Company Commander: Captain Daniel W. Micklis
Executive Officer: 1st Lieutenant Joseph M. Passman
Company 1st Sergeant: 1stSgt Benito Caraballo

Dear Friends and Family of Bravo Company,

As we close out the month of January, let me take the opportunity to wish everyone a "Happy New Year" on behalf of all the Marines within the command. This year has already begun to be an exciting one for our Marines as they participated in two major training events this month to include the Special Operation Training Group (SOTG) Raid Course and the Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (MEUEX). But before we get into the details I would like to first welcome the Marines and families of our newest platoon, Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) Platoon, into the company. As the Battalion‘s mechanized company, these are the Marines and Sailors who take our unit in battle on their 25-ton tracked vehicles that can swim from the ship to shore and then inland to any objective. We are very pleased to have added them to our team and have quickly learned over the last couple of months what a fine group of Marines they are./p>

In preparation for our upcoming deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Bravo Company recently completed the SOTG Raid Course. This course is designed to instruct and test the ability of the company to conduct amphibious raids in which we complete short notice operations while operating from the sea. Our Marines honed their skills on assaulting numerous enemy objectives, day and night, as a mechanized force on ship sailing off foreign shores. During the week long training, the Marines proved themselves more than worthy of the task and you can rest assured they are ready for whatever waits us ahead. In the final evaluation it was noted by the instructor staff that, "The final raid was one of the best the staff has seen in the last two years." This was a significant accomplishment for our Marines and you should take special pride in their achievement during this cornerstone training event./p>

Following the raid course we participated in MEUEX, a week long training event designed to improve our ability to work with other units of the MEU. This week happened to coincide with the major storms that hit Southern California in rapid succession causing flooding and mudslides throughout the area. Being Marines, the company took in stride, enjoying the extra challenges and the discomfort it might bring to the notional enemy we faced. With our AAV‘s, we were able to continue on the mission through all the terrain and weather and prove that our Marines our prepared to fight in any climate or place./p>

This month we say farewell to First Sergeant Benito Caraballo Jr. and welcome First Sergeant Kevin A. Pietsch and his six year old son Bryan to the command. We would like to thank First Sergeant Caraballo for his hard work and dedication to the unit and its families over the last few months and wish him the best for the future with his upcoming retirement from the Marine Corps. First Sergeant Pietsch comes to us from Inspector -Instructor Staff in Charleston, South Carolina and hails from East Liverpool, Ohio./p>

Please welcome the AAV Platoon Commander – First Lieutenant Charles P. Stocker, his wife Kelsey, and his 10 month old daughter Callie. In Addition, please welcome his Platoon Sergeant – Gunnery Sergeant Joseph C. Rice, his wife Ana, and sons Joseph and Jacob who are 12 and 9 years old. Gunnery Sergeant Rice has recently taken over duties from Gunnery Sergeant Adam M. Vandergrift who has been selected for promotion to Master Gunnery Sergeant. We thank Master Gunnery Sergeant (Select) Vandergrift for his excellent service while with the unit and congratulate him on his recent selection for promotion./p>

The following Marines have been promoted during the month of January and we take pride in recognizing the hard work and dedication it has taken to accomplish this goal:
Staff Sergeant David Sanchez
Private First Class Andrew C. Adams
Private First Class Major T. Fuller/p>

The following Marines have re-enlisted and we are proud to recognize the continue commitment of them and their families to the Marine Corps:
Corporal Duff A. Brown
Corporal Dylan J.Hulbert/p>

The following Marines have received awards this month for their hard work and devotion:/p>

Good Conduct Medal – Sergeant Brian M. Tracey, Corporal Robert P. Aronson, Corporal Andre D. Etkin, Corporal Christopher J. Stowers, and Lance Corporal Isai A. Ruiz./p>

Certificate of Commendation – Staff Sergeant Justin D. Brown, Sergeant Joseph W. Belyeu, Corporal Andrew C. Goudy, Corporal Spencer A. Jones, Corporal Anthony C. Lynn, Corporal Christopher G. McGann, Lance Corporal Paul A. Basset, Lance Corporal Anthony Casabona, Lance Corporal Travis J. Hitzelburger, Lance Corporal Tyler D. Messerschmidt, Lance Corporal Taylor D. Perry, Lance Corporal Benjamin D. Rice Jr., Lance Corporal Matthew R. Miller, Lance Corporal Tyler Wildeman/p>

Meritorious Mast –
Corporal James T. Parks, Corporal Tyler J. Isaacson, Lance Corporal Omar G. Hernandez, Lance Corporal Kevin M. Prime./p>

Next moth the company will begin it‘s first at sea period in which we will em-bark aboard the USS Dubuque. For many of our Marines it will be their first time on ship and should be an exciting experience as they join their predecessors on truly becoming "soldiers of the sea." The company will be able to test it‘s operationally capability in conducting amphibious missions as we launch AAV‘s from the ship itself and conduct missions ashore./p>

In the coming weeks look for the announcement of a company picnic, we are now soliciting suggestions for dates as we prepare for another family get together. In addition, we look for-ward to seeing at one of the many planned battalion events over the next few weeks. Again, thank you for your continued support and we look forward to sharing the challenges and successes of 2010 with you as we welcome the New Year. Your efforts are vital to the success of this unit and we take great pride in having all of you as part of the Bravo "Team."

On behalf of the Marines of Bravo Company…

Best Wishes and Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful),
Captain Daniel W. Micklis