The Who: MARFORCOM is one of three major Marine Corps commands (along with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve) that provide operating forces to support Unified or Joint Task Force Commanders and Fleet Commanders Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (COMMARFORCOM) serves as a principal advisor to the Commander in Chief, USJFCOM, on Marine Corps matters. He is responsible for organizing, training and equipping forces for employment as directed by USJFCOM.
The Where: This event took place on the Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk, VA. No big ships here, but there sure was a bunch of planes. Throughout the day we saw F-18s, F14s, and E2Cs taking off and landing. They weren’t part of the group we fed, but fun to watch anyway. The latter was of special interest to yours truly. I had a hand in developing the some of the technologies used in the aircraft. The E2c is the navy version of the AWACS.
The Details: We arrived the Battalion Office at 1630 (4:30pm) and was escorted onto the Navy Base. The Marines had secured a small park for the event. Good thing for shade. It was 108° F upon our arrival.. I could have smoked cheese in the eggs without the need for a heat source. With the help of two marines we got the truck and trailer unloaded and went in search of food and some badly needed hardware. Lucky us Home Dept was right behind all the food..
About 2000 (8pm) one of the marines and I fired up the eggs and by 2030 we started
loading up the meat. Eighteen pork butts and 5 briskets in five eggs. The young marine helping me (Pvt. Daigle) was rather fascinated about the process and the eggs.
Somewhere around 2200 the three of us got the urge for pizza I got to taste Dominoes’ new pizza for the first time. While it was better, it just wasn’t up to the standards of EGGed pizza. Sorry Dominoes, but that is just the way it is.. With our bellies stuffed and the EGG making all that pork and brisket happy we retired for the night.
I find it hysterical watching someone try to talk to you when you are wearing a BOSE Headset. I could hear them, but it was like they were whispering. The two marines with me had to go for PT and were trying to tell me that. Meat was still cooking so I tuned into some gospel music on my Droid and started reading.
About 0800 the folks from the MWR started showing up. So I finished my reading and set about staking out my “kitchen” area. Establish the boundaries early and they don’t get crossed. Keeps people from getting hurt as we bring food back and forth.
Had short pleasant visit from the commands deputy commander Maj. General Cornell Wilson. Spent some time explaining to him what is is we do and why.
He did disappear on me before we could feed him. I sure hope he wasn’t disappointed. He did at least get a taste of the food.
Grace was said by a Navy Chaplin and the feast was on. Everyone got feed and we had seven pork butts and some potato salad left over. Two butts went back to the folks on duty, and the rest went to the USO. Didn’t hear any complaints. Lots of folks saying thanks.
Next stop US Navy , Raleigh. NC Hope to see you there..

