Fresh artillerymen begin journey with Combat Center’s Mike Battery

[USMCRET6391]

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (May 5, 2006) -- After returning from their deployment to Iraq in October 2005, Mike Battery picked back up as an artillery battery as their training commenced again.

During that deployment, the battery served as a military police force in Operation Iraqi Freedom and conducted detainee operations. The battery was broken down into platoon-sized units and dispatched throughout the country.

They now are scheduled to deploy to Okinawa, Japan, in the near future as part of the Unit Deployment Program, thus, returning to their profession as “cannoncockers.”

Recently, the battery welcomed 20 new Marines, fresh from their military occupational specialty school in Ft. Sill, Okla., said Capt. Kevin M. Stout, Mike Battery’s commanding officer.

“It’s very timely to have them join us,” said Stout, a Martinsville, Ind., native during a recent field operation in Niland, Calif. “We were manning only three guns [M777 Lightweight Howitzers] before they arrived. Now we were able to have five for this field operation.”

The 20 new artillerymen are also contributing to the battery by replacing the several noncommissioned officers who foresee an end to their journey in the Corps.

Most of the NCOs who are serving their last months in the Corps came to the battery at roughly the same time. For many of them, and for a few since the very beginning, it’s been a long journey.

“My whole class out of Ft. Sill came to 3/11 in May of 2003,” said Cpl. Frank S. Cauthorn, an artilleryman with Mike Battery. “About 90 percent of the class came to Mike Battery. And about 70 percent of them are still with this battery.”

The battery had the reputation of being the best artillery battery in 3/11, added Cauthorn, a Manteca, Calif., native. This reputation still lasts, as the 20 new Marines who joined Mike Battery, are realizing.

“I think the reason why we have been so successful is due to the fact that we’ve been working alongside each other for a very long time,” said Cauthorn. “I’ve seen my friends in the battery go from private to corporal or sergeant.”

Cauthorn is ending his career in January. He plans on attending California State University, Chico.

“I remember the day we bunched up together when they were choosing who’s going to which battery,” said Gilliland, reflecting on the days shortly after he joined Mike Battery. “We were already familiar with each other so we wanted to stay with each other.”

Over the past three years, the battery grew close together, said Gilliland, who is the father of 10-month-old, Michael Christopher. His close friend, and fellow artilleryman, Cpl. Nathaniel J. Chaney, is his son’s Godfather.

“Looking back, I’ve seen Mike Battery go through some good times, fall into some very rough times, and we’re back to good times, growing strong as an artillery unit,” said Gilliland. “I’ve grown tremendously because of this unit. It was my leaders that made me the way I am. I know I have the same responsibility to the new Marines now.

“As a senior and a leader, I want these Marines to have the same cohesion we had these past three years,” continued the Chula Vista, Calif., native. “Looking forward and into my future, I know I am going to miss this battery.”

Gilliland looks forward to going into the remodeling business with his father and Chaney. Aside from business, he is also planning a marriage.

“There’s no other place or job in this world that can compare to what we’ve done in this battery,” said Cpl. Raul Cervantes, motor transportation driver with Mike Battery, who served alongside the artillerymen for the past three years. “We always know what’s going on in each other’s lives. We steer young Marines in the right direction. The section leaders really take care of their Marines. Sections go out with each other on the weekends.

“Everyone here talks about anything that’s on their mind, no matter what the issue is,” continued the Los Angeles native. “You can’t find that type of brotherhood anywhere else. It’s hard to see people go their separate ways. But at the same time, I’m glad Mike Battery [received] some new good Marines.”

As new artillerymen step foot into training and bonding with senior artillerymen, they become skeptical of what the battery was really about. They hear Mike Battery is the best artillery battery in 3/11 and are unsure what to expect. But most fit right in, Cauthorn said.

“It was tough getting to know how things were run here,” said Pfc. Valente Polanco, a new artilleryman with the battery. “It’s fast-pace learning. When it comes to the field, we [the new Marines] have to keep asking questions in order to learn how they use the howitzer. During our downtime, the NCOs ask us questions and get us to talk to one another.

“They’re good NCOs,” added the McAllen, Texas, native. “They’re really good leaders. I’m very glad to be a part of this. I don’t want to be anywhere else but here with these Marines in this battery.”

It’ll be a long run for the new Marines. It was for the 10 that came together August 2003, said Cauthorn.

“I see these Marines are mostly very young, but the Corps will teach them to mature a lot more,” said Cauthorn. “I took it for what it’s worth and that’s what I want to pass on before I go.”

As Cauthorn leaves the Corps, he’ll take his memories with him, but, while he still has time, he hopes to leave his experience behind in the minds of the fresh Marines.