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    13th MEU Marines 'get jammin'

    13th MEU Marines 'get jammin'

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher O'Quin | (Left) Sgt. Brandon L. Valentine, chief radio operator and Cpl. Chris B. Hernandez a...... read more read more

    USS BOXER, USPACOM, AT SEA

    09.07.2011

    Story by Sgt. Christopher O'Quin 

    13th Marine Expeditionary Unit   

    USS BOXER, At Sea -- Inside the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, two Marines from Fox Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit open a hatch that leads to a small passageway. Sgt. Brandon L. Valentine, chief radio operator and Cpl. Chris B. Hernandez, a motor transport mechanic, reach for their guitars propped in the corner.

    This room is not much larger than five feet-wide by seven feet-high and 12 feet-long, filled mostly with boxes of miscellaneous gear. In this small passageway turned sound studio these two Marines strum out to their favorite songs and learn new ones while on their 2011 deployment with the MEU.

    “Deployment has been a great way for us to practice,” said Valentine. “After we saw this room during work-ups and how it could dampen the sounds, we thought it would be a great way to practice any time of day. Since we have more time to play on ship we’ve been able to practice and pick with others on ship.”

    Valentine and Hernandez have been playing for approximately six years.

    “I remember being on my first deployment in Iraq in 2005 and being bored at times,” said Valentine. “I bought my first guitar and it was a great opportunity to pass the time and keep morale up for me and the guys.”

    For those wanting to learn how to play and get better, Valentine and Hernandez recommend a few ways.

    “Take lessons, whether it’s from someone you hire or a buddy you can practice with in the barracks,” said Hernandez. “It’s better to start with an acoustic because you can learn the notes and you can understand your mistakes better. Also, tune your guitar before you play, subtle movements and changes in temperature are all that has to happen to put your guitar out of tune.”

    “Once you learn the chords and notes keep practicing,” added Valentine. “Your skills can easily fade away and your fingers will lose their calluses if you don’t keep up with the playing.”

    They have spent the past several months practicing numerous songs every day to include, “Creep” by Stone Temple Pilots, “You Found Me” by The Fray and “Too Late to Apologize” by One Republic.

    “I’ve been trying to write my own stuff and learn harder songs lately,” said Hernandez. “I would like to learn how to play 'Sober' by Tool, 'So Far Away' by Staind and a few other songs before we get home. A lot of famous guitarists started slow and got better. It would be cool to play half as good as Steve Vai, Jimmi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.”

    Just as the great guitarists, started their legacy with the pluck of a string, their passion for music and playing is only the beginning of a future with music. They plan to continue playing for social events on ship and when they come home they’ll continue playing the music they love.

    “Music has a way of expressing emotions and memories in a way other mediums can’t quite do,” said Valentine. “It’s always satisfying when you can learn songs or create songs after working at it and working at it.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.07.2011
    Date Posted: 09.07.2011 15:22
    Story ID: 76595
    Location: USS BOXER, USPACOM, AT SEA

    Web Views: 355
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN