On March 26, Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion completed recruit training with four male platoons and two female platoons; the first time ever that male recruits have graduated from the battalion. During training the platoons were segregated by gender and maintained separate sleeping and bathing facilities inside of their respective squadbays. Training events conducted outside […]
Soldier shares story of trauma, depression and recovery
Military AffairsThen-Staff Sgt. Scott Schmidt tried to explain his sudden struggle with crippling depression, anxiety and paranoia as he sat opposite his behavioral health counselor at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. As a hard-charging telecommunications operations chief with the 518th Tactical Installation and Networking Company, Schmidt displayed no signs of mental distress before his deployment from Fort Gordon, […]
Marine Corps to begin trial run for new PT uniform
Military AffairsMarines will soon be testing and evaluating new physical training uniforms. The new PT uniform is modernized with all the performance attributes that align with commercial trends of providing uniforms with better form, fit and function, said Lt. Col. Andrew Konicki, Marine Corps Systems Command’s program manager for Infantry Combat Equipment. On April 13, MCSC […]
Army victorious at Wrestling Olympic Trials, two more Soldier-athletes headed to Summer Games
LifestyleSgt. Ildar Hafizov and Spc. Alejandro Sancho fought their way to victory at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials in Fort Worth, Texas, April 2-3, earning themselves spots on the U.S. Wrestling Olympic Team where they will represent the Army at the Summer Olympic Games this July in Tokyo, Japan. Hafizov and Sancho, members of the […]
How this deployed couple withstands challenges away from their child
Lifestyle“He has his days where he is mad at us for leaving and other days, he cannot stop telling me how much he misses us,” said Cpl. Ashley Hibbler, of her 3-year-old son Landon. Hibbler and her husband, Spc. Kyle Hibbler, are deployed to the Middle East with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade and […]
Paul Douglas: The oldest recruit in the history of Parris Island
HistoryThe average age of a United States Marine Corps recruit is 21 years old. When Paul Douglas enlisted in 1942, he left behind his wife, child, and career and reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island at the ripe age of 50. Even though thousands of visitors have walked the halls of the Douglas […]
Murky waters, crystal clear legacy for BM1 James E. Williams
HistoryBoatswain’s Mate 1st Class James E. Williams was not new to war. In his 19 years of active duty service, the Cherokee Indian served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and his experience was rewarded with more responsibility. Williams commanded not only River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105, but also another PBR through the murky […]
Soldier and he knows it: DJ trades music for Army Greens
LifestylePvt. Kenny Oliver who recently graduated Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, with the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment also has another title … DJ Kenny Oliver. He once had a successful music career creating and producing tracks for the group LMFAO, will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and other big names in the music […]
Veteran receives Silver Star 70 years after actions in Korea
LifestyleSalvatore Naimo, local Sarasota veteran, received the Silver Star Wednesday morning for his actions in September, 1951 in the mountains of Korea as a rifleman in Howe Company 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. Nearly 70 years ago, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines regained the area north of the 38th parallel called the “Punchbowl” in a battle […]
Army analyzing needs for Arctic operations
Military AffairsThe Army is currently conducting a gap analysis as part of its new Arctic strategy to identify if any new equipment or training sites will be needed or expanded to prepare Soldiers for upcoming missions in extreme cold weather. Army leaders recently announced the release of an Arctic strategy, which outlines how the service will support […]
