RIPCORD
RIPCORD
2d FRA Ripcord Newsletter
9 March 2024 (Reunion – 67 Days)
This Ripcord covers both the Reunion Plan/Schedule, Water & Health Issues and the Election.
Reunion 2024 POC’s
15-18 May 2024
If you have any questions about planned reunion events here are the POC’s or contact information
| Tuesday | Spear Fishing | Bill | [email protected] |
| Wednesday | Shoot at the VFW | Harry | [email protected] |
| Thursday | Golf Outing | Al | [email protected] |
| Friday |
Lunch with the Company Memorial SVC, Meal & Auction |
Dick Joe |
[email protected] [email protected] |
| Saturday |
Crawl Walk Stagger & Run BBQ (Jojo's Snead Ferry |
Pat JoJo |
[email protected] [email protected] |
SWAG and a viewing of auction items will be available in the hospitality room at the Sneads Ferry Hampton Inn. Also available will be strip maps to all events.
The host hotel is the Hampton Inn Sneads Ferry NC @ 1248 Hwy 210 Phone 910 327-5555. The room rates are $139.00 for week days and $189.00 for weekends for a standard rooms. “Study” rooms are $10.00 per night higher. When you call ask for the 2d Force Recon Association rate.
Auction Help - The auction we conduct at the reunion each year is our chief source of revenue. The Reunion Committee needs help with collecting items to auction. If you have items you wish to donate or which you can solicit from a vendor please contact myself or Kevin Helms ([email protected]) ASAP so we can begin to assemble a list of acution items. If you need a letter explaining our Tax Exempt/Non Profit status for a business we can provide one upon request.
Election – Scott Mosher is still working on the elections for 2024. He has sent out the nomination form and a list of positions that will be up for election this year. Nominations are still open so if you are willing to serve or want to press gang a buddy please submit your nominations NLT 30 Mar to Scott. ([email protected])
Camp Lejeune Water – What I said last month is unfortuntrly true, as we age more and more of us have contracted Lejeune Water issues. As part of the process to get assistance or compensation your are going to need documentation. While everyone Should have their DD214 I would suggest that you request a additional Official copy and a copy of your Service Record Book. The following is copied directly from the official website.
Personnel Record Portion: The Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) is primarily an administrative record, containing information about the subject's service history such as: date and type of enlistment/appointment; duty stations and assignments; training, qualifications, performance; awards and decorations received; disciplinary actions; insurance; emergency data; administrative remarks; date and type of separation/discharge/retirement (including DD Form 214, Report of Separation, or equivalent); and other personnel actions. Detailed information about the veteran's participation in battles and their military engagements is NOT contained in the record.
Starting in 1995, the military service departments gradually began retainiNLT ng their personnel records in electronic format; and all, but the Coast Guard, have stopped transferring them to the NPRC. Requests for these records should be submitted to their respective service departments (see Records Location Table for a listing and location of military service records). Please note: the Department of the Army has granted the NPRC access to the electronic OMPFs of its former military personnel (except for General Officers) to respond to reference requests.
Request Military Service Records | National Archives Response time is 90+ days
Standard Form 180 - Request Pertaining to Military Records (archives.gov)
Understand that while you don’t need your official documentation to file the DD Form 21-256EZ to start a claim you will need it down the road and as they say here it’s a 90-day turnaround (If all the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed) to get records so…
If you have been diagnosed and are willing let us know, please send us your name so we can establish a good data base of Brothers so we can help out if and when we are needed. This info WILL NOT be released outside of the Association.
Special Request(s)
I had a conversation with MgySgt Young, The outgoing Ops Chief, recently. During that conversation he told me we lost a brother the 17th of this month to suicide. We do a good job of watching out for our brothers from back when we served but I belive we could do more for those currently serving. Master Guns and I talked about that at the last reunion and laid some ground work but I’d like to suggest we become a greater resource. We are in a position to be an asset to our active duty brothers because we are scattered around 50 states. I’d like us to be a asset the Command can use to reach out too who can make a phone call or a visit to a brother who is struggling. We are Not professional counslers but we are brothers who have gone done some of the same roads. All those willing to be a voice in the darkness to a brother please let me know by replying to me with a simple “I’m In!”
The Marine Reconnaissance Foundation is sponsoring “0321 Day”, Thursday March 21st, 2024 at the Backyard Tavern, Sneads Ferry NC. Events include: Corn Hole tournament, Raffle & Silent Auction, Live Music, Complimentary chow and DJ music until 0200. Come and join Reconnaissance Marines past and present for comradery and support a very worthy cause. The MRF is a sister organization that has assisted us in the past. If you're in the area this is a great chance to say Thank You while enjoying time with other Recon Marines.