242nd United States Marine Corps Birthday →
10 NOVEMBER 2017 A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS Seventy-Five years ago today, after months of fighting at Henderson Field and along Edson’s Ridge, Marines on Guadalcanal spent the night of 10 November 1942 planning and preparing. Although the Battle of Guadalcanal would continue for three more months, the plans laid on our Corps’ most sacred day became integral to the amphibious campaigns that followed. Success at Guadalcanal proved to be the turning point that ultimately paved the way for Allied victory in the Pacific. Those warriors defended their positions in brutal conditions against a formidable enemy – and triumphed. Through every major conflict our Nation has seen since the Revolution, Marines performed their duty with utmost courage, devotion, and raw determination. Their valiant deeds in the face of overwhelming challenges give us confidence and inspire us to meet the trials of today. As we pause to celebrate the birth of our Corps this year, we honor the legacy that was passed down to us and we recommit ourselves to carrying those traditions into the future.
This November 10th marks 242 years of warfighting excellence. At places like Trenton, Tripoli, Chapultepec, Belleau Wood, Guadalcanal, Chosin, Khe Sanh, Fallujah, Sangin, and so many others, Marines have fought with an inner spirit – a spirit that bonds us, binds us together as a cohesive team. It’s that intangible spirit that has formed the foundation of our warfighting reputation for the past 242 years. Now it’s our responsibility to ensure we honor and carry on that legacy. The American people expect a Corps of men and women who are committed, selfless, willing to sacrifice, who epitomize honor, courage, commitment, virtue, and character. We owe our Nation and our predecessors no less.
Today, as we celebrate our 242nd birthday, we must remember who we are, where we came from, and why we’re here. We must remember the past, honor those who are no longer with us, focus on today’s battles, and get ready for tomorrow. We can and will prevail as we always have, in any clime and place. But we must prevail together, united by the unyielding spirit in each of us that makes our Corps unique – that willingness to put our Corps and fellow Marines ahead of ourselves. Victory in battle comes through the integrated efforts of many – teamwork. We value the sacrifices and contributions of every Marine and Sailor, as well as our family members without whose support we would not be able to accomplish our mission. And we remain committed to being our Nation’s Expeditionary Force in Readiness that sets the standard for honor, discipline, and courage. I am proud of each and every one of you. Happy Birthday, Marines!
Semper Fidelis, Robert B. Neller General, U.S. Marine Corps Commandant of the Marine Corps
Phenomenal →
Via the United States Naval Sea Systems Command OCC comes the astonishing story of Associate Director Sarkis Tatigian of the Department of the Navy Small Business Program Office. Associate Director Tatigian just received an award from NAVSEA and a tribute from Senator John McCain and the United States Congress for 75 years of faithful service to the United States Navy (both as a civilian and in uniform).
Associate Director Tatigian is currently 94 years of age. He has no plans for retirement. A Veteran of WWII, a member of the Greatest Generation and a National Treasure, if there ever was one.
From the Congressional Record (CCREC-2017-09-12-pt1-PgS5213-3) and the words of United States Senator John McCain:
TRIBUTE TO SARKIS TATIGIAN
Mr. MCCAIN. - Mr. President, I come to the floor today to ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Sarkis Tatigian, who will achieve the extraordinary milestone of 75 years of combined military and civilian service to the United States on September 26, 2017. Eligible for retirement since 1973, Mr. Tatigian has continued to honor America through his faithful service. Currently the associate director of the Small Business Programs Office at Naval Sea Systems Command, NAVSEA, Mr. Tatigian is a champion for our Navy, our small business community, and our country.
Mr. Tatigian began his civilian career with the Navy in July 1942 as a junior radio inspector at the naval aircraft factory in the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the Navy Office of Inspector of Naval Aircraft in Linden, NJ. He left his position as an inspector in March 1943 and entered the uniformed Navy as an Active-Duty sailor in April 1943. In June 1944, as an aviation electronics technician’s mate, he aided in the development of the Navy’s first guided antiship munition, the ASM-N–2 ‘‘BAT’’ glide bomb, which later became an operational weapon in January 1945.
In 1943, Mr. Tatigian began his Federal civil service with NAVSEA, where he still works today. Throughout his long career, he has received numerous awards, including the Navy’s Superior Civilian Service Award in 2007. In rec- ognition of his exceptional accomplishments in service, the Navy has even named an award after him, the Sarkis Tatigian Small Business Award, which recognizes outstanding performance through organizational culture and command climate.
At 95 years young, Mr. Tatigian’s dedication and resolve are inspirational. We can all learn a great deal about service to country and the Amer- ican spirit from his great example. On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you, Mr. Sarkis Tatigian, for all you have done for our people, our government, and our Navy.
Go Rescue Them, Marines! →
From the United States Department of the Navy, United States Marine Corps: Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) embark the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Kearsarge is onloading personnel, equipment and supplies in preparation to assist with disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. U.S. military assets are supporting FEMA as well as state and local authorities in rescue and relief efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Deven B. King (Released) 170830-N-XQ375-063
The Porter
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 7, 2017) The guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) conducts strike operations while in the Mediterranean Sea, April 7, 2017.
Porter, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ford Williams/Released)
The Five
and, then there were five....
CHATTANOOGA, Tennesee, United States of America - August 15, 2015) Battle crosses for fallen service members on stage during the memorial at McKenzie Arena at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. The memorial honored the four United States Marines and one United States Navy Sailor who died in the Navy Operational Support Center Chattanooga shooting July 16, 2015.
United States Navy Photograph by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Wolpert
Statement by Rear Adm. Mary M. Jackson at the City of Chattanooga's Vigil
Story Number: NNS150718-01 Release Date: 7/18/2015 02:09:00 AM From the Navy Office of Information
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- A statement by Rear Adm. Mary M. Jackson, Commander, Navy Region South East, was given at the City of Chattanooga's vigil for the fallen Marines, July 17.
Good evening. It is with my deepest sympathies and personal sadness that I am here tonight.
I would like to thank the Chattanooga community for their overwhelming support of our Navy and Marine Corps family. We greatly appreciate the arrangements made here this evening with this vigil invitation and those who have gone out of their way to make us feel at home. We are honored to be part of this community. We continue to keep our thoughts and prayers with our fallen Marines and their families, and for our wounded Sailor and his family.
Today, a small team of counselors and chaplains arrived from around the Southeast Region to provide support for families and service members and we will continue to support our Navy and Marine Corps team alongside the community.
These incidents have had a profound impact on every one of us, regardless of whether we wear the uniform or not. But we stand together and find resilience in each other as we move ahead of these difficult times. We are Chattanooga strong!
Outstanding →
via the United States Navy, comes this image created by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gerald Dudley Reynolds, capturing for perpetuity, a United States Naturalization Ceremony, while aboard the USS Midway Museum, in San Diego, California. Nearly fifty Marines and Sailors from twenty-two countries, as well as many civilians, were sworn in as United States Citizens on July 1st, 2015.
US Marines, Killed in Nepal Crash, Have Been Recovered →
News, via the Joint Task Force 505 from KATHMANDU, Nepal, May 17, 2015 – Joint Task Force 505 officials have identified the six U.S. Marines who were killed along with two Nepalese soldiers when their UH-1Y Huey helicopter crashed in the mountains of Nepal May 12.
Once identified as the crash site, Nepalese Special Forces stood watch over our fallen Marines and their Nepalese Army comrades-in-arms throughout the night, till recovery efforts could be mounted.
Capt. Dustin R. Lukasiewicz, a UH-1Y pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, California, and a native of Nebraska;
Capt. Christopher L. Norgren, a UH-1Y pilot with HMLA-469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, California, and a native of Kansas;
Sgt. Ward M. Johnson, IV, a UH-1Y helicopter crew chief with HMLA-469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, California, and a native of Florida;
Sgt. Eric M. Seaman, a UH-1Y helicopter crew chief with HMLA-469, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, California, and a native of California;
-- Cpl. Sara A. Medina, a combat photographer with Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Okinawa, Japan, and a native of Illinois; and
-- Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Hug, a combat videographer with Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Okinawa, Japan, and a native of Arizona.
Recovery Effort
Today at approximately 10:00 a.m. Nepal Standard Time, Nepalese soldiers and service members from Joint Task Force 505 safely recovered the fallen U.S. and Nepalese service members to the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The soldiers and Marines were honorably received at TIA and will be transported to the appropriate medical facilities to be properly identified by mortuary affairs personnel.
JTF 505 Commander Marine Corps Lt. Gen John E. Wissler thanked the people of Nepal and the Nepalese armed forces for their selfless dedication in the search and recovery of the fallen service members.
"I am honored to serve alongside the Nepalese soldiers and to call them my friends" he said.
"You never hesitated in the joint effort to bring our brothers home. Everyone united -- the soldiers hiking through hazardous terrain, the pilots flying in uncertain weather conditions and the Nepalese special forces standing watch over our Marines on a mountainside at night,” Wissler said. “We honor our fallen comrades through our unselfish support to each other in this time of grief."
The fallen service members were "courageous, selfless individuals dedicated to the international Humanitarian Aid mission here in Nepal whose memories will live on through the lives they touched during this disaster relief operation and in their previous service to their countries," he said.
JTF 505 arrived in Nepal April 29 to conduct humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations following the April 25 magnitude-7.8 earthquake. The helicopter crashed about 8 miles north of Charikot, Nepal, while supporting casualty evacuations following a second earthquake of magnitude 7.3 that occurred May 12.
United States Armed Forces Day 2015
via the United States Department of Defense - 'The History of Armed Forces Day':
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense. Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day. The Army, Navy and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day, too.
In a speech announcing the formation of the day, President Truman "praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas" and said, "it is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace." In an excerpt from the Presidential Proclamation of Feb. 27, 1950, Mr. Truman stated: "Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense".
Cyber Defense Review Journal →
via Red Team Journal comes notification of the new Cyber Defense Review Journal, published and sponsored by the Department of the Navy's United States Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (MARFORCYBER) and the Department of the Army's Army Cyber Institute at West Point.
Happy Thanksgiving
Remember our Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and Intelligence Services Personnel world wide during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Heroes All.