Read below from Stars and Stripes, HM2 Harris is a hero in my book–D/C

HM2 Harris receiving awards.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa — Two Bronze Stars and a Navy Commendation Medal, all for valor, are commonplace at awards ceremonies these days. But when the three medals are pinned on the chest of a single person — who also is meritoriously promoted — people notice.

Petty Officer 3rd Class William J. Harris, a Navy corpsman, stood at attention as he was lauded for his heroics in Afghanistan during a brief ceremony Monday at Futenma.

“HM3 Harris proves you can not only do the right thing once, but you can do it continually,” Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general of 1st Marine Air Wing, told the more than 200 Marines and sailors in attendance.

The three medals were for separate actions against hostile forces while Harris was assigned to Embedded Training Team 5-4 to assist the Afghanistan National Army.

According to his first Bronze Star citation, Harris participated in more than 60 combat operations and was involved in more than 50 engagements with enemy forces.

On Jan. 17, 2009, Harris provided heavy machine gun fire to ward off insurgents who were closing in on a downed CH-47 in the Korengal Valley.

“[The insurgents] rushed the aircraft to see if there were any survivors,” the 24-year-old Monroe, Mich., native recalled Monday.

He “jumped up on the guns” and kept the enemy at bay, allowing helicopters to evacuate the casualties.

The Navy Commendation Medal was pinned on for moving an Afghan National Army element “to a safe and covered location allowing them more effective engagements with numerous enemy force positions” during a firefight July 1, according to the citation. During the same battle, he treated a wounded Afghan soldier and brought him to safety.

But Harris wasn’t done.

On July 30 he “risked his own life to move 400 meters under heavy fire to secure and treat a wounded U.S. Army soldier,” his second Bronze Star citation reads.

He then organized a litter team and led it more than 500 meters, again under heavy fire, to a secure location where he provided first aid until the soldier could be evacuated.

“Harris was an astonishing warrior and sailor throughout his entire ETT deployment to Afghanistan,” Capt. John Farris, Harris’ officer in charge in Afghanistan, said in an e-mail from Hawaii. “The bottom line is that what led Harris to his receiving three awards at once was his leadership and courage during the most ferocious of times.”

After the ceremony, the newly frocked Petty Officer 2nd Class Harris reflected on his time in Afghanistan.

“I loved it out there,” Harris said. “I loved working alongside the ANA. I ate, worked and slept alongside them. If there was another billet opening up, you can sign me up.”

HM2 Qi was with OHSU DALLAS DET C from NOSC Austin, TX and volunteered to mobilize and deploy with 4th LAR out of Camp Pendleton, CA.

He was on foot patrol in Helmand Province when a suicide bomber attacked. Didn’t make it to MTF.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Xin’s family, shipmates, Marines and Friends.

The official Notification Reads:

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Xin Qi, 25, of Cordova, Tenn., died Jan. 23, while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan. Qi was assigned to Fourth Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan.

For further information related to this release, contact Marine Forces Reserve Public Affairs at 504-235-6128.

I don’t have a picture of HM2, but when we obtain one I will post it.

D/C

HMCM William R. Charette, CMOH Awardee

When a visitor enters the lobby of the “old” Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, VA, this visitor sees on both sides of a passageway a gallery
of photos and letters attached to each photo. This is an accountability of former Pharmacists Mates, Hopitalmen, and Navy Corpsman who earned the nations higest award, The Congressional Medal of Honor. These bios go back as far as the Civil War. When one reads the Leters of Commendation attached to these photos, one asks,

“Who were these men?”

“Where were they from?”

Read the commendations and one can see, these men did not ask to heros, they did the job they were trained for.

Research of WWII history tells us four Navy Corpsman earned this medal on Iwo Jima and three were award during the battle of Okinawa.

These men were from different States of the US and they did not look to be heros, they were trained in he tradition of the US Navy Hospital
Corp, and joined the Navy to serve thier country. They alone knew the hazards and where willing to serve when called. Some gave thier life.

The “new” Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, VA, is named for William R. Charette, Hospital Corpsman Third Class of MIchigan, who
was awarded the Nations Highest Award, for action in Korea in 1953.

NOTE:
The following was written by Brian Williams of NBC News back in 2007.  A great Article.  Original can be found here:  Brian Williams Article

William Charette’s parents died when he was four, and he was raised by an uncle. After high school, he took a job on a Lake Michigan ferryboat, which led him to join the Navy. There was a shortage of medical corpsmen, so he volunteered. He worked in a Navy hospital for a year, then volunteered again, this time as a medic with the Marine Corps. He was assigned to a rifle company in the Seventh Marines in Korea. In the spring of 1953, Navy Corpsman Charette’s Marine unit was in an area near Panmunjom between North and South Korea, guarding the route to the South Korean capital of Seoul.

In the early-morning hours of March 27, Chinese troops overran three outposts on a hill the Americans called Vegas; the Marines counterattacked to retake the position several hours later. It was the beginning of a solid twenty-four hours of combat. The well-entrenched enemy hit the Americans with small arms and mortar fire. As the Marines tried to ascend Vegas Hill, the Chinese rolled grenades down on them. There were so many explosions that Charette couldn’t keep count.

At one point, he was working on a badly wounded rifleman when a Chinese grenade hit nearby. Figuring that the man couldn’t survive another wound, Charette threw himself over his body. The explosion tore off Charette’s helmet, destroyed his medical pack, and knocked him out. When he came to and couldn’t see because of the blood in his eyes caused by shrapnel wounds to his face, he thought he was blind. But his vision eventually cleared, and he returned to his duties. Charette’s medical supplies were destroyed by enemy fire, but he improvised by tearing off pieces of his uniform to make bandages for the men in his unit as well as for those in nearby platoons. He put his own battle vest on a wounded Marine whose vest had been destroyed by an explosion. When a trench was completely blown out, he swiftly went to the aid of five soldiers wounded in the explosion. One of them was severely injured, his leg nearly severed.

When the order came at dawn to pull back and Marines started carrying the wounded out, they had to bend down to avoid enemy fire and were unable to get the man out without injuring him further. Charette picked the Marine up in his arms and, standing up despite enemy guns, carried him to safety. Following this engagement, Charette was pulled back in reserve. He was recommended for the Navy Cross, but as the citation was forwarded up through the ranks, it was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

In all, five Navy corpsmen were recommended for the medal during the Korean War. Charette was the only one who survived to receive it. On Jan. 12, 1954, William Charette received the medal from President Dwight Eisenhower. The man who explained the protocol for the ceremony to him, submarine commander Captain Edward L. Beach, Jr., the president’s naval aide, went on to write the best-selling Run Silent, Run Deep. Years later Charette served under Beach on the USS Triton.

We are seriously looking for contributors to Corpsman.com.

If your interested in providing 1-3 articles a week and becoming a contributor to a section, Please email me ASAP.

I can’t even sit at my desk right now, I injured my back and can only sit here if at all 10 minutes at a time.  I can however read and edit articles sent to me via email or I can give access to a writer to a section to post their own stories or articles.

Sections I am looking for..

Veteran / VA section

Corpsman / Medic Advancement Articles

Spouse / Dependant articles..

Recruiting / Retention Articles

Career Counseling Articles.. (SonarMark, can you do this actual articles?)

Corpsman / Medic History articles

General News / Military News articles.

A Editor / Helper to keep us up to date with our Advancement area.

If interested, please email me at admin1@corpsman.com with your interest.   I will ask you to write me a 500 word article just to see if you know the difference between “A and An”..

Thanks all, I need to get this site up and going again, but just cannot physically do it.  I was hoping my back was going to get better but it’s not.  I am going to have to get evaluated for the “S” word.

Thanks!

Da-Chief
Corpsman.com

Mash Surgery

It’s extremely hard to fight 2 wars at the same time and also stomp out fires all over the globe be it pirates or tsunami’s etc.

The top U.S. military officer said Tuesday that he’s confident that most of the 30,000 additional troops that are being sent to Afghanistan will be there by August.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters traveling with him in Afghanistan that the first 16,000 troops who already have orders will be in on schedule.

On Monday, Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, the second-highest ranking U.S. general in Afghanistan, said the rapid escalation of American troops would take longer than expected, possibly as long as 11 months. Rodriguez blamed the delay on the logistical challenges the military faces in bringing in so many forces so quickly.

You can read the whole article here on Navy Times: Mullen: Afghan surge troops in place by Aug.

Happy Veterans Day 2009

First the links to today’s shows as promised:

Retention and Recruiting info for FY2010

http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/906D94A9-06C1-403C-91FA-CF836EB86F46/0/NAV09321.txt

fraud ring targeted deployed soldier – Army News, news from Iraq, – Army Times

AF seeks nominations for heroism award – Air Force News, news from Iraq – Air Force Times

Chiefs: Eval delays cost us chance to advance – Navy News, news from Iraq – Navy Times

Tell us what you think: Buying your own gear – Navy News, news from Iraq – Navy Times

U.S. troops likely added soon in Afghanistan – MarineCorpsTimes.com

And the Show notes from Melissa and Karen for the “FAMILY GOODNESS” segment.

In General:
Always check with your local ASYMCA, MWR, and Fleet and Family Support Center for programs in your area.

VETERANS DAY:

Lowe’s Veteran’s Day discount – 10%

Home Depot-10%

Golden Corral-Monday 11/16 from 5-9pm

Applebee’s-Free meal from special menu

Outback Steakhouse-free bloomin’ onion and beverage

THANKSGIVING

Lakes Thanksgiving adopt a sailor program http://www.cnic.navy.mil/GreatLakes/index.htm

Holiday Military Connection program sponsored by Skype and the USO http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091109005061&newsLang=en

CHRISTMAS

Holiday Care Package Deadline Approaches

For military service members stationed around the globe, holiday mail is a big morale boost. The recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military installations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is November 13, 2009.

Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $13.95, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to $11.95. Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online. Flat-Rate boxes are free at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online any time using Click-N-Ship.

The Postal Service continues to show support to those serving by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Care Kit. Each kit includes two “America Supports You” large Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat-Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape, and six customs forms with envelopes.

For APO/FPO zip code specific military mailing deadlines, go to: http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2009/pr09_082.htm.

USO Hawaii-I was playing around on the USO Hawaii website and found that they are giving some Holiday Help in the form of food to E6 & below. I’m not sure if this would help any of you ladies but thought I’d post it. I also don’t know how long it’s been up there and it says it’s for the first 40 responders…so if you do respond..good luck!

USO in general-check with your local USO to see what programs they are offering this holiday season.

ASYMCA San Diego-Holiday shopping http://militaryymca.com/index.php?option=com_eventlist&Itemid=99999999&func=details&did=507

ASYMCA 29 Palms-Holiday:

Designed for military personnel and/or their families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, the ASYMCA partners with unit representatives to provide donated gift certificates from the commissary, exchange, local grocery store, phone cards, etc. for those in need. Approximately 708 military personnel and/or their families received certificates in 2007. The ASYMCA also hosts a Holiday Party for military personnel and/or their families. Simple refreshments are served and donated toys, gifts, etc. are distributed. Approximately 600 families participate in this event.

Check with the ASYMCA in your area for specific programs.

Free Christmas trees- www.treesfortroops.org info for GL area http://www.mwrgl.com/Default.htm

Operation Homefront Online Holiday toy shop http://www.operationhomefront.net/HolidayGiving.asp

Operation Homefront Online holiday programs, check with local chapter http://www.operationhomefront.net/holiday.htm

Operation Ensuring Christmas http://www.opchristmas.org/

And last but not least our videos, which unfortunately are in 3 parts as Stickam was crapping out all night.  You can also download the audio version to listen to as well which is just one file.

Leave any comments or suggestions @ admin1@corpsman.com .

It gets people seeing red, green, sandy and they just go plain NUTS!!

NUTS I SAY!!

It seems that Congress wants to mandate our operational uniforms.  (WHO KNEW? )
But first.. I want to show you the 4 services Cammie uniforms, and then I will post the article from Navytimes.

For once I have to say.. Congress has a point.

That and the Air Force Uniform Belt, reminds me of Santa Clause’s belt!

Without further ado..

The US ARMY, a smart looking uniform, makes sense!

Army Operational Uniform

Same with the USMC, a great well thought out uniform.

Marine Corps Cammies

And now the uniforms where you just wonder who thought them up..

The Navy. Because everyone knows it is so easy to see a blue uniform that exactly matches waves in the Sea!!

Nice "BLUE" Cammies

And last but Not least.. And really.. I think it looks like they should be tour guides in Australia.. The US AIR FORCE!

ACKKK!!!!

So here is the article from NavyTimes.. Enjoy and comment below!

Lawmakers have dropped the idea of making everyone in combat wear the exact same uniform and camouflage pattern.

But out of concern for safety, function and performance, they want more cooperation between the services over ground combat and utility clothing.

The key concern is that U.S. personnel wearing different uniforms in a combat zone raise the risk of friendly fire.

The services raised enough of a fuss about having different needs that lawmakers dropped from the 2010 defense authorization bill a proposed requirement to standardize combat uniforms in the future.

In a report accompanying the defense bill, congressional negotiators agreed that the services may have uniforms that “uniquely reflect the identity of the individual services.” But the report says lawmakers still want uniforms that minimize the risk of mistaken identity and share technological advances and improvements across all services.

Lawmakers also directed the services to establish joint criteria for ground combat uniforms, and expect special operations forces to be covered by the joint standards.

To prod more cooperation in uniforms, lawmakers ordered a quick, 180-day assessment by the Government Accountability Office that will look at what uniforms are now in use, their advantages, similarities and differences.

Comment below, this oughta be fun!!

“This is pure fantasy,” said Cmdr. Cappy Surette, a spokesman for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.

The report aims to incite opposition to the mandatory vaccine that all service members will receive in the coming months, Surrette said. It has been circulating online since September and provides few details about the “unnamed Navy vessel.”

“PLEASE pass this email along. The truth is that the swine flu epidemic will be created BY THE VACCINE. If we don’t take it, there will be no epidemic,” read one e-mail obtained by Navy Times.

The report’s source is cited as “The International Forecaster,” a Web site run by a retired stockbroker who frequently posts shrill reports of imminent global economic meltdowns alongside advertisements for investing in gold.

The Navy has reported no incidents of the H1N1 flu vaccine making anyone sick, Surette said.

Thank you to John Wiley for writing this up and helping us remember.

Marine Barracks Bombing Beirut, Oct 23rd 1983

On October 23,1983 two suicide truck bombers attacked the Marine Barracks in Beirut.  241 American troops were killed during that attack.  Among the dead were 15 Navy Corpsmen.

These “Devil Docs”were not killed in the heat of battle.   Their stories don’t ring out in the history books with accounts of them crawling under live fire to save a fellow Marine.  Their deaths were not in vain.

They died doing their duty as Navy Corpsmen.

Going about their daily rounds,checking on their men.

Perhaps even sitting on a bunk listening to a fellow Marine and talking of home.

None of them will be considered for a “MEDAL OF HONOR” and their names will not go down in the history books but they all died as heroes.  They were doing what all FMF Corpsmen do.  They were doing their job.  Abiding by the oath that we all took in Corpsman School.

I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE MYSELF BEFORE GOD AND THESE WITNESSES TO PRACTICE FAITHFULLY
ALL OF MY DUTIES AS A MEMBER OF THE HOSPITAL CORPS.

These men all died as “Heroes”in my opinion and gave their lives doing their duty.

They will not be forgotten.

September 25, 2009

Secretary Shinseki Orders Emergency Checks to Students Awaiting Education Benefits

Thousands of Checks to Alleviate Student Financial Burden

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment.  The checks will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional benefits offices across the country starting Oct. 2, 2009.

“Students should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties,” Secretary Shinseki said.  “Education creates life-expanding opportunities for our Veterans.”

Starting Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, students can go to one of VA’s 57 regional benefit offices with a photo ID and a course schedule to request advance payment of their education benefits.  Because not all these offices are located near students, VA expects to send representatives to schools with large Veteran-student bodies and work with Veteran Service Organizations to help students with transportation needs.

A list of those VA regional offices is available at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/offices.asp.

“I’m asking our people to get out their road maps and determine how we can reach the largest number of college students who can’t reach us,” VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick Dunne said. “Not everyone has a car.  Not everyone can walk to a VA benefits office.”

Although VA does not know how many students will request emergency funds, it has approximately 25,000 claims pending that may result in payments to students.

The funds VA will give to students now are advance payments of the earned benefits for education.  This money will be deducted from future education payments.

VA officials said students should know that after this special payment, they can expect to receive education payments on the normal schedule — the beginning of the month following the period for which they are reimbursed.

“This is an extraordinary action we’re taking,” said Shinseki. “But it’s necessary because we recognize the hardships some of our Veterans face.”

More than 27,500 students have already received benefits for housing or books under the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, or their schools received their tuition payments.