news

Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Steve Ferrando:
   Since I am new to the battalion, I would like to take this opporunity to introduce myself to the families and friends of 1st Recon Battalion. I have been in the Marine Corps for 17 years and have spent time in this battalion during earlier assingments. My wife Tami is a native Californian whom I met while a 1st Lietenant assigned to 1st Recon back in 1986. Of note, our second date was the Marine Corps Ball, and the rest (as they say) is history! We are both excited to be part of the battalion and look forward to serving together with you all in this truly special unit.
   Since Sept. 11th, everyone's lives have changed. Here at 1st Recon Battalion, things are different, but the amount of change is relatively small. I would like to give you some information concerning recent current events and how they may impact the Marines/Sailors and families affiliated with the battalion.
   First, we still have not received any information regarding impending deployments. However, as events continue to unfold, there is a possibility that units from the 1st Marine Division may get tasked to deploy. If this happens, we will determine what support, if any, is required from our battalion. Should requirements emerge, we will use the Key Volunteer Network to pass all pertinent information to the families.
   Second, although many news stations talk of impending military deployments, our readiness posture has only slightly changed. We are taking some precautionary measures because I feel this is prudent, but our overall focus on training has not changed. We have prided ourselves on always being ready for short-notice deployments whenever the nation has needed us. We have answered this call because our normal state of readiness is always high. Today is no exception. The Marines and Sailors of this battalion have worked hard and will continue to do so in an effort to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for any contingency. No one can forecast how this situation will turn out, but we will be ready should our nation need us.
   Finally, the military has attracted some additional attention lately as the media searches for relevant local stories. This heightened awarenes about the sacrifices of the military and their families is normal during times of potential crisis. I want you to know that we value the family's support for their service member, whether the media spotlight is on us or not. Over time, as the spotlight fades, we know that your support for this battalion will not. Although the American public may not always be aware, Marines and Sailors constantly prepare to defend this great nation, and their families willingly make sacrifices. We appreciate everything you do!

Sargeant Major John Sixta:
   Yep-yep-yep, its' that time again. I will kep it short like always. We had another two platoons leave this past quarter and only one return from deployment, and the battalion is very busy (like you didn't know that already). I think Family Day (Aug. 31st) went very well, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to come down to the beach and have some fun. We have the 1st Recon Battalion Ball coming up fast, the first one in over ten years, and we did everythijng we could to keep the cost of the tickets down. We have the cheapest tickets of any ball, and it will be a lot of fun, too!
   Take care, and if any of you need anything, here is my new number (760) 725-3359. Again, thanks for your outstanding support of this wonderful battalion!

Alpha Company Commander, Capt. Brian Sanchez:
I would like to welcome the new additions to the company: MSgt. Steve Minnix joined us from 2nd SOTG in Camp Lejuene, NC in June. He has been keeping his time overworked as First Sergeant for Alpha Co. Gunny Hoyt joined us from 3rd Recon Bn. in Okinawa, Japan. GySgt. Hoyt previously served with 1st Recon Co, and is now serving as the Alpha Co. Operations Chief. SSgt. Chilson arrived in August from Fort Bragg, NC where he was an instructor for the Special Forces SERE course. He is joining 1st Platoon as their new Platoon Sergeant.
   1st Platoon - Welcome back from your long deployment at last! Sept 12. was a long-awaited da for everyone in the 1st plt. family. It is a great time to see the fine Marines and Sailors back from the Gulf. It also means it is time for many of them to transfer to other duty stations, and other to transition to civilian lives. Capt. and Mrs. Von Herbulis moved in early Oct. to Quantico, VA, where he will work at the MC Warfighting Lab. We wish them lots of luck. GySgt. Barrett will report to the S-3 Cadre this fall. Some of the recon family will EAS this quarter: Sgt. White, Sgt. Cummins, Sgt. Land, Sgt. Bogdan, Sgt. Guay, and Sgt. Jones. We wish them lots of luck in their future occupations!
   2nd Platoon - Capt. Dill and SSgt. Johnson are keeping their men busy on deployment with 15th MEU. Their training in Hawaii was good, but unfortunately, their C-130 that was supposed to fly them ahead to Australia fell through the cracks, so they sailed with the remainder of the MEU. Five days in the field was an intense and very welcome change to the routine of shipboard living. 2nd Platoon is very focused and confident.
   3rd Platoon - Currently doing pre-deployment workups with BLT 1/4 and the 13th MEU since July 16th, they have been well received byt their deploying command. 3rd Platoon moves ahead through more and more complex missions for Special Operations Capability. Between exercises, they are preparing to embark on the USS Ogden, their "home away from home." During late Sept, Team 1 trained in Urban Environment Exercise (TRUEX) in the Sacramento area, along with members of BLT 1/4 that are part of the Special Purpose force for the 13th MEU. The remainder of 3rd Platoon was aboard ship from Oct. 1-17 for Compatability Training Underway Exercise (COMPTUEX). In short verse, all the MEU members come together and get evaluated as a team. As usual with predeployment workups, it seems like the toughest time until the ships depart. Our Company Senior Corpsman, HM2 Bayless, reported to the Platoon as their "Doc" in July, and will deploy with them in January.
   4th Platoon - The last several months have seen the platoon grow in personal strength, and operational tempo is steadily increasing. Some of the summer's trainin highlights included: Kernal Blitz with 13th MEU and Summer Fire Exercise with the 11th Marines. The platoon received invaluable training in the use of artillery, and its capabilities to us all the weapons will increase throughout the current quarter as they prepare to join the 11th MEU in December. The training will be very demanding as well as rewarding with highlights and such as the SOTG raid package and Urban R&S Course. This traning will also be integrated into "at sea" periods starting in March in order to ehnahce the 11th MEU's amphibious capability. Several of 4th Platoon's members recent graduates from formal schools: Cpl. Garay-Gordobil graduated from Marine Combatant Dive School on Sept. 18; Cpls. Dunfee, Wirth, Braden, Lcpls. Alford and Raferty graduated from Survival-Evasion-Resistance-Escape (SERE) School.

Bravo Company Commander, Capt. Jim DiSimone
   Greetings again to Bravo Co. Sailors, Marines, and families. I hope all were able to enjoy some quality time this summer as we head into the fall season at a rapid pace with the young ones of Bravo Co. now back in school. As we returned from Recon Skills training in Hawaii, we shifted right into the Change of Command, followed closely by the Independence Day Holiday period. It was a bittersweet 4th of July as we deployed 5th Platoon to Okinawa for six months. They are currently supporting the 31st MEU under an experimental deployment in aid of 3rd Recon Battalion. 6th Platoon has just been assigned to a different experimental six-month deployment to Okinawa also in support of 3rd Recon Battalion, and is slated to leave in January 2002. They are participating in CAX-1/02 this month. 7th Platoon has been aggressively training to represent the 1st Marine Division and 1st Recon Battalion in the Swiss Raid Commando Competition in Bern, Switzerland. Good luck to all involved! 8th Platoon was activated in June and spent the last few months mastering basic reconnaissance skills and establishing teams. They are preparing for Desert Fire Exercise/Exercise Broad Sword, CAX-2/02, and Exercise Steel Knight. Of course, all members of Bravo are preparing for the first unit Birthday Ball that his battalion has held since its deactivitation some nine years ago.