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(Bravo Company continued...)
   During the past few months, we've welcomed several to the Bravo family: 1st Lt. and Stephanie Moore and GySgt. and Mary Desilet (8th Platoon); GySgt. and Luz Santiago (Co. Ops. Cheif); GySgt. and Della Morron (7th Platoon); HM2 Travis Walker (Co. LPO); and Sgt. George Cunningham (HQ).
   Congratulations are in order for three newly married couples: Sgt. and Mrs. Anda (reassigned to S-3 H&S Co.), Sgt. and Mrs. Ballard (5th Plt.), Sgt. and Mrs. Sickler (6th Plt.). Congratulations to Sgt. and Mrs. Herndon (6th Plt.) for the birth of their first child, a healthy daughter.
   Bravo Company performance continues to excel with Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals awarded to: Sgt. Magana and Winningham, who were selected as honor graduates from the demanding Marine Combatant Dive Course.
   The Bravo family continues to grow stronger. My wife Cindi and I would love to talk to each and every one of you at the Birthday Ball. Semper Fidelis!

Key Volunteer Coordinator, Peggy Bayless:
   It has been a great honor for me to take over the position of Battalion KVC with the departure of our previous coordinator this summer. I have been a military wife for a total of 11 years now (we are "retreads") and married to my darling husband Dave (HM2 "Doc" Bayless) for 16 years. We have a few deployments, including the Gulf War, under our belts, as well as quite a few schools and other interesting experiences. We have three children, ages 13, 8 and 4.
   I am committed to strengthening our Key Volunteer Network to provide the information and referral system for which the KVN is created, as well as encouraging community building. We have a trained Key Volunteer for each comapany and platoon to assist our families with any problems they may have and to pass on official information when it is avialable. If you don't know who your Key Volunteer is, lease ask - you will find them an important resource, especially during deployments. Each KV has access to many resources, both within our battalion and across the base, to help you with any problems that may come up.
   We recently participated in a Spouses' Luncheon at Sharky's in Del Mar, at which our battalion wives came together to get to konw each other better. It is important to be able to put names with faces and to know who you might ber able to talk to or ask for help during these tense times. This is community building, and it was handled beautifully by our Social Committee, headed up by Tami Ferrando. We heard from our CO as well as our Family Readiness Officer, Major Dunnick, and we enjoyed an excellent buffet lunch. we had time to make the rounds to talk to one another, and left with a package of informational materials and a sense of a much closer community.
   We have ahd some of our volunteers complete the KVN Boot Camp training given by Family Team Builders - Tami Ferrando, Andi McConnell, and Debi Chilson. My thanks for your gift of time, ladies!
   At the top fo the KVN, we always start with the CO's vision of what he would like us to accomplish, and so I share with you Col. Ferrando's vision:

KVN Vision - Lt. Col. Steve Ferrando
I would like to share my views on how I envision the Key Volunteer Network Program working withint this battalion. First and firemost, this battalion is our family. At on epoint or another, each of us will need help or assistnace and the Marine Corps has established several organizations and agencies to help provide the necessary assistance. My goal is to ensure we all know each other well enough to feel comfortable asking for help when we need it and to know enough about the available resources to help others.
   Second, although we normaly do not deploy as a battalion, the possibility exists that a Key Volunteer Network would be required for such a contingency. I would like to establish a strong Network now to ensure the battalion is well prepared should such an event require unscheduled deployments.
   Third, I would like to provide an atmosphere within the battalion that encourages involvement by everyone. I am a firm believer that family members are a part of this team. Those who better understand what their Recon Marine or Sailor does for a living will be able to share in the pride of service that takes an entire family to support.
   Finally, I would like to thank Peggy Bayless for stepping up and filling the position of Key Volunteer Coordinator. As you will see, her energy and creative ideas are already making a difference within the battalion.

Future Events...
   *Birthday Ball, November 8th - San Luis Rey Officer's Club, 6:00 p.m. to midnight.
   *Unit Readiness Night, November 28th - battalion classroom, time TBA.
   *Battalion Christmas Party, December 15th - time and place TBA.

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