St. Patrick's Day Engineer Meet!

History of St. Patrick?

St. Patrick, as the patron saint of engineers, is credited with fostering the development of arts and crafts and introducing the knowledge of the use of lime as mortar in Ireland. He is also responsible for the initial construction of clay churches in Ireland in the 5th century A.D. Another of St. Patrick's achievements was teaching the Irish to build arches of lime mortar instead of dry masonry. These beginnings of ceramic work developed into organized crafts, and that's how St. Patrick became the patron saint of ceramic engineers.

St. Patricks day! A day for engineers from different units and branches to come together and conduct a friendly competition. Today, we had USAF CEG and Redhorse, USN Seabee's, USMC MWSS-172, CAB and ourselves 9th ESB. All who competed in a friendly game of:

(Lumberjack Race)

(Tug of War)

(Sway Bar Toss)

(Dizzy Izzy)

(Chemical, Biological, Radiation & Nuclear *CBRN* Suit Race)

(Modified Iron Man Race)

(7ton Truck Pull)

But there were other events like Rock Toss, Bangalore Race, Chariot Race...

Today MWSS-172 took the win for this field meet but at least we were able to establish a competition between units and branches for the future. Winner just wins bragging rights but we all know that 9th ESB is the best engineer unit out here. Haha! Anyways, this is a great way of bringing all the Engineers of any unit or branch to get together and have fun. 

Chariot Races

(9th ESB)

(Navy Seabee's)

(CAB)

(CEG)

(MWSS-172)

Over all it was a good field meet and a lot of motivation. Friendly taunts but none is directed negatively bad. Good games. Until next year.. We will bring back the trophy. 

An Extra but not a part of the Events. Its just want Marines do on Fridays..  

MOOD- Motivation, Competitive & Proud
SONG PLAYING-Boondocks Saints Theme by The Boondocks Saints Soundtrack

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Hanging on...

(Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, CA)

Throughout life, we come across those times when we are all just hanging of the edge. Sometimes we all think that just letting go and giving up may seem to be the easy because there is no effort needed. Yet there are some folks who can pull themselves out off the cliff and try to make things right again. Then again it all depends on the situations as relationship, career, family or finance.

Giving up is not an option for me, I always will have to try to figure out what I can do to pull myself out of tough situations. Being a Marine is a battle to get promoted to the next rank, just because they are drawing down the military. So its tough right now and we have to do whatever it takes to be better then the others to get that next rank.  My marriage has been rough and I have always been hanging on but I will not let go. I fucked things up and I am going to do whatever it takes not to give up. It is worth every will to not let go because if you love someone or your career. It is worth fighting for or in other words... it's worth hanging on.

"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that!"

Can you guess who said that Quote?

Don't Give up!

MOOD-Strong, Perseverance and Loved
SONG PLAYING-Have Faith in Me by A Day to Remember

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Why I joined the Marines? (Answered 2004 and Now)

(PVT Valladolid, *MCRD Recruit Graduate* 2005)

Describe in your own words "Why I Joined the Marines Corps?"

"The reason why is that I cannot be working at like Walmart for the rest of my life. I'm joining the Marines Corps is to build some skills I can use after the military. I (scribbled "I" out) Maybe check out what education opportunities it has. I just really want to take the challenge."

Signed by me on August 20,2004


WOW! Talk about Ghetto. HAHA!

(Sgt. Valladolid, Camp Hansen, Okinawa 2013)

Well if this question was asked to me again. I would say....

"The reason why I joined the Marines is because I needed to become better then the rest. Also, a ticket out of  Alaska permanently, a ticket to discover the world and at the same time, a ticket to a undiscovered self. To gain technical skills and to push my physical fitness to its limits, which in turn strengthens me mentally.  The Marines give me a pride of belonging, a pride of history that no other branch has ever cared for until recently. The traditions that the Marines withhold and which is practiced everyday. So, overall the reason why I joined the Marines. Is to be apart of the few and the proud."

Feb 2013


I know that may have sounded like an answer for a recruiting commercial. It is really how I feel right now. As you can see, I have fulfilled my first reason why I joined and now. I might have not been deployed but I have been to several places and maybe one place that some Marines may not have. Overall a Marine is a Marine no matter what.



MOOD-Reminisce, Proud & Strong
SONG PLAYING-Children of the Sun by Deep Foundation

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Going back to the basics

(Tie up your laces and lets get back to the basics)

A lot has changed throughout my time in the Marines. Many junior Marines and newly promoted Corporals never grasp the concept of cutting that connection from their friends and that play time is over. You cannot move forward in this career if you keep that mentality. If you want to succeed you are going to have to make sacrifices, just like the sacrifice you made by joining the Marines. 

During my time through the Marine Corps, I have seen a lot change and new changes. Yes, we are Marines and we do adapt and overcome every obstacle that is in front of us, but there are a lot of things that cannot be changed and yet we are slowly veering away from being Marines. 

I know a lot of Marines are proud because they have served a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan and may have lost close comrades. As for me, I would not know that feeling because I have never been deployed, nor have I lost anyone close. I pretty much missed out on 2 deployments and 1 deployment because they were activated when I have PCS'd. Some say, "I'm a dodger," family says that, "I'm lucky," and I say, "it wasnt my time yet." But I can tell you now though, times are slowing down and the military is slowly pulling back. The Marine Corps' eyes are now focused on garrison productivity and it's units. 

We have recently passed a FASMO inspection and now we are preparing for an inspection lead by a General. So now wrench turning, paper pushing and marching has come into effect. I have spoken to new Marines with no basic mentality of what it is to be a Marine. And some Marines who have been in the platoon for quite some time now are not even back to the basics, their mentality is still deployed. Negative! THINGS WILL HAVE TO CHANGE.

New join Marines come into the fleet and expect to learn from the senior Marines and NCO's but end up not learning anything because we keep veering away from the basic lifestyles of the Marine Corps. Like having respect for the senior Marines. Going to parade rest when you're being spoken to, or speaking to a Marine that is in a higher grade, even marching from here and there as we switch Marines to control the formation. It can help improve them and set them up for promotion.

As simple as a "Good Morning Sergeant" or "Aye Aye Corporal" can get us back to the basics. I hate the fact that we are not exercising that and leading the junior Marines to failure. We have lost our ways and yes, I can agree that I fail some days but I do come back with the correct way and put them back on track. We need to stop acting like kids in a playground, treat them like how you want to be treated and correct Marines when a correction is needed. 

From what I think, Marines are afraid to correct their own. Why? Because their own are their friends. I know I may sound like a tool but in order for the Marines to effectively complete "The Mission" and win battles with less casualties, Marines have to learn and show obedience to their chain of command and in return their chain will set them up for success. 

All I am saying is that we all need to be slapped into realty and figure out what we can do to better ourselves and lead our Marines for success. Lets get back to the basics and the routine of a Garrison Marine. 

(Even as simple as completing clean up)

"You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong." - President Abraham Lincoln

"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." -  President Theodore Roosevelt

(Lets not let the Backbone grow weak)

MOOD- Motivated, Dedicated and Oorah!
SONG PLAYING-The Marines' Hymn by United States Marine Corps

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Sunsets of Okinawa

Sunsets on Okinawa are beautiful, breath taking and just plain amazing. My wife and I have never seen such amazing sunsets, until Okinawa. Below are some sunsets I have captured with my Iphone. Yes they have been filtered but just to only show you the actual colors and the details that the original would leave out. 

 (HWY 329, Camp Hansen)

Most of the days right afterwork, I would drive home to see such sunsets over Okinawa. Yes, I have taken these while I was driving and I do not recommend anyone doing this. If you do, you are doing this at your own risk. So overall just drive safe or just pull over and take the photo. 

 (Camp Shields)

Some of the sunsets do form something. Like this sunset above, which seems to be an evil of some sort. Crazy right? I actually slowed down for some of the photos but this one. I actually pulled over and took it. This would be the first sunset that had some crazy cloud formation. Amazing though right?

 (Chibana Housing)

(HWY 27)

 (Kadena BX)

 (HWY 330)

Above are some spectacular sunsets of how the sun enhances the sky and clouds. Also, showing how powerful the sun is by showing the sun rays that punches through. 

 (Uruma Island)

 I am not a professional photographer or a person with an expensive camera. Remember these are taken with just my cell phone and enhanced with the options on my instagram. You can only capture such views if you are fascinated or understand how mother nature works. Okinawa has not yet to disappointment me with its amazing sunsets. Remember do not drive and take photos, ensure you are doing this in a safe manner by just pulling over. Trust me here in Okinawa, you wont be the only one pulling over to view the gorgeous sites. 

MOOD-  Living, Journey & Change
SONG PLAYING-It's Time by Imagine Dragons

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