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N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E

2 D M A R I N E

D I V I S I O N B A N D One Shot One Kill

I N S I D E

T H I S

I S S U E :

Training 2

All Star Jazz 3

Hail and

Farewell 3

Awards 4

Re-

Enlistments 5

Featured

Marine 5

6

Featured

Fan 7

8

This Month

in History

8

9

Upcoming

Events

10

Tone Deaf 10

“The Division’s Own” J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y , 2 0 1 3 I S S U E 1 0

By Cpl Kyle Moncrieff

Left: Cpl Laderer scores the rapid fire strain with the lollipop stick. Above: SSgt Dwyer firing the 200 yard line slow fire.

Every year, Marines are required to take a break from their regular operations in order to qualify at the rifle range. The rifle range is a two week evolution that consists of grass week and firing week. During grass week, Marines receive classes on using a rifle data book, proper shooting fundamentals, weapons handling, and the course of fire they will execute on the range. Marines also use this time to practice the proper shooting positions and fundamentals using dry-fire exercises, also known as “snapping in.” During the second week, Marines qualify on two tables of fire. Table One is shot from three distances: 200 yards, 300 yards, and 500 yards. At the 200 yard line, Marines will have twenty minutes to shoot 15 rounds from the sitting, kneeling, and standing positions. After the slow fire portion, the Marines will get back into the sitting position and fire 10 rounds in a time limit of sixty seconds. Once com-plete, they will walk to the 300 yard line. Here they will have five minutes to take 5 shots from the sit-ting position before moving to the prone, where they will shoot their second and final rapid fire strain. With the day almost complete, Marines will move to the 500 yard line; here they will have ten minutes to shoot 10 rounds from the prone position, thus completing Table One.

Table Two begins with ballistics classes, techniques for shooting at close range, and the “combat mind-set.” Marines will then fire a rapid series of drills at a silhouette target from 25 yards while transition-ing between standing and kneeling. To conclude Table Two, Marines fire from the 100 yard line at mov-ing targets.

During the courses of fire, those who are not firing pull targets and keep score. Once the courses of fire are completed the Marines are qualified as an Expert, Sharpshooter, or Marksman depending on their score. With over 80% of the Marines shooting expert, the phrase “every Marine is a rifleman” rings espe-cially true for the 2nd Marine Division Band this year.

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The 2nd Marine Division Band would like to congrat-ulate Corporal Evan Laderer, who graduated from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course in Janu-ary. The course consists of fifteen vigorous training days, where Marines spend the majority of their time learning various martial arts and sparring tech-niques. Aside from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), the course provides instruction on teaching and exercise techniques to effectively train Marines. He was a distinguished graduate of his class and received a letter of appreciation and a book titled The Art of War for his hard work. Cpl Laderer is now qualified to advance the Band’s Marines in MCMAP training.

 

Over the past few weeks, the 2d Marine Division Band has been gearing up for a Division wide exercise consisting of all elements of the 2d Marine Division. During these training weeks, the Band has trained on the M240B medium machine gun, the M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun, and the MK 19 heavy grenade launcher. The Marines also received communications training on radios and radio antennas. The unit also sent a group of Ma-rines to train on the Expanded Capacity Vehicle, or ECV, which is more commonly referred to as the “Humvee”, as well as the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, or the “7 Ton”. During the exercise the Band will be a heavy-weapons platoon for the Division’s Main.

At the end of February, the 2d Marine Division Band, participated in a battalion wide conditioning hike. The hike was six miles and each Marine wore a flak jacket, kevlar helmet, and carried a pack weighing 20 lbs. Also, the Band fulfilled their annual training requirements for the Confi-dence Chamber (Gas Chamber).

MCMAP Graduation

 

By Cpl Kyle Moncrieff

Training By Sgt Brenton Belanger

Left: Cpl Cordeiro assists in radio antenna assembly.

Upper Right: Marines on the battalion hike.

Lower Right: Marines wait as the Gas is released.

  

 

Photo taken by Sgt Steve Cushman, 2d Marine Divi-sion Public Affairs Chief.

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In February, the Band said a proper goodbye to our former Platoon Sergeant, SSgt Frost (tuba). SSgt Frost is part owner of an auto detailing company and is planning to stay in Jacksonville, NC to work full time and grow his business. His wife, Julia Frost, served as a Marine musician as well. SSgt Frost has a son, Raymond, from a prior marriage and stays close with his sister as she battles a form of bone marrow cancer. We wish you fair winds and following seas SSgt Frost!  

The 2d Marine Division Band would like to congratulate SSgt Talbot and Cpl Schott who were 2 out of only 18 Marines selected for the 2013 Marine Corps All-Star Jazz Band. SSgt Talbot was selected as the sound technician and Cpl Schott was selected to play the Bass Trombone. Within the 2 weeks they were gone they rehearsed for 18 hours, gave 4 hours of clinician time, and put on 21 per-formances for over 6,500 audience members in and around St. Louis, MO, Kenosha, WI, and Chicago, IL. One of their many performances was at the Illinois Music Education Association conference, where they inspired 7 students to commit to auditioning for the Marine Corps Musician Enlistment Option Program (MEOP). SSgt Tal-bot and Cpl Schott will be leaving again at the end of February to perform in the High School Jazz Fest, at the Berkley College of Music. Congratulations Marines and Semper Fidelis.

All Stars

Hail and Farewell

By Cpl Kenneth A. Rissley

By Cpl Juan Garcia Jr.

Sergeant’s Course Graduation By Cpl Kyle Moncrieff

In February, Sgt Anderson and Sgt Grant graduated from the Sergeant’s Course. The Sergeant’s Course pro-vides challenging physical training and leadership training to enhance the qualifications of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO’s). The academy is a two month long course and upon graduation NCO’s will be trained to take on more responsibility and make great-er contributions to the Marine Corps.

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Awards

In February, four Marines were awarded the Good Conduct Medal: Cpl Adkins, Cpl Hoffman, Cpl Moncrieff, and Cpl Vejar. SSgt Phagan and Cpl Drake each received a certificate of commendation for being nominated for Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Musician of the Year and Non-Commissioned Officer Marine Musician of the Year. Marines of the jazz combo received letters of appreciation for their performance at the 2d Marine Logistics Group holiday party. Congratulations to all the Marines for their hard work and devotion to the Corps!

By Cpl Melissa L. Karnath

Above Left to Right: Cpl Vejar, Cpl Hoffman, Cpl Adkins, and Cpl Moncrieff.

Far Left: SSgt Phagan. Left: Cpl Drake.

Bottom, The 2d Marine Division Jazz Band Combo, Left to Right: SSgt Baltzer, Cpl Schott, Cpl Zheng, LCpl Ramirez,, and Cpl Drake (pictured left).

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The 2d Marine Division Band was proud to re-enlist MGySgt Boatright (Bandmaster and Officer in Charge) and Cpl Karnath (French horn) in the month of January. Cpl Karnath will be transfer-ring to a new Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) as a Combat Correspondent in the Public Affairs field.

On February 7th the Band re-enlisted SSgt Wil-liams (trumpet). SSgt Williams will be transfer-ring to Marine Barracks, 8th & I, Washington DC, to assume his duties as the Assistant Drum Ma-jor of “The President’s Own.”

Reenlistments By Cpl Juan Garcia Jr.

Top Left: MGySgt Boatright and his wife, Maggie Boatright (GySgt, USMC, ret.)

Top Right: Commanding General 2D Marine Division, Brigadier General Lukeman, congratu-lates SSgt Williams.

Bottom Center: Cpl Karnath

Featured Marine By Cpl Kenneth A. Rissley

2D Marine Division Band (2d MDB): Where were you born? Raised? High School? College?

Sgt Anderson: I was born in Portsmouth, VA and raised in a military family. I lived in Virginia, South Carolina, Hawaii, and finally North Carolina. I spent most of my life in Jacksonville, NC while my father was stationed at Camp Lejeune with the 2nd Marine Division Band. I attended White Oak High School in Jacksonville, NC for my 9-11 grade year then went to High Point Central High School for my 12th grade year graduating in 2000. I currently attend Regent University working on my Bachelors in Business Management.

2d MDB: Why did you decide to join the Marine Corps to be a musician?

Sgt Anderson: I was jumping around from job to job. I was a store accountant for Harris Teeter, a police officer for High Point, waited tables at a restaurant called Lucky 32 in Greensboro, NC, and while I was doing all of this I was per-forming with the Greensboro Concert Band, the North Carolina Wind Sympho-ny, and for churches. So performing was my only thing staying normal so I decided to audition.

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2d MDB: Why do you believe music is important to the Marine Corps?

Sgt Anderson: Music puts that personal touch on the ceremony. My favorite saying is “music is like life feels” and with the music we are able to bring that emotion to the crowd no matter what the ceremony is.

2d MDB: What has been your most memorable performance in your career so far?

Sgt Anderson: I have a lot of performances that are very memorable, but if I have to choose one I would have to say marching drill on the Capital steps in Washington, DC during the Capital 4th Celebration. We marched to the famous “Washington Post March,” by Sou-sa.

2d MDB: Why?

Sgt Anderson: Knowing you are performing live on TV is a very exciting feeling and when we walk up to the capital building from the staging tents and over a million people start chanting USA, it is a feeling that can’t be described. After the performance is over and you get the standing ovation from that many people, it really makes you realize why you do what you do.

2d MDB: What are some of your goals you have set for yourself as a musician, and a Marine?

Sgt Anderson: As a Marine, my goals is to learn the big picture and do everything I can that will better me as a Marine. As a musician my goal is to get back to the school of music to take the next two courses and eventually put a Warrant Officer package in to become a Band Officer and follow in my father’s footsteps.

2d MDB: What inspires you to play music? Why?

Sgt Anderson: When I was in the 4th grade my father made my sister and I pick an instrument and play it for a year. He wanted us to experience it and after that year, if we didn’t like it, we could quit. I chose the trumpet and my sister chose the French horn. After that year and having to practice for 30 minutes a day, every day, I continued playing, but my sister didn’t think playing was for her. In the 5th grade my dad thought I was ready for my first solo performance so he wrote a watered down arrangement of “Little Drummer Boy” for me and I performed it with the Parris Island Marine Band for their Christmas concert. From that point on, I continued to sit in with the Marine concert and jazz bands. The Marines treated me like their own, helping me improve. They really inspired me to continue to play and get better.

2d MDB: Who is your idol, or someone you look up to? Why?

Sgt Anderson: I would have to say my father is someone I look up to. Watching him when he lead his Marines, how successful he was in the Marine Corps, and how successful he is now. It is what has given me direction in my life and pushes me to do my best. We have switched rolls in that he started in the Marine Corps band and now is in the grocery business at the corporate office recruiting, people for Lowes Foods. I started in the grocery business as store accountant for Harris Teeter Grocery store and now am in the Marine Band, the band that he finished up at. So we are traveling the same path in life.

2d MDB: Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

Sgt Anderson: In 20 years I want to be retired from the Marine Corps and move back home working for either the fire department or police department.

2d MDB: Any advice for fellow, and/or younger marines?

Sgt Anderson: Strive to be better. Know that even when you think you’re at the top there is still room to grow. Maintain the traditions of the Marine Corps and take advantage of opportunities that come your way.

2d MDB: You were in the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps, what are the biggest differences from that to a fleet band in the Marine Corps?

Sgt Anderson: Though we stay busy here at Camp Lejeune, all the jobs stay within the United States. As for the Marine Drum and Bu-gle Corps we traveled over 50,000 miles all around the world. Though the ceremonies we do at Camp Lejeune are important, the ones I did with the Drum and Bugle Corps had a little higher standards since we did very important ceremonies such as the Commandant Change of Command, Medal of Honor Ceremonies, and much more. Other than that, with the Drum and Bugle Corps, we marched show drill and here we don’t.

2d MDB: Your father was a Band Officer. Does that effect you at all? Does it influence you at all? Does it add pressure?

Sgt Anderson: Having my father as a Band Officer only motivates me. One of the cool things I like seeing now is how the Marines who were enlisted when my dad was a Band Officer are now the Band Officers and I’m the enlisted Marine. I don’t feel there is pres-sure on me, but I know my father had a great career and left me a good path to follow. Now, the biggest thing is that I want to follow his path, but I also want to make a name for myself. I got to see how my father operated as a Band Officer, so I feel it gives me direc-tion on how I want to be when I become a Band Officer.

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2d Marine Division Band (2d MDB): Full Name, rank (you retired as), age, and unit/section/billet (you last held)?

Mr. Anderson: Tommy Lewis Anderson (Retired CWO2), 59, 2nd Marine Division Band / Percussion Section/ Enlisted Band Leader/ Band Officer

2d MDB: Where were you born? Raised? High School? College?

Mr. Anderson: I was born in Canonsburg, PA, raised in Houston, PA. I went to Chartiers-Houston Junior Senior High School Class of 1971. Following high school, I attended Duquesne University and received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. From there, I at-tended Webster University where I received Master of Arts in Management. 2d MDB: When/Why did you decide to join the Marine Corps? Mr. Anderson: I joined the Marine Corps on January 3, 1977 because there were no teaching opportunities in the Pittsburg area at the time. I was performing at the Mid-East Music Conference, where Major Day was the guest conductor and auditioned me. At the time, Major Day was the head of the Marine Element at the School of Music. 2d MDB: Why do you believe music is important to the Marine Corps? Mr. Anderson: It upholds tradition and provides for ceremonies. 2d MDB: Who is your idol, or someone you look up to? Why? Mr. Anderson: Major Day and Captain Joe Masse because they were both outstanding musicians and great Marine Corps Leaders. 2d MDB: Where do you see yourself in 20 years? Mr. Anderson: Hopefully in good enough shape to play with the great grand kids because I will be 79 in 20 years.

2d MDB: What is the difference between a ceremony with a band and one with a

recording in your eyes?

Mr. Anderson: With recorded music you lose all emotions and there is no personality. Live music puts that personal touch to the cere-mony and adds character.

2d MDB: What is your favorite, or most memorable moment involving a Marine Corps

band?

Mr. Anderson: My most memorable moment was when we were invited back to Canonsburg, PA, which is my home town, for the 4th of July Parade and a series of concerts.

Featured Fan

By Cpl Kenneth A. Rissley

Right: CWO2 Anderson, pic-tured on the left, with the 2d Marine Division Band in 1996.

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2d MDB: Do you see any major differences in the Marine Corps Bands from when you were a part of it, now that your son is a part of it?

Mr. Anderson: From being in music education, I can see where it is harder to find quality musicians for the music program.

2d MDB: What is it like to see your son at the same unit you retired from?

Mr. Anderson: It makes me proud, but also makes me feel like I’m back home because my son performed with the band on several occasions.

2d MDB: While you were in, where were you stationed?

Mr. Anderson: Upon completion of Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training (MCT) I graduated Basic Music Course. My first duty station was Parris Island where I was the percussion section leader. I was then assigned to the School of Music (SOM) as a percussion Instructor. After returning to Parris Island I attended the Advanced Course at the SOM and remained on staff as a Re-hearsal Division instructor. Upon completion of my tour at the SOM I transferred to Hawaii where I was the Enlisted Band Leader. I was selected to attend The Basic School (TBS) to become a Warrant Officer. Upon completion of TBS I was Promoted to Warrant Officer and assigned to Parris Island as the Band Officer. I finished my career at Camp Lejeune as the Band Officer, before retiring from the Marine Corps.

This Month in History By Cpl Melissa L. Karnath

This month Sgt Samatha Reaver (French horn), was interviewed about being deployed to Iraq with the 2d Marine Division Band in 2007. 2d Marine Division Band (2d MDB): What was your rank and time in service at the begin-ning of your deployment? Sgt Reaver: I was Cpl Montgomery and I had seventeen months in service. 2d MDB: From what dates was the 2d Marine Division Band deployed to Iraq?

Sgt Reaver: February 2007 - September 2007 2d MDB: What types of pre-deployment training did the 2d MDB take part in? Sgt Reaver: We went to Camp Geiger and did a refresher of Marine Combat Training (MCT) with a few other units, but we were kept together. This was about a week long, in tents in the woods. Then we attached to 2/10 and did pre-deployment training with them. This included a week of Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT) with simulated rounds, three weeks in Fort Polk, LA, where we received extensive classes on vehicle and personnel searches and some Arabic classes. 2d MDB: During pre deployment training, did the 2d MDB also rehearse and perform music? Sgt Reaver: No. 2d MDB: What bases in Iraq were members of the band stationed? What determined where you were stationed? Sgt Reaver: The Band Master (MSgt Montoya) and 15 others went to Al Asad.. The rest of us went to Camp Fallujah with 2/10 as aug-ments. There were a handful of remain behind personnel that were going to change duty stations or leave active duty soon. 2d MDB: What types of work did members of the 2d MDB do while deployed? Sgt Reaver: Al Asad Marines were interior security (checking IDs inside the base). Camp Fallujah Marines were primarily South Security for the base. We had Marines in the south towers (approx. 4 towers, 2 men each, 8 hour shifts), Marines at the South Entry Control Point, which was the south gate of the base. There were about 6 Marines for an 8 hour shift and they had to extensively search all vehi-cles and people coming on base. This was about 100 TCNs (Third Country Nationals) a day. Then the TCNs would have to be body scanned by 2 Marines using a sort of X-Ray machine, then the TCNs would be entered into the Bio-metric Automated Tool-set by the female Marines in the Sergeant of the Guard building. (The females were not in towers or at the gate.) However 2 females (myself and Sgt McSherry) joined any unit that needed a female for their mounted and foot patrols, night searches, and pump house visits which lasted from 1 to 3 days. We took turns going out about once every other week, or when needed.

Above: Sgt Reaver while on patrol in Iraq, 2007.

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2d MDB: How often did the 2d MDB play music while deployed?

Sgt Reaver: We did not play as a unit. We had our instruments locked away in a QuadCon. Few people played, and it was only towards

the end, I'd say the last 2 months, that we were required to log in an hour of practice. Our only practice area was this wooden shack.

2d MDB: What was the best part about being deployed?

Sgt Reaver: The experience is one I'll never forget. Meeting locals and learning about a different culture was great and very rewarding,

personally. It’s an extreme honor to serve the country like that.

2d MDB: What was the greatest reward you gained/experience that benefited you once you returned to garrison?

Sgt Reaver: Realizing how great we have it here. I was and still am so thankful to have everything we do and the opportunities we have.

Seeing their way of life and seeing them struggle, was such an eye opener. We are so lucky.

2d MDB: What was the largest obstacle/challenge that you had to overcome once you returned from deployment?

Sgt Reaver: Getting back into the musical mindset.. After being in a war, its a struggle to see anything as important as that.

Above: Former members of the 2d Marine Division Band in Iraq. Left to Right: Sgt Mallory, Sgt Lutz, Sgt Schpuntoz, Sgt Brown, Sgt Lienemann, Sgt Peart, and Sgt Jackson.

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Upcoming Events 7 March 2013 8th Marine Regiment Relief and Appointment Ceremony

10 April 2013 Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base, Marine South Exposition/ Patriotic Opener

12 April 2013 2d Marine Regiment Change of Command Ceremony

23-26 April 2013 Marine Corps Musician’s Association Reunion

25 April 2013 World War II Day Closing Ceremony/ Patriotic Opener

26 April 2013 3rd Battalion 10th Marines Deactivation Ceremony