Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Kleve, a hospital corpsman and the administration chief for 2nd Medical Logistics Company, 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, sits in her office aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 20. Kleve is one of many dual military families who have endured combat deployments since the global war on terror began nine years ago.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Kleve is one of many military spouses who have bore the brunt of taking care of the family while their service member deployed to combat.

Kleve, a hospital corpsman and the administration chief for 2nd Medical Logistics Company, 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, is also part of a smaller group of women who serve alongside their husbands in the military. Being a mother and wife in a military family is tough, but doing it while serving adds a different level of difficulty.

During her husband’s deployments throughout their 10-year marriage, Kleve wore many hats as a sailor, leader, wife, mother, friend, daughter, and a student. Amazingly, she still found time to give back to her community through her volunteer work with Hearts Desire Equine Rescue, Inc., an organization that cares for and provides temporary shelter to abused and abandoned horses.

Kleve said it takes a lot of work to “do it all” but somehow she manages to find balance.

“There are times when I get frustrated because I cannot take care of everything on my ‘to do’ list,” she said. “As long as I give it all I’ve got and take care of my family first, the rest will fall into place.”

When Kleve joined the Navy nearly 14 years ago, she did not imagine she would have the hectic, but fulfilling life she lives today. During that time, the U.S. was not involved in major combat operations in Iraq or Afganistan and Kleve’s priorities as a new military member were different.

Prior to joining the Navy, she attended the University of Idaho, so she was a bit more mature than the average recruit entering military life.

“I wanted to get some medical experience and serve my country at the same time. I [am proud] that I get to do my part as an American citizen and love the camaraderie, traditions and sense of belonging in the Navy. It’s like a huge family,” she explained.

As she developed her military career, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Currently, Kleve is a working toward attaining her master’s degree in Public Health at Touro University International. Her strong character and drive to succeed, she noted, was shaped by her mother.

Kleve remembered on one particular occasion, when her mother visited her while she was stationed in Washington, and they came across a homeless woman who begged for money and food.

“I tried to walk around (the homeless woman) and not catch her eye so she wouldn’t ask me for money. My mother stopped and asked if she could buy her something to eat. We all walked to the local fast food restaurant and my mother bought the woman a meal.”

It was that kind of selflessness that Kleve hopes she can pass on to her son.

Kleve’s husband, Christopher, is a staff sergeant in the Marines who has endured several deployments during their marriage. He said he appreciated his wife’s accomplishments even more when he returned from his most recent deployment to Afghanistan.

“She is a great mom and a positive role model for our son,” he said. “It’s nice to have someone [in your life] you can count on and trust when things do or don’t go as planned.”

Upon her retirement from the Navy, Kleve hopes to work as a medical administrator.

DVIDS

Sgt. Tanell Nedd, (center) a tactical switch operator and the platoon sergeant for the S-6 Communications shop with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, stands with her Marines in the wire shop of the CLB-2 compound. Nedd attributes her strong work ethic, loyalty and dedication to the mentorship of 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Young and guidance from her parents. Nedd was nominated as CLB-2\'s outstanding woman in honor of Women's History Month. Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Katesha Washington

Sgt. Tanell Nedd is one of the busiest non-commissioned officers working in the 2nd Marine Logistics Group these days. While she directs and mentors her platoon of young Marines, she is also preparing them for a grueling future deployment to Afghanistan.

Nedd, a tactical switch operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd MLG, is the platoon sergeant for the S-6 Communications shop. On the surface, she looks like the average hotshot platoon sergeant; slim physical appearance, confident and sharply clad in her camouflage uniform.

It is Nedd’s tenacity and dependability to take care of her Marines though, that gives her staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge such a good impression of her; he says she is among the cream of the crop in the battalion.

“Sgt Nedd is the best NCO in the platoon. When dealing with the same rank it can be difficult for some leaders to give orders, guidance, and direction to their peers.” SNCOIC of S-6 Staff Sgt. Steven Gabrielson, said. “Sgt Nedd does not have this problem. She is looked up to and respected by all ranks under her charge.”

The 21-year-old sergeant did not have an easy road on her journey to becoming a standout NCO. During the first four years of her career, she says her morale was very low and she was looking forward to leaving the Corps as soon as her contract was complete.

“I was having a rough time during my first enlistment. I wasn’t being challenged and I didn’t feel my job was important to the mission.” She said.

But the guidance and mentorship of a special leader during Nedd’s deployment to Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq in 2006 completely changed her attitude, and her life.

“Gunnery Sgt. Young was very instrumental in making me the person that I am today,” she explained. “His leadership motivated me, strengthened me and changed my life as a Marine.

If he hadn’t believed in me and pushed me, I probably would not have re-enlisted.” she added.

Jeffrey Young, then a gunnery sergeant, was the Communications chief and Nedd’s mentor. Today, he is the first sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Throughout his career he’s dealt with his fair share of Marine NCOs. He saw where Nedd was at one point in her life and is pleased to see the change in her leadership and attitude.

“She was ‘a piece of work’, foul mouthed, undisciplined, and [had] zero tact. Back then, she was not a Marine worth emulating, or for future service in the Marine Corps.
Now, she is the model Marine. She is very compassionate about her Marines and she demands respect and obedience at all times.” Young said.

As a woman, he added, Sgt. Nedd has class, she conducts herself like a lady, and demands others to treat her as such.

Nedd also credits her parents, both of whom served in the U.S. military, and are natives of the South American country Guyana, with influencing her decision to join the Marine Corps. Although she chose a different service, she wanted to follow in her parent’s footsteps by making the military a career.

“My father, who was in the Army, had a big impact on my career. I wouldn’t really have joined if it weren’t for his motivation and dedication to the military. I am fulfilling his dream.” she said.

Her mother, a 12-year veteran of the Navy, helped shape Nedd’s character into the hardworking, dedicated and extremely loyal woman she is today.

“Watching my mother push herself in the military and take care of her kids at the same time made me see how strong she was and how much I wanted to be like that,” Nedd explained. “I think I am.”

As she continues on her journey to one day becoming a commissioned officer or sergeant major, Nedd realizes now, just how important her role is as a leader of Marines and as a strong woman. She wants to be a positive role model to all of her Marines, regardless of their gender.

“If they see me striving to be better than everyone around me, they will do the same. I just want what other leaders want from their Marines – for them to do and be the best that they can.” she said.

Nedd plans to become a drill instructor possibly after her next deployment, but for now is focused on bringing her Marines back from Afghanistan once they’ve accomplished their mission there. Her success and transformation is the reason why her former mentor, 1st Sgt. Young worked so hard to help Nedd.

“If we don’t develop and train our replacement, then the future of our Corps is doomed. We have a responsibility to make [model] Marines and citizens.” He concluded.

DVIDS
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Katesha Washington

Sgt. Justin D. Toren, a driver and operator for the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) commanding general's personal security detail, poses in full personal protective equipment aboard Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq, Aug. 14, 2009. Toren, who was deployed to Iraq during the invasion, joined the Marine Corps following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Photo by Lance Cpl. Melissa Latty

Prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps, every potential Marine sits down with a recruiter and picks out the reasons they want to join from a stack of colorful cards with the words travel, education and discipline, among others that describe most of the reasons someone would make the decision to commit.

For Sgt. Justin D. Toren, a driver and operator for the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) commanding general’s personal security detail, his reason was not in the cards. Toren joined during his junior year of high school after the terrorist attacks that occurred Sept. 11, 2001.

“I remember listening to the news on the radio on my way to school. They said we had been attacked, but they didn’t have a lot of details,” Toren said, reflecting back to his high school years. “I got to school and we watched the news in class. That’s when I knew I was going to join the Marine Corps.”

Toren, along with three friends from his class, enlisted shortly after the tragedy occurred.

Toren joined the Corps to become an infantryman. He said he wanted to be a machine gunner like his great uncle, who served in the Marine Corps from 1949 to 1953 and was a Korean War veteran.

Toren started his military career off successfully. At boot camp he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of private first class after breaking the overall record on the rifle range. Toren accredits his excellent marksmanship skills to his country-boy roots where he would take part in common shooting sports.

Immediately following his graduation from the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he received specialized training as a machine gunner, Toren was sent to Movement Company 4, 1st Marine Division. Four days after reporting to the unit in January 2003, he deployed to Iraq for the first time.

After setting foot in the desert, Toren was attached to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, where he assisted with building enemy prisoner of war camps throughout Iraq for two months.

Shortly after, he was reassigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, to be a combat replacement for fallen Marines. His experiences with the unit would later become a big part of Toren’s life.

During his time with Alpha Company, Toren worked his way through the ranks, initially as an ammunition man, then to a gunner, and finally as a team leader.

Although combat engagements were not as common at that time in the war, the living conditions were not exactly what many U.S. service members are accustomed to today.

“It was rough living then; nothing like we have it now,” he said. “We didn’t have a base to come back to. We would take over an area that seemed secure and that’s where we would sleep.”

After 11 long months of being deployed, a special relationship had formed between the Marines.

“When I was first assigned to the company, we were known as just Alpha Company,” Toren said. “After the invasion we had a name, we were known as the Alpha Company Raiders.

“We shared a bond unlike anything else,” he continued. “From the inside looking out you can’t explain it, and from the outside looking in, you will never know.”

Sgt. Maj. Robert Young, the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, sergeant major and Toren’s former company first sergeant while with the Alpha Company Raiders, spoke of Toren’s brave actions that helped save the lives of his comrades.

“While serving as a gunner for Company A, Toren did something that I have never seen before,” Young said. “While receiving enemy fire, grenades were being thrown to the roof of the building where Toren and other fellow gunners had set up an overwatch position.

“He just kept throwing them back and firing at the enemy,” Young continued. “Realizing the enemy was standing directly below him and outside of his field of fire, Toren inverted his M-240G medium machine gun, annihilating the enemy and securing the section’s location.”

Toren’s heroic actions during this deployment made him stand out in the eyes of Young, as well as those of his peers.

“Toren is the machine gunner of machine gunners that I have ever known,” Young said. “He is probably one of the toughest Marines I have ever encountered, and I would put him in my battalion any day.”

It wasn’t long after returning from his first deployment that Toren was packing up for his second.

In May 2004, Toren deployed with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment,attached to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He participated in Operation Danger Fortitude, an operation designed to establish and occupy Forward Operating Base Duke, and Operation Ripper Sweep, an operation intended to clear and secure the roads leading into the city of Fallujah.

“My second deployment was definitely more eventful than my first,” Toren said. Toren’s actions during his second deployment earned him a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device.

He deployed once more with the Alpha Company Raiders before reporting to the 2nd Marine Logistics Group to be a Battle Skills Training School instructor, where he shared his knowledge with young Marines preparing for deployment.

Toren, who has a unit tattoo on his left forearm that reflects his pride of being an Alpha Company Raider, was once approached by one of the students in his class.

“This young Marine, fresh out of boot camp, came up to me asking if I used to be Lance Cpl. Toren,” he said. “Looking at him pretty dumbfounded, he continued saying his company first sergeant in boot camp told him a story about a Lance Cpl. Toren who was with Alpha Raiders.”

After sharing his story with the class, Toren noticed the Marines hung on to his every word as he finished the day’s lesson.

“Anything I said, and everything I taught that day, I guarantee they will never forget it,” he said.

The sergeant is now on his fourth deployment serving as a member of the PSD for the 2nd MLG (Fwd) commanding general. Toren, along with the 13 other PSD Marines and one Sailor, was chosen to guard the general because of his previous combat experience.

“Learning the job of being personal security was pretty difficult,” Toren said. “After six years of being a grunt, your instinct is to push forward and gain ground in any combat situation. Now, it’s all about one guy. You do whatever it takes to ensure his safety and then you get away from the threat. It’s not an easy mission.”

Toren’s dedication to the job, however, ensures mission accomplishment, as shown through his actions during past deployments.

“Toren constantly demonstrates ingenuity when dealing with unconventional tasks,” said Sgt. Harry Johnson, a fellow PSD Marine. “Often times you think you are about to be involved with a near impossible project, but with Toren you know that the job will be done.”

Toren was recently combat meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant. His success in the Marine Corps has been a never-ending streak since recruit training.

Toren, a former farm hand and bull rider, said he has never once regretted his decision to join the Marine Corps.

“Up until September 11, the military wasn’t even in the cards for me,” he said. “That day changed my life, and I’m glad it did.”

DVIDS
Story by Lance Cpl. Melissa Latty

Marine Cpls Kimberly Pike and Kendra Hernandez donated hair to Locks for Love

Two Female Marines from the 2nd Marine Logistics Group came together this holiday season to donate more than 26 inches of hair to financially disadvantaged children.

Cpl. Kendra Hernandez, a legal clerk with Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd MLG, and Cpl. Kimberly Pike, an administrative clerk with the 2nd MLG Administrative Section, cut off 14 and 12 inches of their hair respectively to give to Locks for Love.

The non-profit organization provides hair pieces to children under the age of 18 who suffer from long-term medical hair loss. According to Locks for Love, recipients suffer primarily from an autoimmune disorder called alopecia areata, which causes hair follicles to shut down. In addition to loss of scalp hair, many lose their eyelashes, eyebrows and all body hair.

“It benefits kids and young adults,” said Pike, a native of Wilson, N.C. “I wanted to cut my hair anyway, so this was a great way for me to help another person in need.”

Donations from individuals like these Marines have contributed to Locks for Love helping more than 2,000 children to date throughout all 50 states and Canada. With continued support, the organization will move closer to its goal of helping “every financially disadvantaged child suffering from long term hair loss.”

The organization also strives to return a sense of self-confidence and normalcy to children affected by hair loss. Many children are embarrassed about their conditions and receive ridicule from others growing up, often withdrawing themselves from normal childhood and adolescent activities, according to the organization’s website.

This loss of self-confidence and normalcy in others was what motivated Hernandez to grow her hair as long as possible with the plan of donating. The Powell, Wyo. native said she originally had 10 inches of hair, which is the minimum for donating. She wanted to be sure that the organization would have enough hair to help someone, so she chose to grow an extra four inches those next two months.

“Children are afraid of what they don’t know,” said Pike, mother of a 15-month-old daughter. “Most children won’t understand what’s wrong with children suffering from hair loss and therefore won’t interact with them.”

The two Marines agreed that it would be easy for other female Marines to donate because of how often they cut their hair to shorter lengths. They hope that others will see their efforts and join in to help others in need.

Marine Corps
By Cpl. Aaron Rooks
2nd Marine Logistics Group