MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The smell of hamburgers and hot dogs filled the air outside of the French Creek barracks during a field meet held by Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, April 11.
CLB-2 recently returned from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan, and will be going back to work shortly, following post-deployment leave.
Because this field meet was designed to help the Marines and sailors re-adjust to life in America, the battalion’s leadership invited military family life counselors. Having counselors at the event was a new idea, and leaders encouraged battalion members to speak with workers by holding a raffle. Members would get their name entered into the drawing once they spoke to a counselor, and the winner received a gift card.
“We hear about what services are available to us, but not many Marines actually make it into the office,” said Gunnery Sgt. Luciany B. Moise, a motor transportation operations chief with the battalion. “If they do it’s usually as a last resort. Having the counselors come out while servicemembers are relaxed allows them to get tidbits of information that they might be able to use in the future.”
MFLCs are licensed professional mental health counselors. They work flexible hours to better assist Marines and sailors, and can be reached via cell phone or face-to-face contact.
“We try to solve problems at the lowest level,” said Nancy Cook, a counselor who was present at the event. “We’re not a medical service, and we don’t keep records. We can help you and keep all of your information confidential.”
MFLCs help servicemembers and their families deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, parenting hardships, crisis intervention, and relationship support. The service is free for servicemembers and their families, regardless of age, gender and marital status.
“It’s good for Marines and sailors to get to know the MFLC and the resources available to them,” said 1st Lt. Andrew G. Schlottmann, a logistics officer with the battalion.
Servicemembers split into three groups to compete against one another in soccer, basketball, and kickball.
These friendly competitions were a way to help the CLB-2 members relax and build unit cohesion, said Moise.
Every hour each group would rotate to a new game. Following a few rotations the members took a break to eat hot dogs and hamburgers with one another, then hit the fields for more games.
“I believe it’s important to give servicemembers the chance to come together and enjoy themselves,” said Schlottmann. “It’s a good way to slowly get back into the work and training schedules.”