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    ‘Never leave a Marine behind’

    ‘Never leave a Marine behind’

    Photo By Cpl. Deanne Hurla | Sgt. Ruben Cajandab, a Never Leave a Marine Behind program instructor for Marine Wing...... read more read more

    CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

    01.20.2011

    Story by Sgt. Deanne Hurla 

    Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

    CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – In 2009, the Marine Corps recorded 52 suicides, the highest number since 2001. Thirty-six of those Marines had seen combat, and 11 of the self-inflicted deaths took place in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    This month, the Marine Corps released Marine Administrative Message 22/11 implementing Never Leave a Marine Behind, a program detailing suicide awareness and prevention training.

    According to the message, the objective of the Never Leave a Marine Behind series is to provide the best skills and tools available to Marines, sailors and their leaders so that they can better cope with the challenges of combat and the rigor of life both deployed and in garrison.

    The program, which was an initiative of the 35th commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, includes leadership videos on suicide prevention and a high impact noncommissioned officer training course, which all NCO's are required to attend.

    With the transfer of authority for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) approaching, Marines of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3 (Forward) completed the program Jan. 16 and 20 aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, in preparation to re-deploy to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., their home station.

    This program gives NCO's the tools and resources to pass on the knowledge they gain from the program to their junior Marines, explained Sgt. Ruben Cajandab, a program instructor for MWHS-3 (Fwd).

    Part of the knowledge taught is the acronym RACE, which stands for recognize, ask, care and escort. These are the steps NCO's and junior Marines should follow if they see a fellow Marine having trouble.

    “I’ve seen the presentation. It covers everything from recognizing signs to getting help, how to address the issues, what to do if you’re approached or if you’re the one having those feelings,” said Maj. Temitope Songonuga, the MWHS-3 (Fwd) officer in charge. “There are not two sides to this coin, there are multiple sides, and this is the A to Z from when it starts to the last step.”

    Marines and sailors may deal with several different stressors while deployed. Making sure they handle stress in the appropriate way or getting them the help they need are the important things, added Cajandab.

    Though the Marines and sailors of 3rd MAW (Fwd) are preparing to go home, their vigilance in watching out for each other has been reinforced by the program and has given them the tools to better aid each other. The program further helps ensure no Marine, or sailor, is left behind.

    Individual Marines and sailors are the bedrock upon which the Marine Corps is built. The loss of any Marine or sailor through suicide is a tragedy for the individual’s family and unit, and should never be accepted.

    With the commandant’s newest initiative, Marine Corps leadership is taking proactive action, focusing on the important role of all Marines in addressing this issue. Prevention through education and training that targets the individual Marine will help reduce suicides, improve resiliency and will help the Marine Corps remain America’s expeditionary force in readiness.

    A preliminary total of 37 Marines committed suicide in 2010, a noticeable decrease from the year prior, and another 173 Marines attempted suicide. Though the number of attempts is alarming, the fact remains that suicides have decreased.

    Third MAW (Fwd) had a number of suicidal ideation cases; however, according to Songonuga, these cases are successes because the person reached out instead of actually attempting suicide.

    With the implementation of the Never Leave a Marine Behind program, 3rd MAW (Fwd) is actively doing their part to raise awareness and prevent losing Marines in the fight against suicide.

    Editor’s note: Statistical information in this story has been compiled from Marine administrative messages, Department of Defense databases and Marine Corps Community Service databases.

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.20.2011
    Date Posted: 01.27.2011 07:31
    Story ID: 64299
    Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF

    Web Views: 741
    Downloads: 2

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