MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Command Element held a deployment brief as part of their predeployment training schedule for family members March 1 at the Marston Pavilion on Camp Lejeune.
The brief is included in the MEU's predeployment schedule to ensure family members are thoroughly informed of what the Marines and Sailors have been training for, what the intensive training has done for them and where that training will take them.
According to Col. Richard P. Mills, 24th MEU Commanding Officer, the Key Volunteer Network, which is comprised of spouses of MEU personnel, is the foundation for the MEU while we're deployed.
"Our guests of honor are the Key Volunteers," said Col. Mills. "They are the center of gravity for everything that goes on while we are deployed."
In a little more than 90 minutes, MEU personnel and their spouses were briefed with important information from Marine Corps Community Services, MEU personnel office, MEU Staff Judge Advocate, base legal assistance, Provost Marshal's Office, TRICARE, American Red Cross, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and Family Readiness.
Additionally, the MEU Sergeant Major and assistant operations officer discussed the upcoming deployment and what can be expected.
Whether the MEU members and their families are veterans of deployment or not, everyone walked away from the brief with a little more knowledge than what they came with.
Follow the 24th MEU predeployment on their website at www.usmc.mil/24meu.