Monday, April 13, 2015
Happy New Year From Camp Hansen
Happy Belated New Year from Camp Hansen, Okinawa!
The last time I wrote I was headed for release from active duty, and to business school in the Fall of 2015. A last minute opportunity came up to deploy, so I volunteered and extended my active duty contract (out to 31 July 2015). I am still headed to business school in the fall, but I am making one more trip out the Western Pacific.
I have been posted to 3d Platoon, Fox Company, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines. We are part of an air-ground task force called the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is forward-deployed in Asia. Our primary mission is to provide rapid sea-based response forces for an emergency. Our alternate mission (i.e. what we do all the time) is train with foreign militaries all over the theater (military diplomacy of sorts). You can read more about MEUs here. I did this same 6-month rotation in 2012-2013 as a Weapons Platoon Commander for the mechanized infantry component of the task force. This time around I will be a Rifle Platoon Commander for the boat company.
I was fortunate to get this assignment. Rifle Platoon Command is the single best assignment in the Marine Corps. It is about leading young men who shoot things, blow things up, kick down doors etc. It is fun, exciting and positive - the heart and soul of the Marine Corps. As an Officer there is no other billet that puts you as close to the men, and in such a position of responsibility and influence. Usually this job is filled by a 2d Lt. As a senior 1st Lt about to pick up Captain I am "old" for this position. However, because of some intricate manning issues and some specific missions for this particular platoon, I got the call. Lucky me.
I am particularly grateful because I never held Rifle Platoon Command. I skipped right past to a Weapons Platoon, then to Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. While the billets I served in were more “senior”, they lacked the magic and fun of being a ground maneuver commander for a bunch of 20 yr-old gunslingers. The chance to come back and deploy at the head of 45 stellar Marines is really a nice way to close out my Active Duty time.
I assumed command of 3d Platoon in November. I have 46 Marines, including riflemen, machine gunners and assault-men (demolitions/ rockets experts). We went to the field for one ten day op, and I will say they are some quality troops. I would like to describe training a little more, but I do not want to blast our training/ops/ movements over the Internet. I'll shoot out some pictures and stories when the info is stale/ made public; however, the Chinese and NK are watching us (really, they are).
------------------------------
THE MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS
2d Battalion, 4th Marines, aka "The Magnificent Bastards", like my last battalion, is a famous unit. We were activated in Shanghai China in 1932 and had Chesty Puller as a battalion commander. In 1942 the battalion assisted in the defense of the Philippines against the Japanese. On 6 May 1942 the 4th Marine Regiment was ordered to surrender under the orders of Maj General J.M. Wainwright, Commander of US Forces Philippines. The 4th Marine Regiment burned their colors on Corregidor to avoid capture, and became the only Marine Regiment to ever surrender. The entire Regiment was subsequently subjected to the "Bataan Death March". The Regiment was later reconstituted and fought in the Battle of Okinawa. However, 4th Marines was never allowed to return home after the war. Their HQ is still here in Okinawa, just down the road at Camp Schwab. This is the root of our nickname, the "Magnificent Bastards". The subordinate battalions returned to the United States after the war and were "attached" to other regiments. Without the parent regiment, these units became known as the "bastard" battalions. We adopted the nickname the "Magnificent Bastards" and we are now officially part of the 5th Marine Regiment.
This history caused me a bit of a complication when I joined the battalion. My Great-Grandfather, Captain Malcom Champlin (US Navy) was a Naval Liason Officer on General Wainwright's staff. Grandpa Champ saved Wainrwight's life at one point during the defense of the Philippines. Champ was driving Wainwright's jeep when a Japanese Zero began to strafe their column. Champ identified the plane as hostile in the nick of time, and managed to maneuver the vehicle to cover. Champ then jumped out, and began firing (perhaps futilely) at the plane with an M1. The deft driving saved the General's life. The reckless pursuit of an aircraft with a service rifle was just some good old-fashioned American defiance. Upon discovering my family history the Battalion Commander had some fun and made me to understand that I was partially responsible for the surrender of the battalion.
The personal history around Infantry Battalions is something special. When you dig you will find incredible stories of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. These Marines have some truly amazing connections. One of my squad leaders has deployed 7 times in 10 years - talk about stories. Everyone has a friend, dad, grandfather, uncle, cousin etc. Whenever I talk with Marines I always try and pull that information out.
--------------------
Otherwise I am well. The billeting here is basic, but comfortable. The chow is poor. I can go into Kin Town and get beef and rice. Things have slowed down substantially for the Holidays. The gym is great, and working out is our primary pastime. Things are going to pick up substantially now that we are into the New Year. I will have limited access to email for the rest of my deployment.
My address is as follows:
1st Lt Dominic Bea
BLT 2/4, Fox Company, 3d Platoon
Unit #16179
FPO-AP 96427-6179
The last time I wrote I was headed for release from active duty, and to business school in the Fall of 2015. A last minute opportunity came up to deploy, so I volunteered and extended my active duty contract (out to 31 July 2015). I am still headed to business school in the fall, but I am making one more trip out the Western Pacific.
I have been posted to 3d Platoon, Fox Company, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines. We are part of an air-ground task force called the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is forward-deployed in Asia. Our primary mission is to provide rapid sea-based response forces for an emergency. Our alternate mission (i.e. what we do all the time) is train with foreign militaries all over the theater (military diplomacy of sorts). You can read more about MEUs here. I did this same 6-month rotation in 2012-2013 as a Weapons Platoon Commander for the mechanized infantry component of the task force. This time around I will be a Rifle Platoon Commander for the boat company.
I was fortunate to get this assignment. Rifle Platoon Command is the single best assignment in the Marine Corps. It is about leading young men who shoot things, blow things up, kick down doors etc. It is fun, exciting and positive - the heart and soul of the Marine Corps. As an Officer there is no other billet that puts you as close to the men, and in such a position of responsibility and influence. Usually this job is filled by a 2d Lt. As a senior 1st Lt about to pick up Captain I am "old" for this position. However, because of some intricate manning issues and some specific missions for this particular platoon, I got the call. Lucky me. I am particularly grateful because I never held Rifle Platoon Command. I skipped right past to a Weapons Platoon, then to Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. While the billets I served in were more “senior”, they lacked the magic and fun of being a ground maneuver commander for a bunch of 20 yr-old gunslingers. The chance to come back and deploy at the head of 45 stellar Marines is really a nice way to close out my Active Duty time.
I assumed command of 3d Platoon in November. I have 46 Marines, including riflemen, machine gunners and assault-men (demolitions/ rockets experts). We went to the field for one ten day op, and I will say they are some quality troops. I would like to describe training a little more, but I do not want to blast our training/ops/ movements over the Internet. I'll shoot out some pictures and stories when the info is stale/ made public; however, the Chinese and NK are watching us (really, they are).
------------------------------
THE MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS
2d Battalion, 4th Marines, aka "The Magnificent Bastards", like my last battalion, is a famous unit. We were activated in Shanghai China in 1932 and had Chesty Puller as a battalion commander. In 1942 the battalion assisted in the defense of the Philippines against the Japanese. On 6 May 1942 the 4th Marine Regiment was ordered to surrender under the orders of Maj General J.M. Wainwright, Commander of US Forces Philippines. The 4th Marine Regiment burned their colors on Corregidor to avoid capture, and became the only Marine Regiment to ever surrender. The entire Regiment was subsequently subjected to the "Bataan Death March". The Regiment was later reconstituted and fought in the Battle of Okinawa. However, 4th Marines was never allowed to return home after the war. Their HQ is still here in Okinawa, just down the road at Camp Schwab. This is the root of our nickname, the "Magnificent Bastards". The subordinate battalions returned to the United States after the war and were "attached" to other regiments. Without the parent regiment, these units became known as the "bastard" battalions. We adopted the nickname the "Magnificent Bastards" and we are now officially part of the 5th Marine Regiment.
This history caused me a bit of a complication when I joined the battalion. My Great-Grandfather, Captain Malcom Champlin (US Navy) was a Naval Liason Officer on General Wainwright's staff. Grandpa Champ saved Wainrwight's life at one point during the defense of the Philippines. Champ was driving Wainwright's jeep when a Japanese Zero began to strafe their column. Champ identified the plane as hostile in the nick of time, and managed to maneuver the vehicle to cover. Champ then jumped out, and began firing (perhaps futilely) at the plane with an M1. The deft driving saved the General's life. The reckless pursuit of an aircraft with a service rifle was just some good old-fashioned American defiance. Upon discovering my family history the Battalion Commander had some fun and made me to understand that I was partially responsible for the surrender of the battalion.
The personal history around Infantry Battalions is something special. When you dig you will find incredible stories of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. These Marines have some truly amazing connections. One of my squad leaders has deployed 7 times in 10 years - talk about stories. Everyone has a friend, dad, grandfather, uncle, cousin etc. Whenever I talk with Marines I always try and pull that information out.
--------------------
Otherwise I am well. The billeting here is basic, but comfortable. The chow is poor. I can go into Kin Town and get beef and rice. Things have slowed down substantially for the Holidays. The gym is great, and working out is our primary pastime. Things are going to pick up substantially now that we are into the New Year. I will have limited access to email for the rest of my deployment.
My address is as follows:
1st Lt Dominic Bea
BLT 2/4, Fox Company, 3d Platoon
Unit #16179
FPO-AP 96427-6179
The best way to get a hold of me is over gmail (really). Pls pardon me if it take some days/ weeks to respond. I hope you are all enjoyed the Holidays with your family. It is a bummer to be away from home. More pictures next time, promise.
Semper Fi!
Dom
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