OCEAN TIDES

Women Marines Association

Edith Macias Vann Southern California Chapter CA-7 NEWSLETTER 1st Place 2008 2010

www.womenmarines.net

2014

October 2016

Volume 44, Issue 10

The “Hallows” of Boot Camp By Andrea Smarrelli, Recruit Training 1982

If you can imagine. A 17 year old girl enlists in the Marine Corps on the delayed entry program. As she flies from Baltimore to South Carolina, terms start to change with the people accompanying her..."bathroom" is replaced with "head", "hat" becomes "cover" and "lunch" is now "chow". By the time the bus arrives at Parris Island (in the middle of the night), there was definitely a shift in thought and speech. And then the bus stopped…

05 Velta Domyan 14 Stacie Black

No idea what the words were, but the scramble to get off of the bus and onto the yellow footprints was crazy. You did not want to be singled out...ever! You don't know how to stand at attention, how to hold your hands or even your thumbs for that matter - (yes, your thumbs have a job when you stand at attention), but you did the best you could. You were exhausted because you hadn't slept well for days and you were still in your civvies but you tried to do what you thought the screaming people wanted.

14 B.Titus-Tention 21 Phyllis Bourque 21 Shara French 22 Margaret Ferguson 27 Nancy Arroyoavila

Halloween October 31st In This Issue Mark Your Calendar

2

Chaplain’s Corner

2

Getting to Know You

2

Meeting/Lunch Info

3

Scuttlebutt

4

For the next 9 weeks, you were re-taught how to stand, how to sit, how to eat (very fast!), how to speak. You ran farther than you could and pushed yourself harder than your limits because you did...you just did. You learned how to stand perfectly still while little sand fleas gnawed on your skin, on your eyelids, in your ears. In the meantime, you dealt with people in your unit that arrived as people from New York or Alabama or California but over the course of time became the sisters that helped get you past the breaking point, helped cover up a mistake or avoid becoming the screw up that everyone had to help because if you didn't make it, no one would make it. Marching for miles with a 70-pound pack on your back, classes in ‘Corps history and rank structure and shooting an M16. Sleeping in a tent on top of an ant hill and having frogs jumping in your hair and not being able to scream like a girl (yes, that's where my fear of frogs started). So now imagine at the end of all of this, you are marched in formation onto the drill field. You've learned everything you need to begin your journey. You’re standing taller than ever before. Your family and friends are sitting in the stands, as well as the Commanding General, officers and honored guests. And then.....then the band plays the National Anthem. There are no words to describe the feeling of hearing that anthem played for you after all that you've been through and your heart simply bursts out of your chest although outwardly no one could see it. No question you would absolutely lay down your life for this great country. You are no longer that 17 year old girl - you are now a Marine. Imagine that! Editor’s note: Andrea served in the Marine Corps from 1982 to 1986 as a 5937, Aviation Radio Repair. She currently resides in the Northern Virginia area with her husband, two sons and a dog named Jazzie.

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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER I get asked why I am so particular about what you eat. Why do you walk so much? Those who ask the questions see me say no to desserts and learn that I try to walk 20 miles each month. My dog enjoys walking with me. My answer is I am practicing temple maintenance. I used to think that my body was the only thing that was mine and that I could do what I wanted with it. WRONG! I read first Corinthians 6:19-20 “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price so you must honor God with your body.” Sometimes I fail and defile my temple. I remember that Christ paid the ultimate price so I could be free to choose to honor him by caring for my body. I need his help to sustain good temple maintenance. Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”

Charlene Itchkawich

GETTING TO KNOW YOU! Jeanie Huebner was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. After high school, she wanted to join the armed forces, but her father was not very happy about that idea and talked her into attending court reporting school. While in court reporting school, Jeanie met a former Marine in her class who informed her that there were court reporters in the Marine Corps. So after graduating from court reporting school, she joined the Marine Corps and checked into Parris Island, SC, in January of 1981. Thereafter, she reported over 600 special and general courts-martial and Article 32 Investigations while being stationed at Camp Pendleton, Okinawa, and MCRD San Diego. In 1984, Jeanie married a drill instructor and subsequently had two girls. Her first daughter, Nicolette, was born at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, and her second daughter, Madeline, was born at Camp Lester Naval Hospital Okinawa. However, the marriage failed in 1991; and in 1992, Jeanie decided it was in her daughters’ best interests to leave the Marine Corps. After leaving the Marine Corps, Jeanie worked as a deposition reporter in the San Diego area. In 1997, Jeanie married Ted, a law enforcement officer. Ted’s mother was a Marine and worked in the admin office for Chesty Puller, and Ted’s father was a retired Vietnam helicopter pilot earning the Silver Star. Continued on page 3

Mark Your Calendar! DATE

COST

Oktoberfest at VANC

Sat., 1200, 15 Oct

$20/25

VANC

WHERE

$20 pre-order/$25 at door

REMARKS

MCL Det #021 Meeting

Sat., 1300, 22 Oct

None

VANC

Info: Kathy Kincaid [email protected]

2016 Military Women’s LunchSat., 1100, 29 Oct eon

$25

MCAS Miramar O’Club

Must register by 21 Oct. See flyer

MCL-WMA Marine Corps BirthSat., 1400, 12 Nov day Celebration

TBA

VANC Ballroom

Following Chapter CA-7 Meeting

OCEAN

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In 1998, Jeanie and Ted had a son, Anthony. Jeanie then decided to go back to school and earn her elementary teaching credential and has been an elementary teacher since 2000. In 2008, she earned her Master’s degree in educational technology and is currently working as an educational technology specialist in the San Marcos Unified School District. Jeanie also serves as the webmaster for our Chapter CA-7 website and recently completed a major overhaul of the website to make it current. Jeanie is an avid runner and triathlete; letics, she credits the Marine Corps for determination to go above and beyond. events, including three Boston MaraJeanie had two surgeries for a torn mepace and shorter distance!

and even though she has always been involved in athsparking her interest in running and her motivation and She has competed in many running and triathlon thons and two full Ironman competitions. In 2015, niscus, but in 2016 she is back at it...only at a slower

Oh, and by the way, to this day, her father still brags about his daughter being a Marine!

CELEBRATE THE 241ST MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY WITH THE

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE - WOMEN MARINES ASSOCIATION

Join your WMA Chapter CA-7 members to celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday with MCL Detachment #21 members on Saturday, 12 November at 1400. Celebration will be in the VANC Banquet Room following the monthly chapter business meeting. Details will be provided in the November “Ocean Tides”, but please mark your calendar for this important event.

NEXT CHAPTER MEETING DATE/TIME: Saturday, 8 Oct 2016 . Social time @11:00 followed by luncheon and meeting. PLACE: Hunters Steakhouse, 1221 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92054 (Vista Way at I-5) MENU: Order from restaurant’s lunch menu

2016  EDITH MACIAS VANN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER CA-7 EXECUTIVE BOARD  2018  OFFICE 

 INCUMBENT 

 PHONE 

 E-MAIL 

PRESIDENT

KARLA JESSUP

8434765109

[email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT

BRENDA HOCKENHULL

9499815827

[email protected]

SECRETARY

LILLIAN “LEE” TUSA

7605988515

[email protected]

TREASURER

LILLIAN “LIL” CROSS

7607249861

[email protected]

PAST PRESIDENT

NANCY ARROYOAVILA

7602710793

[email protected]

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MARINE CORPS NEWS The Commandant of the Marine Corps has directed that the word “man” be removed from the title of military occupational specialties (MOS). Looks like the Marine Corps is finally catching up!

TIDES ~ EMVSC CHAPTER 7

celebration will begin at 1400 on 12 November at VANC following the monthly CA-7 business meeting. Details will be provided in the November “Ocean Tides” newsletter.

CHAPTER NEWS Membership. A new chapter membership roster has been mailed out to Oktoberfest - A VANC fundchapter members. If you haven’t raiser to celebrate Oktoberreceived yours by 15 October, please fest will be held 15 October contact Lil Cross 760-724-9861 or email at VANC from Noon to 1500. her at [email protected]. The cost is $20 and includes an Oktobertfest food fare and beer tasting. MCRD San Diego’s History Museum WWII Marine Corps Women’s Reserve Expertise Needed to help VANC with Battalion Exhibit. Chapter members grant writing and handling publicity. Karla Jessup, “Lee” Tusa, Lil Cross, SSgt Contact Chuck Atkinson 760-722-1277 MaryAnn Miller attended the opening or email [email protected] if you of the this exhibit on 22 September. All can help. described it as a memorable experience Classes available at VANC: Continuing and recommended it as a must-see, esTransition Assistance Program (CTAP), pecially for all women Marines. Culinary Arts, Cyber-security, Fiber OpWounded Warrior Battalion-West Matics, Electronics Assembly, and Firefightrine Corps Birthday Ball will be held at er-for-a-Day. Some are free for veterthe Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Dieans. For info visit the VANC website: go on Friday, 11 November beginning at www.vancnorthcounty.org. 1730. Tickets are $60/pp and may be obtained at www.theballwwbnwest.com. If you’d MARINE CORPS LEAGUE like to reserve a seat at a WMA table, The Camp J.H. Pendleton Detachment contact Norma Wohlfarth 760-724#21 of the Marine Corps League is ac3033. cepting new members. Membership is 27th Annual Military Women’s Lunchavailable to active duty, retired, and eon. The annual Military Women’s veteran Marines and FMF Corpsmen and Luncheon will be held this year on 29 Chaplains who have served honorably. October at the MCAS Miramar Officers Associate membership is also available Club beginning at 1100. The cost is $25. to family and friends of MCL members. Those Chapter CA-7 members interested For further info please visit www.mclpendletonoceanside.org or email [email protected].

www.militarywomenslunceon.eventbrit e.com. Registration deadline is 21 October. Contact “Lee” Tusa if you’d like to join the CA-7 table. 2016 MCAS Miramar Air Show. It was h-o-t-t (in many ways)! Great air shows (with the Blue Angels of course!) and static displays of military aircraft and

VANC UPDATE

Marine Corps Birthday. Don’t forget to mark your calendar to join the MCL Detachment 21 and WMA Chapter CA-7 to celebrate the 241st Marine Corps Birthday at VANC. The joint luncheon

equipment along with the traditional fast food and drink vendors. Marine Corps recruiting was represented by area Marine recruiters, including our own SSgt MaryAnn Miller and Sgt Lucie Lopez, who held a public pull-up contest to win Marine swag prizes. Glynis Rates and Kathy Kincaid showed up to provide some much-needed harassing. Oh, and they enjoyed the Air Show, too, despite the heat! Lots and lots of water……... Flu Season is nearly upon us so be sure to get your flu shot this year. Most flu shots are available at no costs at most pharmacies, VA clinics, or through your primary care team. Don’t put it off - no excuses!

Who remembers these??? Yikes!

in attending can register for this event online at:

Newsletter Editor: Kathy Kincaid Phone: 602-690-9122 Email: [email protected]