November 2009

CC writes a blog for his hometown newspaper

Staff Sgt. Luis Agostini of Haverstraw, a combat correspondent for the Marines, recently was deployed to Afghanistan and is writing about his experiences for The Journal News and LoHud.com.

SSgt. Luis Agostini of Haverstraw, a combat correspondent for the Marines, recently was deployed to Afghanistan and is writing about his experiences for The Journal News and LoHud.com.

by SSgt Luis Agostini, LoHud.com
I thought I’d be heading back to my home camp without really getting outside of the wire and into the Afghanistan that I pictured, that I had been preparing for so long. I wouldn’t be in danger, for that day at least, but I wanted to get out again.

In the meantime, the Marine I am supervising, combat correspondent Cpl. Zachary Nola, was getting ready to cover a memorial for a Marine who was killed a few days earlier.

The Marine was from the San Antonio area, where my wife is stationed. The thought of me getting hurt out here never really crossed her mind until then. She said it kind of shook her a little.

The Marines with India Company, 3/4, had told me to come back after a few days, since they had some work to do on their vehicles.

I returned to their command operations center Sunday evening, Nov. 1, and the platoon sergeant, SSgt. Paul Cooke, said they had a mission lined up the following morning in which, because of the route’s propensity to get hit by roadside bombs and indirect fire (mortar/rocket attacks), they were going to engage the Taliban.

And he wanted me there to cover it. I was more than happy to do it.

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By kvstark, ago

Oliver gaining press for his book “Command Attention…”

Past president Col. Keith Oliver, USMC (Ret.), is gaining steam for his book, “Command Attention: Promoting Your Organization the Marine Corps Way.”  Leatherneck Magazine named it November’s “Book of the Month.”  And www.wtop.com, owned by the Washington, D.C. radio station 103.5 FM features Keith’s first radio interview.

Check it out here: Keith Oliver’s radio interview

The U.S. Marine Corps is widely recognized and admired as the undisputed leader in presenting its case as the world’s most effective military organization. This book explains how to promote your own group with the same effectiveness. Written primarily for new Marine Public Affairs Officers (PAOs), this handy reference will also prove useful to Marine Corps leaders assigned to independent duty as well as those who are de facto PAOs.

(more…)

By kvstark, ago

DiBernardo: Past president Jim DiBernardo dies

James entered the US Marine Corps, proudly serving for 30 years. He began his career in the Marines as enlisted personal, but was able to obtain the officer’s rank of Major through hard work, dedication and sacrifice. His achievements include the Bronze Star Medal, Three Purple Hearts, Two Navy Commendations, and the Vietnamese Medal of Honor.

By kvstark, ago