Author: Jonn Lilyea

Military.com reports that Navy Cross recipient Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bradley Kasal has retired after 34 years of faithful service. He is best known from this photo taken in Fallujah in 2004 by Lucian Read – that’s him supported by two of his Lance Corporals;

He earned his Navy Cross that day;

For extraordinary heroism while serving as First Sergeant, Weapons Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 13 November 2004. First Sergeant Kasal was assisting 1st Section, Combined Anti-Armor Platoon as they provided a traveling over watch for 3d Platoon when he heard a large volume of fire erupt to his immediate front, shortly followed by Marines rapidly exiting a structure. When First Sergeant Kasal learned that Marines were pinned down inside the house by an unknown number of enemy personnel, he joined a squad making entry to clear the structure and rescue the Marines inside. He made entry into the first room, immediately encountering and eliminating an enemy insurgent, as he spotted a wounded Marine in the next room. While moving towards the wounded Marine, First Sergeant Kasal and another Marine came under heavy rifle fire from an elevated enemy firing position and were both severely wounded in the legs, immobilizing them. When insurgents threw grenades in an attempt to eliminate the wounded Marines, he rolled on top of his fellow Marine and absorbed the shrapnel with his own body. When First Sergeant Kasal was offered medical attention and extraction, he refused until the other Marines were given medical attention. Although severely wounded himself, he shouted encouragement to his fellow Marines as they continued to clear the structure. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, First Sergeant Kasal reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

When Kasal surrendered his sword of office to conclude a 34-year career May 18, he kept his message simple.

“I want every Marine and sailor to understand they enlisted for a reason and a purpose,” Kasal said, according to a Marine Corps news release. “That purpose was to do something better, to swear to support and defend the constitution, and to be a part of something greater. I ask the Marines and sailors to always be proud of that.”

A choir director charged Marine Colonel Joseph Murray with using his “I will kill you face” and knife hands in an encounter near Quantico Marine Corps base in Virginia, according to USA Today;

An inspector general’s inquiry found merit in DeSilva’s complaint that Murray had intimidated her when he confronted her in a rage, but could not determine if he had broken the law. The Marines also found “no probable cause supporting any misconduct” by Murray or the investigators in the case of Father Kieran Mandato, according to a Marine Corps spokesman.

The church flap joins a growing list of problems at Quantico, known as the “Crossroads of the Marine Corps,” involving allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment. The base is about 30 miles south of Washington.

DeSilva and Mandato, a retired Navy chaplain and former contract priest at Quantico, said in interviews that Murray’s actions had terrified them. The incidents arose from disputes about payments to Mandato, a roster of parishioners he had at his home and perceived personal slights from the pulpit.

DeSilva in her complaint to the inspector general said, “While it may be appropriate for every Marine to have an ‘I will kill you face,’ it is not appropriate to use that face on a 52-year-old female choir director in church.”

“I feared for my life,” Mandato said.

So, apparently, folks can construe facial expressions as assault. The investigators found “No probable cause supporting any misconduct” by Colonel Murray.

Mick sends us a link to the story of Lt. Col. Marcus J. Mainz, commander of Battalion Landing Team, 2d Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit who lost his job;

Lt. Col. Marcus J. Mainz, commander of Battalion Landing Team, 2d Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, was relieved of his command May 19, 2018, by the commander of Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to continue to lead the battalion, according to a media advisory released by Lt. Col. Mike Armistead, USMC director, II MEF CommStrat & Ops.

According to the release, Mainz assumed command on June 28, 2016. His replacement is Lt. Col. Christopher Bopp, formerly assigned as commander, 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division.

From Military.com;

While 2/6 typically falls under the purview of II MEF, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the unit has been deployed since February as the ground element of the 26th MEU. A spokesman for II MEF, Lt. Col. Michael Armistead, confirmed to Military.com that Mainz had been deployed with his unit in the 5th Fleet, a region that encompasses the Middle East, when he was relieved.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Mainz would be sent home to the states or remain with the unit on deployment.