Reservists activated, motivated to aid station
USMC News
Story Identification Number: 2003320155557
Story by Cpl. Daniel Thomas
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz.(March 20, 2003) -- If you have noticed a lot of unfamiliar faces aboard the station in the past few weeks, don't be alarmed.
With a significant amount of the station's Marines deployed, numerous Marine Corps reservists have arrived recently to lend a helping hand.
A few sections where reservists can be found are the Provost Marshals Office, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting and Airfield Service Recovery.
Most of the reservists' reactions to being called up have been positive, said Master Sgt. Robert W. Shockey, PMO assistant operations and services chief.
Shockey, a reservist himself, is here from Tulsa, Okla.
"The reservists I have been activated with have been enthused to get to a duty station and do what they've been trained to do," said Shockey.
"After 9/11 we know that our job protecting our home bases is just as important as those deployed to a foreign theater of operation," he said.
According to Shockey, the concept of having reservists fill in on American military installations helps the reservists focus on the threat of terrorism on American soil.
Thus said, many remain positive even when having to leave things of importance behind.
"I was close to graduating school and had to leave that and my family behind," said Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Amezcue, military policeman. "It's hard for them, but we have to do what we've got to do."
Amezcue said she grew excited when she learned of her activation for many personal reasons, but mainly for the country due to the recent circumstances.
"I'm still adjusting," said Amezcue. "It's not quite like home here yet, but it's getting there. Being activated with fellow Marines that I've known for a while has eased tensions, and the Marines that were already here have also been very helpful."
Cpl. Darron Enns is also a military policeman activated to help serve station PMO.
Enns said although he has never been deployed before, so far his activation has gone pretty much as expected.
"I expected to come to PMO just not here," said Enns. "So far I've been pleasantly surprised. It seems like this is going to be a good base to work at."
According to Enns, he had to leave school at Fresno State University in the middle of the semester.
"It's not something that I would have done voluntarily, but I'm happy to serve," said Enns. "I can pick school back up where I left off as soon as I'm done."
Some of the reservists may have had to leave college behind for a while, but that doesn't mean their education has ceased.
"We've been training and working different posts such as the front gate, patrol and dispatch," said Enns. "We've been taking different classes to get oriented with the way the military here do their job."
Lance Cpl. Jesse Stewart, firefighter, ARFF, said that he too believes that the activation has afforded reservists educational opportunities and benefits.
"Most of the Marines here don't seem too arrogant," said Stewart. "They're all spilling out a lot of knowledge and I'm like a sponge soaking it all up. "
"There's a lot of information on how to get started on a fire fighting job in the civilian sector and a lot of people will get certificates out of here," explained Stewart. "For example, I don't have my [Emergency Medical Technician certificate] and I will get that here.
The EMT is worth seven college credit hours and is a prerequisite when getting a job at most fire departments, said Chief Warrant Officer-3 Roger E. Bond, comanding officer of Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting and Airfield Service Recovery.
According to Bond, the reservists may gain a lot of knowledge while activated; however, they also bring a lot of useful information with them.
"They hold the same credentials and went to the same schools as the active duty," explained Bond. "Some of them bring a lot to the table. A lot were firemen in the civilian sector, and so they bring a nice perspective and fresh ideas. We can all learn from each other."
So how can people tell the difference between an active duty Marine and a reservist? Chances are they can't.
"Absolutely not," said Bond. "When they are here, I can't tell you the difference. We got two new joins and some reservists on the same day, and they have been treated the same way. No differences can be seen."
According to Bond, the reservist don't want to be treated special or differently they just want to be part of the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma team.
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