Riven’s Neighborhood

Well, our time has come to pack our bags and head back to the United States. We have all enjoyed our time here and really appreciate everyone's support. I hope you enjoyed reading our stories because we really enjoyed writing them. Semper Fidelis!

Story by Cpl. Ryan Turnage

 

 

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq – According to Department of Defense statistics, the average age of a male Marine Corps recruit is 19.1 years old, making the Marine Corps the youngest service as a whole, but there is the occasional “old man” among the ranks of the young.

               Twenty-seven-year-old Cpl. Nathan Silos joined the Marine Corps a little later than most Marines, but never let his age affect his performance. He went to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., in April 2006, where his age and maturity would give him the edge during training.

            “I got a little more respect than the younger recruits, but I still got warn out by the drill instructors,” said Silos.

            Silos spent his younger days doing extreme sports such as surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding. He loves a challenge and hardly ever backs down from one, according to Silos. At 24 years old, Silos found himself marching through the woods and swamps of MCRD Parris Island, during the third phase of boot camp. The crucible, a week-long field exercise filled with combat scenarios, was the final obstacle recruits have to overcome before finishing training. Silos’ ability to excel during challenges allowed him to succeed in training.

            “I actually had a lot of fun during the crucible, even though we walked for several miles a day with heavy gear,” he said.

When Silos and his fellow recruits made it back from the strenuous field exercise, their transition from civilian to Marine was nearly complete. They had a week to prepare for final inspections and final drill, a marching event in which each platoon performs drill movements as a whole. The final event before claiming their title as a Marine is to receive the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

After graduation, Silos made his way to the School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. He would be trained as an assaultman, an infantry Marine specialized in shoulder-fired rockets and explosives.

            “I chose this job because it’s exciting and I will never have another chance to do something so unique,” he said.

            Upon graduating SOI, Silos received orders to 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., but wouldn’t spend much time with them. Shortly after checking into his first unit, Silos was sent to 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, to deploy to eastern Al Anbar province in January 2007 until January 2008. For the first few months of the year-long stay, Silos was part of a security detail that accompanied all Regimental Combat Team 6 convoys. He was soon sent to Camp Habbaniyah to replace other Marines and work with the explosive ordnance disposal unit.

            “I was part of a security detail for the EOD unit and was around explosions every day,” he recalled. “Thankfully, the vehicle I was in never got hit by an [improvised explosive device,] but we came awfully close.”

For several months, Silos and the “bomb squad” roamed the streets in search of explosives. On more than one occasion, he and his platoon were dangerously close to explosions. Silos started to suffer from minor memory loss and migraines as a side effect of being exposed to reoccurring explosions. Once their mission at Camp Habbaniyah was finished, Silos and the rest of the Marines headed to Camp Fallujah. There, Silos noticed many Marines with the same problems he had and they sought help from the unit’s corpsman.

            “My entire platoon was medically evacuated from Iraq to Germany for the same reason. We had been around too many explosions, and it had slightly damaged our brains,” said Silos. 

            Silos received proper rehabilitation and recovered from his injuries.  After his recovery was complete, he returned to his unit in Iraq before redeploying to Camp Lejeune. Once back in the United States, it wasn’t long before he was informed of another deployment the following year. He would once again deploy for a year to eastern Al Anbar province.

Currently deployed to Camp Ramadi, Iraq, with Headquarters Company, RCT-6, Silos is once again providing security. He mans an M240G medium machine gun in the turret of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle with the Personal Security Detail for the regimental commander.

“Cpl. Silos is one of our more experienced turret gunners for our convoys. His maturity level is well beyond his fellow corporals and it shows during our missions,” said Sgt. Juan Morales, PSD section leader.

Silos’ experiences from his previous deployment have played a significant role in PSD’s convoy safety. Even after eight months of less kinetic missions, he continues to stay alert in case of any unexpected attacks. His last deployment consisted of explosions and constant gun fire, but this year the missions are to escort key leaders through the combined area of operations as they pursue training and civil affairs efforts with the Iraqis.

For nearly a year, the drawdown of U.S. forces has been underway and the Iraqi Security Forces have taken control of security in eastern Al Anbar. Silos, along with the rest of Headquarters Company, RCT-6, can proudly say they supported crucial missions, like training Iraqi Security Forces and restoring essential services to the populace, by providing security for movements of key personnel.

“This deployment with RCT-6 compared to the last one is completely different. Now we are working more with the Iraqi Security Forces as they take operational control,” said Silos.

Silos recently reenlisted for four more years in the Marine Corps and has orders to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. From there he hopes to deploy to Afghanistan and contribute as much wisdom and professionalism as he did during his two tours in Iraq.

Story by Cpl. Ryan Turnage

 

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq – A gladiator is defined as a man trained to fight another man in an arena for public entertainment. For Cpl. Matthew Moloch, this is the true test of a man.

Moloch began wrestling in middle school and carried his talent over to high school. Like the Roman gladiators of the past, Moloch was putting himself through the ultimate test of man versus man. With his passion for physical challenges and his “never quit” attitude, Moloch was unknowingly on his way to becoming a United States Marine.

As physical as wrestling could be, Moloch needed more. During a routine visit to a local gym he ran into a friend who trained in mixed martial arts. Moloch was interested in the new idea and began training for his own fights. When he was of legal age, he entered his first amateur fight and was immediately obsessed with the sport. He felt it was his calling and he devoted his time to becoming a better fighter.

“My first fight was an adrenaline rush and made me feel like an actual gladiator,” he said.

After high school, he attended Purdue University as a Criminal Justice major for two semesters, but quickly found himself second guessing his career path.

“I could never decide what I wanted to do in life, so I finished the year and pursued my dream of being in the military by joining the Marine Corps,” said Moloch.

Being a Marine not only fulfills Moloch’s dream and gives him a sense of purpose, it allows him to push his body to the new physical and mental limits needed to be a successful fighter. He arrived to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Aug. 27, 2008, and knew it would be the greatest test of mind and body.

“A good fighter is determined by how much effort he single-handedly puts into his training,” he said. “As hard as I trained for [mixed martial arts,] I still found myself exhausted during [recruit training].”

Upon graduating recruit training, Moloch had joined the ranks of many other warriors, Marines. His childhood dream of being in the military had come true. Soon after earning his eagle, globe and anchor, he married his high school sweetheart July 4, 2008.

“Becoming a Marine was the second proudest moment of my life, next to marrying my wife,” said Moloch.

Through Marine Corps physical training and hours of sweating in the gym, he was ready for another fight. Before he had the opportunity to face another opponent, his country needed his services. He is currently deployed to Camp Ramadi, Iraq, with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 6, as the supply property noncommissioned officer.

With the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces underway, and the Iraqi Security Forces taking control throughout Al Anbar province, Moloch worked numerous hours to return equipment back to the United States that has been in theater for nearly six years. Due to his endless dedication to duty and constant efforts to seek self-improvement, he was meritoriously promoted to corporal March 2, 2009.

“I have had the privilege of working day to day with Cpl. Moloch since before the deployment,” said Capt. Raymond Gileta, the assistant supply officer for Headquarters Company, RCT-6. “As a lance corporal he showed the willingness to lead and continued to do so throughout the deployment as a noncommissioned officer.”

Nearing the end of RCT-6’s deployment, Moloch is seeking another opportunity to face another opponent. Although Moloch is unsure if he will reenlist for another four years, he says no matter what he decides, he will continue to train in mixed martial arts. Moloch went on to say he will always cherish his experience as a Marine, a true modern-day gladiator.

 

Studio Ghibli films have a long tradition of eschewing the typical. These are not films made for endless belly-laughs. These are not films made to show off the latest in CGI technology. These are films that rely on the surreal and the fantastic to entertain. These are films where children are the main characters, but are not necessarily the target audience. Ponyo’s elegant simplicity may not make it a stand-out in the Ghibli film library, but its exuberant tale will capture the hearts of children and the adults who love them.

Ponyo is very loosely based on “The Little Mermaid,” but its story is an original creation by master animator Hayao Miyazaki. While playing on the shore of his tiny Japanese fishing village, five-year-old Sousuke (Frankie Jonas) finds a goldfish stuck in a bottle. Sousuke decides to rescue the girl-faced fish, names her Ponyo, and takes on the big responsibility of caring for her. Ponyo (Noah Lindsey Cyrus) loves Sousuke for it, but at the moment she professes her love, she is washed back into the sea, swept away by her sorcerer father.

Ponyo’s father, Fujimoto (Liam Neeson), shunned human society to become caretaker of the sea, longing for the day where the balance between sea-life and the human world will be restored. He’s not as much of a villain as he is a curmudgeon and protective father, but he is unable to restrain Ponyo. In true little-girl fashion, she defies her father and grows up into a human, through her own powers and force of will. Fujimoto is powerless to stop Ponyo, and decides to call upon her mysterious mother to help control their unfettered daughter.

Rating:

Directed and written by: Hayao Miyazaki

Staring: Noah Lindsey Cyrus, Frankie Jonas

Ponyo makes her grand return to the human world, accompanied by Joe Hirashi’s Wagner-esque riding music. The princess of the sea brings an unnatural storm with her; wild winds and rain worry the coastal town. Sousuke’s mother hurries him home while Ponyo chases them atop the swollen sea.

At first, we think the storm may be Fujimoto’s reaction to losing Ponyo, but the storm clears when Ponyo falls asleep, and we learn her true nature. Ponyo is a dervish of a girl, devouring every new experience with a joyous ferocity. She discovers light, tears, and the wonders of ham.

The adventures of Ponyo and Sousuke are the real strength of the film. We typically look to live action films for expressive faces, but in his art, Miyazaki perfectly captures a child’s bold expressions: the stuffed sleepiness of a food coma, bright eyes brimming with tears, innocence while sleeping. Ponyo’s an animated film before all else, and through its visual medium, it’s a rainbowed spectacle to behold, whether the action takes place in an undersea palace or in a retirement home.

The story is fine-tuned for children. Instead of being an adult’s faded memoir of what it means to be a child, the story is told from a very child-like perspective. There are dangers, but precious little fear or tension, even in the adults. The supernatural exists, but the human world is quick to accept it. The resolution doesn’t necessarily move quickly, or in a straight line. There are still classic lessons of love and devotion (and even a few on preparedness and respect for elders), but they’re very gently fed. The real locus of the story is how much fun Sousuke and Ponyo have together, and how natural it is for them to love one another.

Ponyo will make you remember what you love about children and what you miss about being a child. The story may be aimed at the very young, but its warmth will be felt and appreciated by all.

Can someone tell me why there are Russian Spam Bots in the Atlanta, GA (US) Vox Group?
に自動化されたロシア広告がある; Atlanta, Georgia (米国)の 声のグループ。 これはなぜあるか。

How do you cool off when you're upset?
取り乱すようになったら何を静めるためにするか。
Submitted by K.

Klonopin. I'm always upset.
所定の薬物の" Klonopin"。 私は常に気分を害する。

In my quest to find a new venting hole, I've come across these issues with the big sites.

1. LiveJournal: I won't go into what made me delete my 10-year-old elljay, but it was on it's last limbs anyway. It's actually kind of Vox's fault things were starting to die, but I mostly blame every other major site. The first blow that hit it was MySpace; more people started using that exclusively. Then there was Facebook going public and then Twitter. And then, of course, SixApart decided to pour their resources on their new project (you're looking at it; Vox.) So they sold LiveJournal to a Russian company who doesn't know how to monetize off of it properly, are damn near bankrupt and now only have maybe five people on staff. Don't get me wrong, I'd do the same if I was able to sell off a potentially dangerous thorn in their new project for a huge chunk of cash, so it's not like I'm angry at SixApart (and so many people were upset when they BOUGHT the company to begin with), especially when Vox is a lot more stable and damn useful than old project. Plus I don't see any Russian bots adding me.

2. VOX: See previous entry; basically, no solid userbase yet. Which is why I'm hoping LJ will die soon so people migrate over to here or Blogger. I kind of think it'll be here.

3. Blogger: Before I started Guttergamer's Paradise, I was going to have a similar blog using Blogger.  Well I got lazy and never had any motivation to keep it going.  I might still use it instead of Vox, but Blogger seems more "group blog" and theme oriented nowadays. Plus searching for new buddies/groups to read is a chore.

4. FaceBook: Nothing wrong, except it's not really a blog.

5. MySpace: It's MySpace. I hated it when it was popular as much as I hate it now. I felt that it was a required evil, especially considering every feature seem antiquated. Plus the ability to customize gave the lowest common denominator the ability to customize, which is NOT a pretty site. Never have I seen so many shitty gifs crammed onto one website. I haven't even been on it since before I got engaged, but last I heard, they were basically ripping off Facebook's ideas into their own shitty, useless code. Plus it's owned by Fox. Not a good sign.

6. Twitter: Now how are you going to get your point across in 140 or less characters? Plus it's MySpace Lite in a lot of ways, down to the random ad bots spamming you every twelve seconds and stupids. Oh, but celebrities use it? Like I give a shi-- oh wait, Warwick A. Davis actually seems pretty laid back. Fine, Twitter has it's uses, but I can't vent on that.

7. DeadJournal: Hey, isn't that... dead or something?

Vox has become deserted. There's even less people here than there was in the beta.

Maybe this is what I need. As long as I don't get like 20 spam messages a day or people getting on their drama llama and turncoating.

Due to personal reasons, I've deleted my personal blog (LiveJournal). This may soon replace it. I felt that Vox's community was much more sane. Unless things have changed. Does anyone even remember me?

個人的な理由は私の他のオンラインジャーナル(LiveJournal)削除された私を作った。 これはすぐに取り替えであるかもしれない。 私は大いにより少なく研摩でであって下さいそれを使用する人々およびそのVOXことを感じる。 事が変わらなかったら。 私は覚えられているか!?

Since I last came here:
更新:
1. I got married to my girlfriend of about seven months.
私は今結婚している。 私達はずっと11月以来日付を記入していた。 私達は6月に結婚していた。

2. I now run a new gaming website, this time partnered with a small company that wants to help monetize on it. We focus on budget/retro/weird gaming, from Atari 2600 to PlayStation 3. Come visit at guttergaming.com.
私は今TVのゲームかビデオゲームについてある新しいウェブサイトを動かす。 私はそれの貨幣化を助けたいと思う小会社と組まれる。 それは安価、古典的、および奇妙についてある(クソゲー) 賭博、Atari 2600からPlayStation3。 場所は英語にだけある。 私はそれが日本語にあることができるようにいつの日か望む。 あるイメージは日本の読者が理解するのを助けるかもしれない。 ウェブサイトはguttergaming.comである!

That's the short version.  Maybe I'll discuss it more in detail another time.
これは縮約版である。 多分私はそれをより詳しく論議してもいい別の日。 私の日本人はまだ恐ろしい… T_T

Story and photos by Cpl. Ryan Turnage

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq – Unselfishness is one of many leadership traits that help make an effective leader. It is a trait that comes with experience and knowing what is best for your fellow Marines rather than yourself.
Cpl. Melvin D. Irving, Jr., 23, the Regimental Judge Advocate clerk with Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 6, had unknowingly displayed this trait well before he joined the Marine Corps.
As the starting varsity quarterback and starting varsity shooting guard for Lubbock Estacado High School in Lubbock, Tex., Irving has been leading his peers through championships and motivating them during losing streaks. He graduated as an honor-roll student with hopes to play college basketball at West Texas A & M University College of Education and Social Sciences.
Despite his love and passion for football, Irving turned down a football-scholarship to Arkansas Pine Bluff, because of the distance from family.  
“I didn’t want to play basketball, my heart was with football, but West Texas was closer so I chose basketball,” said Irving.
Shortly into his first year at West Texas A & M, he found it hard to stay motivated through school and suddenly lost the desire to continue attending. A few bad decisions and his “golden opportunity” was gone.
“I was young and didn’t want to go to class. Without school there wouldn’t be basketball, and without basketball there wouldn’t be school. Unfortunately at that time in my life I wasn’t focused on school and I chose another path,” said Irving.  
While searching for a new path in life, Irving worked job-to-job and realized he wasn’t getting anywhere. After two years of “job-hopping,” he sought help from a Marine Corps recruiter.
“The Marines could offer me a purpose in life and could set me up for success,” he said.
Irving always knew he would live a positive life, he added. His parents would be proud of anything he did as long as it was positive.  
“I always say if I find myself doing something negative in life, then I have to counter it with something positive,” he continued. “I took a look at my life after college and realized it was time for that positive change.”
As a brother of eight siblings, Irving left his family to become a Marine. He arrived at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif., July 31, 2006. For the first month he was the guide, the recruit leader of his platoon. As the guide he was once again the leader of his peers and felt it was meant to be.
“I’ve always been a leader, never a follower,” said Irving.
He found out the hard way that to become an excellent leader, one must become a better follower. When he was fired from guide, he realized he needed to change his leadership style and contribute more as a team player.
“When I was fired from guide, it really affected me. I wanted to be the leader, but I knew I wasn’t getting the job done in the best manner possible, so they chose someone else,” he said.
Although Irving had played sports since he was 5 years old, he still lacked the physical conditioning of a Marine. He arrived to recruit training weighing 210 pounds and lost 50 pounds in the 13 weeks of what he explained as “the most overwhelming experience of his life.” Although he never regained the position of guide, he accomplished the one thing he had set out to do, become a Marine.
His friends couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw him in the distinct dress blue uniform, he said.  
“My friends thought I was just kidding when I told them about the Marines, but when they saw me after recruit training, they were nothing less than proud,” said Irving.
After graduating recruit training, Irving was informed that his original military occupation specialty was no longer available. He was told he would become a legal specialist, handling the paperwork for Marine Corps investigations, trials, immigration, as well as Powers of Attorney, just to name a few.  
“When they told me my job wasn’t available anymore, I was upset, but once I made it to the school for legal specialists, my eyes were opened,” said Irving.
The Texan made his way to the Naval Justice School in Newport, R.I., where his outlook on the Marine Corps would change forever.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect after [recruit training], but when I got to Rhode Island it was a whole new world,” he said.
He was introduced to a new trade he never would have thought of without the Marine Corps. Irving went on to say that working as a legal specialist was the best job for him as well as something he can take with him whenever he decides to leave the Marine Corps. He is currently finishing the Marine Corps Apprenticeship Program, which will certify him as an official journeyman, meaning he is well rounded in all legal aspects.
During the few months in Rhode Island, Irving contacted his best friend, Stefferon McNeal, who motivated him through all of his roughest days. His friend was playing basketball for the University of Texas at Arlington and they were to meet back home for Christmas. Unfortunately, they would never get the chance to see each other again.  In December 2007, Stefferon was shot and killed.
“My brother called me and said my friend was dead and of course I didn’t want to believe him. I just kept calling my friend’s cell phone, but he never picked up,” recalled Irving.
Irving dedicated his Marine Corps career and the rest of his life to his friend and family. He says he must succeed for not only himself but his loved ones as well.
“Stefferon always told me I could do whatever I wanted as long as my heart was in it,” said Irving. “So now, I do everything with him in my heart.”
 Irving is currently deployed to Camp Ramadi, Iraq and is always looking for ways to improve his leadership skills, he says. RCT-6 recently conducted a corporal’s course for all the young corporals on Camp Ramadi and its surrounding bases. Irving eagerly volunteered for the course and upon graduation received the Leadership Award.
“The recipient of the Leadership Award is decided by the peers of the course,” said Irving. “I was extremely proud to have been chosen by my fellow Marines.”
Even though Irving isn’t directly in charge of any Marines, he shows the confidence to successfully lead, according to Lt. Col. Eric Kleis, the regimental judge advocate for RCT-6.  
“Cpl. Irving has turned into a great ‘all-around Marine,’ rather than just a good legal clerk,” said Kleis. “He has noticeably excelled during this deployment upon being promoted to corporal.”
Irving is currently the only enlisted Marine in his office and looks at his officers-in-charge as mentors.
“I really got to know Cpl. Irving as an individual as well as a Marine.  I’m impressed with his ability to overcome adversity prior to the Marine Corps and embrace the values he has been taught,” said Capt. Neill Wente, the deputy regimental judge advocate for RCT-6.
The unselfish leader is planning to reenlist for another four years and finish his bachelor’s degree. He is going to pursue his dreams of becoming a drill instructor in order to change people’s lives just as his life was changed when he stepped onto the infamous yellow footprints for recruit training.