Stories - Page 43

Wrestling coach represents Marines in 2008 Olympics

Since the start of the Olympic Games in 1896, U.S. service members have been competing side by side with some of the world’s finest athletes to take home the gold for their country. This year is no exception. At this years games, held in Beijing from Aug. 8 – 24, there will be 21 military athletes and coaches from the U.S. helping to bring back

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Memorial honors departed depot mascots

Just off Guadalcanal Ave. located behind the depot’s recruit chow hall, stands a marble monument dedicated to fallen Devil Dogs who gave their lives to the Corps not in combat, but in companionship. The 7-foot-tall monument, located near Paige Field here, is surrounded by a hedge and honors the mascots of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. The

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Pvt. Jason Dolan, Platoon 2111, Company E, stands at attention during the unit’s Battalion Commander’s Inspection Tuesday, on Shepherd Memorial Drill Field. The Battalion Commander’s Inspection is one of the final events before their graduation ceremony today. - Pvt. Jason Dolan, Platoon 2111, Company E, stands at attention during the unit’s Battalion Commander’s Inspection Tuesday, on Shepherd Memorial Drill Field. The Battalion Commander’s Inspection is one of the final events before their graduation ceremony today.

Russian emigrant finds home in America and the Corps

For most of his childhood while growing up in Russia, Pvt. Jason Dolan, 18, Platoon 2111, Company E, focused mainly on one thing – survival. “(My family) never had food around,” said Dolan. “We were always searching for food it seemed. My mindset was always on surviving and taking care of my family.”Born in Kaliningrad, Russia, a seaport between

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Recruit Christopher M. Duncan, Platoon 3209, balances himself as he walks down a log obstacle. - Recruit Christopher M. Duncan, Platoon 3209, balances himself as he walks down a log obstacle.

Recruits learn teamwork is the only way over an obstacle

Forty hours into the Crucible, recruits with Platoon 3209, Company I began feeling the effects of food and sleep deprivation. Their feet had already developed blisters from hiking several miles in combat gear across demanding terrain during the second day of the Crucible Aug. 6. As they continued down one trail, they were faced by the Edson Range,

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry, left, meets with Company I recruits from Texas during a special visit here Aug. 1. Perry was on vacation in California and he wanted to visit the depot to meet Texas Marines and their families. - Texas Gov. Rick Perry, left, meets with Company I recruits from Texas during a special visit here Aug. 1. Perry was on vacation in California and he wanted to visit the depot to meet Texas Marines and their families.

Texas Governor visits depot Marines, families

Texas Gov. Rick Perry made a special visit to the depot Aug. 1. On vacation in California, Perry wanted to tour the depot to witness recruit training highlights and visit with fellow Texans in uniform and their families, according to Capt. Darren S. Szerdy, depot protocol officer.“My visit was every bit of special as I thought it would be,” said

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Marines listen in about Fitness and Injury Prevention from Lenora Steele at the Semper Fit Health Education Fair inside of the All-Weather Training Facility. - Marines listen in about Fitness and Injury Prevention from Lenora Steele at the Semper Fit Health Education Fair inside of the All-Weather Training Facility.

Maintaining a force in readiness: Annual fair keeps Marines’ minds on health, covers year’s worth of training requirements

The Depot held its annual Semper Fit Health Education Fair at the All- Weather Training Facility on Tuesday. The fair fulfilled annual health education training on drug prevention, alcohol awareness, sexually transmitted disease education, tobacco usage and suicide prevention. “The fair has been an annual event for at least 10 years now,” said

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DoD, government credit cards to change banks

The Department of Defense is scheduled to switch government travel, purchase and fleet credit cards from Bank of America to CitiBank in November.The DoD is switching banks due to Bank of America’s contract expiring, said 1st Lt. Nicole Bastian, the Headquarters & Service Battalion adjutant, from Tampa, Fla.The Bank of America cards will expire Nov.

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Army of Czech Republic Master Sgt. Lukas Pikner calls out commands during drill practice at the drill instructor school July 26. Pikner is the 46th international student to attend the drill instructor school since 1998. - Army of Czech Republic Master Sgt. Lukas Pikner calls out commands during drill practice at the drill instructor school July 26. Pikner is the 46th international student to attend the drill instructor school since 1998.

Army of Czech Republic soldiers attend Drill Instructor School

Drill instructor school poses many difficulties for Marines, such as the intense academic schedule, memorizing the entire drill manual or just dealing with the strict staff. But, for two students attending Drill Instructor School Class 4-08 there is one obstacle they have to face that other students don’t.Army of the Czech Republic soldiers Master

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Sgt. Major Jayme F. Winders, 12th Marine Corps District sergeant major, and his wife, Lisa, stand by their new Captain America themed Honda Element they won in a drawing at Comic–Con. Winders is thankful for his wife entering them in the drawing for the car because he said he wouldn’t have entered otherwise. - Sgt. Major Jayme F. Winders, 12th Marine Corps District sergeant major, and his wife, Lisa, stand by their new Captain America themed Honda Element they won in a drawing at Comic–Con. Winders is thankful for his wife entering them in the drawing for the car because he said he wouldn’t have entered otherwise.

Single Marines provide security, observe pop arts at Comic-Con

Not long ago, in a convention center not too far, far away was Comic-Con, 2008. Thousands of people came from around the world to be a part of an annual gathering of those interested in popular arts and culture July 23 through 27 at the San Diego Convention Center. Those attending included 25 Marines from the Single Marine Program. These SMP

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A construction crew tears apart the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion parade deck to make room for the new modular barracks. The barracks will help house the increasingly high volumes of recruits coming aboard the Depot. - A construction crew tears apart the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion parade deck to make room for the new modular barracks. The barracks will help house the increasingly high volumes of recruits coming aboard the Depot.

New modular barracks help Depot with recruit increase

Along with a growing need for more Marines comes a growing need to house the influx of recruits arriving at the Depot.Trucks carrying new barracks started arriving on the Depot, Tuesday.The modular barracks will provide temporary lodging for the recruits until permanent barracks are available.The temporary facilities will be used until new barracks

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