Wednesday, August 30, 2023

2/24 Is Now located at Fort Sheridan








 

https://www.marforres.marines.mil/Units/4th-Marine-Division/23rd-Marine-Regiment/2nd-Battalion-24th-Marine-Regiment/


BILLET OPPORTUNITIES

The battalion has infantry officer openings across sites in Madison, Des Moines, Milwaukee and Chicago. Officers interested in discussing billet openings with 2/24 should contact the battalion's Inspector-Instructor and the Prior Service Recruiting OIC for 9th Marine Corps District.


2/24 Is Now located at Fort Sheridan.


Joe Brooks <jgbgb2654@gmail.com> wrote:

I checked Google, and the address for 2/24 is reported to be 3155 Blackhawk Dr., Ste 701, Fort Sheridan, Illinois 60037.  It shows the Bn CO as a LtCol. Ryan P. Kenny, an Intel guy, and in 2006 in Al Anbar Province with 3rd Recob.  He now lives in Chicago working for Boeing.  

Also shows the Sgt Major, Bryan J. Axelrod, enlisted in the USMC in 2003, makes me feel really old! He's an 0311, deployed to Fallujah June 2007, and EAS  December 2007, then joined the Reserves, Marine Wing Support Squadron 471.  He later deployed to Afghanistan 2011, Security Plt Sgt for Motor Transport BN.  Promoted to 1st Sgt April 2019, assigned to Wpns Co. 3/23 May 2022.  He was promoted to SgtMaj June 2003, and was reassigned to 2nd Bn 24th Marine Reg.  

Found this and more after googling 2dn Bn 24th Marine regiment.  


Joe Brooks


Check out what Chicago is doing at our former Bn Hq!! 



2nd Battalion, 24th Marines (2/24) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Chicago, Illinois, consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors. The battalion falls under the 23rd Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division.

Subordinate units[edit]

NameLocation
Headquarters and Service CompanyFort Sheridan, Illinois
Echo CompanyDes Moines, Iowa
Fox CompanyMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Golf CompanyMadison, Wisconsin
Weapons CompanyJoliet, Illinois

Mission

Provide trained combat and combat support personnel and units to augment and reinforce the active component in time of war, national emergency, and at other times as national security requires; and have the capability to reconstitute the 4th Marine Division, if required.

History

Founding

The origin of 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines can be traced back to the establishment of the 9th Reserve Battalion in 1922. They were mobilized in November 1940 as part of the preparation for World War II. Many of Chicago's reservists became part of the newly founded 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine DivisionFleet Marine Force.

The Mad Ghosts

World War II

2nd Battalion, 24th Marines was activated on 26 March 1943, as part of the 4th Marine Division. Their first action was the invasion of the Marshall Islands on 1 February 1944, securing the first portion of the Japanese Empire to be conquered by the United States in World War II.

Capt.Joseph J. McCarthy of 2/24 G Co..

On 15 June 1944, the battalion landed on Saipan in the Marianas. Fifteen days after Saipan was secured, they assaulted the island of Tinian, securing that island in eight days. 2/24, received its first Presidential Unit Citation for the capture of Saipan and Tinian.

On 19 February 1945, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines landed on Iwo Jima and fought for 35 days until the island was finally secured on 26 March 1945. From D-day until the 24th RCT relieved the 25th RCT the Seabees of the 133rd NCB were the 2nd Battalions Shore party. The Battalion was awarded a second Presidential Unit Citation for its participation in the capture of Iwo Jima. Captain Joseph J. McCarthy, Commanding Officer, Co. G, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, and a Chief in the Chicago Fire Department, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallantry during the battle.[1] The battalion was demobilized on 31 October 1945.

Korean War

In October 1950, they were mobilized and sent to Camp PendletonCalifornia, for further transfer to Korea, where Chicago Marines saw combat during the Korean War.

Gulf War

On 30 November 1990, the battalion was mobilized as a result of the Presidential call up in support of Operation Desert Shield. Training and final preparation for the war in the desert was conducted at Camp LejeuneNorth Carolina, during December 1990. Upon the battalion's arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it was assigned the mission of security for critical facilities.

The 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines were initially assigned the mission of protecting the I Marine Expeditionary Force commander's primary bases in Northern Saudi Arabia, to include the Naval Air Field at Al Jubail, the ammunition storage site near Abu Hadriah and the defense of I MEF headquarters at Ras Safanya and Marine Aircraft Group 16 at Tanajib, thus providing security for an area over 40 miles wide and 135 miles deep. Echo company provided security for Ras Al Mishab just south of Khafji and 1st platoon was pulled to the Battle of Ras Al Khadijah. After the town was taken elements of Echo Company provided security for the Navy Seabees while they were in the town. Even after some units took on enemy fire from Iraqi artillery the unit never received a combat action award.

As Operation Desert Storm commenced, the area of responsibility increased further west to Kibrit and north to Al Khanjar. During the ground war, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines provided security to the largest ammunition supply point in the country, at the loss of which would have critically impaired the ground offensive. During the liberation of Kuwait, elements of 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines provided security to I Marine Expeditionary Force Command Post in Kuwait. Additionally, they took up defensive positions at Al Jaber Airfield south of Kuwait City.

While maintaining its mission of providing security, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines was also responsible for the handling and processing of over 10,300 enemy prisoners of war in a 96-hour period. The battalion returned to Chicago on 12 May 1991, after 5 months of deployment, with 3½ months in Southwest Asia.

Global War on Terror

Chicago's Own was mobilized again in June 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The battalion trained at Camp Pendleton until Sept. of that year when they relocated to Mahmudiyah, in the North Babil Province of Iraq, an area known as the "Triangle of Death". The battalion was engaged in intense combat operations against members of the Iraqi insurgency.[2] 2/24 made Marine Corps history when they became the first reserve infantry battalion of OIF to operate independently, isolated on its own forward operating base.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize Winner John F. Burns, the Chief Foreign Correspondent of The New York Times described his time spent with 2/24 this way: "A week with the 2/24 Marines at their bases 15 to 30 miles south of Baghdad, in the heart of the area known as the Triangle of Death, was a window on the demands being made of reservists, and on the resourcefulness and resilience they bring to the challenges. There is little they cannot do, with hard work and improvisation, the battalion's officers say, reflecting the widely varied backgrounds of the men in the Chicago-based unit - doctors, policemen,[3] engineers, teachers, carpenters, truck drivers, lawyers, computer specialists, community counselors, college students, to name a few."[4]

After establishing additional strong points in the area, working closely with the Iraqi Army and Police, providing security for the first-ever open democratic elections in Iraq and arresting over 1,000 suspected insurgents (with an incredibly high conviction rate,) 2/24 returned to California in March 2005. They deactivated in May 2005.[citation needed]

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment search a field during a dust storm for weapons caches in Khalidiyah, Iraq on April 17, 2008.

In March 2006, elements of 2/24 participated in Operation Shared Accord in Niger. The Marines taught basic military tactics to groups of soldiers from the Forces Armees Nigeriennes and also provided humanitarian support to some of Niger's neediest citizens.[5] In May 2006, Echo Company of 2/24 participated in Operation Noble Shirley in Israel by conducting desert warfare and joint counter-terrorism training with the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF].

On September 10, 2007, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines were once again activated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and relocated to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. The battalion began another tour in Iraq beginning in January 2008 and operated in the vicinity of Habbaniyah, operating out of base formerly known as RAF Habbaniya. On August 10, 2008, they turned over their area of operations to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines and returned stateside in late August.[6]


Info from Wikapedia   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Battalion,_24th_Marines




Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Next Drill Weekend - May 2024 Lake Geneva?

Joe Brooks and I are exploring a drill site for Det 4 in the Chicago area in May, 2024. A personal recon of the AO shows that the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa at Lake Geneva grandgeneva.com would be a suitable CP for this drill. The place has two decent chow halls and and two bars. Also has 36 holes on two golf courses, shops and a spa.

Joe is looking into area restaurants and boat dinner cruises. There is also an entertaining private league baseball team (the Milkmen) that play nearby as well as the Brewers or Cubs. Might be easier to deal with MKE traffic than Chicago. 

I’m sure that Billy Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee would be easier to fly into than ORD. The idea of using Lake Geneva is to see some of our surviving colleagues from 2/24 and its respective companies and the air types from Glencoe. I think 2/24 is now relocated but we could try to get a report from that unit.

We have a sales person wanting to work with us from the resort but we need some guidance:

(1) Is there an interest in this drill?; and, 

(2) Do the dates 10-12 May 2023 work for everyone? (The12th is Mother’s Day if that matters)  If not, do the dates 3-5 May work?

Let us know your thoughts on this.    

S/F

Joe Brooks and Larry Anderson

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Sounds good to me. I'll be there, Lord willin', and the creek don't rise.

WILKES

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Marines,


Sounds wonderful, CondiNest ranks it second in Midwest.  
(Only behind my old house in Griffith, IN.

Sarah/Sally and I are attending, The God Lord willing.
At BWI at moment, nothing conflicts in my phone.
Will check more upon getting back to quarters.

Interrogative, even though we always Drilled on weekend is there some unintended consequence(s), or problem with drilling during one of the weeks?

Love y’all.

S/F,

Ivan/Zim
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Good point, Ivan. No magic to the weekend for most of us. And some places might be cheaper during the week.  Why don't we expand the discussion to include the weekdays between the two weekends?  Either weekend and also the weekdays in between work for us. We prefer the second weekend but will come on either one and/or during the week.

This is a great location.  

S / F

Craig

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Great idea.  Being retired, every day is a Saturday and every night is Friday night.

Lynn Wardlow

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Craig/Ivan make a great point (even if they are zoomies) weekdays with kids still in school would definitely be cheaper and it's not like any of us have "critical work issues" anymore.  I vote for the week between suggested dates.

S/F Mac
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Ivan / Homan / Braun are Zoomies.

Woz, Craig Wood RIP, Eric Bennet, Jim Bailey and I are commo's and worked for a living.

We tell the grunts and zoomies what to do, when to do it, and where to go!

Craig
______________

So Craig are you under the illusion that we listened ðŸ¤ª

Byron
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No! No illusions that the grunts and zoomies paid any attention.

Funny story. Drew and I came up with the bright idea to tell TBS Lieutenants about the Marine Reserves. Drew and I were at Quantico for Command and Staff College. 

Most of us did not know anything about the Reserves when we were on active duty.  When I got off active duty I grew my beard and started college.  After a few months I decided to look into the Reserves and went to Glenview. I had a full beard, and I saw a Captain in the hall. I told him I used to be a Marine Lieutenant and did they have any Reserve jobs for a commo.  He said no. I had no idea there was a Comm Squadron near my home!  Almost missed my Marine Reserve career.

Drew and I contacted TBS and volunteered our services for a presentation.

The RLU Col went high and to the right. He caught us at some reception and fired us up! How dare we do this without clearing it with him! He was afraid that the active duty would think this was an effort to steal Lieutenants from the active forces to the Reserves.  Pretty stupid, but he was wound up.

I was apologizing and genuflecting.  Not Drew. He fires up the Col. Great fight!  The dispute went up to the General level, and we were permitted to make our pitch to TBS. 

The RLU Colonel told us our presentation would be closely monitored and we had better watch it. No stealing from the active duty ranks.

They added a Zoomie presentor to Drew and I. He was a CH-46 pilot with two silver stars.

The Zoomie pitched the zoomie business and Drew pitched the grunts. I talked about the air control, comm elec, and electronic warfare units. We told them about Reserve units, how to get a Reserve job, where the units were, and to consider joining the Reserves if they decided against an active duty career.

I used my line about commo's telling the grunts and zoomies what to do and where to go. Got a good response. 

I think those Lieutenants learned much more about the Reserves than we ever knew while we were on active duty. I think it likely we got some good officers in the Reserves.

______________

Interested but too early to say dates work.


Ken Morey,33,PP

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Larry/Joe great job...this location looks outstanding.  Either weekend works for Sue and I; Sunday Mothers Day Brunch at this location will be very busy.  We will most likely drive, but MKE is a superior option to ORD.

S/F Mac 

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Sounds good to me so far, but Mother's Day is out.

Lynn Wardlow

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Gents,

Thanks for the planning…Lake Geneva is a wonderful spot…we have both weekends on our calendar, but prefer the 10th-12th as 3rd Battalion 5th Marines reunion is the following weekend and it would be nice to wrap the trips together

Byron
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June & I are in for, during week, Grand Geneva dates…

Comments: MLK is better than ORD but be careful you don’t connect thru ORD!

Last time I played golf there rate is over $100 but Retired/Military rate was $30 cart fee ðŸ¤©

James Homan Col USMC (ret)

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Sounds good, but I am unable to travel. 

Semper Fi

Jim Bailey

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I would love to attend in Lake Geneva, however, I cannot predict if we will be able to attend.  Jack is still recovering from pancreatitis, et al, that started 15 July 2022. Hopefully final surgery scheduled for next week. 

Thanks for the invite.

AliceMarie Joralemon-Strong

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Joanne and I are good for the first week/weekend of May. 

I get to drop off my youngest son at O’Hare tomorrow morning for the first leg of his PCS to Okinawa.  They have changed the tour length from the 12 months when I did it in ’86 to 36 months for him.

 

Semper Fi!  

 

Terry Sebold


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Hey Marines,

The 10-12 May dates would work for us but the weekdays following would be even better. We have our Grandson’s high school graduation Sunday 19 May in Wheaton, IL so we wouldn’t be able to make the Reunion if it was that weekend.

Semper Fi,


Woz & Linda


More info about the resort at:  https://www.grandgeneva.com/