Skip navigation links
Banner Image: JCOC 74: October 2007
The Joint Civilian Orientation Conference is a Secretary of Defense sponsored program for America's leaders interested in expanding their knowledge of the military and national defense. JCOC is the oldest existing Pentagon outreach program and has been held more than 73 times since its inception in 1948.
Read Participants' Insights
JCOC Wraps Up Week-long Trip Across Pacific with Coast Guard in Hawaii
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2007 – The Joint Civilian Orientation Conference wrapped up its week-long trip Nov. 10 across the U.S. Pacific Command back in Hawaii with an overview of the U.S. Coast Guard, its missions and capabilities.
Following an all-night flight from Japan aboard the C-17 that had served as the group’s shuttle from country to country, participants hit the ground running boarding U.S. Coast Guard cutters and talking to coast guardsmen from Honolulu’s 14th District.  Story
Civilian Conference Celebrates Marine Birthday With Marine Training
Afredo Mesa, vice president of a government affairs company in Miami, is part of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. The group participated in Marine training on the Marine Corps' 232nd Birthday on Nov. 10, 2007. Photo by Fred W. Baker III
Afredo Mesa, vice president of a government affairs company in Miami, is part of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. The group participated in Marine training on the Marine Corps' 232nd Birthday on Nov. 10, 2007. Photo by Fred W. Baker III
Hi-Res Image
 
CAMP HANSEN, Japan, Nov. 11, 2007 – Participants in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference celebrated the 232nd Marine Corps Birthday with Marines training at this Okinawa base.

The group landed here Nov. 9 on the fifth day of a week-long tour of military forces in the U.S. Pacific Command. They cut a ceremonial birthday cake and sang the Marine song.

The Special Operations Training Group here, part of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, led participants through military firearms training, both live and simulated, and taught the basics of rappelling -- a first for many in the group, including Afredo Mesa, vice president of a government affairs company in Miami.  Story
Dave Paladino, president of Landmark Group, in Omaha, Neb., descends down the “hell hole,” short for helicopter hole, or the type of rappelling required from a helicopter, during Marine training at Camp Hansen, on Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 10, 2007. Photo by Fred W. Baker III
Dave Paladino, president of Landmark Group, in Omaha, Neb., descends down the “hell hole,” short for helicopter hole, or the type of rappelling required from a helicopter, during Marine training at Camp Hansen, on Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 10, 2007. Photo by Fred W. Baker III  Hi-Res Image
Richard Douglas McLellan, of the Michigan-based law firm Dykema Gossett PLLC, congratulates a young Marine on the 232nd Marine birthday at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, during the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, Nov. 10, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Dr. David F. Jimenez, professor & chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, takes a photo of Marines stationed at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, during the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference Nov. 10, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Participants of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference fire simulated 9mm handguns while on a tour of Camp Hansen, Nov. 10, 2007. 1948. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison
Chuck Watson, chairman of Eagle Energy Partners of Houston, fires a simulated 9mm handgun at Camp Hansen, Okinawa as part of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, Nov. 10, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Participants of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference wish the Marines on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, happy birthday while touring the base's facilities, Nov, 10, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Michael Dennis Ward, of Alabama, accomplishes a rappelling tower on Camp Hansen, Okinawa as part of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, Nov. 10, 2007. Ward is vice president of government affairs at the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville and Madison Counties. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison
Civilians Find Flight Challenging

 Mark Brainard, chief of staff for the governor of Delaware, sits in the cockpit of a KC-130 air refueler flight simulator Nov. 9, 2007, at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. Brainard is part of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, which landed here today on its fourth day of a week-long tour of military forces in the U.S. Pacific Command. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael D. Heckman, USN KADENA AIR BASE, Japan, Nov. 9, 2007 – From the pilot’s seat of a KC-130 air refueler, Mark Brainard carefully guided the craft over the ocean to the landing strip on the coast as his co-pilot coached him.

“Pretty good,” the co-pilot said of Brainard’s approach. “Start grounding out, pulling back towards you a little bit.”

Brainard, chief of staff for the governor of Delaware, is part of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, which landed here today on its fourth day of a week-long tour of military forces in U.S. Pacific Command.  Story

Executive Would Recommend Military Service to His Own Children

Craig Billingsley and Ann Brown, both participants in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, try out Army field rations at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael D. Heckman, USN KADENA AIR FORCE BASE, Japan, Nov. 9, 2007 – If there is a decrease in support from community influencers due to the war on terror, Craig Billingsley hasn’t noticed.

The vice president of Billingsley Holding Corp. in Lawton, Okla., is part of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, which landed here today on its fourth day of a week-long tour of the military forces in U.S. Pacific Command. Story
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Brings Home Sacrifice for Visitors
Robert Perkowitz visits the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. The executive from Charlotte, N.C., and other participants in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference flew to the capital city of the Philippines on Nov. 8, the third stop of a week-long expedition through U.S. Pacific Command. The JCOC is a Defense Department program for U.S. leaders who want to broaden their knowledge of the military and national defense. Photo by Fred W. Baker III MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 8, 2007 – Robert Perkowitz steppedup seven concrete stairs to a towering memorial and placed a flowered wreath at its base. In his pocket was a military coin given to him by a Special Forces buddy in the hospital recovering from a gun battle in Afghanistan.

In his heart swelled a deep appreciation for his friend’s service and the sacrifices of the nearly 17,000 dead American servicemembers whose graves are marked by white cross headstones dotting the 152-acre Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
Fassil Gabremariam, president and founder of US-Africa Free Enterprise Education Foundation, Tampa, Fla., walks down the path of over 17,202 grave sites at the American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery in Manila while on a tour during the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, Nov. 8, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison“I felt like I owe something back to all these people who have doneso much for us who just benefit from what they’ve done,” Perkowitz said.

The executive from Charlotte, N.C., is part of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. The group flew to the capital city of the Philippines today on the third stop of a week-long trip through U.S. Pacific Command.  Story
Members of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference pose for a picture on the USS Buffalo's walkway after touring the submarine on U.S. Naval Base Guam, Nov. 7, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Members of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference receive an operations brief from a SEAL Team One member during the days activities on U.S. Naval Base Guam, Nov. 7, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Members of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference take a break in the ward room while onboard the U.S. Navy attack-submarine Buffalo SSN-175, Nov. 7, 2007. and national defense. JCOC is the oldest existing Pentagon outreach program and has been held more than 73 times since its inception in 1948. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison
Members of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference take a harbor tour in a Marine rigid security boat from Marine Security Squadron 7, U.S. Naval Base, Guam, Nov. 7, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Mayor Charles Gregory Davis from Southaven, Miss., prepares to fire a machine gun as part of the days activities during the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference held on U.S. Naval Base Guam, Nov. 7, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison National Park Service Ranger Rose Manibusan briefs the JCOC-74 participants, accompanied by Major General Vern T. Miyagi, about Guam's historic places and events during the War in the Pacific. Defense Dept. photo by MC1 Michael D. Heckman, U.S. Navy
Ann L. Brown, president of New Vista Image, Golden, Colo., marshals in an ambulance for an aerial evacuation during the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference’s visit to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 6, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, USAF
'Machine Gun Annie' Awed by Military

U.S. NAVAL BASE GUAM, Guam, Nov. 7, 2007 – Ann Brown gripped the handle of a .50-caliber machine gun that appeared to be larger than her slight frame. Peering down the sights, she squeezed off a five-round burst in less than a second.

Taken aback by the sudden burst, Brown, president of a graphic design company in Colorado, looked up as if shocked and then laughed, almost embarrassed. She said she didn’t realize it would fire that many rounds so fast.

Her companions in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference quickly, and jokingly, dubbed her “Machine Gun Annie.” Story

Photo Essay: Visiting Troops in Guam
Photo Essay: C-17 Flight to Guam
Photo Essay: A Day with the Navy
Executive Connects with Troops' Reality in Iraq

AIR FORCE BASE, Guam, Nov. 7, 2007 - Wearing a protective vest and Kevlar helmet and carrying an M-16 rifle, Fassil Gabremariam struggled to climb into the turret of an armored Humvee.

As he poked his head through the gunner's access hole in the top of the vehicle, he went from the jungles of Guam to the streets of Baghdad. In an instant, he saw with fresh perspective some of the realities of those serving in the war.

“It … brought me in touch with those Humvees that I see on television in Iraq and these young kids … out there sacrificing themselves in the line of fire. And I was sort of visualizing. My mind was focusing on that Humvee on the streets of Baghdad,” he said. Story
See caption below
Members of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference receive a safety brief on the munitions storage area located on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, from U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. York, 36 Munitions Squadron, Nov. 6, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison  Hi-res Image | More Photos
Linda Dzialo, deputy superintendent of Lawton Public Schools in Lawton, Okla., takes part in a convoy operations scenario during the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference held on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 6, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Marilyn F. Romano, publisher of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Fairbanks, Alaska, tightens bracket bolts on a GBU-50 bomb as part of the munitions orientation during the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference held on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 6, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Mr. Chuck Watson, Chairman, EAGLE ENERGY PARTNERS, Houston, TX loosens bolts off a GBU-50 bomb on Anderson AFB, Guam as part of an orientation of munitions during the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC) Nov. 6, 2007. JCOC is a Secretary of Defense sponsored program for America's leaders interested in expanding their knowledge of the military and national defense. JCOC is the oldest existing Pentagon outreach program and has been held more than 73 times since its inception in 1948. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison
Linda Dzialo, deputy superintendent of Lawton Public Schools in Lawton, Okla., sits on the flight deck of a KC-135 Stratotanker from Rickenbacker Air National Guard from Columbus, Ohio, while parked on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during as part of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, Nov. 6, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brady Novotny, left, 554th Red Horse Squadron, gives insight to Timothy John Kriewall, president of Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, Wisc., while he tries to grab a baseball with a backhoe during the civil engineering orientation as part of the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 6, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Vern Miyagi, mobilization assistant to the commander, United States Pacific Command, talks with Bob McCluskey, former state representative from Fort Collins, Colo., on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, Nov. 6, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

U.S. Pacific Command Hosts Civilian Conference

HONOLULU, Nov. 5, 2007 – About 40 civilians with little or no previous military experience gathered in this tropical paradise today to get their marching orders for a week-long expedition that will take them across the Defense Department’s largest combatant command.

 There was little time for umbrella-donned drinks though. Participants of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference had to prepare for a 2 a.m. wake-up to start what promises to be a very busy itinerary.

Over the next week participants will fly to a handful of countries where they will see first-hand the efforts of servicemembers in each of the five services working in the U.S. Pacific Command. Story
See caption below
Members of the "white" team for the 74th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference talk over the day's schedule with Air Force Capt. Matt Manning, team leader and F-15E Strinke Eagle pilot, during the conference kickoff in Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov. 4, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison  Hi-res Image | More Photos