Courtesy Photo | Commandant of the Marines Corps General James T. Conway speaks to Marines at the Camp...... read more read more
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By Lance Cpl. Terence L. Yancey
III Marine Expeditionary Force PAO
CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan, -- Gen. James T. Conway, the 34th commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps John L. Estrada, visited Okinawa Feb. 21-23 for the first time since Conway assumed his position in November.
During the visit, the commandant met with Marines and sailors across the island to convey his plans for the future of the Corps and to answer questions from the service members.
Conway expounded on many of the topics from his planning guidance published shortly after he took command of the Marine Corps in November. He touched on achieving victory in the Long War, improving the deployment-to-dwell ratio to ensure Marines and units are not over extended in combat zones, modernizing the Corps to meet demands of the future and improving the quality of life for Marines and their families.
Conway also addressed his recent all-Marine message "Every Marine Into the Fight," which expressed his intent to rotate approximately 33,000 Marines who have not been tapped for a combat deployment into units where they will deploy to support the War on Terror.
"It's my belief that if you joined the Marine Corps after 9/11, you did so with the intent of fighting for your country," Conway said. "Our goal is to do everything we can to give every Marine that opportunity."
Conway also addressed what the Corps is doing to support the Marines currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We've got to give great support to the warfighter," Conway said. "It's our number one priority."
Conway addressed the gear currently being used by Marines in combat and what's being done to keep them safe; for example, he discussed employing the mine resistance ambush protective vehicle in Iraq. According to Conway, occupants of an MRAP have a 400 percent better chance of surviving an improvised explosive device.
Conway also took time to address the Corps' plans to increase its size by 27,000 by 2012; reenlistment bonuses designed to retain quality Marines; recruiting strategies, such as including the blue dress coat with issued uniform items; and getting the Corps' best Marines on recruiting duty.
Finally, Conway addressed issues concerning quality of life, stressing that the Corps can do more for Marines and their families and do a better job of supporting Marines wounded in combat.
Conway said he is creating a command whose job is to keep track of wounded Marines even after they have separated from the Corps.
Estrada addressed his guidance for bettering the quality of life for single Marines living in barracks. He reiterated his guidance on modifying barracks regulations as a way to help single Marines' government quarters feel more like home. He also discussed the plans to build more barracks in preparation for the Corps' increase in size.
According to Conway, Estrada, who will be retiring, also used the opportunity to bid farewell to the Marines of III MEF and MCBJ. In a few weeks Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, currently the sergeant major of I MEF, will take over as the 16th sergeant major of the Marine Corps.
For more information on the Commandant's Planning Guidance, refer to ALMAR 008/07 and MARADMIN 107/07, which are available at http://www.usmc.mil.
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2007 10:53 |
| Story ID: | 9305 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, JP |
| Web Views: | 224 |
| Downloads: | 153 |
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