TF 51/5 Sailors earn Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer device

Photo By Staff Sgt. Wesley Timm | NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY BAHRAIN (June 20, 2018) U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Russell Mackay, naval surface warfare officer with Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, is awarded the Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer's pin. Active or reserve officers may qualify to participate in the program if they are deployed for a minimum of 90 consecutive days in direct support of a U.S. Marine Corps operational command during combat or military operations other than war. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Wesley Timm)  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

06.20.2018

Story by Lt.Cmdr. Sandra Arnold 

Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

MANAMA, Bahrain (June 20, 2018) – Brig. Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5), awarded six Sailors with the Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer (FMFWO) device today.

“Earning this warfare designation indicates a level of proficiency and excellence TF 51/5 Sailors have chosen to pursue in order to further their knowledge of Marine Corps operations,” said Donovan. “Those who earn this warfare device stand out among their peers as significant contributors to our integrated Navy and Marine Corps warfighting team.”

Active or reserve officers may qualify to participate in the program if they are deployed for a minimum of 90 consecutive days in direct support of a U.S. Marine Corps operational command during combat or military operations other than war.

“This is the first time TF 51/5 offered Sailors the opportunity to earn this device and we are incredibly thankful to our command leadership who encouraged the pursuit of this qualification and supported our efforts throughout the process,” said Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Harris, a Navy reserve officer deployed to TF 51/5 as a surface maintenance officer and FMFWO awardee. “Without the combined efforts of our Marine Corps subject matter experts and Navy Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officers, we would not have been able to complete the necessary requirements of this rigorous program.”

Cmdr. Chad J. Rees, deputy surgeon for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet, volunteered to lead TF 51/5’s program after learning the command didn’t have a qualified manager to administer the program. According to Rees, the course of study is comprised of 17 core areas ranging from combat leadership to land navigation. Additionally, candidates must conduct a six-mile hike, pass a Marine Corps physical fitness test as well as pass written and oral examinations.

“This program provides candidates with a solid foundation of Marine Corps warfighting principles,” said Rees. “By the time they are ready to sit for the oral board, these Sailors are well versed in a variety of topics and are able to showcase their knowledge of the Marine Corps’ mission and history.”

An additional seven TF 51/5 Sailors, who were forward deployed aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and temporarily assigned to Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, will be awarded the FMFWO device June 28, 2018.

“Cmdr. Rees administered a rigid program that provided TF 51/5 Sailors with a thorough understanding of how our command’s mission supports naval doctrine and its objectives,” said Donovan. “Being familiar with the Marine Corps’ construct affords FMFWO Sailors a better understanding of our integrated mission and allows them to apply this knowledge in support of TF 51/5 missions.”

For more information about TF 51/5 visit our website www.TF515.marines.mil, Facebook at www.facebook.com/TF51.5 or DVIDS site at www.dvidshub.net/unit/5MEB. Contact TF 51/5 Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sandra Arnold at [e-mail], 973-1785-8529 or Marine Capt. Monica Witt at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 06.20.2018
• Date Posted: 06.20.2018 07:16
• Story ID: 281617
• Location: MANAMA, BH