Anaheim native stands out amongst peers in Yausubetsu

Photo By Cpl. Christian Ayers | Pfc. Thomas Cuevas, a radar operator with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, stands proudly beside his equipment in Camp YMA, Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, are in Yausubetsu as part of Artillery Relocation Training Program 18-2. ARTP 18-2 is a routine training exercise that allows Marines based out of Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, to conduct live-fire training in Japan. Cuevas is a native of Anaheim, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Christian Ayers)  

CAMP YMA, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN

07.31.2018

Story by Lance Cpl. Tegra Shepherd 

3rd Marine Division     

Pfc. Thomas Cuevas, a radar operator, with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, is looking forward to going into the field for Artillery Relocation Training Program 18-2 at the Yausubetsu Maneuver Area in Hokkaido, Japan.
Cuevas joined the Marine Corps because he didn’t want to be like everyone back home.
“I wanted to be different from my peers back at home,” said Cuevas, a native of Anaheim, California. “I wanted the challenge and to have that military exercise.”
This is his second time being in the Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, and he enjoys going to Camp YMA.
ARTP is a regularly scheduled routine training exercise that allows Marines to train in different environments than they are used to and is conducted in accordance with prior agreements between the governments of Japan and the U.S.
“Back in garrison on Camp Hansen we do a lot of maintenance,” said Cuevas. “While in Yausubetsu we actually get down and dirty, do our job, track rounds and get the field experience.”
Since the schoolhouse, Cuevas has been challenging his peers to be better and takes charge whenever he can.
“If it wasn’t for him I probably wouldn’t be who I am right now,” said Lance Cpl. Jordy Casas, a radar operator with 3/12 and native of Athens, Georgia. “We’ve been competing with each other and he’s been doing better than me, I’m glad he’s here so we can push each other to do our job better.”
Cuevas is reliable, knows what he’s doing, and isn’t afraid to take charge, according to Lance Cpl. said Lance Cpl. Moses Hernandez, a radar operator with 3/12 and native of Contra Costa, California.
“I’m glad he’s here because he’s a big help and without him our job would be harder,” said Casas.
ARTP 18-2 is a Japan-funded, routine training exercise that allows Marines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, to conduct live-fire training in Japan.

• Date Taken: 07.31.2018
• Date Posted: 07.31.2018 18:53
• Story ID: 286420
• Location: CAMP YMA, HOKKAIDO, JP
• Hometown: ANAHEIM, CA, US
• Hometown: ATHENS, GA, US
• Hometown: CONTRA COSTA CENTRE, CA, US