iii marine expeditionary force and marine corps bases japan

april 10, 2009 www.okinawa.usmc.mil

PG. 12

Overnight softball tournament brings late-night fun to ball fieldSoftball players from across Okinawa joined teams to swing the bat through the night.

InsI

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One Marine, one football league, many young lives changed foreverSergeant inspired by his own childhood path with football, builds league on Okinawa. PG. 6-7In

sIde

Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, accompanied by Sgt. Maj. Samuel Schmidt, the sergeant major of 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, pins the Silver Star Medal on Cpl. Jason Jones, a logistics and combat service support specialist, during an awards ceremony on Camp Schwab, April 2. Jones was awarded the medal for his actions during a firefight in eastern Afghanistan where he went above and beyond the call of duty while attached to Embedded Training Team 5-3 in Afghanistan. (SEE STORY AND PHOTOS ON PAGE 9). Photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas W. Provost

Marine honored with Silver StarCAMP FOSTER — The intersec-tion of Saipan Road and New Mexico Street on Camp Foster, also called the Globe & Anchor intersection, will be closed April 18- May 2. This closure will allow for gate construction and road widening. There will be no traf-fic allowed through any portion of the intersection.

Drivers must utilize Guadal-canal Road, spanning between the Foster Dining Facility and the Legion Gate, to travel between upper and lower Foster. Access to the Foster Chapel and Globe & Anchor enlisted club will be from the southern end of New Mexico Street near the Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Telephone Office.

Drivers and pedestrians are reminded to be extra cautious of the increased t ra f f ic on Guadalcanal Road during the construction project.

Personnel may contact Camp Services on Foster at 645-7317 for more information.

Intersection closure to redirect traffic patterns on Foster

Lance Cpl. Thomas W. Provostokinawa marine staff

CAMP KINSER — The first Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle coated with a rust resistant zinc rich primer rolled off the line at the Corrosion Reha-bilitation Facility Branch on Camp Kinser March 27.

The MRAP is also the first in the Marine Corps inventory to be painted in the green, brown and black camouflage pattern.

The zinc primer will keep corrosion and rust off the MRAP vehicles up to 10 years before a new coat is needed.

The protection is espe-cially vital in the humid ocean air of Okinawa where metal tends to rust quickly, according to William P. An-tell, the Marine Corps Base Corrosion Rehabilitation Facility branch head.

“Most of them were painted in a way to get them out to the dessert where corrosion was not an issue,” Antell said. “When they came to Okinawa as a training asset, the corro-sion began.”

Marines from the Main-tenance section, Motor Transportation Compa-ny, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine

Aircraft Wing, took notice of the corrosion. The unit took advantage of the corro-sion rehabilitation facility’s offer to put the resistant primer on their vehicles.

“It was one of our priori-ties to get the MRAP down to CRF for the corrosion treatment, said Cpl. Robert R. Reese, quality control head for maintenance sec-tion, Motor Transportation Company, MWSS-172.

With one MRAP treat-ed and more scheduled, MWSS-172 is leading the way in corrosion efforts, Antell said.

He is encouraging all units on Okinawa to follow

suit in the cost effective process. Antell stated it cost approximately $1,500 to paint and treat an MRAP.

Replacement cost for the vehicle can range from $450,000-$1 million, de-pending on the model.

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle gets corrosion makeover

The first Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, coated with a rust resistant zinc rich primer rolled off the line at the Corrosion Rehabilitation Facility Branch on Camp Kinser March 27. Photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas W. Provost

� okinawa marine | OPInIOn & edITORIAL | april 10, 2009

editorial

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 Consolidated 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 ref lect 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 supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense,

the U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler or Marine Corps Community 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 623-4054

Commanding general Maj. Gen. Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin

puBliC affairs direCtor Lt. Col. Douglas M. Powell

press Chief Master Sgt. Mark E. Bradley

editors Staff Sgt. Leo Salinas, Sgt. Rodolfo E. Toro

design editor Audra Satterlee

Q:A:

fAct check

I am a corporal but I have not completed the Marine Corps Institute’s Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leader-ship or Leading Marines. Will I lose rank?

It is possible. Marine Administrative Message 181/09 specifies that unit commanders and directors of Installation Personnel Administration Centers will identify all Marines promoted to the rank of corporal, on or after Oct. 1, 2008, and ensure they complete the Leading Marines MCI no later than June 30, 2009, or be administratively reduced as appropriate.

Marines who are currently deployed will have 90 days from the date of redeployment to complete their professional military education.

Marines promoted to corporal effective Oct. 1, 2008, or later, who have already completed one of the three versions of the Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leadership, MCIs 0033, 0034 or 0035, are not required to complete the MCI Leading Marines to avoid administrative reduction.

ReQuiRed tRainings to maintain Rank

semperto ns

constructiveopinion?

okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil

Send us your constructive opinions or interesting stories that would appeal to a wide audience and you may be published!

Please submit opinions or editorials between 400-700 words. Okinawa Marine reserves the right to choose appropriate material

or edit as necessary.

Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Corderookinawa marine staff

The Marine Corps' main objective is mission accomplishment. When it comes to getting the job done, it can be expected of Marines

to put aside everything to ensure the mission is completed to the best of their abilities.

But in order for Marines to keep above the game, they must be both mentally and physically ready for any task.

Marines are taught from day one to work as a team. Soon, they learn it takes the support and motivation of their

brothers and sisters to be able to complete any task. Therefore Marines seek motivation from others to accomplish the mission.

It is also this spirit of motivation that fuels the mind and soul of warriors. It is how they manage to exceed all standards and rise to the task in any situation.

Troop morale not only enhances unit readi-ness, it also fosters a mentally capable team. When

Marines feel comfortable with those around them, it creates a productive working environment and promotes improvement and unit cohesion. In the end, this gets the mission done.

Mission accomplishment is not the only thing affected by morale. It also affects Marines' welfare and readiness.

Developing strong morale enables a unit to ensure their Marines are prepared to take on the mission.

In a unit with strong morale, Marines adapt quickly and learn their mission even in the face

of hardship. But if Marines are in a unit with low morale, they would feel alone and their work ethic would likely reflect. This is where problems would begin for the Marines and the unit as a whole.

Although mission accomplishment is the most important thing in the Marine Corps, leaders must also understand that unit readiness, and therefore mission accomplishment, are strongly affected by the morale and welfare of each individual.

Whatever the situation - a leader should always be able to decide what is most important for their Marines at any given time.

This is to say if morale and mission accomplish-ment seem to conflict, all must be put aside to en-sure the mission is met. In this case, morale should not be affected because Marines understand the importance of getting the job done.

In the end, we as Marines, junior or senior, must ensure we work together as a team. As long as we continue to maintain a strong bond, we can an-swer the call as the nation's force in readiness.

Cordero is a combat correspondent with the Okinawa Marine.

Mission readiness, motivation stems from high unit morale Soon, Marines learn

it takes the support and motivation of their brothers

and sisters to be able tocomplete any task.

“”

�

Lance Cpl. Kentavist P. Brackin okinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — The United Services Organization Council of Okinawa held the 38th Annual USO Service Salute March 28 honoring members of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and Japan Self Defense Force.

Seven service members were recognized during the ceremony at the Butler Officer’s Club for their outstanding service, leadership and inspiring morale while serving on Okinawa.

The honorees were comprised of one airman, sailor, soldier and Ma-rine from the U.S. military and three service members from the JSDF.

The honorees were selected by members of their own service to rep-resent their respective branches.

The guest speaker at the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Robert B. Neller, the com-manding general for 3rd Marine Division, welcomed the guests from the Okinawa community to what he called one of the most diverse events of the year.

“We sit here as sisters and broth-ers sharing a meal in an atmosphere of mutual respect and friendship,” said Neller. “Tonight we recognize service provided on behalf of our na-tions, families and respected military services.”

Following Neller’s remarks, hon-

orees were called up individually and presented a plaque, medal and certificate.

“I knew what the USO was before the event, but this really shed some light on how much they do to support service members,” said Army Sgt. Ra-mundo Luis De Los Santos, a combat medic with Headquarters and Head-quarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery. “All the USO people I met at the event were really serious about helping people.”

Service members took the center of the floor amid camera flashes and applause from friends, family and fellow service members.

“Marines will always love the USO because the USO is always there for the Marines to provide for our needs wherever we go,” said Cpl. Travis G. Westbrook, a heavy equipment op-erator for Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, and a honoree at the event. “Marines should return the favor and go get involved with USO because they have done so much for us.”

Other honorees were Air Force Master Sgt. David A. Pizzuto, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michelle Renee Fairley, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Tech. Sgt. Makoto Komizu, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. 1st Class Yoshikuni Tamashiro and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Petty Officer 3rd Class Noriaki Arakawa.

okinawa marine | neWs | april 10, 2009

Outstanding service members honored by USO

Jarrett Ota, the director for United Services Organization Okinawa, congratulates Marine Corps honoree, Cpl. Travis G. Westbrook, a heavy equipment operator for Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, during the 38th Annual USO Service Salute at The Camp Butler Officer’s Club March 28. Seven service members were honored during the ceremony at for their outstanding service, leadership and inspiring morale while serving on Okinawa. Photo by Lance Cpl. Kentavist P. Brackin

Combat Assault Battalion Marine represents Corps at annual banquet

Petty Officer 3rd Class William Selbyheadquarters marine corps

WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps is fo-cused on developing young men and women and diversifying the Corps in the upcoming fiscal year, the commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command said.

“They want some excitement. They want to serve their nation, and they want to be Ma-rines,” Maj. Gen. Robert Milstead told bloggers and online journalists during a “DoDLive” bloggers roundtable March 31.

Milstead said it’s not all about popping caps and kicking in doors. “It’s about being a Ma-rine. It’s about the way people look at you. It’s about wearing the uniform. I’ve been at this for 34 years and the Marines are a part of my life,” he said.

The Marines have raised certain standards and changed some rules, but that hasn’t neces-sarily hurt recruiting, Milstead said.

“We’re seeing historic lows on our recruit depot attritions,” he said. “That’s due to the fact that these kids are a higher quality and

that they’re in the pool a little longer.”Milstead explained that last year, 97 percent

of the recruits who came in were high school graduates, which has allowed the Marine Corps to be more selective, but they still want the “Category 4s,” which are the people who scored in the bottom quarter of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.

“I’ll take those Cat 4 guys any day, because for us to enlist them, they have to be a Tier 1, meaning they have to be a high school graduate,” Milstead explained. “And that means they’re stickers, and they make good Marines.”

The Marines also have recently implemented new policy that affects Marines who have tattoos and plan to enlist or re-enlist, Milstead said.

“A kid that has a tattoo and wants to re-en-list, as long as he’s grandfathered, that tattoo does not come into play,” he said. “What they can’t do is put in for an officer program, for instance, if they have a full or half sleeve.”

Milstead added that people interested in en-listing can’t have half or full sleeves and must not have anything inappropriate tattooed on them.

As for diversity, Milstead said, it is an area where the Marine Corps has improved though more improvement is needed.

“We’re struggling to raise diversity because we don’t feel that it currently reflects the fabric of our nation,” he said.

The Marine Corps has hired a diversity of-ficer who Milstead believes should be part of all recruiting and retention efforts.

In addition to new rules and policies that concern recruiting, Milstead said Marine re-cruiters also have started to use new technolo-gies for recruiting.

“We recognize the change in the dynamics of media,” he said. “We’ve got (electronic pri-ority prospect cards) now, to where somebody can hit the computer and in hours, we know who this kid is and that he’s interested in the Marine Corps, and we’re calling him.”

“We make them one promise, one promise only: that they’ll be a United States Marine,” Milstead said.

To listen to other ‘DoD Live’ bloggers round-tables, visit www.defenselink.mil/Blogger/Index.aspx.

Recruiting Command general discusses diversity, retention

� okinawa marine | neWs | april 10, 2009

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 every Friday. The Okinawa Marine reserves the right to edit all submitted material.

holoCaust rememBranCe oBservationA Holocaust Remembrance Observation will be

held at the Surfside on Camp Kinser April 21 from 9 -10:30 a.m. There will be a guest speaker followed by a video on the liberation of Auschwitz and a memorial service.

For more information, please contact 637-1033.

marriage enriChment retreatThe Chaplain's Religious Enrichment Development

Operation (CREDO) Okinawa will conduct a marriage enrichment retreat at Pricia Resort April 17-19. Registration continues through Thursday.

Couples will learn how to communicate more effectively and work as a team to preserve and enhance love, commitment and friendship.

Lodging, meals and t ransportat ion will be provided.

To sign up, contact CREDO at 645-3041 or drop by their office in Building 442 on Camp Foster, just down the hill from the Chapel on the left.

Registration hours are from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

naval hospital Children's waiting room ClosedThe U.S. Naval Hospital Children's Waiting Room is

closed effective immediately. For more information, contact Heather Potter at

643-8009.

marine thrift shop disCountThe Camp Foster Marine Thrift Shop is offering a

special discount for all active duty service members E-5 and below on the first Saturday of each month. Families of service members can also receive this discount.

Hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It is located down the hill from the Installation Personal Administration Center in building 5691 on Camp Foster.

For more information on special discounts, location, volunteering and donations, please call Markie Bonar, the Marine Thrift Shop manager, at 645-6025.

dining faCility renovationThe Marine Corps Base dining facility on Camp

Foster is undergoing renovation. This project is a phased evolution during which the

facility will be split in half.During the first phase of renovation, all service

members will be provided food via the fast food section of the facility. During the second phase of renovation, all services members will be provided food via the mainline section of the facility.

The renovation is scheduled to be completed early next year.

If there are any questions, please contact the dining facility manager, Master Sgt. C. L. James, at 645-7158.

paCifiC okinawa playersPacific Okinawa Players is sponsoring several

scholarships to eligible Status of Forces Agreement seniors who plan to pursue a higher education in the performing arts.

Applications must have proof of upcoming graduation as well as a copy of an acceptance letter from a college or university.

When application is submitted, applicants must prepare an audition piece to be performed before the POPS selection committee May 2.

Applications are available through school guidance counselors or online at www.pops-okinawa.org. Deadline to turn in applications is April 29.

briefs

Although instant mes-saging, chat rooms, and other real-time communi-cation offer a convenient way to communicate, there are dangers users should be aware of.

It is often difficult to identify whether the “per-son” on the other end of a real-time communication is human or an automated computer program de-signed to collect personal information for identity theft or exploit a user for money, however, humans themselves also present a risk.

When in a chat room or instant messaging, people may lie about their identity, accounts may be compromised, users may forget to log out, or account information may be shared by multiple parties.

These factors make it difficult for real-time communication users to know when it is safe to communicate over the internet.

Users are especially susceptible to cer tain types of attacks such as being convinced to run a program or click on un-known links. In a setting where a user feels comfort-able with the “person” he or she is talking to, an at-tacker has a better chance of convincing them to fall into the trap.

In addit ion, on l ine conversations are easily

archived on most free commercial sites, which the user has no control over.

Real-time communica-tion users also don’t know if there’s someone looking over the shoulder of the person they’re talking to, or if an attacker might be “sniffing” their conver-sation. This method is used by anonymous third parties who observe con-versations while in public chat rooms.

Another of ten over-looked vulnerability of a user’s computer is the default security settings. Computer users of ten leave stock settings un-changed which tend to be relatively permissive. This makes their com-puter more open and “us-able,” and leaves it more susceptible to malicious attack.

Despite the vulner-abi l it ies of operat ing real-t ime communica-tion programs, users can still protect themselves by following a few guide-lines:

• Evaluate security set-tings - check the default security settings and ad-just them if they are too permissive. Make sure to disable automatic down-loads. Some chat software offers the ability to limit interactions to only cer-tain users.

• Be conscious of what information is being re-

vealed - a user should be wary of revealing per-sonal information unless the intended recipient can be authenticated. Us-ers should also be careful about discussing sensi-tive business information over public instant mes-sage or chat services.

• Verify the identity of intended recipients. In some forums and situa-tions, the identity of the “person” a user might be talking to may not mat-ter. However, if a degree of trust is needed in that person, a user should make sure the “person” they are talking to is au-thentic.

• Don’t believe every-thing you read - The in-formation or advice a user might receive while using real-time commu-nications may be false, or worse, malicious. Verify the information or in-structions from outside sources before tak ing action.

• Keep software up to date - This includes the chat software, browser software, operating sys-tem, and especially anti-virus software.

The information for this article is provided by the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team, a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For more information on computer safety log onto http://www.us-cert.gov.

Instant Messaging, chat rooms make users, computers vulnerable to attack

Fast and convenient communication over the internet such as using instant messaging and chat rooms can jeopardize a user's personal information. Photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Aaron Hostutler

�

Lance Cpl. Shelby Shieldsokinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — According to a recent Department of Defense report, there were approximately 3,000 reported sexual assault cases DoD wide last year. Many officials believe the number of reported cases would be higher if more vic-tims of sexual assault were willing to come forward.

To raise awareness of the damag-ing consequences of sexual assault and to increase reporting, Marine Corps Community Services on Oki-nawa kicked of the Clothesline Proj-ect on Camp Foster at the Gunner’s Gym April 1.

The Clothesline Project is a visual display of shirts with mes-sages and illustrations created by those directly or indirectly affected by sexual violence. Participants decorated t-shirts using words and drawings to depict the negative ef-fects of sexual assault.

“Traditionally the project focuses on violence against women,” said Laura Esquivel, a victim advocate for Marine Corps Community Services Counseling and Advocacy. “How-ever, the project has been adapted for Sexual Assault Awareness Month on Okinawa to raise awareness that sexual violence affects us all.”

Shirts decorated to the theme “My Strength Is In Defending” are being displayed during April at the MCCS fitness centers on Okinawa.

“We chose gyms because we wanted the shirts to be at a highly visible location,” Esquivel said.

According to the Clothesline

Project Web site, http://www.clothes-lineproject.org, there are an estimated 500 locations world-wide this year displaying more than 50,000 shirts.

This is the first year Marine Corps bases on Okinawa have participated in the Clothesline Project.

Esquivel said only a few shirts on display here were submitted by vic-tims, and the public should realize that when viewing the display. The fact emphasizes the need for more awareness, she said.

“I believe a lot of it has to do with the stigma and shame still attached to sexual assault as well as the fact that it remains one of the most un-der reported crimes,” she said.

Victim advocates, sexual assault response coordinators, and mental health professionals also created shirts for the display based off pro-fessional experiences working with victims and survivors.

According to the Clothesline Project Web site, the project began in the summer of 1990 near Cape Cod, Massachusetts. A small group of women who were victims of violence wanted to find a unique way to turn assault statistics into educational and healing tools.

Rachel Carey-Harper, one of the group members, was inspired by the AIDS quilt and came up with the idea for shirts on a clothesline.

The first official clothesline, with 31 shirts, was hung in October 1990 on a village green in Hyan-nis, Mass., during a “Take Back the Night” rally. Women came all throughout the day to decorate and hang shirts. The clothesline grew and continues to grow today.

okinawa marine | neWs | april 10, 2009

T-shirts designed by sexual assault victims and those affected by sexual assault hang as a reminder of the negative impact of the crime. Photo by Lance Cpl. Shelby Shields

The following events are planned through April to raise aware-ness of sexual assault.

Mobile information booths:April 13 - Kinser Post Exchange CourtyardApril 14 - Futenma United Services OrganazationApril 15 - Foster PX and the SpotApril 16 - Courtney PXApril 17 - Hanson and Schwab PX

Events:April 18 - Assertiveness and self defense workshop at the

Camp Courtney Staff NCO Club. 9 a.m.-noon.April 24 - Bowling Tournament at Foster Bowling Center.April 25 - Assertiveness and self defense workshop at the Foster Community Center. 9 a.m.-noon. - Habu Trail Run at Futenma.April 29 - Luncheon at Butler Officer’s Club. Buffet from

11 a.m.-1 p.m. (645-1580 for tickets)April 30 - Men’s Symposium titled “Brother to Brother”

For more information regarding these and other events contact MCCS Counseling and Advocacy at 645-2915. To participate in the workshops or Men’s Symposium, participants are asked to register with MCCS Counseling and Advocacy by April 15.

T-Shirts on clothesline promote sexual assault awareness

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewicz okinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — A service member was ap-proached on Gate 2 Street recently and asked to take a survey on new housing and food allowances and was advised how to receive the allowances. As the service member began asking questions, he received a sales pitch from a second individual to purchase a life insurance policy.

Reports of insurance salesmen using unscrupu-lous and sometimes illegal sales practices to target military members are up recently, according to finance experts from the Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Personal Services Center.

All personnel should be aware of the practices to avoid being pressured into purchasing an ex-pensive policy that may not benefit them, officials said. Often times, the salesmen engaging in these practices are former or retired military; someone active duty personnel feel they can trust, said Anthony Green, a personal financial management specialist with the Personal Services Center.

The salesmen do not always have the best inter-ests of service members in mind, said Green. They are working from a position of trust to exploit ser-

vice members into purchasing an expensive policy to get a hefty commission for the agent.

Some salesmen use a sales technique called affinity marketing to attract customers. With this approach, a sales representative relates to the con-sumer by claiming an affiliation to someone or something the consumer is familiar with, said Bert Corn, the director of Marine Corps Community Services' Personal Services on Okinawa.

In the instances of local insurance scams, rep-resentatives are fraudulently claiming affiliation with the U.S. government, Corn said.

In most cases, junior service members, espe-cially single members, do not require life insurance beyond their Service Group Life Insurance policy, Green said.

Knowing this, salesmen may attempt to present life insurance policies as savings plans to make the policies appear more attractive to service members, said Green. However, the policies often contain such hefty sales commissions and poor interest rates, the service member may actually lose money.

Solicitations for these life insurance plans are occurring in base shopping areas at work, in family housing and at the barracks, Corn said.

There was a box set up on a Marine Corps in-stallation recently soliciting entries to win a free vacation. The entrants in the contest all received calls trying to get them to purchase insurance.

Any solicitation aboard a military installation on Okinawa is in direct violation of Department of Defense Instruction 1344.07 which prohibits commercial solicitation of any kind aboard DoD installations. All violations should immediately be reported through the chain of command or to the Base Provost Marshall's Office.

There are many instances when purchasing additional life insurance may be a good option for military personnel, and there are many reputable companies and agents available locally.

Green advises any individual considering pur-chasing life insurance to bring the policy to the Personal Services Center for review before signing it. If the sales representative is reputable and has presented the contents of the policy accurately, he will have no problem with an individual having the policy reviewed, Green said.

“The most important thing we can portray to the service member is to be prudent,” Green said.

To contact the Personal Services Center for financial advice call 645-2104.

Reports of life insurance sales scams on Okinawa increase

� okinawa marine | FeATURe | april 10, 2009

Sgt. Timothy Craig monitors offensive drills before the Mitey Mite division championship game of the Okinawa Youth Football League March 22 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Craig is not only commissioner of the league, but also coaches the Kadena Panthers. Photo by Staff Sgt. Leo A. Salinas

The Kadena Panthers perform warm-up drills prior to the Okinawa Youth Football League, Mitey Mite division, championship game March 22 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Photo by Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbrough

Neil Clark runs in a touchdown after a 10-yard catch during the Okinawa Youth Football League, Mitey Mite division, championship game March 22 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Photo by Staff Sgt. Leo A. Salinas

Nicholaus Stanton, defensive tackle with the Courtney Lions, is consoled by his mother Jessica, after a loss to the Foster Tigers during the Okinawa Youth Football League, Pee Wee division, championship game March 22 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Photo by Staff Sgt. Leo A. Salinas

�

Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbroughokinawa marine staff

While growing up in the inner city of St. Louis, Sgt. Timothy Craig had two choices — turn to sports or the streets.

For Craig, football was the answer. At seven years old, he followed in his family’s footsteps, in which the male members all played football at either the local or collegiate level. He started playing football and became very successful with it. He continued his pur-suit of the sport throughout his youth.

It was during high school when Craig grew into a leader on the field. Though Craig was a dominate force on the field, he struggled in the classroom.

His love of the game, however, kept him on the right path.

“I struggled with school work,” Craig said. “The only reason I went to high school was because of football.”

Craig continued to struggle with school work throughout high school and beyond. Af-ter one year at Joplin Junior College in Joplin, Mo., his grades were not holding up and Craig had to forgo his dream of playing college foot-ball. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2004.

A New DirectionAfter enlisting in the Corps, Craig continued

to play an active role in the football community coaching a youth league at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and playing on the all-Marine team at Camp Pendleton.

After arriving on Okinawa in 2007, he became a coach in the Kadena Youth Tackle Football League. After two seasons, the league was dis-banded because there wasn’t enough interest.

But Craig saw things differently. “A lot of the kids were heartbroken,” Craig said. “I thought it was upsetting that these kids had no outlet and I thought something had to be done. These kids sacrifice enough being part of the military com-munity, and I didn’t think they should have to sacrifice football as well.”

Seeing a need for a youth tackle football league, Craig decided to start up the Okinawa Youth Football League.

Built On Character The league is straightforward. There are no

contracts, trade deadlines, advertisements or concession stands. It is just 15 teams dedi-cated to football, pure and simple.

The entire league is funded by contribu-tions from the players’ parents, Craig said.

The league does not single out individual effort or award most valuable player trophies. Instead, coaches enforce the importance of teamwork and how each player’s contribution is important to the overall team.

The players give their all, not for money, but only for the love of the game. They play through fatigue; not for fame, but simply to learn the game of football Craig said.

“The league teaches humility,” he said. “Players learn the difference between win-ning and losing, they learn the definition of teamwork, and they learn about their indi-vidual character.

“But, as coaches, we remind them that it’s not about winning and losing, it’s about learn-ing fundamentals and having fun,” Craig said.

The most important thing about the league to Craig is the academic requirement a player must maintain to play.

Coaches monitor grades and players must maintain a 2.0 grade point average and proper attendance records to be eligible to play in the league.

“The league is built on the very principle that kept me from pursuing my dreams,” Craig said. “I want these kids to realize that although sports are significant, the most im-portant aspect is education.”

The league is open to youths ages 7-16. Prac-tice for next season is scheduled to begin in No-vember and games start in January, Craig said.

For more information about the league, visit their Web site at http://www.okinawayouth-footballeague.com.

okinawa marine | FeATURe | april 10, 2009

Sgt. Timothy Craig monitors offensive drills before the Mitey Mite division championship game of the Okinawa Youth Football League March 22 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Craig is not only commissioner of the league, but also coaches the Kadena Panthers. Photo by Staff Sgt. Leo A. Salinas

The Kadena Panthers perform warm-up drills prior to the Okinawa Youth Football League, Mitey Mite division, championship game March 22 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Photo by Lance Cpl. Bobby J. Yarbrough

Neil Clark runs in a touchdown after a 10-yard catch during the Okinawa Youth Football League, Mitey Mite division, championship game March 22 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Photo by Staff Sgt. Leo A. Salinas

Marine inspires local youth through football

Courtney Lions Hank Williamson (front), offensive guard, and T.T. Shakir (behind), defensive back, take a quick rest before going back onto the field during the Okinawa Youth Football League, Pee Wee division, championship game March 22 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Photo by Staff Sgt. Leo A. Salinas

� okinawa marine | FeATURe | april 10, 2009

Lance Cpl. Kentavist P. Brackin okinawa marine staff

Before the establish-ment of a govern-ment disposal

center for the military, units around the world were in charge of ridding themselves of excessive amounts of gear, me-chanical equipment or just about any item in the military arsenal.

Due to lack of gear ac-countability and proper disposal methods, a few of the items found their way into dumpsters or to the backyards and garages of service members.

In 1972, the Defense Reutilization and Market-ing Service was created to provide the Department of Defense a centralized control program for the disposal of their surplus property.

Currently the DRMS is composed of more than 100 Defense Reutilization Marketing Offices world-wide and operates in 14 countries.

Of these offices, three are located on mainland Japan and another is on Okinawa at Camp Kinser, Building 600.

Every week between 60 and 100 trucks from military installations throughout the island ar-rive at the doorstep of the

DRMO to turn in property, according to Tracy Kyle, the chief of the logistics branch of the DRMO on Camp Kinser.

“It can be as small as a screwdriver or big as a 92,000-pound forklift, we’ll take it,” said Kyle.

A lot of the property sent to DMRO is reusable. It is sometimes brand new or has simply been phased out. Items include furni-ture, automobiles, support equipment, office equip-ment and tactical weap-ons and gear.

The DRMO screens all property carefully to ensure proper account-ability. Items received are either disposed of, made available to other units or government agencies, or in some cases, made available for sale to the public.

Once screened, an item is assigned a code des-ignating its reutilization potential.

A standard M-16A2 service rifle, for example, is classified with no reuti-lization value and DRMO must process the weapon for destruction.

Of the nine categories, six require property to be demilitarized or declassi-fied by units before it can be received by the DRMO.

In the 2008 fiscal year, the Okinawa DMRO re-corded 2,181 reutilization

transactions. The transac-tions totaled over $12 mil-lion in savings to the DoD.

One recent piece of prop-erty handled by DRMO was a 1999 Nissan van.

“The van was in excel-lent condition and just wasn’t needed anymore,” said Bob Cunningham, the disposal service represen-tative for DRMO Okinawa. “We were able to find it a good home with the (Ma-rine Corps Base) Garrison Mobile Equipment.”

Since the mobile equip-ment branch needed the

vehicle for official busi-ness, it was provided to the unit for free, Cunning-ham said.

Property set aside to be reutilized by units has 42 days before it is made available for personal pur-chase by DoD personnel.

The DRMO hosts a Web site, http://www.drms.dla.mil, to assist personnel in making purchases by providing access to the property being sold by DMROs around the world.

If the cost of shipping property is less than the

cost of the item, the prop-erty will be shipped to the customer with no ship-ping charges.

“We don’t put a price tag on property sales, we put it out there and sell it to the highest bidder,” said Kyle.

The DRMO also teaches two-hour classes to ser-vice members on how to use the Web site, turn in, reutilize and purchase gear.

For more information, contact DRMO at 637-1976 or the Reutilization Office at 637-2460.

Disposal center helps units recycle, reutilize excess property

Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones special purpose magtf-afghanistan

Marines with second platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regi-ment, the ground combat element of

Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, serve in Golestan, Farah province, Afghanistan.

They work diligently to provide security for the growing community that lives under the threat of insurgents who oppose the Afghan gov-ernment and alliance forces operating there.

2nd Lt. Daniel M. Yurkovich, second platoon’s commander, meets with Golestan’s Afghan leaders regularly to address local in-terests, such as security, and the many projects that are underway to gain the support of the community.

As Yurkovich keeps the doors of communi-cation open, a civil affairs team with 3rd Civil Affairs Group and the Provincial Reconstruc-tion Team are working to improve the com-munity in many ways.

The PRT, which consists of military officers,

diplomats and engineers, supports reconstruc-tion efforts to help empower local governments to operate more effectively.

Members of the civil affairs team and PRT held a meeting with leading local government officials March 13 to determine the progress of current projects and prospects of new ones.

“[Civil affairs’] interest in Golestan is to give the local government a face,” said Cpl. Aldo J. Almazan, a civil affairs noncommissioned of-ficer. “It’s very secluded out here, so the people don’t know their government officials and have little faith in them.”

Civil affairs Marines such as Almazan speak with locals to emphasize that the Afghan gov-ernment wants to provide for its people.

“We are showing them how it is surely but slowly going to happen,” Almazan said.

The topic that took precedence during the meeting was the 11 schools within the district. It was determined that four of them were in good condition, while the rest needed renovat-ing. The PRT wants to improve the structures for long-term use.

The schools are also in dire need of provin-

cial government support to supply the students with school books and other supplies.

“Before, kids feared going to school and now that they are going to school we face the problem of not having enough school books,” said Amir Mohammed, the district prosecutor. “The less books they have, the less people come to the school.”

Mohammed went on to say that education must be a top priority to help solve issues in the long run.

He said although the food assistance the provincial government is providing is nice, it would be education that would ultimately solve the problem of hunger in such com-munities.

With the help of Yurkovich and his Marines, the civil affairs team has a foot in the door with the Afghan community to pursue smaller, community-driven projects.

Future projects already in the works include: the distribution of 85 tons of wheat, the do-nation of live chickens, passing out material assistance items and installing a local radio station in the city.

Tomokazu Matayoshi, an identification condition verifier at the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office on Okinawa, brings in the last of newly arrived Air Force medical beds April 3 at building 600 on Camp Kinser. Some of the beds are slated to be reutilized for humanitarian assistance programs benefiting foreign countries. Photo by Lance Cpl. Kentavist P. Brackin

Civil Affairs, Reconstruction Team, 3/8 help rebuild Farah province

�okinawa marine | FeATURe | april 10, 2009

Lance Cpl. Paul D. Zellnerokinawa marine staff

The day started like any other day in Eastern Afghani-

stan, moderate tempera-ture, sunny; hardly a cloud in the sky.

But for three Marines, a platoon of Afghan National soldiers and a platoon of soldiers from the U.S. Ar-my's 173rd Airborne, July 13 would turn to blood-shed, sacrifice and one Marine's tale of heroism.

The U.S. - Afghan team was attacked by more than

200 enemy forces firing small-arms and rocket-pro-pelled grenades.

Many members of the team became disorganized and discouraged facing the overwhelming odds.

Cpl. Jason Jones, one of three Marines embedded with the two platoons of soldiers, seized the initia-tive and began firing his weapon at the enemy while encouraging and guiding his comrades to organize a counter attack.

Jones' actions grew bolder as casualties mounted and the firefight intensified.

He sprinted across the terrain under heavy enemy fire to a wounded Afghan soldier and pulled him to safety as rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire exploded around them. But the fight was not over. Members of the U.S. Army platoon were pinned down.

"We got a call on the radio saying 'we're dying, we're dying and I'm the last one left,'" said Jones, the 24 year-old native of San Angelo, Texas. "I figured we needed to do something about it."

With bullets still fly-ing, Jones again crossed 130 meters of fire-swept ground wielding a M-240B machine gun. Jones, with

fire support from other members of the team, sup-pressed the attackers long enough to allow him to reach the wounded soldiers and provide life-saving aid.

For his valor, heroism and bravery under fire, Jones was awarded the Sil-ver Star, the third highest decoration a U.S. service member can receive.

Jones is a four-year vet-eran of the Marine Corps. He graduated from Grape Creek High School, class of 2003, in San Angelo. He works in the logistics field with Headquarters and Service Company, 4th Ma-rine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

However, while in Afghanistan, Jones was serving a 10-month aux-iliary billet as a mentor to the Afghan National Army while attached to Embed-ded Training Team 5-3.

According to Jones, he developed a bond with his Afghan and U.S. Army counterparts — a bond that was tested under fire and survived through resolve.

"Whether it's a Marine, sailor, or soldier, you can only hear suffering for so long before you have to do something about it," said Jones.

Jones said he took it

upon himself to do exactly what Marines are taught — lead from the front.

It is easy to say Jones' actions saved lives that day, but they may have had another lasting effect.

"His actions built con-fidence and motivation in the Afghan National Army," said Sgt. Maj. Samuel Schmidt the sergeant major of 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. "He was essentially a catalyst in changing the tide of the battle."

Though his actions are looked at as heroic

by some, Jones was a bit more humble in describing his actions following an awards ceremony on Camp Schwab April 2 where Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, pinned on his Silver Star.

"We were just taking care of business," Jones said. "A firefight that big opens your eyes to what war is really like. I wouldn't call myself a hero. The real heroes are the ones that gave their (lives) - and I'm wearing this medal for them."

Lt. Gen Richard C. Zilmer, commanding general of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force pins the Silver Star Medal on Cpl. Jason Jones, a logistics and combat service support specialist, during an awards ceremony on Camp Hansen, April 2. Jones earned the medal for his actions during a firefight in which he went above and beyond the call of duty while attached to Embedded Training Team 5-3 in Afghanistan. Photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas W. Provost

Corporal earns Silver Star Medal for selfless heroism on front lines

Cpl. Jason Jones pictured here July 13 in the Kunar province of eastern Afghanistan just hours after a firefight where he earned the Silver Star. Photo courtesy of Cpl. Jason Jones

Cpl. Jason Jones pictured here, earned the Silver Star Medal for his actions during a firefight in which he went above and beyond the call of duty while attached to Embedded Training Team 5-3 in Afghanistan. Photo by Lance Cpl. Paul D. Zellner

10 okinawa marine | FeATURe | april 10, 2009

Sgt. Rodolfo Torookinawa marine staff

It was Cpl. Thomas Kuncheria’s first time in a combat zone, and after seven months in Iraq

he was ready to come home. But for him, home was a small island in the Pacific just as far from his family in New York as Camp Al Taqaddum.

Overhearing the chatter of mar-ried Marines excited about return-ing made Kuncheria think about the nominal things that awaited him on Okinawa.

It was the trees, green grass and having a toilet footsteps from his bed that distinguished the combat zone he was leaving, from his home away from home on Okinawa.

More than two years passed since he executed the permanent change of station orders that sent him across the world and a conti-nent away from his family.

He missed them. But even now, had to wait a little longer to see them.

While in Iraq, Kuncheria said he spent a lot of time thinking about them during the long, late-night convoys where he served as a .50 caliber machine gunner for secu-rity platoon, Support Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group.

He missed the home-cooked meals prepared by his mother and tight-knit bond he shares with his

older brother and sister.These were the memories in his

head; snapshots of those he missed and cherished. A sacrifice experi-enced by most veterans of war.

Then more than ever, he valued the time he and his family shared together. He looked forward to see-ing them again, but he knew they would not be on Okinawa when he returned.

They lived in the culturally diverse borough of Queens, New York, where he spent most of his adolescent years.

Although he would have pre-ferred to return there to them and share stories of his experiences in Iraq, letters and phone calls would have to suffice.

“When you sign the dotted line you are sacrificing your time and your relationships back home for a cause,” Kuncheria said.

And so Kuncheria’s perspective and expectations about returning to Okinawa, his home away from home, were a little different than those of his married comrades.

There would be no hugs and kisses or tears of joy for him and other single Marines, only the camaraderie shared between them; a silent reminder of marriage to the Corps. But that was alright with him, he said. Separation from fam-ily was something he was ok with.

Besides, Kuncheria realized he developed a surrogate family in the Corps. His fellow Marines had

become a band of brothers through shared hardships.

“We live with each other, we wake up with each other, we work with each other - we don’t have anyone else here,” Kuncheria said. “This is not something everybody can do, or is willing to do. There are a lot of sacrifices.”

Even though there was no one among the masses of people gath-ered in front of Barracks Building 2441 on Camp Hansen, March 26 applauding and cheering specifi-cally for him, Kuncheria took-in the moment as his own. Not because of what he did, but because 9th ESB as a whole deserved it, he said.

“The battalion’s work in Iraq helped better the lives of the Marines and Iraqi’s over there,” Kuncheria said.

That was enough for him. Com-pleting his mission of supporting Marines in theater satisfied his desire to contribute to the Corps.

After all, it was the brotherhood of the Corps that appealed to him, he said. Not only did he enlist for the prestige associated with Ma-rines, but for the deep bond forged between them.

“My fellow Marines are not bio-logically related,” Kuncheria said. “But through our experiences we are family.”

In the end, Kuncheria realized though, he was not returning to family members on Okinawa, he was returning with them.

The sounds of war faded a few hours into the flight. Battlefield commands gave way to talk of liberty plans as the stress of war subsid-ed. Approximately 26 hours

stood between where he was and where he wanted to be – thousands of miles away from the war-strick-en land he spent seven

months rebuilding. It was his duty. But he was return-

ing to Okinawa; and for him it was almost over.

Master Sgt. Steven Wheelbarger (left), construction chief, Company A, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, welcomes home Cpl. Tyler Goddard, 1st squad leader, 2nd platoon, Company A, during the arrival of 9th ESB at Kadena Air Base March 26. For single Marines returning to forward-deployed duty stations, such as Okinawa, the Marine Corps family is often the only family they have to celebrate their return with. Photo by Cpl. Heather Golden

Single Marines return to Okinawa after deployment with their family

Cpl. Thomas Kuncheria is one of the many single Marines from 9th Engineering Support Battalion who returned with the only family they have here on Okinawa — fellow Marines. Photo illustration by Cpl. Andrew S. Avitt

11okinawa marine | MARKeTPLACe | april 10, 2009

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'95 TOYOTA RAvA jci Sept. 2010,$3,500 OBO,645-4694

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'98 NissAN CUbE jci june 2010,$1,900,646-5811

'96 NissAN skYliNE jci jan. 2011,$2,500,080-3551-0093

Classified Ads sell your unwanted

personal items with an

OkiMar classified ad.

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

FOsTeR 645-3465

KAdenA634-1869

For more information or to sign up, contact the Single Marine Program

office at 645-3681.

APRIL 17-19 | WHITE BEACH WEEKEND GETAWAY• Bus pick ups will be at camp Kinser at 4 p.m., Futenma at 4:25 p.m., and camp Foster at 4:40 p.m. with $10 fee. call the SMP office for more information and to sign up. Deadline is Wednesday!

MAY 5 | DRAGON BOAT RACE• Practices run Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m., until the race date. contact 645-3681 for more information. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES• Volunteer at the Kinser Elementary School Reading Program from 9 to 11 a.m. every Friday. contact the SMP office to sign up.

• Volunteer at the Killin Elementary School Reading Program from 3 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. contact the SMP office to sign up.

• The Marine Thrift Shop on camp Foster requests two volunteers on a weekly basis from camps Kinser, Foster, courtney, Hansen and Schwab and McAS Futenma.

• Volunteer at the Ai No Mura Nursing Home the fourth Friday of each month. call 636-3092 for more information.

DISCOVER SCUBA PROGRAM• Discover Scuba events will be scheduled as participants sign up. There is a minimum of 10 participants required to register for the program. For more information and to sign up, call the SMP office.

Ads appearing in the Okinawa Marine are a free ser-vice 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.

sIngLe MARIne PROgRAM evenTs

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

Fieldhouse.

In TheATeRs APRIL 10 - APRIL 1�

COURTney622-9616

FUTenMA636-3890

AUTOMOBILes

Camp Foster | 645-7486/• Catholic: Mon., Wed., 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.• Gospel: Sun., 11:30 a.m.• Hindu: Sat., 3:30 p.m.• Jewish: Fri., Traditional, 6 p.m.; Informal: Fri., 6:30 p.m.• Muslim: Fri., Prayer, 12:45 p.m.• Protestant: Sun., 8:30 a.m.• Seventh Day Adventist: Sat., 10 a.m.

Camp sChwab | 622-9350• Catholic: Sun., 5:30 p.m.• Protestant: Sun., 11:30 a.m.

Camp Courtney | 622-9350• Catholic: Sun., 8 and 11:15 a.m.; Mon.-Fri., 11:45 a.m..• Protestant: Sun., 9:30 a.m.

Camp Kinser | 637-1148• Catholic: Sun., 11 a.m.• Gospel: Sun., 8 a.m.• Protestant: Sun., 9:30 a.m.

mCas Futenma | 636-3058• Catholic: Sun., noon• Contemporary: Fri., 7 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m. • High school senior service: Sat. 6 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• Protestant: Sun., 10:30 a.m., • Contemporary: Kadena High School; Sun., 8:30 a.m.,• Inspirational: Chapel 2; Sun., 10:30 a.m., • Traditional: Chapel 2; Sun., 10:30 a.m.,• Gospel: Chapel 3; Sunday School, 8:45 a.m., Bldg. 856• Wiccan/Pagan: Fri., 7 p.m., Bldg. 856; Sat., 6:30 p.m., Bldg. 856

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

Camp Lester | 643-7248• Catholic: Sun., 8 a.m., Lester Chapel• Protestant: Sun., 9 a.m., Hospital Chapel Sun., 10 a.m., Lester Chapel

Camp shieLds | 632-4192• Protestant: Sun., 6 p.m.

Camp mctureous | 622-9350• Gospel: Sun., 12:30 p.m.• Lutheran: Sun., 9:30 a.m.• Protestant Lethurgical: Sun., 6:30 p.m.

ChAPeL sChedULe

CLAssIFIed Ads

TODAY Monsters Vs Aliens (PG), 3 and 6 p.m.; Watchmen (R), 9 p.m.

SATURDAY Hotel for Dogs (PG), Noon; inkheart (PG), 3 p.m.; Special FREE Screening: Taking chance (Not Rated), 6 p.m.; He's just Not That into You (PG13), 9 p.m.

SUNDAY Hannah Montana: The Movie (G), 1 and 4 p.m.; Watchmen (R), 7 p.m.

MONDAY Paul Blart: Mall cop (PG), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY Taken (PG13), 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY Paul Blart: Mall cop (PG), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY Hannah Montana: The Movie (G), 7 p.m.

TODAY Paul Blart: Mall cop (PG), 6 p.m.; He's just Not That into You (PG13), 9 p.m.

SATURDAY Monsters Vs Aliens (PG), Noon and 3 p.m.; Taken (PG13), 6 p.m.; He's just Not That into You (PG13), 9 p.m.

SUNDAY Monsters Vs Aliens (PG), 1 p.m.; Paul Blart: Mall cop (PG), 4 p.m.; He's just Not That into You (PG13), 7 p.m.

MONDAY Hannah Montana: The Movie (G), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY Hannah Montana: The Movie (G), 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY i Love You Man (R), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY He's just Not That into You (PG13), 7 p.m.

TODAY closed

SATURDAY closed

SUNDAY closed

MONDAY closed

TUESDAY closed

WEDNESDAY closed

THURSDAY closed

TODAY Hannah Montana: The Movie (G), 6:30 p.m.; My Bloody Valentine (R), 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY New in Town (PG), 2 p.m.; Streetfighter: The Legend of chung-Li (PG13), 7 p.m.

SUNDAY i Love You Man (R), 7 p.m.

MONDAY Notorious (R), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY closed

WEDNESDAY Monsters Vs Aliens (PG), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY closed

hAnsen623-4564

KInseR637-2177

TODAY He's just Not That into You (PG13), 9 p.m.; Taken (PG13), 9 p.m.

SATURDAY Taken (PG13), 6 p.m.; i Love You Man (R), 9 p.m.

SUNDAY Paul Blart: Mall cop (PG), 2 p.m.; Taken (PG13), 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY Watchmen (R), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY Gran Torino (R), 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY He's just Not That into You (PG13), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY Taken (PG13), 7 p.m.

TODAY closed

SATURDAY closed

SUNDAY closed

MONDAY closed

TUESDAY closed

WEDNESDAY closed

THURSDAY closed

The USO hosts movie nights at the locations below.

For schedules and start times, call:

CAMP SCHWAB 625-3834

MCAS FUTENMA 636-2113

CAMP HANSEN 623-5011

KADENA AIR BASE 632-8781

UsOMovie nights

sChWAB625-2333

TODAY i Love You Man (R), 7 p.m.

SATURDAY Notorious (R), 5 p.m.

SUNDAY New in Town (PG), 5 p.m.

MONDAY-THURSDAY closed

1� okinawa marine | sPORTs | april 10, 2009

Story and photos by Lance Cpl. Shelby Shieldsokinawa marine staff

This was the scene for the Kinser “Midnight Mad-ness” open softball tour-

nament. The tournament began April 3 at 6 p.m. and continued through the night into the early hours on Saturday.

Players took their only breaks between games or in some cases, between innings.

The all-night format was a first in recent years for Camp Kinser and added an extra element of

endurance and excitement to the game, tournament organizers said.

“You eat when you can, and sleep when you can,” said Ray Hamilton, sports coordinator with Marine Corps Community Servic-es Semper Fit on Camp Kinser.

Several military teams com-peted in the tournament including seven Marine Corps teams and two Navy teams. The 14-team field was rounded out by five teams sponsored by organizations such as Army and Air Force Exchange Service and American Legion.

After 26 games spanning 14 consecutive hours, the American

Legion team came out on top, defeating Club Red in the cham-pionship game 23-4. Yellow Box finished third.

Navy and Marine Corps teams went down swinging early in the double-elimination tournament.

“Even though we lost we had fun,” said Clifton Setty, the NMBC-40 team coach. “Not sleep-ing is fine for me, it’s a good time and its better than working.”

The competition remained in-tense throughout the tournament but it was the spirit of fun Hamil-ton hopes carried the night.

“The best part of the tourna-

ment was watching the teams compete through all kinds of conditions like fatigue, motiva-tional issues, hunger and many other things,” Hamilton said. “But most of all watching them have fun with it.”

“Midnight Madness” was deemed a success and teams en-joyed the glow in the dark shirts they received, Hamilton said.

The chances of repeating the tournament next year look promising.

"When you get this kind of participation, you keep it rolling,” Hamilton said.

It is Friday midnight on Camp Kinser, the

streets are mostly dark and there is little action to be seen — except for softball field four.

Over the field, lights are glaring, red dust fills the air and the cheers of fans and

cracks of bats pierce the night.

USNH catcher, Nic Brigandi, prepares to take a swing during the Midnight Madness softball tournament April 3 on Camp Kinser.

Michael McCord, Camp Lester Family Medical Clinic, (left) and Anthony W. Gourley, Camp Lester Naval Hospital, (right) of the Naval Hospital Okinawa team USNH, meet to discuss the competition before their game against the Ball Busters.

Midnight Madness tournament has Marines, sailors loving night life

In the late evening hours April 3,

Anthony W. Gourley, USNH, pitches the

softball during their game against the

Ball Busters.