Posted on 03/23/2009 5:35:06 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The Marines, sailors and families of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s Command Element gathered here March 19 and 20 for pre-deployment briefs.
The brigade, also known as Task Force Leatherneck, is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan later this spring to conduct counterinsurgency operations.
The command held the briefs to inform the service members and their families of what lies ahead for them in their ensuing journey. Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, 2nd MEB commanding general, said the Marines and sailors will be deploying to a region of Afghanistan that is both dangerous and austere.
“It’s not the garden spot of the world,” Nicholson said. “It’s a tough neighborhood.”
The Command Element and Brigade Headquarters Group’s Family Readiness Team was introduced at the beginning of each brief as the individuals who will help guide the families through the deployment. The team provided informative materials to the service members and their families.
Nancy Wike, the BHG family readiness officer, said the readiness team has “grown by lengths and bounds and continues to get better.”
“The families have a single person to dispense information, which ensures information gets out to everyone,” Wike said. “They have a single person for the resources and knowledge they need to know.”
Wike said the resources and knowledge available to single and married service members facing deployment are both plentiful and vital. She described legal, financial, vehicle, and interpersonal-communication matters as some of the issues that can make or break a deployment because the service members can’t focus on their tasks-at-hand if their minds are elsewhere.
Looking back on the past 10 months of effort from her team, Wike said the families will be as prepared as possible.
(Excerpt) Read more at marines.mil:80 ...
God speed, brave ones. Prayers.
God bless our troops...you are not forgotten!
Must not get blurry eyed. I’m working on embroidery...too late.
Semper Fi to you freema
God speed to them all for a safe return after doing what they must do in the coming year.
All the best for mission success and safe return for the deploying Marines; and, kindest wishes for the families.
Freema - - I loved the vid.
(From a Marine Dad and Dad-in-law.)
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I’m at work and had to close my office door. This was just beautiful!
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