Each Company contin-ues to work hard and makes me realize that these men and women are made up of some-thing special and makes me very proud to be their commander. Headquarters and Support company main-tains a high state of mo-rale for all the other companies by ensuring that everyone’s pay is accurate, keeping the living and work spaces functional, running the Combat Operations Center at peak perform-ance, maintaining com-munication equipment for the Marines and Sail-ors, keeping all the tacti-cal equipment function-ing and augmenting Combat Logistics Pa-trols with vehicle com-manders and gunners. Alpha and Bravo companies are con-stantly kept busy run-ning Combat Logistics Patrols to ensure our infantry battalions are kept ready with all the equipment and supplies that a small city might need to function. This includes food, water, ammunition, fuel, repair parts, and critical pieces of equipment. These patrols are always chal-lenging and usually take several days to com-

Although we were separated from our fami-lies during the holidays, December was a good month for the Battalion. Thanks to your efforts and those of some or-ganizations that have "adopted" the Battalion, there were plenty of Christmas decorations and the spirit of the holi-day was evident. Even though the pace of our operations has been fairly significant, we were still able to take Christmas day off. It has stayed bright and sunny for the most part but the temperature has dropped significantly (in the mid-20's at night). Still no snow but I have noticed that the Marines and Sailors have broken out the cold weather gear. As our time draws down the work load only gets bigger. We are con-stantly performing main-tenance on our vehicles to ensure they are kept running and available to support our Regimental Combat Team. As we prepare for the arrival of CLB-8 in mid-January we are getting work spaces and equipment organized for them so they can hit the ground running.

plete but the Marines and Sailors are up to the task. Charlie Company has been doing Combat Out-post improvements throughout our Area of Operations. They have also been augmenting our Combat Logistics Patrols with mine sweepers as well as building workspaces for our own battalion area. I would like to thank you all for the support you provided during the Christmas holiday. It really meant a lot to the battalion. I ask you to continue that support as we approach the end of the deployment. In the meantime, our Family Readiness Offi-cer, Mr. Peters, and the Family Readiness Assis-tants and Advisors are busy planning family events which will occur over the coming weeks. If you would like to vol-unteer your time to help with the Family Readi-ness Program, please contact Mr. Peters at the phone numbers listed later in this newsletter. Semper Fidelis, LtCol B. N. Wolford

From the Commander

Upcoming Events:

January

6 Jan Spouses Return

and Reunion

8 Jan Banner Party

11 Jan Kids Return and

Reunion

February

Marine and Sailors

return Home

CLB-2, CLR-2, 2D MLG

December 2010 NEWS

LETTER

Inside this issue:

The Commander 1

The Sergeant Major 2

Chaplain’s Corner 3

Headquarters Company 4

Alpha Company 5

Bravo Company 6

Charlie Company 7

Family Readiness Officer 8

December 2010 Volume 2, Issue 7

Page 2 CLB-2, CLR-2, 2D MLG December 2010 NEWS LETTER

“Thank you for your

generosity, for we could not do the things we are doing

over here without all of

your support.”

From The SgtMaj

From the SgtMaj Hello to all! I wish all the families and loved ones back in the states, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I know I speak for every-one by saying, we wish we were there to cele-brate the holidays with you. Thank you for your generosity, for we could not do the things we are doing over here without all of your support. Again, thanks for send-ing all the holiday care packages, gifts and holi-day displays. We are starting to look like a little Santa’s workshop around here. I want to give a special thanks to Staff Sergeant Andrew Williams and the whole

Supply Section for put-ting together a gym for the battalion, here on our lot allowing the Ma-rines 24-hour access to weights, elliptical train-ers and bikes to work keeping us in shape. I also want to recognize the following Marines on their Combat Meritorious Promotions to: Sergeant: Matthew W. Lynskey Eric J. Conway Corporal: Thomas S. Elliott Bradley W. Kemp Justin L. Dees Damaso E. Alberto Darryn C. Unterhorst

In addition, I want to recognize John A. Northern and JohPaul L. Johnson for their Meritorious Promo-tion to Corporal. Special recognition goes to our Purple Heart re-cipient, Bradley W. Kemp, for your bravery and dedication to duty. Semper Fidelis, SgtMaj T. A. Linch

Page 3

“Danger – Hurting People Present”

“How much hurt, how

much damage can be done by chance remarks”

During this Christmas season, my heart goes out to hurting people. You’ve seen them, too. They are stooped, shy, reluctant, and fearful. It’s like they have carried the weight of the world on their shoulders. They may be gifted, gracious people, but their inability to project any degree of confidence keeps their competence a well-hidden secret. David Seamands writes of such a man: . . . Ben was one of the most timid souls I have ever counseled. I couldn’t even hear him. “What did you say, Ben?” We began practicing to raise Ben’s voice. I would have him read things to me. “A little louder, Ben. Assert yourself. Speak up!” He was so afraid to be a burden to people. You might look to see if he was wearing a sandwich board that read, “Excuse me for living.” Have you ever heard of the “Dependent Order of Really Meek and Timid Souls”? When you make an acrostic of its first letters, you have “Doormats.” The Doormats have an official insignia-a yel-low caution light. Their official motto is: “The meek shall inherit the earth, if that’s OK with everybody!” These are funny, but sad words. How much hurt, how much damage can be done by chance remarks! Our unguarded tongues can deposit germ-thoughts of hurt, humiliation, and hate into tender minds that fester, become full-blown infections, and ultimately spread disease throughout an adult personality. With little regard for the other person’s vulnerability, we have the power to initiate a violent emotional earthquake by merely making a few statements that rip and tear like shrapnel in the person’s head. Such destructive words are like sending 800 volts through 110 wire. I find help in Solomon’s proverbs. He mentions “tongue,” “lips,” “mouth,” and “words” a little less than 150 times in his book. Over and over he exhorts us to watch what we say, when we say it, and how we say it. Offense or healing can come from the same throat. As we enter into the final weeks of our deployment cycle, may I encourage you to take great care in your words and actions during this very busy season of the year. This is the time of love and good cheer. There are many hurting souls all around us. In our busy-ness and holiday activities, remember to offer words of love and com-passion to your co-workers, neighbors, friends and family!

By Chaplain Ken Amador CLB 2 Battalion Chaplain

UNITED THROUGH

READING

One of the most difficult

things a child can experience

is having a parent deployed

to a war zone for an indeter-

minate period of time.

The United Through Read-

ing® Military Program helps

ease the stress of separation

for military families by hav-

ing deployed parents read

children’s books aloud via

DVD for their child to watch

at home.

All CLB-2 Marines and Sail-

ors can see Chaplain Amador

to create a DVD for their

children.

Chaplain Amador and RP2

Brantley visiting Marines at

Kajaki.

To the family and friends of Headquarters and Sup-port (H&S) Company, With the arrival of December the temperature has dropped dramatically. The highs are now dipping down to the 50’s during the day with the lows barely staying in the mid 20’s at night. The cold weather has made operations more difficult for the Marines, but this adversity has been met with hard work and an up-beat attitude. The rainy sea-son has not yet lived up to its name (and that’s OK with us) with the weather remaining relatively dry. When the rain does come it will prove to be another challenge for the battalion maintaining its op-erational tempo. The Ma-rines and Sailors of Head-quarters and Support Com-pany are looking forward to Christmas and the turning of the New Year. The arrival of January means the arrival of Combat Logistics Battalion 8 and the beginning of rede-ployment. Like November, December has been a month of per-paration. Each section has planned the last month of events and started to exe-cute their turnover plan. Executing the turnover plan will be critical in ensuring the battalion has a smooth re-deployment back to the United States. CLB-8 has already been contacting indi-vidual sections regarding the experinces they have accu-mulated over the past months. By passing the ex-periences learned during these past months CLB-2 is preparing CLB-8 to enter Afghanistan more prepared

to carry on operations. The following Marines were promoted to Corporal: An-drew Keim, Darryn Unter-horst (Combat Meritori-ously), Desanto Samples, and Justin Dees (Combat Meritoriously). The follow-ing Marines were promoted to Sergeant: Steven Gib-son and Nicholas Wright. Lance Corporal Robert Schulze received recogni-tion through a Meritorious Mast. The following Ma-rines earned higher Marine Corps Martial Arts Belts: 1stSgt Nicole Freres (Brown Belt), Sgt Christine Vandebrake (Black Belt), Cpl William Jackson (Brown Belt), Cpl Cameron Norris (Gray Belt), and Cpl Marisol Mondragon (Green Belt). The following Marines had birthdays in December: SgtMaj Tracy Linch (42), GySgt David Chute (37), SSgt Michael Foley (32), Sgt William Wieleba (23), Cpl Tracy Terra (21), Cpl Brandon Colbert (23), LCpl Brodie Snapp (23), LCpl Raleigh Collins (20), LCpl Daniel Lollis (22), LCpl Devin Reyna (20), LCpl Jo-seph Melendez (24) and LCpl Justin Boyd (24). We appreciate all of your thoughts throughtout the holiday season and look forward to communicating with you during breaks in the action! Semper Fidelis! Captain Nathan J. Green Headquarters and Support Company Commander

Page 4 CLB-2, CLR-2, 2D MLG December 2010 NEWS LETTER

Headquarters and Support Company

THE PARTNERING TEAM AND THEIR COUNTER-

PARTS

THE OFFICERS AND STAFF NCO’S OF H&S

COMPANY SERVING CHOW

THE SAILORS OF THE BATTALION AID

STATION

To all the families, friends and loved ones, I continue to thank you for all the love and support you continue to show your Marines. As we have passed through the holiday sea-son now and began our new year I would like to say thank you for the tremendous amount of boxes, gifts, cards and letters we received here. Being apart for the holi-days is never without its challenges but the gen-erosity from home made it all easier. The Marines shared most of the food items and there is plenty of holiday candy left around the camp to keep everyone going for a while. I’m sure by now that everyone is count-ing down the days until the return flight, and I can attest with certainty that the Marines here are doing so. We are

beginning the task of preparing the area for turnover to the incoming battalion who will be re-placing us. With that, the next month will be very busy. Our operations are continuing, the Marines are still as focused as ever and the end of the deployment is in sight. This is a very exciting time. You may all be extremely proud of what these Marines have ac-complished here. Their contributions will set a standard for following units to carry on. I con-tinue to be awed by their perseverance and I am as proud of them today as ever. We will be home soon. Semper Fi, Capt J.C. Fuller 1

st Sgt R.L. Moore

Page 5 Volume 2, Issue 7

Alpha Company “Our operations are continuing, the

Marines are still as focused as ever and

the end of the deployment is in sight. “

Mail

The cutoff date for mailing any-

thing to Afghanistan is 22 Janu-

ary 2011. Any mail sent before

this date will be delivered. Any-

thing after the 22nd will be re-

routed back to Camp Lejeune.

Camp Leatherneck (do not include base name)

Rank, Last name, First name, MI

CLB-2 (Company)

Unit 73960

FPO AE 09510-3960

To all our families and friends, Thank you for all your generosity and support during this Christmas season the Marines and Sailors are all espe-cially grateful. On be-half of all the Marines in Bravo Company I want to wish everyone back home a Merry Christ-mas and a Happy New Year. I hope this newsletter finds everyone in good health and enjoying the holiday season. As 2010 comes to a close, Every Marine in Bravo Company and their families can be ex-tremely proud of the amazing achievements your Marine has com-pleted thus far during the deployment. First and Second pla-toons continue to con-duct numerous convoys throughout the area of operations providing critical classes of sup-ply to regimental com-bat team 2. Heavy equipment and Landing Support sections are working 24 hour opera-tions at five outlying patrol bases providing much needed support. As always, I’d like to recognize a few Ma-rines for their out-standing service during this month. Staff Ser-geant Derek Cheek was promoted earlier this month, choosing to con-duct his promotion

Page 6 Volume 2, Issue 7

Bravo Company

ceremony inside the battalion gym. Con-gratulations to Sergeant Mathew Lynskey and Corporal Thomas Elliot on being selected for meritorious promotion this month. Sergeant Dustin Baldwin was recognized for his lead-ership and mentorship contributions as a Ser-geant instructor during the most recent Corpo-rals Course and re-ceived a certificate of commendation. As a result of his hard work and professionalism Sergeant Baldwin was asked to return again for a second tour as an instructor. Congratula-tions as well to Corporal Jason Williams; Corpo-ral Griffin and Corporal Mathew Adams for suc-cessfully graduating from Corporals Course this month. Following the graduation the stu-dents select from among themselves the individual which contrib-uted the most teamwork to the class. A tribute to the caliber of Marines in Bravo Company, Corporal Adams was selected to receive the Gung Ho Award, the second consecutive awarded to a Bravo Company Marine. I am pleased to report that we have begun making preparations for our return to the states and back to our home training centers. The base postal section will be providing the Ma-rines with a front door

opportunity to mail out personal trunks and any extra packages to lighten their load for the return trip. We have also received over-whelming support from the 4th Marine Logistics Group in coordinating the detailed planning and preparation for our return to each of our home towns in order to minimize and expedite the checking out proc-ess from Camp Le-jeune. First Sergeant Baker and I wish all our fami-lies, friends, and loved ones a safe and Happy New Year. Thank you for all your support and prayers, we are all ea-ger to return home and will be soon. Semper Fidelis,

First Sergeant Russell Baker, USMCR Bravo Company First Ser-

geant

Captain Jeremy Henwood, USMC R Bravo Company Commander

“On behalf of all the

Marines in Bravo

Company I want to

wish everyone back

home a Merry

Christmas and a

Happy New Year. “

I would like to start by say-ing Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to our Charlie Company families and friends around the globe. During the month of December we have continued to provide the support needed to keep the Marines and Sailors of the battalion safe and on the road in support of the mission. With the numer-ous requirements placed upon us, we have had our hands full with supporting multiple convoys that pro-vide sustainment to the many outlying posts that currently house our Ma-rines and the support we provide. Our Marines have maintained their fo-cus and have ensured the safety of those whom they support throughout the deployment and especially during this Christmas Sea-son. First Platoon has been outside the wire for a majority of the month en-hancing force protection measures and quality of life sustainment. They have maintained the equipment with limited resources and have blazed new paths that will surely make a difference now and for many Marines in the coming winter months. Their efforts of outpost expansions, route improvement, and force protection have signifi-cantly impacted our broth-ers of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and enabled an increase to their mobility. Also, with the arrival of 8th Engineer Support Battal-

ion, our parent unit, First Platoon has worked closely with them to en-sure both units’ success. Second Platoon has conducted operations outside Camp Leather-neck for a majority of the month as well. They have provided route sweepers to assist our sister compa-nies with transiting the open desert with great results, as well as numer-ous other engineering ca-pability sets in support of 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. Additionally, they have started construction on a 24X32 foot wooden struc-ture for the battalion main-tenance section to assist in their operational and administrative require-ments. With all of the lat-est requirements that have been placed upon us, Sec-ond Platoon has answered the call. I would also like to recognize our Headquar-ters Section for the supe-rior planning and work they’ve done to ensure all our efforts were synchro-nized while moving around. They have put a lot of time into ensuring the smallest details aren’t left out and it continues to show. They will have their jobs cut out for them over the next month with our replacements coming into country and our prepara-tion for redeployment back to the States. I have confi-dence that they’ll be on top of it every step of the way. Lance Corporal Mitchell Butina was pro-moted to his current rank

this month. As a 1371 Combat Engineer as-signed to First Platoon, he has worked hard to assist his fellow Marines in all their engineering efforts. He is commended for a job well done! The months have truly flown by. With our preparation for turnover in the coming weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to look back at all the accomplish-ments the company has been a part of. They are significant and truly some-thing to be proud of. The Marines look forward to finishing this deployment strong and we are eager to come home and partici-pate in the Return and Reunion celebration with our family and friends. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2011! Con-tinue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we finalize preparations for our upcoming change over and return home.

Semper Fidelis,

Captain Christian R. Felder Charlie Company Commander

Page 7 CLB-2, CLR-2, 2D MLG December 2010 NEWS LETTER

Charlie Company

“With our

preparation

for turnover

in the

coming

weeks, we’ve

had the

opportunity

to look back

at all the

accomplish

ments the

company

has been a

part of. “

Greetings to the Marines, Sailors, Family and Friends of CLB-2.

Some of you have already received a call or an e-mail from me letting you know that your loved one will be home in January. This flight is very small and will consist of those who are coming back to get work spaces and barracks locations locked on before the rest of the battalion returns.

When I receive a list of who is on which flight I will contact the families using the Mass Communication Tool.

For example if your Marine is on flight one you will receive an e-mail or a phone call from me letting you know the windows. You will not receive information on any other flights such as flight two, three, or four.

Then when it gets closer to the flight window and I get confirmation you will receive another phone call or e-mail from me letting you know where and when you can meet your Marine or Sailor on Camp Lejeune.

If you have any questions on this please contact your Family Readiness Officer, Mr Jeff Peters at 910-382-9175 or 910-451-0593.

Kids Return and Reunion Workshop—11 January 2011 from 1830-2100 at building 40 room 136

Banner Party—8 January 2011 from 1500-1900 at the Jacksonville USO A banner party gives the local families the opportunity to create a sign to show off to their loved one when they re-turn from deployment. Just because you don't live in the area does not mean you cannot create a banner to show your loved one how proud you are of them. A banner can be hung on the fence at the front gate here at Camp Le-jeune, on your front porch in base housing or on your front porch at Philadelphia Pennsylvania. We will be providing the following items for the banner party: White Sheets Numerous colors of paint Brushes—big and small Zip ties—to hang your finished product up If you would like to put other items on your banner please bring them with you. Any questions please call your Family Readiness Officer.

Page 8 Volume 2, Issue 7

Family Readiness Officer

Spouse Return and Reunion Workshop—6 January 2011 from 1830-2100 at building 40 room 139

This workshop is designed to explain, through interactive activities, what can be expected with homecoming and the

reunion process. During the workshop tips are provided that will help spouses during this time. Topics covered in-

clude communication, deployment stress, re-integration, expectations and the return of intimacy. These classes are

very helpful whether this is your first deployment or sixth. Your experience can help inexperienced families to learn

how to cope with the changes that their family may go through. Please RSVP with your Family Readiness Officer by

3 January 2011. Childcare is provided free of charge as for more information.

The Kids-N-Reunion workshop is two workshops in one, a parents and a children’s workshop; parents on one side

and children on the other. Designed to offer the parents as well as the children resources and coping skills needed

to assist them with family reintegration. The parent’s side of the workshop focuses on the children’s emotional and

behavioral challenges as well as coping strategies and resources to utilize during the homecoming and reintegration

process. The children’s side of the workshop provides the children activities and tools needed to cope with family

reintegration. Please RSVP with your Family Readiness Officer by 3 January 2011. Childcare is provided free of

charge ask for more information.

****************IMPORTANT**************** Out With The Mass Communication Tool And In With Marine On Line

At Present when you receive an automated message or e-mail from the Family Readiness Officer it comes out through the Mass Communication Tool, MCT. This program is able to send out a message to all the family contacts of CLB-2 in a matter of hours. The message goes out by E-mail, home phone, cell phone and even by text message. The Marine Corps is fading this program out in the next couple of months and replacing it with an automated messaging system through Marine Online (MOL). The Marine Corps has been using MOL for years to account for Marines and to keep track of other information. At present MOL is only able to send out messages by e-mail. So if you only receive messages by phone you will not receive any updates when we start to use the new system. We have approximately 400 family members in CLB-2 that do not have an e-mail address. To ensure that you continue to receive messages please look at doing one of the following; Current e-mail address—if you currently have an e-mail address please forward an e-mail to the Family Readiness Officer from this account letting him know who you are and who your Marine or Sailor is. He will then add your e-mail address to his system. Create a new E-mail address— This can be done by any home computer, friends computer or at your local library. Many of the services are free such as Yahoo, Gmail, AOL and Hotmail. Once created please e-mail the Family Readiness Offi-cer your name and your Marine/ Sailor’s name. He will then add your new e-mail to his system. Please take some time out of your schedule and set up an e-mail account. Once this account is set up its important that you check once a week or more when it gets closer to your loved one coming home. It is very important that you are still in the loop and will receive any and all updates. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your Family Readiness Officer at 910-382-9175/910-451-0593 or by e-mail at Jeffrey.m.peters@usmc.mil.

There is a scam that is masking itself as coming from UPS. The scam states that your package is being held in Spain waiting for you to contact Carl Brooks to assist in the payment. This payment of $119.00 is to be wired to the contact by Western Union. This is a scam do not fall for it. Any questions please contact UPS.

SCAM

Flight Dates

As the time draws closer to our loved ones coming home everyone gets a little anxious for flight windows. The offi-cial flight windows will come from the Family Readiness Officer. Once he receives these dates from the forward unit he will send them out to all the families of CLB-2. You might hear dates from other families but rest assured when they come from the Family Readiness Officer they will be official flight windows. If you have any questions please contact your Family Readiness Officer, Mr. Peters, at 910-382-9175.

Slide Show

To view the slide show copy the appropriate link into your web browser: CLB-2 slide show:

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1255768kP62969124o2/the-clb2-slideshow

CLB-2 Alpha Co. :

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1247591kP134747680o2/alpha-slideshow

CLB-2 Bravo Co. :

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1251274kP114928195o2/bravo-slideshow

CLB-2 Charlie Co. :

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1251314kP32510326o2/charlie-slideshow

CLB-2 H&S Co. :

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1251697kP85497908o2/hs-slideshow