a mobile instruction stand
on which guns were sometimes mounted
to teach gunnery. Although enemy planes
continued to strafe the position, he moved
the stand into a parking area where he
would have clear visibility. Then he set a
.50-caliber machine gun on it and began
to shoot. He held his position for the next
two hours. The Japanese fighters went by
too quickly to track with the gun. He did
hit some of the slower-moving bombers,
although they quickly disappeared over
the tree line so he couldn’t know if any
crashed. He didn’t stop firing until all the
enemy planes had gone and it was quiet
again.
Finn had been hit by shrapnel twentyone times; several were serious wounds.
His left arm was numb, and a bullet had
passed through one foot. Following medical treatment, he returned to the squadron
area and supervised the rearming of the
remaining American planes.
he has a break.
“Like dirt bikes, I like the idea
of being on two wheels, but when
you cycle you can see and smell
everything,” said Gomez.
He likes to mix surfing and
cycling in his workout regimen.
“Cycling is much better on my
knees than running,” said Gomez.
Gomez does it both for the
physical benefits and the experience.
“It’s astounding how I can
cover 30 to 40 miles in just an
hour,” said Gomez.
Through all these extreme
sports, Gomez’s philosophy is all
about being outdoors and having
an active lifestyle.
“It’s more fun and productive
than staying inside playing video
games,” said Gomez. “By being
active I can see my skills progress
and I get a great sense of accomplishment.”
After partaking in surfing,
motocross and cycling, Gomez
feels refreshed and has a new type
of energy that motivates him as a
drill instructor, he said.
Nine months later, Finn was awaiting
sea duty when he was informed that he
was to receive the Medal of Honor. It was
presented to him on Sept. 14, 1942, on
board the USS Enterprise in Pearl Harbor
by Admiral Chester Nimitz.
CHEVRON ~ GRADUATING COMPANY ~ JANUARY 8, 2010
Platoon 2122
COMPANY HONOR MAN
Lance Cpl. J. W. McCall
Little Rock, Ark.
Recruited by
Sgt. R. F. Ford
Platoon 2125
SERIES HONOR MAN
Pfc. D. Epperson
Houston
Recruited by
Sgt. J. J. Beaver
Platoon 2121
PLATOON HONOR MAN
Pfc. D. T. Phan
San Mateo, Calif.
Recruited by
Sgt. J. Davis
Platoon 2123
PLATOON HONOR MAN
Pfc. J. B. Hopper
Springfield, Mo.
Recruited by
Staff Sgt. J. Thompson
Platoon 2126
PLATOON HONOR MAN
Pfc. J. R. George
Downey, Calif.
Recruited by
Sgt. D. Oliver
Platoon 2127
PLATOON HONOR MAN
Pfc. T. L. Sproat
Moorpark, Calif.
Recruited by
Staff Sgt. E. J. Norori
7
Platoon 2123
HIGH SHOOTER (334)
Pfc. D. A. Bird Jr.
Milwaukee
Marksmanship Instructor
Cpl. L. M. Morales
Platoon 2122
HIGH PFT (300)
Pfc. J. R. Lopez
Montebello, Calif.
Recruited by
Staff Sgt. J. Martinez
FOX COMPANY
2ND RECRUIT
TRAINING BATTALION
Commanding Officer
Lt. Col. G. G. Malkasian
Sergeant Major
Sgt. Maj. M. J. O’Loughlin
Chaplain
Lt. Cmdr. R. T. Rinaldi, USN
Battalion Drill Master
Staff Sgt. E. O. Hidalgo
COMPANY F
Commanding Officer
Capt. T. A. Holmes
Company First Sergeant
1st Sgt. J. A. Colon
SERIES 2121
Series Commander
Capt. B. C. Schexnayder
Chief Drill Instructor
Staff Sgt. R. Acosta
PLATOON 2121
Senior Drill Instructor
Staff Sgt. A. A. Cabrera
Drill Instructors
Staff Sgt. D. C. Robinson
Staff Sgt. G. T. Rosas
Sgt. A. S. Creel
Sgt. D. L. Morales
Pvt. G. Alejo-Maravilla
Pfc. J. J. Arnold
Pvt. B. R. Arvessto
Pvt. D. J. Barber
Pvt. A. A. Barker
Pvt. J. L. Barrow
Pvt. J. J. Basci
Pfc. A. L. Bess
Pvt. R. S. Bevers
Pvt. J. D. Bianchi
Pvt. U. D. Billie
*Pfc. D. J. Boy
*Pfc. C. K. Bradford
Pvt. J. B. Bratt
Pfc. B. J. Buller
*Pfc. E. N. Burgos
Pvt. R. A. Burns
Pfc. D. A. Cannon
Pvt. J. V. Cardenas
*Pfc. C. R. Carranza
Pvt. M. P. Casey
Pvt. J. H. Chastain
Pfc. C. J. Coggins
Pvt. J. R. Cordell
Pvt. C. C. Cruise
Pvt. S. A. Davenport II
Pvt. J. M. Davila
*Pfc. E. I. Davis
Pvt. A. T. Devillier
Pvt. Z. D. Dougless
Pfc. K. L. Elkins
Pvt. D. Estrada
Pvt. D. T. Farmer
Pfc. J. A. Flores
Pvt. D. R. Ford
Pfc. A. A. Forostyanyy
Pvt. E. A. Freedman
Pvt. G. L. Gaines
Pvt. N. P. Galanos
Pvt. S. R. Garcia
Pvt. P. D. Garlich
Pfc. Z. B. Goodman
*Pfc. D. A. Goss
Pvt. C. M. Habicht
Pfc. M. A. Haegele
Pfc. A. C. Horrocks
Pvt. M. T. Huynh
Pfc. B. T. Joe
Pvt. E. A. Juarez
Pvt. C. C. Kilgore
Pfc. B. R. Krey
Pvt. T. P. Lawson
Pvt. J. N. Lennon
Pvt. C. A. Looper
Pvt. D. J. Lorenzini
Pfc. M. R. Lovato
Pfc. R. E. Lucero
Pvt. B. L. Maloney
Pvt. M. Martinez
Pvt. D. W. McFadden
Pvt. J. D. McKeehan
Pfc. R. A. Miller
Pfc. J. R. Q. Mount
Pfc. J. L. Mowrey
Pvt. J. A. Mullen
Pfc. R. A. Myatt
Pvt. A. M. Navarrette
Pfc. B. M. O’Brien
Pvt. D. S. Ortega
Pvt. M. A. Osteen
Pvt. J. B. Overvig
Pfc. R. A. Padilla Jr.
Pvt. N. U. Pech
Pfc. D. T. Phan
Pvt. S. F. Stubblefield
Pvt. S. A. White
PLATOON 2122
Senior Drill Instructor
Staff Sgt. H. A. Gomez
Drill Instructors
Staff Sgt. W. D. Diaz
Staff Sgt. R. C. Morataya
Sgt. M. A. Sandoval
Sgt. C. Stricker
Pvt. T. C. Atkinson-Sessler
Pfc. S. M. Barr
Pvt. J. A. Barton
Pvt. T. J. Bequette
Pvt. L. C. Boles
Pvt. B. M. Bradford
Pvt. C. M. Brown
Pfc. L. A. Burrington
Pvt. S. E. Chutuk
Pvt. J. A. Cobb
Pvt. M. R. Cordoves
Pvt. J. D. Crook
Pvt. D. M. de la Garza
Pfc. A. Dominguez
Pvt. D. L. Fitzpatrick
Pvt. D. J. Fletcher
*Pfc. A. L. Formichella
Pvt. J. P. Freking
Pfc. S. G. Gagner
Pvt. L. L. George
Pvt. N. M. Gerke
Pvt. D. W. Gilbert
Pvt. C. T. Grant
Pvt. T. W. Gray
*Pfc. I. J. Green
Pvt. E. D. Gremmels
Pvt. M. A. Guerrero
Pvt. K. T. Hamlin
Pvt. S. Han
Pfc. P. B. Hanton
Pfc. D. M Heersche
Pfc. J. R. Heidner
Pfc. M. E. Henry
Pvt. C. Hernandez
Pvt. J. R. Hernandez
Pvt. R. J. Hernandez
Pvt. L. A. Hoeppner
Pvt. J. D. Hooker
Pvt. E. N. Ingebretson
Pvt. I. I. Ingram
Pfc. F. J. Iniguez
Pvt. J. M. Jackson
Pvt. K. A. Jackson
*Pfc. D. J. Job
Pvt. B. D. Johnson
Pvt. M. R. Kilbride
Pfc. J. M. Kitka
Pvt. J. C. Knight
Pvt. D. S. Lamons Jr.
Pvt. C. W. Lapp
Pfc. A. B. Lesueur
Pvt. D. J. Lethridge
Pfc. L. Q. Lien
Pvt. T. Lino
Pvt. A. R. Loiacano
*Pfc. J. R. Lopez
Pvt. M. M. MacUmber
*Lance Cpl. J. W. McCall
Pvt. K. D. McGary
Pvt. D. T. McNeely
Pvt. R. C. McWillliams
Pvt. D. R. Meyer
Pfc. T. P. Micek
Pfc. D. G. Miller
Pvt. S. J. Mizner
Pfc. M. E. Monk
Pvt. J. F. Morales
Pvt. D. Moreno
*Pfc. J. Myers
Pvt. A. Nassman
Pfc. C. R. Newsom
Pvt. R. L. Nguyen
Pvt. A. M. Norodom
Pvt. E. D. Olivares
Pvt. J. I. Olvera
Pvt. R. A. Perez
Pvt. J. A. Ramirez
Pvt. C. C. Vandenberg
Pvt. C. G. Yu
PLATOON 2123
Senior Drill Instructor
Sgt. C. J. Johnson
Drill Instructors
Sgt. J. E. Frye
Sgt. J. E. Park
Sgt. E. E. White Jr.
Pvt. R. U. Alvillar
Pvt. J. E. Austif
Pfc. A. W. Autry
Pvt. B. A. Bachor
Pvt. S. B. Baker
Pvt. N. W. Barrett
*Pfc. D. A. Bird Jr.
Pvt. T. A. Bond
Pfc. S. N. Brady
Pvt. G. K. Bucklew
Pvt. E. J. Buettner
Pvt. N. G. Carleton
Pvt. L. J. Cashin
*Pfc. J. D. Chanski
Pfc. G. A. Chapa
Pvt. C. J. Cole
Pvt. T. E. Comer
Pvt. C. L. Crain
*Pfc. D. S. Cromwell Jr.
Pvt. M. C. Davis Jr.
Pvt. A. G. Diddens
Pfc. R. D. Dodds
Pfc. S. M. Downham
Pfc. D. S. Dranay
Pvt. J. M. Duncan
Pvt. B. A. Dunning
Pvt. J. F. Edmonds
Pvt. J. A. Eger
Pfc. C. D. Ellerbe
Pfc. A. M. Ervin
Pfc. J. R. Ewing
Pvt. T. S. Fitzgerald
Pfc. C. L. Foote
Pvt. M. T. Frank
*Pfc. J. M. Gibbens
Pvt. D. W. Glass Jr.
Pvt. G. J. Greatens
Pvt. P. D. Guthaus
Pvt. P. J. Halter
Pvt. C. M. Hankins
Pvt. D. T. Hanson
Pvt. Z. R. Harrison
Pvt. J. R. Healy
Pvt. K. M. Her
Pvt. J. W. Heying
Pfc. M. J. Hoff
Pvt. J. A. Hoffman
Pfc. J. B. Hopper
Pvt. J. M. Howell
Pvt. J. R. Huber
*Pfc. D. R. Hudson
Pfc. L. A. Hutchins
Pfc. W. J. Jackson
Pvt. J. A. Johnson
Pfc. W. V. Jones III
Pvt. A. J. Jorgensen
Pfc. C. D. Justice
Pvt. R. B. Kelm
Pvt. R. P. Keyser
Pvt. M. M. Kistner
Pvt. R. K. Knutson
Pvt. A. L. Kubatzke
Pvt. S. J. Lanie
Pvt. J. A. Large
Pvt. N. H. Lewiski
Pvt. T. J. Linak
Pvt. A. J. Lopez
Pvt. J. A. Love
Pvt. M. P. Mangum
Pvt. J. L. Manning
Pvt. S. Masrur
Pvt. Z. E. Mayo
Pvt. R. G. Medrano
Pvt. R. S. Megonigle
Pvt. J. J. Mehr
Pvt. M. C. Meier
Pvt. M. C. Price
Pvt. J. P. Rogers
Pfc. F. A. Rossette
Pvt. N. A. Smith
Pfc. K. A. Ward
Pvt. K. M. Ward
*Pfc. D. H. Widner
Pvt. M. C. Wielinga
SERIES 2125
Series Commander
Capt. T. A. Martin Jr.
Chief Drill Instructor
Gunnery Sgt. M. C. Draheim
PLATOON 2125
Senior Drill Instructor
Gunnery Sgt. N. E. Truite
Drill Instructors
Sgt. T. A. Grimes
Sgt. J.C. Ortiz
Sgt. J. S. Strange
Sgt. C. M. Vigil
Pfc. J. Adams
Pfc. R. Bantigue
*Pfc. J. Berghaus
Pfc. G. Bergman
Pvt. B. Bisetti
Pvt. B. Bode
Pvt. B. Charles
Pfc. L. Chou
Pvt. W. Cockerham
Pvt. D. Cole
Pvt. T. Crawford
Pvt. A. Dalton
Pvt. M. Davis
*Pfc. D. Epperson
Pvt. A. Eubanks
Pfc. J. Finch
Pvt. K. Fink
Pvt. T. Ford
Pfc. K. Gitter
Pvt. B Granados
Pvt. K. Hayes
Pvt. R. Hecht
Pvt. H. Helman-Dollar
Pvt. P. Her
Pvt. L. Hill
Pfc. D. Jimenez Jr.
Pvt. A. Kronemeyer
*Pfc. C. Lake
Pvt. R. Lyons
Pvt. J. Mabie
Pfc. J. Maris
Pfc. B. Murtaugh
Pvt. J. Napierskie
Pvt. M. Niemirski
Pvt. Z. Nimtz
Pvt. K. Noble
Pvt. M. Norris
Pfc. S. O’Bryan
Pfc. I. Olivarez
Pvt. T. Ortell
Pvt. A. Pachon
Pvt. L. Parker
Pvt. R. Perez
*Pfc. J. Pires
Pfc. B. Post
Pvt. T. Prudden
Pvt. N. Raugust
Pvt. J. Reeves
Pvt. D. Reyes
Pvt. C. Riley
Pvt. S. Rios
Pvt. G. Rivas
Pvt. O. Rivera
Pvt. J. Rockhill
Pvt. A. Roth
Pfc. C. Rubio
Pfc. N. Ruhnow
Pfc. R. Ruiz
Pfc. E. Russell
*Pfc. A. Saltsman
Pvt. D. Sandoz
Pvt. N. Scheffer
Pvt. M. Schermann
Pvt. C. Schexnider
Pfc. Z. Schilz
Pvt. R. Schoonover
Pvt. E. Schulstad
Pfc. D. Schumi
Pfc. F. Serrato
Pfc. D. Sesepasara
Pfc. N. Shay
Pfc. S. Sheppard
Pfc. A. Sida
Pvt. J. Steele
Pvt. J. Stelljes
Pvt. A. Sullivan
Pfc. M. Vargas
Pvt. J. Vega
Pfc. D. Watkins
Pvt. C. Weyrick-Greene
Pfc. J. Wingate
*Pfc. J. Wolfram
Pvt. L. Womble
Pvt. K. Yavorsky
PLATOON 2126
Senior Drill Instructor
Gunnery Sgt. E. Hernandez
Drill Instructors
Gunnery Sgt. C. M. Gonzales
Gunnery Sgt. A. C. Livingston
Staff Sgt. D. A. Farmer
Pvt. M. P. Abelle
Pvt. L. A. Aguilar
Pvt. J. E. Alfonzo
Pvt. B. I. Andrew
Pvt. J. Apperson
Pvt. J. L. Ashford
Pvt. J. R. Badker
Pvt. A. R. Baugh
Pvt. B. A. Bender
Pvt. C. R. Brown
Pvt. L. J. Brownson
Pvt. D. R. Bulac
Pvt. M. D. Chappel
Pvt. B. A. Cole
Pvt. R. D. Collins
Pvt. D. C. Counts
Pvt. T. R. Culbert
Pvt. B. G. Deleon-Guerrero
Pvt. M. S. Dorthalina
Pvt. C. H. Edmonson
Pvt. S. C. Erickson
Pvt. A. T. Fidler
Pvt. M. R. Garcia
Pfc. J. R. George
Pfc. J. M. Gonzales
Pvt. A. J. Hanenkratt
Pvt. Z. S. Harper
Pvt. J. J. Hiller
Pvt. W. E. Hogestyn
Pvt. I. C. Humpherys
Pvt. J. A. Hunter
Pvt. K. S. Johnson
Pvt. T. D. Kirby
Pvt. N. E. Kohne
Pvt. T. A. Lewis
Pvt. F. D. Lopez
Pvt. J. C. Lopez
Pvt. J. R. Marr
Pvt. E. A. McLellan
Pvt. E. R. Mendenhall
Pvt. J. D. Michealson
Pvt. S. M. Montgomery
Pvt. D. W. Mooty
Pvt. A. G. Murray
Pvt. T. R. Olson
Pvt. A. Ooms
Pvt. D. K. Ortiz
Pvt. J. A. Pena
Pvt. K. T. Peter-Schmidt
Pvt. A. T. Ponce
Pvt. R. C. Ramos
Pvt. E. M. Reese
Pvt. A. D. Rensberger
Pvt. R. D. Rienhold
Pvt. A. M. Rivera
Pvt. S. A. Ryan
Pvt. R. Salazar
Pvt. M. S. Samuels
Pvt. I. Santana
Pvt. L. A. Schied
Pvt. A. M. Seals
Pvt. W. N. Seltenright
Pvt. J. Sherwin
Pvt. T. J. Staples
Pvt. C. Stewart
Pvt. M. S. Stewart
Pvt. E. R. Stough
Pvt. S. D. Strnadel
Pvt. C. A. Sweeney
Pvt. T. J. Sylvester
Pvt. L. C. Tank
Pvt. S. P. Taylor
Pvt. J. L. Terry
Pvt. B. E. Thimmel
Pvt. E. P. Thompson
Pvt. R. D. Tilmon
Pvt. J. T. Tomaini
Pvt. J. L. Tomaszewski
Pvt. J. A. Truckey
Pvt. J. V. Tuggle II
Pvt. B. K. Ummel
Pvt. Z. D. Unruh
Pvt. A. B. Ventura
PLATOON 2127
Senior Drill Instructor
Sgt. D. L. Brewer
Drill
Sgt.
Sgt.
Sgt.
Instructors
D. A. Bibbins
J. L. Garcia
J. K. Walls
Pvt. D. J. Anderson
Pfc. A. S. Banda
Pvt. C. M. Dotson
Pvt. A. A. Gutierrez
Pvt. C. F. Lathrop
Pvt. J. C. Morgan
Pvt. C. A. Ortiz
Pfc. L. A. Ortiz
Pvt. B. C. Oxford
Pvt. R. A. Panemeno
Pvt. J. Pieters
Pvt. C. R. Pineda
Pfc. A. Pinon
Pvt. I. Portugal
Pvt. J. L. Quijada-Madrid
*Pvt. I. I. Ramirez
Pvt. R. W. Rhinehart
Pvt. C. T. Rigsby
Pvt. J. C. Rivera-Medina
Pvt. R. J. Roberts
Pfc. N. T. Roth
Pvt. M. A. Rubio
Pvt. T. L. Ruth
Pvt. P. A. Saims
Pvt. I. Salazar Jr.
Pfc. M. Salinas
Pvt. A. Salamon-Rosas
Pvt. A. M. Samples
Pvt. C. M. Sausser
Pvt. R. M. Schlachter
Pfc. C. S. Scott
Pvt. K. A. Scrimsher
Pvt. R. Sedlacek
Pfc. Z. C. Sheibley
Pvt. M. C. Shelton
Pfc. D. J. Shin
Pfc. J. M. Skopek
Pfc. J. E. Sosa
Pvt. M. A. Soto
Pvt. B. A. Souza
Pfc. T. L. Sproat
Pvt. Z. M. Stangl
Pvt. D. A. Stewart
Pfc. D. L. Swain
Pvt. C. A. Taylor
Pfc. R. M. Taylor
Pvt. J. M. Templin
Pfc. H. T. Thornquist
Pvt. N. S. Tosi
Pfc. K. K. Trotter
Pvt. C. O. Tucker
Pvt. C. A. Turner
Pfc. U. Urueta
Pvt. G. S. Vallance
Pvt. M. M. Vancil
Pvt. B. R. Vargas
Pvt. J. L. Vargas
Pvt. J. Vasquez Jr.
Pfc. J. G. Vasquez
Pfc. J. L. Velasquez
Pfc. M. A. Velasquez
Pvt. A. N. Velazco
Pfc. P. D. Velazquez
Pvt. J. D. Vizcaino
Pvt. D. A. Walter
Pvt. T. E. Weber
Pvt. D. S. Wesley
Pfc. E. V. White
Pvt. T. J. Wichmann
Pvt. E. T. Wilcox
Pvt. J. F. Wilkins
Pvt. A. K. Williams
Pfc. J. Willis
Pfc. T. W. Wilson
Pvt. D. M. Winter
Pvt. T. J. Wiseman
Pvt. D. L. Wolfe
Pfc. A. M. Wynne
Pvt. A. F. Ybarra
Pvt. G. M. Zeller
Pfc. M. A. Zgorzynski
* indicates meritorious
promotion
8
CHEVRON ~ FEATURE ~ JANUARY 8, 2010
Depot Marines played hard in 2009
Lance Cpl. Carlos Vargas Jr., Support Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, attempts to make his
way to the goal through two 12th Marine Corps District defenders during the CG Cup soccer playoffs Sept. 15. Lance Cpl. J. J. Murphy/Chevron
Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian Wright, Maritime
Safety and Security Team, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San
Diego, and one of the depot’s eight-member competitive serf
team, downs a wave while another surfer wipes out during the
Point Mugu Surf Contest at Naval Base Ventura County, Ventura,
Calif., Aug. 23. Courtesy Capt. Nicholas Borrelli
Sgt. Richard Harmon, Ceremonial Detail safety and quarterback, rips the flag off of Support Battalion wide receiver Staff Sgt. Jamario Ridley during the Commanding General’s Cup Flag Football
championship game, Aug. 5. Ceremonial crushed Support 25-12 and took home the winning title.
Lance Cpl. J. J. Murphy/Chevron
Khalid El Boumlili of Morocco, finished first for the men during the 2009 Rock and Roll Marathon with a time of 2:11:16, earning himself $25,000 while Brain Lozier, P.F.
Chang’s marketing partner, and Brig. Gen. Angie Salinas, former commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region,
hold the finish line banner. The May 31 event marks the last time the race finish will be hosted on the depot due to future construction projects. Lance Cpl. J. J. Murphy/Chevron