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 TWENTYNINE
PALMS, Calif. - The Marine Corps has greatly changed since its birth
in 1775.
This past year has further contributed to its evolution. Leaders
toured bases across the Corps, addressing Marines face-to-face,
female Marines faced the challenges of new physical fitness
standards and were afforded new military occupational specialty
opportunities. Combat readiness was revolutionized with the
implementation of the Integrated Training Exercise aboard the Combat
Center.
Every year, the Corps reflects upon its successes and areas
of opportunity in order to maintain its status as America's elite
fighting force.
In 2013, the Corps attained many historic milestones. Not only
have our uniforms and standards improved but new avenues have been
made for every Marine to pursue.
DUTY POLICIES
A new duty policy was implemented by the
Commandant of the Marine Corps in 2013. Some of the changes include
a roaming fire watch, non-commissioned officers and armed staff NCOs
and officers on duty at each barracks. The new policy has already
taken effect in some bases throughout the Corps.
THE REAWAKENING
The
Commandant of the Marine Corps' reawakening campaign took place this
past year. Marine Corps leadership toured bases addressing
non-commissioned officers to encourage leadership by example, troop
welfare and abiding by Marine Corps values.
FEMALE INFANTRYMEN
For the
first time in history, female Marines were able to volunteer to
attend the infantry training course. There were 15 females to
volunteer but there were four females who completed the course and
graduated Nov. 21.
UNIFORM CHANGES
Due to the manufacturer of female Marine barracks covers going
out of business, Marine Corps leadership made the decision to make
the male cover universal. The universal cover promotes uniformity
across the Marine Corps and is now an option for female Marines.
8th and I SGT. MAJ.
Sgt.
Maj. Angela Maness assumed duties the senior enlisted Marine at
Marine Barracks Washington. Maness replaced Sgt. Maj. Eric J.
Stockton and made history by being the first female sergeant major
at 8th and I. Maness assumed the duties on June 27.
FEMALE PT STANDARDS
Female
Marines were given the option to do pull-ups instead of the
flexed-arm hang during their physical fitness test. The option was
given to the female Marines to be prepared for the new upcoming
standard The standard was originally set to be pull-ups only in 2014
but was pushed back until 2016.
START OF ITX
The Marine Corps launched the first
Integrated Training Exercise as its premier pre-deployment training
package, Jan. 11. More than 15 units, Marine Corps wide, began ITX
1-13, the successor to Enhanced Mojave Viper, conducted aboard the
Combat Center. The training incorporates a building block approach,
beginning at a platoon level and increasing to a battalion-sized
element, where Marines may utilize combined-arms tactics to employ
counter measures, or initiate an attack on simulated enemy targets.
By USMC Lance Cpl. Alejandro Bedoya
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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