MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Soldiers say “Hooah.” Marines say “Ooh-rah.” Soldiers wear berets. Marines wear eight-point covers. Soldiers provide sustained land dominance. Marines are expeditionary, ready to fight at any clime and place at a moments notice.
Although the list of differences between Marines and soldiers is staggering, there is one similarity that makes all the differences moot. Marines and Soldiers often have the same mission.
Sgt. 1st Class Mark K. Grasty, provost marshal representative for U.S. Army Ammunition Depot Akizuki and 83rd Ordnance Battalion out of Kure, and the Marines of the station Provost Marshal’s Office have built a unique and efficient team.
“As far as working with Marines versus soldiers, there’s really not that much difference,” said Grasty, who is an Oak Hill, W.Va. native. “There’s a one team mentality between me and my soldiers and the Marines at Iwakuni. We’re here for the same mission, and that is to protect base-cluster four.”
Base-cluster four is a group of military bases throughout southern Japan who work together for many security and anti-terrorism operations.
“It doesn’t matter what service you’re in or who you work for, we all fall in the base-cluster four concept. We all work together to do what’s needed for the mission. We have to rely on each other for certain things,” said Grasty, who is a 19-year military policeman.
Because the U.S. Army Ammunition Depot Akizuki and 83rd Ordnance Battalion out of Kure are relatively small bases, often lacking the facilities necessary to properly train their soldiers and Japanese policemen, they often call on one of Iwakuni’s finest to assist in their training.
“(Staff Sgt. Randy Scifo) and I have been working together for about a year now, and it has definitely been a productive relationship. He’s helped with providing me (Security Reaction Team) support, trigger time at the indoor range and personnel to make sure we get everyone trained up and qualified to do their job,” said Grasty, referring to the 83 Japanese policemen who have received their required pistol qualification at the Indoor Small Arms Range.
“Staff Sgt. Scifo is one of those guys who I know I could call if I was in need of something today, and I know he’ll have it for me tomorrow. He alone saved me thousands of dollars by providing the range access,” said a grateful Grasty.
Although Iwakuni Marines provide Grasty and his personnel with a great deal of assistance, Scifo emphasizes that it is not a one way street.
“(Grasty) always provides us with whatever we need. If we go to one of his bases for training, he’ll take care of all the logistical aspects so we can just focus on the training. Whenever we show up, his door is always open and the coffee is always warm,” said Staff Sgt. Randy Scifo, PMO SRT commander.
Through their symbiotic relationship, both Scifo and Grasty continue to reap the rewards of teamwork while providing residents of base-cluster four with the best security possible.
“He asks very little, but gives a lot of himself. Whenever I need anything from him or his unit, it’s not a question of if, but when do you need it,” said Scifo.
Not only do Grasty and his soldiers rely on Iwakuni for training purposes, but also for some of the finer points of life as well. Making a weekly morale run, Grasty and his soldiers take advantage of Iwakuni’s Commissary, Marine Corps Exchange, Branch Health Clinic, Post Office, Marine Corps Community Services Auto Mini-Mart and any other station facilities which are not available in Akizuki or Kure.
“Iwakuni is like a breath of fresh air compared to Kure,” said Grasty with a smile. “It’s like the Sunday drive when you were a kid, something you really look forward to.”