Single Marines Enjoy Nature, Camaraderie at Zion National Park

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kerstin Roberts, Marine Corps Installations West -- Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

SPRINGDALE, Utah -- Surrounded by mountains, Zion National Park here presents a profound example of Mother Nature’s breathtaking beauty.

And, a group of Marines that traveled to the park from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, as part of the Single Marine Program appreciated the chance to get away from it all.

The program’s goal is to enhance the quality of life for single Marines by offering a variety of different extracurricular activities to keep them physically, mentally and socially active.

“For $40, we received transportation, tents, beds, food, water and Gatorade,” explained Marine Corps Sgt. Jennifer Mendez, intelligence specialist, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force-Information Group. “It was also nice that we could choose how to spend our time. We were not restricted to a schedule of events at specific times of the day.”

Many Activities

The trip to Zion National Park is one of many trips hosted by the program. During their trip to the park, Marines had the opportunity to hike trails, relax around a bonfire, throw a flying disc or simply mingle with other single Marines.

“Everyone who chose to take this opportunity had at least two things in common -- being interested in the outdoors and being in the military,” Mendez said. “Whether or not you were a lance corporal, a sergeant, in the Navy or the Marine Corps -- it didn’t matter. We all could relate on at least a small aspect of both of them.”

While attending trips, service members are able to get outside, challenge their physical fitness in unique ways, and bond with other service members who are interested in similar activities.

The program offers a wide variety of excursions, including unique volunteer opportunities, tickets to various sporting events, as well as weekend getaways to places in, around and outside of California.

“SMP is looking to get Marines out of the barracks, out from in front of the TV, and give them opportunities that they wouldn’t normally have,” said Jessica Swinson, 22 and 24 Area SMP Recreational Centers manager.

Swinson added, “The goal for hiking at Zion National Park was to give Marines the opportunity to hang out with individuals that had common interests and to build friendships.”

Mattis Plans Trip to South America to Meet With Senior Defense Officials

WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary James N. Mattis embarks Aug. 12 on his first trip to South America while leading the Defense Department, Pentagon officials announced today.

The White House declared 2018 the “Year of the Americas,” and the secretary's trip underscores the department's strong defense ties with Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia, officials said, adding that these relationships are critical to a collaborative, prosperous and secure Western Hemisphere.

Mattis will begin his trip in Brazil, where he will meet with senior officials and defense leaders. He will also speak at the Escola Superior de Guerra, the country's war college, and visit the national monument to Brazilian service members killed in World War II.

The secretary will then visit Argentina, where he will meet with senior defense officials to discuss defense issues of mutual interest.

His third stop is Chile to exchange strategic perspectives with senior officials.

Mattis concludes his trip in Colombia, where he will meet members of the newly elected administration.

Face of Defense: Deployed Brothers Reunite at Reenlistment Ceremony

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Dana J. Cable, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Cagle reunited with his older brother, Air Force Capt. (Dr.) Stephen Cagle, 386th Expeditionary Medical Group deputy chief medical officer, at his July 21 reenlistment ceremony here.

“Having my brother be here and reenlist me really makes it special, and it just adds to it that we are both in a deployed location,” Christopher said.

Christopher and Stephen said they grew up as Air Force “brats,” with their dad retiring after 24 years of service.

“My dad is going to love this, Christopher said. “He told me to make sure I got pictures.”

Family Reunion

This is the first time the brothers have seen each other in over a year, and it will be at least another six months until they will be reunited again.

Christopher is deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, and Stephen is deployed from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Both claim Ratcliff, Arkansas, as their hometown.

Both brothers said they plan to retire from the Air Force.

“I’m really enjoying the Air Force,” Christopher said. “By reenlisting for another four years, I get to keep learning and developing my skills. I do information technology at home for fun, so the fact that I get to do it as a job is amazing.”

Stephen shared similar sentiments about loving his job.

“I enjoy my job, I like being able to see everything full-spectrum,” Stephen said. “At Scott AFB, I take care of patients, deliver babies, give vasectomies, colonoscopies. And staying in the Air Force allows me to do that, and maintain those skills.”

Christopher said he always knew he wanted his brother to reenlist him; they just never knew when it was going to happen with their schedules.

“I’ve never actually delivered the oath of enlistment to someone,” Stephen said. “And for the first opportunity to reenlist someone and it’s my brother, that’s pretty cool. I’d love to do the next one, too.”