iii marine expeditionary force and marine corps bases japan

august 20, 2010 www.okinawa.usmc.mil

in t

his

issu

e GOOOOOO teAM!Youth football and cheerleading

league gets children active while teaching discipline and perseverance.

PG. 12

sAVinG LiVes At 145 KnOtsSailors of 3rd Medical Battalion train to save

lives high above the fight during the Tactical Combat Casualty Care course.

PGS. 6-7

Cpl. Kelly R. Stevensokinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — The Department of Defense recently announced it would be increasing child care fees at all military Child Development Cen-ters this fall. This fee increase, in addition to a broadened range of fee categories, comes after a six year hiatus of DoD-wide fee hikes.

“Access to quality child care is a workforce issue,” said Vee Penrod, acting principal direc-tor of Military Community and Family Policy for the DoD. “The increased fee ranges allow us

to continue providing quality child care to our service members and their families.”

Penrod added that quality child care includes the ability to retain quality staff with competitive salaries, maintain initial and ongoing profes-sional development for the direct care staff and continue achieving national accreditation for the CDCs.

Under the new program there are nine an-nual income categories ranging from $0 to over $125,000. In order for families to determine which fee category they fall into, they need to fill out the application for Department of Defense Child Care

Fees, DD Form 2652. This form must be updated annually in order to continually assess where a family falls in the fee range, and whether the DoD needs to continue to adjust fees to meet the needs of military families and the CDCs.

These changes were put into place in an ef-fort to offset an increase in the cost to provide child care as well as to account for an increase in average military family income.

Joyce Gourley, who sends her daughter Ella to the CDC on Camp Foster, said that with the cost of living and the cost of caring for a child

CDCs provide quality care at new rates to match income

see CDC pg �

Lance Cpl. Abigail M. Whartonokinawa marine staff

CAMP COURTNEY — The Repub-lic of Korea and Combined Forces Command are training to improve the ROK-U.S. alliance’s ability to defend the ROK during the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2010 ex-

ercise that began Monday and will continue through the 26th.

Participating in the exercise are Marines from 3rd Marine Divi-sion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and III Marine Expeditionary Force Head-quarters Group, which fall under III Marine Expeditionary Force.

UFG ‘10 is a computer assisted simulation exercise focused on pre-paring, preventing and prevailing against the full range of current and future North Korean threats to the Republic of Korea and the region. Those threats include provocations, use of weapons of mass destruction or the conven-

tional force-on-force fight. UFG ‘10 tests and builds the Alliance’s commanders’ and staffs’ ability to translate information superiority into actionable decision-making.

“Like our combined exercises in the past, Ulchi Freedom Guard-ian affords the combined team

Cpl. Gary Rowan a combat tracking dog handler at Military Police Support Company, 3rd Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, picks up his dog Cherry to traverse an obstacle on Camp Hansen Aug. 11. MP Support Company’s dogs and handlers are preparing to stand-up III MEFs first deployable K-9 units. Photo by Lance Cpl. J Nava

SEE STORY AND PHOTOS PAGE 9

unitsK-9

UFG ‘10 helps ROK prevent, prevail against threats

see UFG 10 pg �

Lance Cpl. Kentavist P. Brackinokinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — A group of 23 Marines with Camp Foster’s Auxiliary Security Force recently participated in a one-week refresher course in preparation for activation to provide an additional security presence at events such as the Futenma Flightline Fair.

ASF Marines are activated regularly to conduct patrols, refresher training and assist gate guards when needed.

Throughout the year, the force trains to conduct vehicle inspections, personnel searches, vehicle and foot patrols, and riot control techniques. Their primary purpose

Auxiliary security Forces reinforce security, goodwill

see ASF pg �

todeploy

prepare

�

Robert D. Eldridge, Ph.D.

We often hear the phrase, “Be a good ambassador,” but we may not know just what this means for us, as Ma-

rines, sailors, DoD civilians, and family mem-bers. After all, there already is an official U.S.

ambassador to Japan, who is located in Tokyo, and who represents the

president of the United States and the U.S. government here in Japan. So, how can we, as individuals far away from the capital of Japan, really be considered am-bassadors, you might ask?

The modern version of the word derives from the French, “ambassa-deur,” but its early ori-gins can be traced to the Latin word, “ambactus,” which means “servant.” According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, there are at least four definitions for ambassador:

(1) a diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another, usually for a specific length of time;

(2) a diplomatic official heading his or her country’s permanent mission to certain in-ternational organizations, such as the United Nations;

(3) an authorized messenger or representa-tive; and

(4) an unofficial representative, such as am-bassadors of goodwill.

It is this last definition that is most relevant here, and the one that we should take to heart in all that we do in Japan, as well as wherever we find ourselves when abroad in both official and private capacities.

Some of us may not realize or fully appreci-ate it, but our behavior and attitude in our daily activities and interactions with local residents form lasting impressions of who we are as Americans. Indeed, for many people, especially children, we may be the very first American

they have ever spoken to, shared a seat with, or have had a door held open by. As such, these first (and perhaps only) impressions are crucial in our engagement with the Japanese people.

Conversely, when we misbehave, are rude, speak with profanity, dress sloppily, break a law, or are otherwise obnoxious and offend our Japanese neighbors, we are certainly not being good ambassadors to our host nation.

A good rule to follow on being a good ambas-sador is an extension of “the Golden Rule”—treat others as you would wish to be treated. In other

words, we should act in a foreign country as we would want visitors to the United States to act in our country. It is that simple.

My background is as a professor and writer of diplomatic history. There are

countless incidents from the more than 150-year history of the U.S.-Japan relationship where bad behavior and the misunderstanding that devel-oped out of the incident affected the bilateral relationship for years to come. Our misbehavior and failure to respect local laws, customs, and courtesies can have serious implications and repercussions. They reflect badly on not just ourselves, but on our command and on our country.

Importantly, on the other hand, there are many more episodes where one positive interac-tion, one act of kindness, one gesture of goodwill and compassion changed a person, school, or community forever, and in some cases, their view of the United States and its people.

Which do you want to be remembered for, Mr. or Mrs. Ambassador?

Eldridge serves as the Deputy G-5, Marine Corps Bases Japan, and was an associate profes-sor of Japanese political and diplomatic history at Osaka University from 2001-2009. He is the author of The Origins of the Bilateral Okinawa Problem: Okinawa in Postwar U.S.-Japan Rela-tions, 1945-1952.

okinawa marine | OPiniOn & eDitORiAL | august 20, 2010

opinion

of goodwill

The Okinawa Marine is published by Marine Corps Community Services under exclusive written contract with Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan.

The editorial content of this newspaper is edited and approved by the Consoli-dated Public Affairs Office of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler.

This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of military services stationed overseas, at sea and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Marine Corps and do not imply endorsement thereof.

The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts of supple-ments, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the U.S.

Marine Corps, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler or Marine Corps Com-munity Services of the products and services advertised.

Everything advertised in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected.

All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are “official U.S. Marine Corps photos.” For more information, e-mail us at okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil or write to us at Public Affairs Office, H&S BN MCB PAO, Unit 35002, FPO AP 96373-5002.

okinawa marine newspaperH&S Battalion MCB PAO

Unit 35002FPO AP 96373-5002

Central BureauCamp Foster

DSN 645-7422

northern BureauCamp HansenDSN 623-4224

Commanding general Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri

puBliC affairs direCtor Lt. Col. David M. Griesmer

press offiCer 2nd Lt. Lindsay M. Pirek

press Chief Gunnery Sgt. J. L. Wright Jr.

design editor Audra A. Satterlee

hAVe A sAysenD yOuR OPiniOn tO OKinAwAMARine.Mcbb.Fct@usMc.MiL

Okinawa Marine reserves the right to choose material and edit as necessary.

Aug. 21-25, 2006 – Marines from 9th Engineer Support Battalion deployed from Camp Hansen, Okinawa, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Aug. 22, 1990 – President George Bush ordered the first mobilization of U.S. military reserves in 20 years and declared the call-up “essential to completing our mission” of thwarting Iraqi aggression in the Persian Gulf.

Aug. 22, 2006 – Marine Corps officials announced they had been authorized to recall thousands of Marines to active duty from the Individual Ready Reserve, a segment of the reserves that consists of those who left active duty but still have time remaining on their eight-year military obligation. It was the first time the Marine Corps planned to use the involuntary recall since the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism.

Aug. 23, 1984 – The last Marines to serve peace-keeping duty in Lebanon arrived home. The 24th Marine Amphibious Unit had arrived off the coast of Lebanon April 9. The 24th MAU pulled out of Beirut July 31, marking the last presence of U.S. com-bat troops there since Marines entered almost two years earlier.

Aug. 24, 1814 – Capt. Samuel Miller’s 100-man detachment from Marine Bar-racks, Washington, D.C., fought Brittish troops in the battle of Bladensburg for the defense of the national capital. After helping to fight back three charges, Miller was wounded as the enemy began to work around both flanks of the American force. Almost encircled, the American sailors and Marines were forced to retreat to avoid capture.

Aug. 26, 2005 – Marines began launch-ing several precision air strikes against al-Qaida positions in the western Iraqi province of Al Anbar during the Global War on Terrorism.

U.S. Marine CorpS HiStory DiviSion

Our behavior and attitudein our daily activities and

interactions with local residents form lasting impressions of who

we are as Americans.

‘‘’’

We are all ambassadors

�okinawa marine | news | august 20, 2010

Lance Cpl. Kris B. Daberkoeokinawa marine staff

CAMP KINSER — Mess halls throughout Japan recently competed for honors in a competition to determine which reflected the best food, service and facility available to service members.

This year Mess Hall 1223 on Camp Kin-ser rose above the rest and earned the right to represent Marine Corps Bases Japan in the Maj. Gen. W.P.T. Hill Memorial Awards Program for Food Service Excellence.

Mess Hall 1223 also received recogni-tion for Mess Hall of the Year for fiscal year 2010, Aug. 17.

The W.P.T. Hill Memorial Award was established in 1985 to reward the quality food service and acknowledge the best mess halls Marine Corps-wide.

All MCBJ mess halls are eligible to be nominated for the award but only three are selected for evaluation for nomination, said Master Sgt. Marshall Alexander, Base Food Service Operations Chief here.

“We can only send one mess hall to the big show,” said Alexander. “After evaluat-ing all nine mess halls, we choose the top three to compete for the nomination.”

Mess halls are inspected twice per month to ensure that food services staff are working within regulations.

Mess Hall 1223 was selected to rep-resent Marine Corps Bases Japan after a final string of inspections among mess halls on Camp Foster, Camp Kinser and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, July 27 to 29.

During pre-nomination inspections mess halls are judged on management, food preparation, sanitation, serving

techniques, food acceptability, food service training program effectiveness, conservation measures, equipment, per-sonal hygiene and facility improvement program.

For example, methods for washing chicken, prepping vegetables, and thaw-ing beef are judged in the food preparation category.

Nominees are inspected using the point system prescribed by the W.P.T. Hill Awards mess hall evaluation record.

Judges for the award include the MCBJ food services officer, MCBJ food techni-cian and a senior enlisted food services representative for each competing Marine Corps mess hall.

“It’s like final drill, but for mess halls,” said Gunnery Sgt. David Highter, manager, Mess Hall 1223.

“The Marines are what made it pos-sible for our mess hall to be nominated for the W.P.T. Hill award – every Marine from the most senior non-commissioned officer to the junior private first class.” said Highter.

Final evaluations for the winning mess hall take place during November and December, where each is evaluated by teams comprised of military and civilian experts in the food services field, added Alexander.

Awards are presented to the Best Mili-tary and Contract Garrison Mess Hall, Best Full Food Service Contract Mess Hall, the Best Field Mess Hall and the Best Reserve Field Mess Hall.

“It would be great to win because it would give all the Marines working in the mess hall the recognition they deserve,” said Highter.

camp Kinser wins nomination for w.P.t. hill award

Pfc. Garry J. Welchokinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — Marines and sail-ors here who hold a meal card have a convenient new alternative to the chow hall.

The Sub Shop, located in barracks 473’s second floor lounge, opened Aug. 9 to provide healthy meal choices close to home, said Master Sgt. Charles L. James, the mess hall manager, Marine Corps Bases Camp Foster.

Marines have a choice of tuna, turkey, roast beef or ham sub or sand-wiches, a soda, juice or water, chips and a cookie instead of going to the chow hall. Marines may utilize this service for both lunch and dinner.

“The idea was brought to my at-tention by our food service officer, so we came up with a plan and sent out e-mails to all staff [non-commis-sioned officers] to see if their Marines would use it,” said James. “We got lots of positive feedback, so we came up with a menu.”

It took one week for the sub shop to go from an idea to being opera-tional, said James.

“Our personal goal when we opened the shop was to get at least 50 Marines per meal to utilize it,

and we had over 50 Marines per meal coming in just the first day,” said James.

“The food they have is very good,” said Pfc. George J. Alvarez, trans-portation management specialist,

Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Smedley D. Butler. “It’s very convenient since it is right in the barracks.”

Interest was so great, the amount of food being prepared has doubled to ensure the Sub Shop does not run out, said James.

“This shop is unique,” James said. “In the 21 years I have been in the Marine Corps, I have never seen one like this open. In the past we have made other arrangements, but since [barracks 473] had a kitch-enette, we used that.”

James said they plan to increase the selection of available options from just subs and sandwiches to include hot to-go foods.

As long as it is necessary, and as long as Marines continue to utilize it, the sub shop will remain open and continue to be enhanced to improve the selection of foods avail-able for Marines, said James.

The sub shop is open for lunch between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and dinner from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Sub Shop offers alternative dining option

Cpl. Kevin Han, food service specialist for Mess Hall 1223, inspects the serving line for proper garnishment and supply. The mess hall staff attributes attention to detail to their success at being nominated to represent Marine Corps Bases Japan in this year’s W.P.T. Hill Memorial Awards Program. The award was established in 1985 to acknowledge the best mess halls Marine Corps-wide. Photo by Lance Cpl. Kris B. Daberkoe

Cpl. Taylor A. Pollard serves Lance Cpl. Brandon D. Browning a sub in the new Sub Shop located in barracks 473’s second floor lounge Aug. 10. Photo by Pfc. Garry J. Welch

4

foster water outage todayCamp Foster will have water outages

covering portions of the camp as follows:• Aug. 20 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. affecting all Kishaba Housing, Kubasaki High School and Zukeran Elementary School.• Aug. 31 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. affect-ing Marine Wing Support Group 17 Headquarters, Bachelor Enlisted Quarters and the Base Armory;• Sept. 14 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. affect-ing Marine Wing Support Group 17 Headquarters, Bachelor Enlisted Quarters and the Base Armory;For more information, call Camp Foster

and Lester Camp Services at 645-7313.

foster power outagesCamp Foster will have all day power

outages covering portions of the camp. The outages will affect Plaza Housing, the north-ern end of Kishaba Housing, Sada Housing, North Foster Towers, operational/support areas west of the “Spot,” Fort Buckner and Futenma Housing as follows:

• Sept. 11 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.• Sept. 25 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.For more information, call Camp Foster

and Lester Camp Services at 645-7313.

BaBy monitors and walkie-talkiesAll Status of Forces Agreement

personnel should discontinue the use of baby monitors, walkie-talkies or any communication device purchased in the U.S. or online that operate in the 900 MHz frequency band.

These devices are causing interference with local Japanese emergency first responder communications.

The local AAFES locations do sell a baby monitor and cordless telephone that are approved for use and compliant with the Japanese Government frequency regulations.

oBon on okinawa, Be mindfulObon is an annual event for com-

memorating one’s ancestors. This year on Okinawa, obon is celebrated from Aug. 22-24.

It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors’ spirits come back to their homes to be reunited with their fam-ily. Many travel to Okinawa during this time frame.

During this time, be respectful of local customs and ceremonies and plan accord-ingly for travel on roadways and if headed to the airport.

the green line survey Garrison Mobile Equipment is request-

ing that all Status of Forces Agreement personnel complete The Green Line cus-tomer survey. The purpose of the survey is to help TGL staff better understand the desires of those requiring transportation throughout Okinawa.

The survey is available through the end of August and can be found online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/tgl2010.

For more information, contact 645-3657.

okinawa marine | news | august 20, 2010

briefs

TO SUBMIT A BRIEF, send an e-mail to okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil, or fax your request to 645-3803. The deadline for submitting a brief is noon Friday. Okinawa Marine reserves the right to edit all submitted material.

Students from University of the Ryukyus and their professor, Masaaki Gabe, professor of International Relations, University of the Ryukyus, attended a discussion on the mission of the Marine Corps in the Asia-Pacific region with six Navy and Marine Corps officers on Camp Foster Aug. 12. They discussed a range of topics to include how the military strategy is decided in regards to supporting Asian countries, why it’s important to have Marines in Okinawa and what Marines are here to accomplish. Photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Denny

Students gain military understanding

Lance Cpl. Heather Choateokinawa marine staff

MARINE CORPS BASES JAPAN — Marine Corps Community Services does their part to serve Ma-rines and their families by providing recreational opportunities that bring a taste of home here to Okinawa, said Corey L. Carter, MCCS Semper Fit sports specialist. These activities are designed to help the Marines and their families on island re-lieve stress or participate in some “good ol’ fashion fun,” added Carter.

“MCCS Semper Fit Athletics hosts a wide vari-ety of sporting activities for our Marines and their family members on island. Some of the events are football, basketball, volleyball and a soccer team tournament,” Carter explained, adding that there are several other activities available as well.

“We also host individual competitions like racquetball, triathlons, five-kilometer and 10-ki-lometer fun runs, half marathons, power lifting, bodybuilding, tennis, wrestling and arm wres-tling matches to name a few,” said Carter.

While these sporting events help Marines re-lieve stress built up from work and being away from loved ones, they also provide a boost in unit morale, Carter said.

“I believe that hosting recreational sporting events here on island for our Marines plays a huge role in the morale of the units,” Carter said. “It gives the Marines that much-needed break from regular work duties, and time to concentrate on having fun and being competitive with one another.”

According to Randy Mitchell, director of the Single Marine Program and retired sergeant major, these programs serve a larger purpose as well.

“I think it most definitely helps boost morale on the island,” he said “We can provide opportuni-ties for the Marines to do something productive and keep them busy. I believe it directly impacts the amount of negative off-base incidents in a positive way.”

“I’ve been here on Okinawa since 1995 and a lot has changed,” Carter said. “The variety [of

recreational activities] has increased big time. We just need our services members to take ad-vantage of the variety of things there are to do with MCCS.”

According to Carter, MCCS will continue to enhance recreational programs in the future.

“It is now as it will be in the future; the cus-tomer determines where we go.” Mitchell said. “I can assure you we are always changing and trying to provide better activities.”

For more information about recreational activi-ties offered by MCCS, call 645-3522.

Mccs brings home recreation

Along with several other recreational activities, Marine Corps Community Services provides soccer team tournaments for all ages. Photo by Lance Cpl. Dengrier M. Baez

5

an opportunity to continue to develop organi-zational structures and collaborate on command and control relationships between our militaries and our governments,” said Gen. Walter L. Sharp, commander, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea.

“We conduct staff training to ensure all partici-pants in the exercise are prepared for the decisions they will make in the course of the training,” said 1st Lt. James S. Mackin, communications detach-ment officer in charge, 7th Communications Bat-talion, III MHG in support of UFG ‘10.

“UFG ‘10 represents an excellent opportunity to develop the tenets of our Strategic Alliance 2015 plans as we improve ROK/U.S. combat readiness and joint/combined interoperability,” Sharp commented.

“These annual exercises strengthen our bond with ROK forces by allowing us to work hand in hand with them to create organizational relation-ships, channels of communication and standard operating procedures,” Mackin commented.

This exercise also gives members of the ROK and U.S. armed forces a chance to become famil-iar with each other’s equipment, he added.

UFG ‘10 is carried out in the spirit of the ROK/U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty, signed between the U.S. and the ROK on October 1, 1953. The exer-cise highlights the longstanding and enduring partnership between the two nations and their combined commitment to the defense of the Re-public of Korea and ensuring peace and security in the region.

After last year’s UFG exercise, Sharp said the priority for this summer’s version would be improving coordination between the two militar-ies and ensuring both were able to get the same information during wartime.

The mission statement for UFG ‘10 states that III MEF “will support the commander of U.S. Forces Korea, in a joint exercise to meet III MEF training objectives and enhance mission readiness.”

“This will be good training on our gear as well as leading and employing Marines,” commented Cpl. Alan Kerkelapratt, technical controller for Co. A, 7th Comm. Bn. “I have also been very impressed and satisfied with the professional-ism, work ethic and positive attitudes I see in the Marines around me.”

Ulchi Freedom Guardian is one of two major exercises the U.S. and the Republic of Korea con-duct annually, the other being Key Resolve which has traditionally been in the spring.

okinawa marine | news | august 20, 2010

increasing, she understands that the CDCs need to compensate with higher fees in order to continue providing quality child care for her daughter.

Included in the plan is a new “high cost” fee range for use by installations that have to pay caregivers competitively in order to keep up with the local economy. Installation commanders are required to set the fee rates by Sept. 10 of each new school year and are authorized to grant discounts of up to 20% per child to families who have more than one enrolled child.

“Fees will continue to be based on total family income and are reviewed each year, with changes directly linked to cost-of-living increases. DoD has not changed fees since the 2004/2005 school year,” said Cullen Ohashi, chief of Children, Youth and Teen programs for Camp Butler.

Ohashi added that the fees for CDCs on Oki-nawa were raised in 2006, but not increased since. For more information, contact 645-4505.

CDC from pg 1

UFG 10 from pg 1is to augment military police during emergencies or special events, as was the case at the Futenma Flightline Fair.

“The Futenma fair is a perfect example of how im-portant the ASF program is to this command,” said Staff Sgt. Maurice B. Williams, the company gunnery sergeant for Company A, Marine Corps Base Camp Foster. “In the event a heightened state of security is needed, we have the capability.”

Throughout the training week, the Marines practiced entry point security, force protection and biological and chemical detection.

“It is extremely important to stay fresh on the new-est techniques and develop-ments,” added Williams.

In addition, the Marines played a positive role in com-munity relations because they interacted with the local com-munity, said Williams. “They showed that the base is well protected but allowed the (visitors) to feel comfortable and welcomed.”

During the festivities on Futenma, ASF Marines were the first people visitors saw when coming aboard the base, as much a part of the festival as the vendors and aircraft stationed on the flight line.

“This gave some of the Marines who sit behind a desk a chance to get out and do things that we love doing as Marines … being a force in readiness,” said Williams. “They performed in a very professional manner and were motivated throughout the weekend which I expected of them because they are Marines.”

ASF from pg 1

Lance Cpl. Kevin Harper, left, a CH-46E Sea Knight avionics mechanic with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Vega, right, a flight equipment worker with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, MAG-36, both Auxiliary Security Forces Marines, direct traffic while guarding the road leading to the Futenma Flightline Fair on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Aug. 8. Photo by Lance Cpl. Kentavist P. Brackin

This fall Child Development Centers Department of Defense wide will institute an increase in fees based on total family income. The weekly fee per child will fall within a DoD mandated range, as shown in the third column from the left above. The local CDC will institute these rates by Sept. 10. Illustration by Cpl. Kelly R. Stevens

�

The corpsman? His only thought is saving his patient’s life.

okinawa marine | FeAtuRe | august 20, 2010

At the Central Training Area Aug. 5, sailors with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine

Expeditionary Force and Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing conducted Tactical Combat Casualty Care training in order to remain mission ready and prepared for a similar scenario.

“They need to be familiar with care in a helicopter,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Nunez, the training lead petty officer with the battalion. “There are more chances for your victim to get hypothermia. There’s less space to work with and usually less equipment and also the risk of oxygen saturation. We stress these guys out about these things now so it’s not such a shock to their system when it really happens.”

This training is part of the corpsmen’s pre-deployment training designed to give them the skills they need to be successful in combat.

Some of the skills taught during this train-ing are care under fire, tactical field care, hem-orrhage control, treatment for shock and an introduction to Military Operations in Urban Terrain.

“When these sailors deploy, they are at-tached to a Shock Trauma Platoon,” said Nunez. “But then they attach to Marine units and go on foot patrols.”

Sailors learn combat operations training like MOUT because sometimes the situation requires them to defend themselves and make that transition back to healing the wounded, said Nunez.

“You perform at a moment’s notice, day or night. We prepare them for that,” Nunez said.

While the corpsmen may have seemingly benefited the most, the training also gave

flight crews an opportunity to hone their skills in flying and communicating with other services.

“This is the bread and butter of what we do,” said Capt. Robin Brewer, a CH-46 helicopter aircraft commander with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 , Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “It’s one of our core mis-sions. Every single time we deploy we have a [casualty evacuation mission] standing by. We do it for Cobra Gold, Talon Vision, Balikatan — all the major operations and exercises we do in the Pacific.”

Training with medical personnel gave the Marines with the squadron a chance to prac-tice receiving and reacting to a MEDEVAC call. They get their information about the patient, landing zone and any special gear they need to bring along in a format known as the nine-line brief.

“The nine-line lets us know the priority of the victim, and where they need to be taken, based off of how bad they’re injured,” said Brewer.

A positive benefit of this training for both Marines and sailors is gaining muscle memory for these procedures. They learn what to do and can do it quickly and efficiently.

“Muscle memory. They run on the helicop-ter quickly. We have to have our ramp down and ready for them, get them strapped in and get in the air as quickly as possible,” Brewer added.

Training like the one conducted in the Cen-tral Training Area is done to ensure that when the victim looks in the eyes of the corpsman he doesn’t see an expression of panic. The corps-man is calm because he knows that both he and the pilot know exactly what they’re doing.

Marines, sailors conduct rescuetraining to stay mission ready

Sailors with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine

Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary

Force load a simulated victim onto a CH-46

helicopter as part of their Tactical Combat

Casualty Care training conducted Aug. 5 in the

Central Training Area.

Sailors with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force load a simulated victim onto a CH-46 helicopter as part of their Tactical Combat Casualty Care training conducted Aug. 5 in the Central Training Area.

savingLife

The pilot is concentrating on avoiding enemy fire and getting his crew to a safe zone. The victim is concentrating on the look in the eyes of the corpsman kneeling over him.

The corpsman? His only thought is saving his patient’s life.

Story and photos by Lance Cpl. Aaron Hostutlerokinawa marine staff

�okinawa marine | FeAtuRe | august 20, 2010

Sailors with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force load a simulated victim onto a CH-46 helicopter as part of their Tactical Combat Casualty Care training conducted Aug. 5 in the Central Training Area. The training simulated being in a combat environment and transporting a victim to a safe zone as soon as possible.

Navy Lt. Elyse Braxton, training officer in charge, demonstrates to sailors with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, about the differences of treating a victim on a helicopter as opposed to on the ground.

Sailors with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force load a simulated victim onto a CH-46 helicopter as part of their Tactical Combat Casualty Care training conducted Aug. 5 in the Central Training Area.

savingLife

� okinawa marine | FeAtuRe | august 20, 2010

Lance Cpl. Heather Choateokinawa marine staff

One way the Marine Corps helps its newly promoted noncommissioned officer’s

transition into the leaders the Corps expects them to be is by sending them to the Corporals Course.

The 15-day course is a com-mand sponsored training evolution designed to mold young NCOs to be future enlisted leaders of the Corps, said Sgt. Maj. Timothius M. Robinson, director, Corporals Course Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Air Station sergeant major.

The course teaches new NCOs a variety of topics ranging from core competencies that help prepare the Marine to be a strategic corporal and be capable of critical decision-making.

More specifically, the course entails a physical fitness test, a combat fitness test, patrolling ex-ercises, physical training sessions and classes on topics such as lead-ership styles, equal opportunity and sword manual to name a few, said Cpl. Paul M. Miller, a recently promoted corporal and combat camera videographer, Company B, Headquarters & Service Battalion, Marine Corps Bases Japan.

“The purpose is to enable the attendees to grow as leaders,” said Sgt. Maj. Gonzalo A. Vasquez, Director of the Okinawa Staff Non-commissioned Officer Academy.

“Education is the one key to suc-cess. This is the first stepping stone

for a young Marine to continue on to higher education and be an ef-fective NCO,” he explained.

“The course offers perspective in several topics ranging from public speaking to Proficiency and Conduct marks and the promotion system,” said Robinson. “We are providing documented information to the corporals so when they must provide the answer to a certain query, they can refer to the infor-mation without hesitation. It’s a subject they have been exposed to and if they don’t know it, they can find the answer.”

While the Marines are learning how to take on more responsibility, they are also taught techniques to effectively lead junior Marines.

“Corporals Course benefits the

Marine by allowing them to see where they stand among their peers,” said Miller. “In addition, it allows corporals to build a base for their own leadership style by learn-ing from peers and instructors.”

Miller attended the course on Camp Foster in May. Since he’s completed the course, he has had the opportunity to implement the skills and knowledge he learned. He has also been able to use what he learned about how to best ap-proach an individual Marine and effectively mentor them, he said.

Not only does the course help corporals with their own Marines, it also benefits the unit as a whole, said Robinson.

“Upon return from the course, every student has a wealth of

information they can tap into. They can become a source of information for junior Marines to gather information as they aspire to become NCOs,” said Robinson. “It’s a win-win for both the Marine and the unit.”

The course also provides Ma-rines with networking opportuni-ties with NCO peers within various Military Occupational Specialties, said Robinson.

By them attending the course, the junior NCOs gain a better un-derstanding of what it takes to be a leader, mentor, coach and trainer which in turn brings the unit closer to mission accomplishment, said Vasquez.

“I think Corporals Course helps accomplish the mission in the sense of making a more well-rounded leader,” said Miller.

“A well prepared Marine can accomplish any mission much easier than reinventing the wheel each time,” said Robinson. “If you set a Marine on the correct path by giving them knowledge that will help them become better pre-pared for potential tasks, the bet-ter their chances are of success.”

The term “corporal” is more than simply a military title for Marines. It is a blood stripe, an extra chevron over crossed rifles and everything those symbols rep-resent – leadership lessons learned the hard way over two centuries of professional soldiering. The Cor-porals Course is the first career-level enlisted professional military education meant to pass on those lessons to today’s leaders.

cpls course assists mission accomplishment

Lance Cpl. Tyler C. Vernaza31st meu correspondent

When Marines with the 31st Marine Ex-peditionary Unit walked through the doors of Nagomi Children’s Orphan-

age Aug. 6, the children began screaming. But it wasn’t fear; it was out of excitement due to the visitors’ arrival.

As everyone was introduced, the Marines were given name tags with their names in Japa-nese and the children were given ones in English to help with communication.

The Marines handed out candy, played relay games, tag and duck-duck-goose with the chil-dren. Some of the children brought out a football and played catch. Others made their way to the swing set for a more relaxing playtime with the Marines.

“The children enjoy spending time with the

Marines,” said Emi Naito, community relations specialist with camp services on Camp Hansen. “It’s a great opportunity for them to interact with people they look up to.”

However, the children were not the only ones who had a good time. It also gave the Marines an opportunity to meet locals and become involved off base.

“I had fun, and I would definitely come back again,” said Cpl. Andrew Morris, training noncommissioned officer with the 31st MEU. “It gives us a sense of being part of the community.”

Naito added it’s important that the Marines develop relationships with the children because the youth are the future of Okinawa. Even if the visits are short, any time the Marines can invest, matters to the children.

“In a way we are like role models,” said Sgt. Anthony Garbo, section leader with the 31st MEU.

Established in 2000, Nagomi Children’s Or-phanage is home to 40 children, most of whom are at the orphanage because of difficult family situations.

“Even those short few hours last a lifetime,” said Garbo.

Marines invest time at local orphanage

“Noncommission ed officers have long be en known as the backbone of the Marin e Corps. It is our duty to ensure we provide these Marin es every education opportunity.”

- Gen. James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps

Sgt. Juan Vallejomunoz, administrative noncommissioned officer in charge with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, hands out candy at Nagomi Children’s Orphanage Aug. 6. Photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler C. Vernaza

Sword manual is one of the many skills taught during Corporals Course.Photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Heather Choate

�okinawa marine | FeAtuRe | august 20, 2010

In an age where modern warfighters are accustomed to the idea of guided mis-siles, infrared technology and stealth

bombers, it can be easy to forget that one valuable tool Marines have at their dispos-al is one of the most primitive.

In 1942 the U.S. military first began extensively using canines in war-time operations. Today, military working dogs are accompanying Marines on patrol in Afghanistan to help identify hidden explo-sives as well as assisting military police-men in their duties.

A few good men and a few good dogs are training together on Okinawa to make up III Marine Expeditionary Force’s first deployable dog teams.

The Marines and dogs at Military Police Support Company, III Marine Expedition-ary Force Headquarters Group, are working on putting together 60 K-9 teams to support combat operations in Afghanistan.

“The main reason we’re standing up our dog teams is so that we can relieve I MEF and II MEF when it’s our turn to push out,” said Cpl. Gary Rowan a combat tracking dog handler at MP Support Co. “We’re try-ing to maintain the two to one deployment ratio.”

While many Marines have seen or dealt with the dogs at the local Provost Marshal’s Office, these dogs serve a much different purpose.

“PMO’s dogs are for aiding in law en-forcement activities in garrison,” said Gun-nery Sgt. Michael Ray, operations chief at MP Support Co. “Our dogs and their han-dlers are trained on a variety of different elements specific to combat operations.”

Rowan says the dogs and their handlers are a vital part of supporting combat opera-tions in Afghanistan.

“We need to have these assets in combat to get the bombs that are killing our Ma-rines and to find the guys who are putting the bombs there,” Rowan said

When all 60 teams are stood up, they will include combat tracker teams, spe-cialized search teams, explosives detector teams and drug detector teams.

Each dog team requires specialized training in accordance with their specific

purpose. Combat tracker teams can track enemies or friendly forces during combat operations. Explosives detector teams train to find roadside bombs. Specialized search dogs can be separated from their handler and given commands via radio.

“We push past our set training stan-dards as much as possible,” Rowan said. “You’ll see my dog and I tracking every-where from the woods to the post exchange parking lot.”

Not only can dogs provide support for combat operations but they also serve as a morale booster for Marines around them.

“Mostly everyone grew up with a dog or pet of sorts,” Rowan said. “Having dogs around brings back a piece of home for the Marines.”

Armed with their keen senses and pow-erful mandibles, III MEF dogs and their handlers are anxious to get boots and paws on the ground in Afghanistan.

working dog teams readying for combat

III MEFDevildog

Eiko, a patrol/explosives detection dog with Military Police Support Company, 3rd Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, goes through aggression training on Camp Hansen Aug. 11. MP Support Company’s dogs and handlers are preparing to stand-up III MEF’s first deployable K-9 units.

Cpl. Gary Rowan, a combat tracking dog handler at Military Police Support Company, 3rd Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, traverses an obstacle with his dog Cherry on his shoulder on Camp Hansen Aug. 11.

Cpl. Gary Rowan a combat tracking dog handler at Military Police Support Company, 3rd Marine Headquarters Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conducts aggression training with Eiko, a patrol/explosives detection dog on Camp Hansen Aug. 11.

Story and photos by Lance Cpl. J Navaokinawa marine staff

10 okinawa marine | FeAtuRe | august 20, 2010

Marines and sailors with Com-bined Anti-Armor Team 1, Weapons Company, Battal-

ion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, learned how to patrol and operate in a jungle environment Aug. 3.

This training was conducted in preparation for the 31st MEU’s fall patrol.

“One of the things we will pro-vide the MEU with is our ability to conduct surface Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel missions,” said Gunnery Sgt. John Schmuck, platoon sergeant with CAAT 1.

“Basically, we are sent in to retrieve personnel and equipment behind enemy lines when air support isn’t available,” said Schmuck.

“Since CAAT is a mounted infantry unit, there are limitations to where we can go,” said Lance Cpl. Louis Wood, anti-tank missile-man with CAAT-1. “Okinawa’s jungles are too dense for our trucks, so it’s good that we learn how to operate without them.”

The Marines hiked to a training area carrying rifles, load bearing vests and assault packs with the necessary gear to stay in the field for two days.

Throughout the day, the platoon commander and platoon sergeant conducted classes and guided discus-

sions on jungle warfare operations and tactics.

2nd Lt. Brett Howard, infantry officer and platoon commander with CAAT-1, gave his Marines their first class of the day on scouting, patrol-ling, and establishing an objective rally point.

The class also included instruction about selecting different terrain to bet-ter serve the objective of the mission, and posting security based on where the enemy is most likely to patrol.

Schmuck led classes on the classi-fication of ambushes, observation and listening posts and the importance of hand and arm signals.

“In a jungle environment the enemy can be behind anything so it’s important that movements are quiet and minimal,” said Schmuck. “Using hand and arm signals allows the Ma-rines to communicate with each other without compromising their position.”

“It’s cool to get the opportunity to learn the roots of warfare and fighting on the ground in an environment like this,” said Wood.

“The Marines that deployed be-fore us didn’t get this training, so I feel like we will be a step ahead. It’s important to be well rounded. I’m definitely going to take back a lot of knowledge from this experience,” Wood concluded.

Meu Marines prepare to deploy with jungle training

PATROL OPERATIONS

Story and photos by Lance Cpl. Tyler C. Vernaza31st meu correspondent

Gunnery Sgt. John Schmuck, platoon sergeant with Combined Anti-Armor Team 1, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, Battalion Landing Team, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, talks with Marines over chow about different types of ambushes and the best ways to employ them during jungle warfare training, Aug. 3. The two-day exercise taught various techniques to help Marines operate in a jungle environment.

Lance Cpl. Vernon Graham, vehicle commander with Combined Anti-Armor Team 1, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, Battalion Landing Team, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, briefs a plan of approach before conducting a foot patrol, Aug. 3.

11okinawa marine | cOMMunity PLAce | august 20, 2010

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TODAY Toy Story 3 (g), 3 p.m.; The other guys (pg13), 6 p.m.; Salt (pg13), 9 p.m. SATURDAY Shrek Forever after (pg), noon; Just Wright (pg), 3 p.m.; The a-Team (pg13), 6 p.m.; Salt (pg13), 9 p.m.SUNDAY Toy Story 3 (g), 1 p.m.; Salt (pg13), 4 p.m.; The Expendables (r), 7 p.m.MONDAY The karate kid (pg), 3 p.m.; The a-Team (pg13), 7 p.m.TUESDAY Jonah Hex (pg13), 7 p.m.WEDNESDAY The a-Team (pg13), 7 p.m.THURSDAY Toy Story 3 (g), 3 p.m.; The Expend-ables (r), 7 p.m.

FutenMATODAY Jonah Hex (pg13), 6:30 p.m.SATURDAY The Expendables (r), 4 and 7 p.m.SUNDAY The karate kid (pg), 4 p.m.; Jonah Hex (pg13), 7 p.m.MONDAY cats & Dogs: The revenge of kitty galore (pg), 6:30 p.m.TUESDAY closedWEDNESDAY closedTHURSDAY closed

KinseRTODAY The a-Team (pg13), 6:30 p.m.SATURDAY The Sorcerer’s apprentice (pg13), 3 and 6:30 p.m.SUNDAY Toy Story 3 (g), 3 p.m.; The a-Team (pg13), 6:30 p.m.MONDAY closedTUESDAY The a-Team (pg13), 6:30 p.m.WEDNESDAY The Expendables (r), 3 and 6:30 p.m.THURSDAY Toy Story 3 (g), 6:30 p.m.

hAnsen TODAY The a-Team (pg13), 6 and 9 p.m. SATURDAY cats & Dogs: The revenge of kitty galore (pg), 6 and 9 p.m.SUNDAY Toy Story 3 (g), 2 p.m.; The a-Team (pg13), 5:30 p.m.MONDAY The Expendables (r), 7 p.m.TUESDAY The Expendables (r), 6 and 9 p.m.WEDNESDAY The a-Team (pg13), 7 p.m.THURSDAY The a-Team (pg13), 7 p.m.

KADenATODAY The a-Team (pg13), 6 p.m.; The last airbender (pg), 9 p.m.SATURDAY closedSUNDAY Toy Story 3 (g), 1 p.m.; The other guys (pg13), 4 and 7 p.m.MONDAY closedTUESDAY closedWEDNESDAY closedTHURSDAY Toy Story 3 (g), 7 p.m.

cOuRtneyTODAY The Expendables (r), 6 and 9 p.m.SATURDAY ramona and beezus (g), 2 p.m.; The karate kid (pg), 6 p.m.SUNDAY ramona and beezus (g), 2 p.m.; cats & Dogs: The revenge of kitty galore (pg), 6 p.m.MONDAY Jonah Hex (pg13), 7 p.m.TUESDAY closedWEDNESDAY The other guys (pg13), 7 p.m.THURSDAY closed

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theAteR DiRectORyCAMP FOSTER 645-3465

KADENA AIR BASE 634-1869(USO NIGHT) 632-8781

MCAS FUTENMA 636-3890(USO NIGHT) 636-2113

CAMP COURTNEY 622-9616

CAMP HANSEN 623-4564(USO NIGHT) 623-5011

CAMP KINSER 637-2177

CAMP SCHWAB 625-2333(USO NIGHT) 625-3834

Movie schedule is subject to change without notice. Call in advance to confirm show times. For a complete listing, visit http://www.aafes.com.

Aug. 20 - Aug. 26

chAPeL scheDuLeCamp Foster | 645-7486• Catholic: Mon.-Fri., 11:45 a.m.; Sat., 5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.• Christian Science: Sun., 11 a.m., Bldg. 442• Eastern Orthodox: Sun., 9:30 a.m., Vespers, Sat., 5 p.m.• Gospel: Sun., 11:30 a.m.• Hindu: Sat., 3:30 p.m.• Jewish: Informal: 1st, 3rd Fri., 6:30 p.m.• Muslim: Fri., Prayer, 12:45 p.m.• Protestant: Sun., 8:30 a.m.• Lutheran: Sun., 5 p.m.

Camp sChWab | 622-9350• Catholic: Sun., 5:30 p.m.• Protestant: Sun., 4 p.m.

Camp Courtney | 622-9350• Catholic: Sun., 8 a.m.;• Protestant: Sun., Sunday School 9:30 a.m.; Service, 10:45 a.m.

Camp hansen | 622-9350• Catholic: Sun., 10 a.m., E. Chapel• Protestant: Sun., 11 a.m., W. Chapel

Camp mctureous | 622-9350• Gospel: Sun., 12:30 p.m.

Kadena air base | 634-1288• Catholic: Sun., 8:30 a.m., Mass, Chapel 3; Sun., 11:30 a.m., Reconciliation, Chapel 3; Sun., 12:30 p.m., Mass, Chapel 3; Sun., 5 p.m., Mass, Chapel 2; Daily Mass, Mon.-Fri., noon, Chapel 2• Contemporary: Sun., 10:30 a.m., Kadena High School• Gospel: Sunday School, 9 a.m., Bldg. 856; Service 10:30 a.m., Chapel 3• Inspirational: Sun., 8:30 a.m., Chapel 2; • Protestant: Sun., 10 a.m., Chapel 2;• Traditional: Sun., 10:30 a.m., Chapel 2;• Wiccan/Pagan: Sat., 2 p.m., Bldg. 856

Camp Lester | 643-7248• Catholic: Sun., 8 a.m., Lester Chapel Mon., 10 a.m., Thurs., 9 a.m., Liturgy of Word at Hospital Chapel • Non-Denominational: Sun., 9 a.m., Hospital Chapel; Sun., 10 a.m., Lester Chapel

mCas Futenma | 636-3058• Catholic: Sun., noon• Contemporary: Fri., 7 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.

Camp Kinser | 637-1148• Catholic: Sun., noon• Protestant: Sun., 9 a.m.

For more activities and information, contact the Single Marine Program at 645-3681

All bus pick-up points will be at Semper Fit gyms or the Foster Fieldhouse.

OKINAWA WORLD (NORTHERN CAMPS): AUG. 29• if you are looking for a fun day-long adventure, then you should consider okinawa World. With a total length of 3.1 miles, gyokusendo cave is the longest of the many caves in south okinawa, and Japan's second longest. 2,789 feet of the cave are open to the public and feature spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. Sign up deadline is aug. 25. bus will leave camp Schwab at 10:55 a.m. and camp Hansen at 11:25 a.m.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES• Zukeran Elementary School campus clean-up aug. 25-26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and aug. 27 from 8-11 a.m.

• E.c. killin Elementary School campus clean-up aug. 27 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

rifle rangeStaff Sgt. Jason R. Adkins,Marine Headquarters Group, 341

Sgt. Alexander Fried,3rd Reconnaissance Bn., 341

pistol range no detail this week

aug. 9 - 13

mention of any company in this notice does not constitute endorsement by the marine corps.

Ads appearing in the Okinawa Marine are a free service to active duty military and their dependents, DoD employees and retirees. Ads are restricted to personal property or service of incidental exchange. Ads are run on a space-available basis. The deadline for ads is noon Fridays. The Okinawa Marine reserves the right to edit ads to fit available space. Please include your name and the phone number you wish published. The Okinawa Marine makes every effort to ensure accuracy but assumes no responsibility for services offered in ads. Submit ads by fax to 645-3803, or send an e-mail to okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil.

cLAssiFieD ADs

PATROL OPERATIONS

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Story and photos by Lance Cpl. J Navaokinawa marine staff

Since 2008, the Okinawa Youth Football League has offered youth on Okinawa a chance to play football and experi-

ence cheerleading. This year’s training camp started Saturday and goes to Aug. 21.

OYFL is a non-profit league for children ages 5 to 14 years old and is comprised

of an all volunteer staff. This year’s OYFL season starts Oct. 4 and

runs through Dec. 18.“We’re here to get the kids back in the

mindset of football after the summer

vacation,” said Christopher

Osmun, Camp Foster Pee-Wee coach. “We want to give them experience so that they’re caught up with their peers when they return to the states.”

Although the league’s main goal is to of-fer youngsters on Okinawa a chance to pad up and take a couple of hits, OYFL players walk off the field with more than just a few bruises and grass stains.

“Playing football teaches these kids funda-mentals that every young man should know,” said Michael Wooten, OYFL commissioner. “It teaches them discipline and the impor-tance of hard work and perseverance.”

“It helps these boys understand that if they put hard work into something, in the long run it pays off,” he added.

OYFL is the only program on the island that offers full contact football for young

children. Both boys and girls can play in OYFL and participate in either sport.

Wooten says this year is a turning point for the league.

“We have created a set of bi-laws and rules for the league,” Wooten said. “We have a lot of people here that are very passionate about providing this program for the kids.”

Apart from football, OYFL also offers children an opportunity to be cheerleaders. Experienced coaches teach children basic cheer and tumbling techniques.

This season’s turnout is expected to be between 450 and 500 children.

Saturday is the last day for sign-up, from 6 to 8 p.m at the Four Diamonds softball fields near the Risner gym on Kadena Air Base.

For more information visit okinawayouth-footballleague.com.

okinawa marine | sPORts | august 20, 2010

Youth Football League gears up for season

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TOP: Okinawa Youth Football League participants perform blocking drills during the first weekend of training camp Aug. 15. LEFT: Mozan Daniels, a participant in the Okinawa Youth Football League, performs tackling drills with his coach Ty Francis, during the first weekend of training camp Aug. 15.

Young girls participating

as cheerleaders in the Okinawa Youth Football

League practice cheers during the first weekend of

training camp Aug. 15.