News Article: Benson, Little, Singsank

1st Place News Article: LCpl. Graham Benson

1st Place: LCpl. Graham Benson, MCAS Yuma
Fears of future legislation to restrict gun access triggered a surge of firearm and ammunition sales across the country following the Congressional and presidential elections in November, 2008. Activity at the station was no exception, with the most sought-after weapon being the AR-15 rifle. The rules for firearm possession on-and off-base were covered in detail.

2nd Place: LCpl. Randall Little, Camp Lejeune

Honorable Mention: LCpl. Jeffery Singsank, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

Winning stories are published below

1st Place: LCpl. Graham Benson, MCAS Yuma

Fearing restrictions, Marines load up on firearms

Since the Nov. 4 presidential election, firearm and ammunition sales are up across the country, and the air station is no exception.

The increase can be attributed to the fears of future legislation restricting gun access, following the recent Congressional and presidential elections.

Sgt. Gregory D. Hill, the sporting goods area sales manager for the station exchange, has seen the dramatic increase firsthand.

“I came in Wednesday morning, the day after the election, there were lines at the counter already,” said Hill. “It didn’t just start after the election though; we’ve seen a steady rise in sales all year as the election got more and more attention.”

The most sought-after weapon in the recent surge has been the AR-15 rifle, since it represents the kind of weapon that has been talked about being banned for some time now, said Hill.

The station exchange has also seen an increase in ammunition sales as well.

“We’re selling at least three times as much ammunition as usual,” said Hill. “It’s gotten to the point now, where we are out of the weapons most customers are asking for, and won’t be able to have any in stock for several months.”

With the increase in gun ownership, Marines should know the rules for firearm and deadly or dangerous weapon possession on- and off-base.

Marines living in the barracks who own weapons must register them with the pass and registration department of the provost marshal’s office in building 952 within 24 hours of the first working day after bringing the weapon on station. Once registered, the weapon must be stored in the Marine’s unit armory.

According to station order 5510.8F, deadly or dangerous weapons include handguns, sporting rifles, shotguns, knives that are mechanically operated or which have blade over four inches, bow and arrows, dart guns, CO2 and compressed air weapons such as BB guns, pellet guns and paintball guns.

Marines who live in military housing or off station must also register their weapon with PMO, adhere to Arizona state laws for firearm ownership and follow station guidelines when bringing the weapon on station.

The registration process involves PMO recording a description of the weapon, the serial number, make, model and caliber if applicable. After registering, the Marine is given a permit for each weapon, which must be with the weapon when transporting it on and off station.

“The area we usually have problems with is Marines transporting their weapon on and off station. You have to keep the proof of registration with the weapon,” said Sgt. John Foster, the noncommissioned officer in charge of pass and registration.

The ammunition and the weapon must also be stored in separate compartments while traveling, said Foster.

Marines should also inform the gate sentry that they have a weapon upon entrance. Marines wishing to use the pistol range for recreational shooting may do so, but their handgun must be inspected at the armory first and they must give the marksmanship training unit 48 hours prior notice.

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2nd Place: LCpl. Randall Little, Camp Lejeune

First of its kind K-9 training program launched

The first service dog trained by inmates at the Camp Lejeune Brig was officially presented to a wounded warrior Oct. 17, aboard base.

Rocio is an 18-month-old Labrador retriever mix. He is able to assist his owner by retrieving the phone, turning the light on and off and picking up items dropped on the ground or between furniture.

Although Rocio is able to aid Cpl. Christopher Gray physically, he provides his new master with another useful attribute; serving as a companion to the injured Marine.

“It’s always great to have someone next to you,” said Gray.

Gray was patrolling in Fallujah, Iraq, Feb. 17, 2007, when his Abrams tank was struck by two rocket-propelled grenades. One pierced the top of the tank, igniting the bulk of the ammunition, causing it to explode directly behind him.

Everyone inside suffered serve burns, however, Gray and the tank commander got the worst of it. He sustained third-degree burns on more than 50 percent of his body and since then he has been through multiple surgeries, including a cornea transplant.

Gray can no longer perform everyday tasks which once would have been simple. He can’t squat. To help him carry out these tasks, Gray was assigned Rocio to help in his recovery efforts.

Rocio was trained to assist Gray by inmates at the Camp Lejeune Brig. The program, which enables the inmates to train assistance dogs, was developed by Carolina Canines and began 10 months ago. The initial effort started with six dogs and is the first program of its kind in the country.

A select few inmates, based on their status and time left in the brig, train the dogs to perform tasks such as picking up objects and loading and unloading the washer and dryer.

Because the inmates train the animals, the program doesn’t cost the taxpayers anything, said Rick Hairston, president and chief executive officer of Carolina Canines. Normally one service dog would cost $38,000.

Although the program was designed to aide wounded service members, inmates at the brig are able to benefit from the program as well.

Training the dogs gives the inmates an opportunity to make-up for the mistakes they’ve made, said Rep. Walter Jones, state representative.

“Everybody makes mistakes,” said Gray, who appreciates the work put forth by the inmates as well. “But what they’re doing right now is awesome.”

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Honorable Mention: LCpl. Jeffery Singsank, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

Southwest Asia Hut Mover Saves Military Money

AT-RAMADI, Iraq – Marines with Combat Logistics Company 111 designed and built a Southwest Asia hut mover, saving the Marine Corps thousands of dollars with each hut moved.

Staff Sgt. James L. Aultman, operations chief, CLC-111, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, took the initiative to design a SWA hut mover made up of two support beams that connect to a 17 ft. spreader bar. The design supports the weight of a 10,000 pound hut when it’s being lifted by a 25 ton crane. “I came up with the design and the welders did the rest,” said Aultman.
“The SWA hut mover saves the Marine Corps money by moving the old ones instead of rebuilding them,” said Sgt. Nathan N. Nitch, heavy equipment non-commissioned officer in charge, CLC-111.

Each SWA hut costs more than $10,000 to build. “It takes 30 Marines to build three SWA huts a day,” said Aultman. The lifter and a working party of five Marines can move one in 30 minutes.

After the support beams are in place, the SWA huts are lifted so Marines can knock out the legs. When the foundation is removed, the huts are loaded on a truck to be relocated for their next use.

The Marine Corps and Army use the SWA huts for offices, living quarters and briefing rooms. “After the huts are moved, all they need is someone to splice the electrical hookup, then they are good to go,” said Cpl. Chris R. Yohe, heavy equipment operator, CLC-111.

Many of the SWA huts are being relocated in preparation to turn the southern part of Camp Ramadi to the Iraqi army.

“There are 35 more SWA huts that are scheduled to be moved before Combat Logistics Battalion 5 comes to replace us,” said Chief Warrant Officer-2 Robert D. Nielsen, executive officer, CLC-111. “We will give the SWA hut mover to them so they can utilize it.”

“Why waste money rebuilding SWA huts when we have serviceable ones,” said Nielsen. “The Marine Corps has already saved more than $100,000 by using good property instead of being wasteful.”

Since the creation of Aultman’s SWA hut mover, the Marine Corps has saved money and man hours by using the simple design and a handful of motivated Marines.

“The ingenuity of the younger guys makes it possible,” said Nielsen. “They never say no and make stuff happen.”

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