Platoon Apparel...

The platoon apparel order is still in the works. We were trying to put it into full swing before we off-loaded for Kuwait, but it never panned out. Once we return back to ship, we'll post up an order form and start taking orders. Sorry for the hold-up.

We'll be hitting the deck in Kuwait some time tomorrow. It's a day earlier than what we expected, so we've been running around getting all our gear prepped. The training is going to be intense, but you should hear from your Marine in the off time. Stay motivated, we're almost there.

Just A Note...

I will post up any pictures that I receive from the Wolfpack, family, friends, or supporters that are pertinent to the Marines. Please DO send me these pictures and encourage your Marines to give me these pictures, as well. Any time I have material to put make a new post, I'm going to do it.

I'd like to know about significant events, birthdays, or anything else that the Wolfpack family should know about. I can not promise that I'll post every single thing up on the site, due to some restrictions on me as a Platoon Commander, but the majority should make the cut. Please send any info, suggestions, direct comments, or questions to the below email address. Thanks for your help.

Semper Fidelis.

Lt James Letchford

letchfordjh@15meu.usmc.mil

Room 106...

The Wolfpack has acquired some pen pals back in the United States. Second graders from Room 106, out in Minnesota, have shown their support and curiosity for what these Marines are doing to help support freedom. The students have made this a class project, and the Wolfpack has gladly taken the project aboard.

The picture shows Room 106 hard at work writing up some letters to your Marines. Thanks for the support, Room 106.

Semper Fidelis.

Email and Internet Have Been Down...

To give everyone a heads-up, our email/internet has been down for almost the entire week. So, if you haven't heard from your Marine(s), that's the reason.

But, the Wolfpack's training has stayed strong. We're prepping oursevles for the two week sustainment training at Udari Range, Kuwait. We'll be leaving at the end of the week and will be back to ship in the middle of next month.

In the picture, the Wolfpack is practicing its weapons manipulation. Top left, one squad drills magazine changes on command. Top right, the Marines practice a tactical reload. One Marine reloads as another covers. Bottom left and bottom right, the Marines move as they reload their magazines.

Lt Letchford's Valentine...

Madeline,

One year ago, today, I made the best move of my life...I married you. Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentine's Day. I love you!

Me...

Sgt Dyas' Valentine...

Happy Valentines Day, Princess! <>

Sgt Barrett's Valentine...

Happy Valentine's Day, BooBoo!

Cpl Sullivan's Valentine...

Happy Valentine's Day, Colleen!

Cpl Sullivan's Valentine...

Happy Valentine's Day, Mom!

LCpl Jensen's Valentines...

Happy Valentine's Day, Mom and Ashley!

Bahrain Libo...

Here are some pics that Cpl Clark gave me of some of the Wolfpack's liberty in Bahrain. I hope you all enjoy.

Top left, Cpl Guitron, Cpl Clark, Cpl Lopez and Cpl Cardenas stand in front of the Tree of Life. Top right, Cpl Guitron reunites with one of his long lost buddies. Bottom left, Cpl Clark gets down and dirty with the troops. Bottom right, the boys pose for a shot in front of the National Mosque.

Care Packages (New)...

I wanted to make sure everyone knew that the United States Postal Service is offering free packing materials to spouses, families, and supporters of military members who are deployed overseas. To take advantage of this service, call: 1.800.610.8734 and ask the operator to send you free boxes, packing materials, tape, and mailing labels. Also, the Post Office now offers Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes. This service provides for a flat rate of $7.70, regardless of weight or destination; so, it won't be expensive to send your Marine(s) some goodies. You can pick them up at the Post Office or order them free at www.usps.com.

I am still receiving emails for suggestions on what to put into care packages. Here's the Pack's list:



-Dip

-Redman

-Camping Chairs/Stools

-Starbursts

-Hard Candy

-Soft Toilet Paper

-Black/White Socks

-Letter Writing Supplies

-Green/Desert Tan Tactical Notebooks

-Magazines

-Reading Books

-Bibles

-Trail Mix

-DVDs

-Beef Jerky

-Breakfast Bars

-Protein Bars

-Baby Wipes

-Gold Bond Foot Powder

-Playing Cards

-Mach 3 Razors





Thank you, ahead of time, from the Wolfpack. Getting mail and packages out here from family and friends is great, and keeps us motivated. Once again, our address is:

Marine's Rank and Name
BLT 1/1, Charlie Company, 3rd Platoon
Unit 40175
FPO AP 96610-0175

If you would like to send the platoon a package, as a whole, please address the package to Third Platoon Commander and it will reach the entire platoon.

Charlie Company Website...

Charlie Company has developed a website. Because the internet is so darn slow out here, it takes a lot to update the site. With that being said, the website may temporarily go down while it's being updated. Please be patient with it because it does have some great contents.

The Marine that will be maintaining the site has some experience in web design, so it looks great. Please feel free to check it out at:

www.chuckcompany.com

I also noticed that some of you were talking about the 15th MEU(SOC) website. That also has some great material. It's more of a broad overview of the entire MEU(SOC), but Charlie Company Marines can be found scattered about. You can find that site at:

www.usmc.mil/15meu

On a final note, we expect to be throwing some more updates on here very soon. (For those of you who have been wondering.) We haven't forgotten about you!

Mail Call...

Because we've been in port, we've been receiving mail on a regular basis. Once again, the Wolfpack would like to thank all of you that have been sending us letters, cards, and care packages. We have received packages to specific individuals and also to the platoon as a whole. A special thanks to the following:

-Merle Busic and David Bruns
-Robin Davis
-Girl Scout Troop 412
-All of our Soldiers' Angels
-Kevin L. Feik

We love all the support. We're off to bigger and better things, tomorrow. Bahrain, good-bye.

Semper Fidelis.

Wet Down...

On February 3rd, the Wolfpack had a "Wet Down" to celebrate all the promotions in the platoon. The tradition of a Wet Down is that the Marines that just got promoted buy drinks for their grade (or rank) and above. They'll usually spend a good amount of money that night, using the money they've just received for their promotion.

The Wet Down went at the Thunder Dome here on the Bahrain Military Base. This place serves fairly cheap, cold beer and has a DJ. As you'll see in the below photos, we had a great time.

Wet Down Pics #1...

Top left, LCpl Legere does his Marine Corps reknown "Midget," as Cpl Garcia, SSgt Sanchez, and Sgt Doan look-on. Top right, the Pack gets toasts before a shot of some sort of liquor. Bottom left, LCpl Legere, Cpl Clark, and Cpl Guitron dance to some of the beats. Bottom right, Cpl Petterson walks around the dance floor flashing the Wolfpack sign.

Wet Down Pics #2...

Top left, Cpl Petterson can't help but give the Wolfpack sign in every picture. Top right, Sgt Dyas, Cpl Lopez, Sgt Barrett, and Sgt Ross get crazy to some of the tunes. Bottom left, Cpl Cardenas, Cpl Lopez, and LCpl Richman chill-out. Bottom right, Cpl Clark, Cpl Guitron, Cpl Petterson, and Sgt Ross do the "Electric Slide."

Wet Down Pics #3...

Top left, LCpl Richman, Cpl Petterson, and Cpl Sullivan show some Pack Pride with the hand sign. Top right, Cpl Guitron and Cpl Clark rock out. Bottom left, Sgt Ross and SSgt Sanchez relax and watch some of the boys make fools of themselves. Bottom right, SSgt Sanchez, Cpl Cardenas, LCpl Richman in the foreground. Cpl Petterson and Sgt Barrett in the background.

Wet Down Pics #4...

Top left, the Pack mounts up for another tequila shot. Top right, Cpl Huddleston and Sgt Dyas strike for a picture. Bottom left, Sgt Dyas tries to show Cpl Lopez the proper Wolfpack hand sign. Bottom right, LCpl Legere rocks out on his own.

Promotions...

It was a great day for the Wolfpack. We had five Marines being promoted out of a total of thirteen in the company. The promotion formation went down earlier this morning.

In the picture, from left to right, you'll see LCpl Davis, Cpl Lopez, Sgt Doan, and Cpl Huddleston. Cpl Stack should be in the photo, but I guess he took off to celebrate a little early. You can see the port of Bahrain in the background.

Once again, the Pack leads the way...

Cpl Lopez...

Top left, Capt Coyne congratulates Cpl Lopez on his promotion. Top right, Cpl Glackin and Cpl Clark pin on Cpl Lopez's new rank ensignia. Bottom left, you'll see him three in from the left. Bottom right, a shot of formation. Cpl Lopez stands three Marines in from the left.

Sgt Doan...

Top left, Capt Coyne examines Sgt Doan's promotion warrant before handing it over. Top right, Capt Coyne congratulates Sgt Doan. Bottom left, Sgt Dyas and Sgt Barrett pin on his new rank. Bottom right, Sgt Doan stands on the left end of the formation.

Cpl Stack...

Top left, a shot of Cpl Stack in formation. Top right, Cpl Stack smiles as he speaks to Capt Coyne. Bottom left, Cpl Stack receives his promotion warrant from Capt Coyne. Bottom right, Sgt Barrett and Cpl Guitron pin on Cpl Stack's new rank.

Cpl Huddleston...

Top left, the promotion formation with the guidon up front. You'll see Cpl Huddleston as the second Marine in from the left. Top right, Sgt Orsen and Sgt Ross pin on Cpl Huddleston's new rank ensignia. Bottom left, the promotion formation from another angle. Bottom right, you'll see Cpl Huddleston second in from the left.

LCpl Davis...

Top left, Capt Coyne congatulates LCpl Davis on his promotion. Top right, Sgt Ross and Cpl Sullivan pin on LCpl Davis' new rank. Bottom left, he receives his promotion warrant from Capt Coyne. Bottom right, Capt Coyne stands in front of the company as 1stSgt Williams reads the promotion warrants. You'll also see the company guidon held by LCpl Bartscher of Headquarters platoon.

Chow in Bahrain...

It looks like we're going to be here, in Bahrain, a little longer than we originally expected. The Navy has some work to do to the ship before we'll be able to pull out and head to our next destination. Once again, when we get a chance, we'll post up some pictures of the Wolfpack on libo.

For right now, check out this typical Bahrainian meal. That's a coke and what's known as a schawarma. Um Um Good.