To all who shall see these presents, greetings:

Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of "Boviate", I do appoint this Marine a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps to rank as such from the first day of May, two thousand eight.

"Effective with this appointment, you are charged to carefully and diligently execute the duties and responsibilities of a Sergeant of Marines, and I do strictly direct and require all personnel of lesser grade to render obedience to appropriate orders. As a Sergeant of Marines you must set the example for others to emulate. Your conduct and professionalism both on and off duty shall be above reproach. You are responsible for the accomplishment of your assigned mission and for the safety, professional development and well-being of the Marines in your charge. You will be the embodiment of our institutional core values of honor, courage and commitment. You will lead your Marines with firmness, fairness and dignity while observing and following the orders and directions of your senior leaders and enforcing all regulations and articles governing the discipline of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Given under my hand at HMM 265(REIN), 31st MEU, III MEF this first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight.

XXX
Lieutenant Colonel, USMC
Commanding

Definitions for the alphabet soup at the bottom: I am a member of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265). A medium squadron flies CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopters ("Phrogs"). We are currently reinforced with heavy helicopters from a HMH squadron, and light and attack helicopters from a HMLA (Marine Light Attack Helicopter) squadron. That reinforcement is noted with the "(REIN)" suffix to the squadron designation, thus HMM-265 (REIN). The two squadrons that sent their aircraft and personnel to us are now undermanned, so their designations are now HMLA-267(-) and HMH-465(-) with the minus sign to designate their deinforcement.

We are reinforced because we are the Air Combat Element ("ACE") of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, (31 MEU). No, there aren't 30 other MEUs. The composition of the 31st MEU changes as different units join or leave, for instance in a few weeks HMM-262 will get reinforced and become the 31st MEU ACE. But it will remain the 31st MEU.

III MEF is the Third Marine Expeditionary Force. It is the higher headquarters above the MEU. The MEU controls enough troops and gear to mount an amphibious invasion in the Pacific theater. The MEF controls all Marine assets necessary to conduct an entire war in the Pacific theater. That includes the 31st MEU, but also the other aircraft and ground troops that are not currently part of a MEU.

III MEF only has a single MEU under normal circumstances, but that's not universally true. For instance, I MEF has two MEUs under it, II MEF has two more. At the moment there is no operating IV MEF, but it could be stood up in short order if WW3 breaks out.

So in summary, the line "HMM 265(REIN), 31st MEU, III MEF" is a complete description of the chain of command down to my commanding officer, setting forth the authority he has to promote me. My CO, a LtCol, reports to the MEU's Col, who reports to the MEF's General, who reports to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. (Well, really, the MEF reports to the Pacific Command, which is a joint position that rotates between the services. The Commandant is in charge of all personnel within the Corps but does not have an operational role. So promotions come through the Commandant, but orders about where we go and what we do come from PaCom.)

There, did that confuse you even more?

Posted by: Boviate at 08:27 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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