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THURSDAY JUNE 2, 2011
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Parisi relinquishes command of Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy nery sergeants bettering themselves personally and professionally, bringing the utmost level of dedication to his position as possible. “This is a very, very emotional day for me, but with me or without me, this machine known as the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy will keep rolling,” said Parisi. “I just want to remind you all that it’s not about us – it’s about those who look to us for leadership. Use this event as a time to reflect on that.” The guest speaker for the event, Sgt. Maj. William Skiles, sergeant major of the Marine Corps University, spoke about the academy’s importance in today’s foreign conflicts as well as making a difference in those who instruct and attend the academy. “The point isn’t to be in charge of the academy, but to leave a significant impression here as well as on the Marines,” said Skiles. “(Parisi) has done this, and there is no doubt in my mind that Sgt. Maj. Weber will do the same.” Skiles also spoke to the Marine staff and students in attendance, thanking them for voluntarily taking on the responsibility of attending the academy. Weber, entering the Corps as a landing support specialist for 2nd Landing Support Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group (now
CPL. JONATHAN G. WRIGHT
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
M
ade popular by the Zack Snyder movie “300,” the exploits of the ancient Greek Spartans were brought to the public’s eye, spreading like wildfire as the strength and honor among those warriors faceted as a visual adrenaline boost for the watcher. Since then, the analogy of pure strength and motivation is that someone is dubbed a Spartan, and one such man, a Spartan who “puts the boom in shaka laka,” passes helm to another such warrior in his stead. In a ceremony held at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy aboard Camp Johnson, Sgt. Maj. Todd Parisi relinquished command as director of the SNCOA to Sgt. Maj. Timothy Weber, May 24. “His spirit and enthusiasm changed things here (at the SNCOA) for the better,” said Gunnery Sgt. Hector Vicente, staff noncommissioned officer in charge for Sergeants’ Course at the academy. “We’re all going to miss him.” With a reputation to “pound bones into small things and smaller things into dust,” Parisi has spent the last two and a half years overseeing thousands of corporals through gun-
Marine Logistics Group), and making his way up to being the battalion sergeant major of 8th Communications Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, spoke on the importance of the position he has been called upon to fill and the honor it has given him. “Education is one of the most important things we as Marines can strive to get,” said Weber. “The times of the ‘dumb’ grunt following only the officer’s words are gone. They now know what is expected of them and what to do from there. For that, I will do my part to help write the next chapter in the SNCOA book and do everything in my power to get you what you need.” As the colors were passed from outgoing to incoming, Parisi’s eyes spoke of heavy emotion, but not regret. As he now steps further down the path of his Marine Corps career as sergeant major for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, he can be assured that another Marine with his knowledge and zeal will hold the SNCOA to the high standard it is known for. “The last thing I want to leave you all with is what leadership boils down to,” said Parisi. “The most important thing in leadership is if people know you care, they will run through hell, gargle napalm and backflip into concertina wire with a smile – because they know you care.”
Photo by Cpl. Jonathan G. Wright
Sgt. Maj. Todd Parisi (right), outgoing director of the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, passes the colors off to Sgt. Maj. Timothy Weber, incoming director, at the academy aboard Camp Johnson, May 24. Weber, who is coming from his recent billet as sergeant major of the 8th Communications Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, is replacing Parisi, who is to become the sergeant major for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
World Famous Body Bearers take fallen Marines to final resting place LANCE CPL. MIRANDA BLACKBURN Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Only a small fraction of the American population are allowed the privilege of holding the title of a United States Marine, but an even smaller fraction of that populous have the honor of calling themselves the World Famous Body Bearers. A detail of six hand-selected Marines show their honor, respect and appreciation of a fall-
Photo by Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbrough
Marine Corps Body Bearers carry the body of Maj. Gen. Warren R. Johnson Sr. inside the Memorial Chapel at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Oct. 26, 2010. Johnson, who was a retired artillery officer, was buried in Arlington National Ceremony.
en brother or sister as they carry a flag-draped casket holding a Marine veteran who quite possibly lost their life in the line of duty, a sacrifice that was freely given and an outward sign of his or her faithful sense of duty to a cause larger than themselves. As body bearers, their mission is to conduct funerals for Marines, Marine veterans and Marine dependents at Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries in the SEE BEARERS 2C
As the temperature rises, so do heat injuries Piney Green gate construction underway CPL. JONATHAN G. WRIGHT
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
O
n July 8, 1999, Lance Cpl. Giuseppe Leto participated in an eight-mile company hike aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The company commander marched the unit too quickly with no rest periods in the near-90 degree heat. During the course of the hike, fellow Marines observed Leto vomiting and sweating excessively, and after the hike, he wandered off from the unit, only to be found dead hours later. The resulted cause of death was heat-related. While the garrison Marine of MCB Camp Lejeune and the deployed Marine in Helmand province, Afghanistan, share few daily similarities, one thing is parallel, especially during the current time of year: heat. While the differences in terrain are obvious, the men and women in uniform in both locations are required to take measures to guard against the oppressive heat, or become another statistic. “Some people think ‘I’m hydrated, so I’m protected,’” said Cmdr. Steve Blivin, physician with the Family and Sports Medicine Department of Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. “There are many more factors in guarding yourself against heat-related injuries, not just hydrating when you feel like it.” With the summer season quickly making its presence known aboard MCB Camp Lejeune, the possibility for heat casualties is on the rise, having already struck various service members aboard the base unlucky enough to exercise unprepared. “No one wants to get the infamous silver bullet (rectal thermometer),” said Blivin. “But further, no one wants to end up dead.” While rare, death can be the result of a culmination of heat-related effects on the body, and while Marines may not necessarily die if they under-hydrate or do not properly prepare for physical
training in the heat, there is a multitude of unpleasant outcomes. “The spectrum of exertional heat injuries ranges from simple heat cramps to life threatening heat stroke,” said Blivin. “Common sense and an understanding of (these injuries) are essential to their effective identification, prevention and treatment.” There are four types of heat-related injuries dictated by two major risk factors. Judged by a marriage of environmental and personal determinants, such as types of clothing worn, working out with others rather than alone and inadequate sleep, all contribute to how one’s body can be effected by the hot weather. The four types of heat-related injuries and their remedies are as follow: Heat cramps: Painful muscle spasms of the legs, arms and torso caused by under-hydration. Can be treated with salty foods and proper fluids. Heat syncope: Fainting or collapsing caused by blood pooling in the legs (not properly circulating to the brain). Occurs commonly after running if the runner does not take a cooldown walk/jog. Can be treated with shade, water and laying flat with the legs elevated. Heat exhaustion: Fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, cramps, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate or dizziness may occur. Can be treated by elevating the legs above the heart, properly hydrated, minimizing clothing and resting in a cool place. Heat stroke: Collapsing or mental status change, such as being uncommonly giddy, agitated or combative, and occurs with little to no signs and is the most serious of the four. Can be treated by maintaining the casualty’s airway, removing him from the heat and sun, removing all clothing while keeping necessary undergarments on and dousing with water until a corpsman or other medical attendant arrives. In the past five years, there have been a recorded 628 heat-related injuries events aboard MCB Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River alone, with a total of 564
casualties in 2010. “There are some treatment steps in every instance, but the most important thing in guarding against these injuries is to prevent them beforehand,” said Blivin. There are a number of safeguards on every installation to help protect against heat-related injuries, such as the heat flag activity system and various water coolers placed along running paths, but the prevention steps ultimately start and end with the individual service member. Taking into consideration such factors as proper sleep, proper clothing, balanced hydration and knowing one’s own physical limitations will help defend against said heat injuries. “One of the biggest things we try to stress is to watch what you drink,” said Blivin. “Alcohol has no role in sports performance – you don’t need to be drinking it before working out.” Energy drinks are also something to watch out for. In moderation, caffeine is a performance enhancer, but taking too much will adversely affect the body. Water is also something to be kept in moderation, for while the concept of excessive hydration is thought by some to to be sufficient, it will in fact over-hydrate the body, causing hyponatremia, or water intoxication. “Drink to your thirst, but definitely no more than three gallons per day, or 12 liters,” said Blivin. “I was involved in an investigation with a heat-related death, and the victim, prior to working out, drank 18 liters of water.” The welfare of the Marines, sailors and civilians aboard MCB Camp Lejeune is of the utmost importance, and even though the base takes a variety of measures to guard against such things as heat injuries, it is reliant on the individual person to ensure he or she does not fall victim to the rising temperature. Knowing one’s limits, preparing beforehand and properly ensuring the right measures have been taken are all part of keeping the garrison Marine healthy at home so he can be advantageous overseas.
LANCE CPL. VICTOR BARRERA
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
M
arine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s commercial vehicle entrance control facility, better known as the Piney Green Gate, is currently under construction and once completed, will heighten base security. The contractors who are currently building the new main gate on Holcomb Boulevard have also been tasked with the Piney Green Gate, which is slated to be finished by early fall of this year. The contract includes improvements to Old Sawmill Road, which serves as a connection to Holcomb Boulevard and Piney Green Road, and also a new traffic signal on Lejeune Boulevard. “This will help improve traffic going in and out of the base,” said Navy Lt. Michael Carr, a project manager with the Officer in Charge of Construction, Marine Corps Installation East. “The construction on Piney Green will also enhance protection with the new and improved Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection measures installed.” When all construction is completed, there will be five lanes outbound lanes and two inbound lanes compared to the three outbound and one inbound that Piney Green Road currently has. For commercial vehicles that come on base, the gate will have a commercial vehicle inspection area. “We have moved the gate further into the base like the one that is currently being constructed on Holcomb,” said Carr. “We have also added a nonlethal vehicle barrier, which will meet the AntiTerrorism Force Protection requirements.” For decorative purposes, gates will be added from the Piney Green Gate to Lejeune Boulevard. With it will be a crash-rated gate that can be used when the Piney Green Gate is closed on weekends. The decorative gates on the outgoing side of the road will be constructed roughly 90 feet away from the road because of an upcoming project that will add two extra lanes, one outbound and the other inbound which will run all the way down to Sneads Ferry Road. SEE GATE 2C