MAG 49 Det C\'s Spring Newsletter

1. MAG-49 Det C
Newsletter
Feb 2010 Vol 3
__________________________________________________________________________________
CO’s Smoking Gun
By LtCol R.J. Braatz
Hello MAG-49 Det C families. I hope you all had a fun and relaxing holiday
season. For those of us that live in New Orleans I know it has been a good time
especially with record Mardi Gras attendance and the Saints winning the Super
Bowl. Even with a lot of time off, your Marines stayed busy. My Maintenance
Department spent the holidays preparing for a very detailed inspection conducted
by the Navy. All the preparation paid off and we did a superb job. There were
Marines preparing on their days off and we could not have done so well without your support. Thank
you.
If you haven’t heard, we have a new Family Readiness Officer, Monica McClure. She was selected
by me with input from my staff and the Family Readiness Team. She has hit the ground running and
will be setting up our website, scheduling and planning family days, and providing you information
that will assist you with military life.
MAG-49 Detachment C has a few major upcoming events. In May, expect to have a family day
and a Hurrevac brief. I encourage you to attend both events, and I assure that you will receive
important information regarding unit relocation in case we have to evacuate for an impending
hurricane. Also in May, the command will deploy to Camp Pendleton, CA for 1 month. During this
deployment we will provide vital air support to Marines of the Ground Combat Element in order to
prepare them for deployment to Afghanistan.
Again, thank you for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming
family events.
7 Family Readiness News/Calendar
6 Welcome Aboard/Resources
5 Promotions/Awards
4 Family Day/Christmas Photos
3 Marine Corps Birthday Ball Photos
2 SgtMaj Words of Wisdom
1 CO’s Smoking Gun
INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2. MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER
SgtMaj’s Words of Wisdom
By SgtMaj J. Esparza
Marines, Family and Friends,
Time is just flying here in NOLA! Since the last newsletter, we celebrated the Marine Corps’
234TH Birthday, moved into our new Hangar, and had the Holiday season come and go. I sincerely
hope that each of you enjoyed the extra time spent with your Marine.
During these last few months, your Marine has conquered the new Marine Corps Combat Fitness
Tests, stood multiple inspections, and has planned events that included our Mess Night on 5 February,
this year’s Mardi Gras festivities, and a shooting exercise at Shelby, Mississippi.
The Commanding Officer and I enjoyed meeting spouses and family members at the Birthday Ball
and Family Day, and look forward to seeing you again in the near future.
234th United States Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Sgt. Mahan, Sgt. Johnson, Sgt. Priest, Sgt. Weanie, Sgt. Thomas, LCpl. Guertin - Enjoying
the 234th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at Antoine’s Restaurant (Nov 09)
2

3. MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER
A few memories from the 234th Marine Corps Birthday Ball, held on
November 14th, 2009 at Antoine’s restaurant in the French Quarter.
A great time was had by all !!!
3

4. MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER
MAG 49 Det C
Family Day/Christmas Party
December 2009
4

5. MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER
PROMOTIONS AND AWARDS
PROMOTIONS FOR DEC 09 & JAN 10: PME GRADS
• SSgt Page, SNCOA Career Course
• SSgt AmezquitaZamora
• SSgt Autin
• Sgt Copeland REINLISTMENTS
• Sgt Reyna • SSgt Price
• Sgt Robbins
• Cpl Borst
• LCpl Wesley
DECORATIONS
• CWO2 Key…NMCAM
• GySgt Ceja…NMCAM
• SSgt AmezquitaZamora…NMCAM
• SSgt Blatt…NMCAM
• SSgt Hansberry…NMCAM
• SSgt May…NMCAM
• Sgt Dowell…NMCAM
• LCpl Borst…NMCAM
__________________________________________________________________________________
ON BASE
Free Tax Prep
Service Available
Let Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
(VITA) assist you in obtaining the best
refund you are entitled to!
Hours of Operation: 0800-1600
Call for appt:(504) 678-4894 or 697-9290
They are located in Bldg. 20. As you come
in the Main Gate, it is the last street on the
left, just before the Flight Line, turn and go
all the way down. The road dead ends into
Bldg. 20. 2ND deck, Room 201
5

6. MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER
“Welcome Aboard” Readiness Resources:
(November to present)
Marine Corps offers FREE tutoring 24/7: Kids :
Maj Baxter SSgt Autin
Homework and test preparation. Adults: math,
SSgt Florencio SSgt Ford
writing skills and application assistance. Log on to
Sgt Evans Sgt Flanagan
www.usmc-mccs.org and click on the “Live
Sgt Gloster Sgt Hurst
Homework Help” link.
Sgt Jones Sgt Lyles
Sgt Nicholson Sgt Patrick
National Military Family Association: A great DoD
Sgt Sanchez Sgt Sumner
sponsored site which helps military families weed
Cpl Anderson Cpl Knuth
through their benefits and provides them with
LCpl Carnero LCpl Isaac
additional ones. Look them up at http://www.nmfa.org
PFC Martinez
Military OneSource is a resource provided by the
“Fare Winds and Following Seas” DOD at no cost to all active duty and reserve service
members and their families. Their reps can assist with
GySgt Brumbley GySgt White consultation, research and referral on a variety of
SSgt Miller Sgt Elicier issues. Contact them at www.militaryonesource.com
Sgt Tilton or
1-800-342-9647
Congratulations to the families GI Bill Benefits, including Montgomery G.I. Bill,
on the birth of their new babies! Post 9/11 G.I. Bill & Marine Corps College Fund, and
information regarding these benefits may be found at
SSgt Blatt, a son www.gibill.va.gov
Sgt Edney, a daughter
Sgt Steele, a daughter The official website of the U.S. Marine Corps hosts
LCpl Lee, a son the top stories of the day, information on units, HQ
___________________________________________ MC, career and information for family members at
www.marines.mil
Don’t forget the
Fleet and Family Service Center MAG 49, Detachment C is in the process of updating
its webpage at:
Bldg 555
http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforres/
4thMAW/MAG49/DetC
The Center offers a variety of counseling services,
including personal financial planning, childcare and
family issues, and career development.
Give them a call at: (504) 678-7569
BIRTHS:
• SSgt Blatt, a son 6
• Sgt Edney, a daughter
• Sgt Steele, a daughter
• LCpl Lee, a son

7. MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER
Family Readiness Officer Upcoming Holidays
By Monica L. McClure
COMP DAY 1 MAR 10
COMP DAY 12 MAR 10
ST. PATRICK’S DAY 17 MAR 10
COMP DAY 19 MAR 10
EASTER 4 APR 10
COMP DAY 5 APR 10
COMP DAY 16 APR 10
Hello MAG 49 DET C Families:
I’d like to introduce myself and extend
an invitation to each of you to express any
Upcoming Events
and all ideas you have about what a good DRILL WEEKEND 20,21 FEB 10
Family Readiness Program should offer you DRILL WEEKEND 5,6,7 MAR 10
and your family. This is a great program (Rifle Range Prep)
that is here to serve you, so please feel free UNIFORM CHANGE 15 MAR 10
to contact me with ideas or suggestions. If DRILL WEEKEND 23,24,25 APR 10
(Rifle Range)
there is a particular resource you would like ACTIVE DUTY
to discuss or a class you would like offered, RIFLE RANGE 26-30 APR 10
please let me know . MOJAVE VIPER 21 MAY-18 JUN 10
We are in the process of planning a
Family Day event in May, which will
include a Hurricane briefing for the
upcoming season. I hope to see you there
for this important briefing and to join in the
Family Day events. If you would like to
participate in planning or would like to
volunteer for this event, it is a great
opportunity to get involved in your Marine’s NEW COFFEE SHOP
unit. Please give me a call at (504) 678-
7455 if you would like to offer suggestions NOW OPEN!
or volunteer some of your time.
Located next to Macan’s Pub, Bldg. 40
Thank you all, and I look forward to
Featuring Starbucks Coffee and Tazo Tea
meeting you in the near future!
Hours of Operation:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE M-F 0600-1030
FOLLOWING EVENTS:
Also open drill
New Orleans Hornets weekends!
Home Games:
19,21,26 Feb
1,3,8,12,22,24,27,29,31 Mar
7