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Marine Corps Forces Commander Visits Kearsarge During AMFEX

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111221-01
12/21/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Corbin Shea, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command visited the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Dec. 15 to address more than 250 Marine second lieutenants participating in an Amphibious Familiarization Exercise (AMFEX).

Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik gathered with the Marines on the flight deck and shared his personal experiences with them and talked about what it meant to be a Marine.

"Marines have each other's back," he said. "If a Marine were to come back on the shield rather than behind it, I would take care of that Marine's family."

Kearsarge Commanding Officer Capt. Dorian F. Jones explained why it was important for the junior officers hear from Hejlik.

"General Hejlik is a Marine's Marine," said Jones. "Blue-Green, officer or enlisted - it doesn't matter. He inspires us all."

AMFEX is part of the six-month school junior Marine officers go through, called The Basic School (TBS), in Quantico, Va. The goal of AMFEX is to orientate junior Marine officers to the capabilities of amphibious vessels. During their two-day visit, the second lieutenants toured the ship's flight deck, Combat Information Center, medical facilities and Marine Expeditionary Unit spaces.

The AMFEX also focused on the interoperability of the Navy and Marine Corps and provided the junior officers insight into the roles they both play.

"The Navy and Marine Corps team is the oldest in the Armed Forces," Jones said. "It's through that rich heritage and embedded training that we continue to be the premiere fighting force in the world. The past two days have shown the future leadership of the Marine Corps what their Navy can provide in the way of support and partnership."

Kearsarge and her crew are preparing for Exercise Bold Alligator in January 2012. Bold Alligator is a joint exercise between the Navy and Marine Corps to develop and perfect amphibious capabilities.