Stories - Tag Ito

Sgt. Andrew Portell, funeral honors noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at their home training center in Bridgeton, Mo., Jan 7. Portell received the award for his role in coordinating more than 1,000 funeral honors ceremonies, 623 of which he personally conducted. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Michael Ito) - Sgt. Andrew Portell, funeral honors noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at their home training center in Bridgeton, Mo., Jan 7. Portell received the award for his role in coordinating more than 1,000 funeral honors ceremonies, 623 of which he personally conducted. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Michael Ito)

Marine recognized for providing honors to more than 1,000 fallen Marines

As any Marine can tell you, earning and upholding the title is no small feat. No matter what a Marine does in life or how long they serve in their beloved Corps, they will always uphold the honor and respect for the Marines that went before them.Funeral honor details are just one way Marine Forces Reserve members uphold that honor and respect. To

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Maj. Ann Bernard completes repetitions of pull-ups at the physical fitness gym here Feb. 15, 2013. Bernard, a competitive bodybuilder and the G-6 officer in charge for Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, was training as the Marine Corps transitions pull-ups into the female physical fitness test repertoire. According to ALMAR 046/12, as of January 1, 2013, female Marines have the option to perform pull-ups in place of the flexed-arm hang on their annual PFT. After January 1, 2014, female Marines will be required to perform pull-ups on the PFT. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Ito/Released) - Maj. Ann Bernard completes repetitions of pull-ups at the physical fitness gym here Feb. 15, 2013. Bernard, a competitive bodybuilder and the G-6 officer in charge for Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, was training as the Marine Corps transitions pull-ups into the female physical fitness test repertoire. According to ALMAR 046/12, as of January 1, 2013, female Marines have the option to perform pull-ups in place of the flexed-arm hang on their annual PFT. After January 1, 2014, female Marines will be required to perform pull-ups on the PFT. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Ito/Released)

Marine bodybuilder gives advice on pull-ups

Maj. Ann Bernard’s philosophy on improving pull-ups is simple: training hard means training smart, focused and with intensity. With the Marine Corps transitioning pull-ups into the female physical fitness test repertoire, the exercise is more in the spotlight than ever. According to ALMAR 046/12, as of January 1, 2013, female Marines

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Sgt. Alex Bolicke, training non-commissioned officer for Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve acts as a gunman in an active-shooter drill held at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans Feb. 7, 2013. The drill was a part of safety preparation for the support facility that included classroom time, leadership discussion and facility-wide drills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Marcin Platek/Released) - Sgt. Alex Bolicke, training non-commissioned officer for Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve acts as a gunman in an active-shooter drill held at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans Feb. 7, 2013. The drill was a part of safety preparation for the support facility that included classroom time, leadership discussion and facility-wide drills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Marcin Platek/Released)

Active shooter offers test, preparation, rather than bullets

Marine Forces Reserve stepped up its readiness and safety measures here, as it prepared more than 1,200 personnel assigned to the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans for emergency situations that might arise. “Our most valuable asset is our people,” said Lt. Col. Brian Hardy, commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion,

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The Marines of 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group were awarded the W.P.T. Hill award for best field mess for 2013. The Hill awards aim to reward high quality food service and recognize culinary expertise. 6th ESB achieved this award by improving food service operations and encouraging excellence in the garrison and field foodservice programs, as well as contributing to improving the quality of life for Marines and Navy personnel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Esdros Ruano/Released) - The Marines of 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group were awarded the W.P.T. Hill award for best field mess for 2013. The Hill awards aim to reward high quality food service and recognize culinary expertise. 6th ESB achieved this award by improving food service operations and encouraging excellence in the garrison and field foodservice programs, as well as contributing to improving the quality of life for Marines and Navy personnel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Esdros Ruano/Released)

Marine Forces Reserve stands out

There’s an old Marine Corps adage that says, “Marines are forged with a drive for excellence and a healthy dose of competitive spirit.” The Marines and sailors of Marine Forces Reserve showed their drive and spirit, as two of the major subordinate commands, 4th Marine Logistics Group and 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, were each recently recognized.

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(From left to right) Lt. Col. Michael Varicak, Rebecca Varicak, Sandra Deal, and Nathan Deal celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree and the release of the Varicak's book, "The Journey of a Toys for Tots Toy!" at the capitol in Atlanta, Dec. 5. The book illustrates the process a toy goes through when it has been donated to the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Toys for Tots Foundation. - (From left to right) Lt. Col. Michael Varicak, Rebecca Varicak, Sandra Deal, and Nathan Deal celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree and the release of the Varicak's book, "The Journey of a Toys for Tots Toy!" at the capitol in Atlanta, Dec. 5. The book illustrates the process a toy goes through when it has been donated to the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Toys for Tots Foundation.

The Journey of a Toys for Tots Toy!

Ted is a teddy bear. He was donated to the Toys for Tots program so he could change the life of a child that would have otherwise not had a Christmas. He will inspire more than one child though, because he is the main character of Rebecca Varicak’s new children’s book, “The Journey of a Toys for Tots Toy!”“The Journey of a Toys for Tots Toy!” was

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The Marine Forces Reserve colorguard led a contingent of MARFORRES Marines through the streets of New Orleans Nov. 10, as a part of Louisiana's bicentennial military parade. The Marines were not only celebrating the bicentennial, but Veterans Day and the birthday of the Marine Corps as well. More than 150 Marines participated in the parade as thousands of New Orleanians cheered from the roadsides. - The Marine Forces Reserve colorguard led a contingent of MARFORRES Marines through the streets of New Orleans Nov. 10, as a part of Louisiana's bicentennial military parade. The Marines were not only celebrating the bicentennial, but Veterans Day and the birthday of the Marine Corps as well. More than 150 Marines participated in the parade as thousands of New Orleanians cheered from the roadsides.

Boots on the ground: Marines participate in bicentennial parade

“Atten-hut!”The Marines snapped their heels together, preparing for the march ahead of them. They were formed in four platoons, supported by four vehicles and led by their commanding officer. “Right face!”Guidons whipped in the wind as the Marines waited to step off. Sgt. Maj. Eric Kuhns, battalion sergeant major for Headquarters Battalion, Marine

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Gunnery Sgt. Craig Ranney, motorcycle president, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, rides his motorcycle on Camp Pendleton, Calif. All Marines must attend the Basic Riders Course if they own a motorcycle or are planning on purchasing one. - Gunnery Sgt. Craig Ranney, motorcycle president, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, rides his motorcycle on Camp Pendleton, Calif. All Marines must attend the Basic Riders Course if they own a motorcycle or are planning on purchasing one.

Marines embrace motorcycle safety

Safety is the one thing you can’t afford to ignore.That’s the advice of Master Sgt. Tim Murphy, the motor transport operations chief for Marine Forces Reserve and the president of the Motorcycle Mentorship Program for MARFORRES. “This program accomplishes many things,” said Murphy. “Firstly, it’s commandant-directed. But besides that, it allows you

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Hurricane Sandy devastated much of the northeastern coast when it made landfall Oct. 29. Winds up to 80 mph and floodwaters up to 14 feet blanketed New York, bursting a transformer, which caused a fire in the Queens neighborhood of Rockaway Beach, destroying 111 homes. The fire and floodwaters trapped many residents, who had to be rescued by local authorities and Marines from the 6th Communications Battalion, headquartered in Brooklyn, N.Y. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen/released) - Hurricane Sandy devastated much of the northeastern coast when it made landfall Oct. 29. Winds up to 80 mph and floodwaters up to 14 feet blanketed New York, bursting a transformer, which caused a fire in the Queens neighborhood of Rockaway Beach, destroying 111 homes. The fire and floodwaters trapped many residents, who had to be rescued by local authorities and Marines from the 6th Communications Battalion, headquartered in Brooklyn, N.Y. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen/released)

Marines help save 14 New Yorkers trapped by Hurricane Sandy

Winds, close to 80 mph, whipped the 14-foot floodwaters through the streets of New York Monday night as Hurricane Sandy bore down on the city. During the height of the storm, a detective from the New York Police Department approached the duty noncommissioned officer of 6th Communications Battalion, Force Headquarters Group in Brooklyn, N.Y., and

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Marines from Battery O, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division prepare to fire artillery rounds from an M777A2 155 mm howitzer at East Fuji Maneuver Area, Japan Sept. 11. Battery O is in Japan as a part of the Unit Deployment Program, a program designed to increase the training level and unit continuity of Marine Corps units stationed in the continental United States. Realistic scenarios and combined exercises are a highlight of the UDP, bringing Marines of many different units together, sometimes with foreign forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Terence G. Brady/Released) - Marines from Battery O, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division prepare to fire artillery rounds from an M777A2 155 mm howitzer at East Fuji Maneuver Area, Japan Sept. 11. Battery O is in Japan as a part of the Unit Deployment Program, a program designed to increase the training level and unit continuity of Marine Corps units stationed in the continental United States. Realistic scenarios and combined exercises are a highlight of the UDP, bringing Marines of many different units together, sometimes with foreign forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Terence G. Brady/Released)

Unit Deployment Program provides Marines with valuable skills

Gunnery Sgt. Raoul P. Sheridan has deployed before. He’s been to the cities and deserts of Iraq, where he provided fire support for Marines. But his last deployment was unlike any other. He found himself sweating in more than 90 percent humidity, freezing at night when the temperatures dropped below minus five degrees Fahrenheit. He hiked mountains

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