My first deployment

First Deployment

At the young age of 17 and an early graduate of high school, I had the genius idea to enlist in the United States Marine Crops. I walked into the recruiter’s office in the mall of Rapid City, South Dakota and told them to sign me up. I had wanted to be a Marine for a long time, but after September 11^th, it was more of a calling. Many of my friends had gone before me and some had not come back. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and would not take anything else.

On June 26, 2006 I arrived at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego California for boot camp. Thirteen long, painful, and tiring weeks later I left boot camp as a basic Marine. I then reported to Marine Combat Training, Camp Pendleton California to gain basic knowledge in Marine combat tactics. Halloween 2006 was spent downtown Los Angles, celebrating graduation of MCT and moving on to Military Occupational Specialty Training in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Arriving at Courthouse Bay, center for Marine Combat Engineer School and 2^nd Recon battalion on the first of November, I was ready to begin school. Come midway through the school I was recommended for Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) School because I would be going to a route clearance unit with the infantry. I completed Engineer school in January 2007 and transferred to EOD School in Pensacola Florida for three months.

May 2007, I reported to 2^nd Combat Engineer Battalion, Camp Lejeune NC, for permanent assignment to the unit. Shortly after I would be going to courses for tactical vehicle licenses and training with Mine Resistant Ambush Protective Vehicles (MRAP). This would serve vital in a route clearance team since we are tasked to drive in front of convoys and clear any IEDS. In June 2007 I attached to 1^st Battalion 8^th Marines for Camp Lejeune and we went to 29 Palms, California for Mojave Viper. Mojave Viper is the largest combined arms exercise in the world. Located in the Mojave Desert, we are able to utilize all aspects from small arms to tanks and air support. Working closely with the 0311 infantry man and supporting elements created a tight bond essential before a combat deployment.

Fall 2007 1^st battalion 8^th marines with supporting attachment elements departed Cherry Point, making the long trip to Kuwait. One in Kuwait we would acclimatize to the hot desert, receive briefs of our operational region, the likelihood of enemy attack, and potential IED threat.  We would set up IED lanes to practice our dismounted sweeping techniques and reaction drills. Weapon maintenance became a daily event along with prepping our gear. The day would soon come to move to Iraq.

Al Anbar province Iraq, one of the deadliest places on earth would be our home for the next 7 months. The main element would be based at Ramadi with smaller elements pushed out around the area for added security. Our mission was simple; provide a safe path for ground elements to use within the area of operations (AO). This would be accomplished by mobile and dismounted patrolling. I had no idea what was in store for us. Being a junior enlisted member of the team, I was told what to do and never really a reason why. I soon learned that it was for the best sometimes.

I would be put in the 3^rd vehicle in our team. The first two were “Huskies” followed by my “Buffalo”. If you ever watch Transformers, it’s the big tan military truck with an extendable arm on it. Anyways, being in a truck that stood well over 12 feet high, you felt so powerful. Although heavily armored we were not equipped with any firepower. The mission of the buffalo is to seek, interrogate, and destroy an IED. The long extendable arm was used for interrogation and digging possible threats.

For the next seven months, there would be multiple days without rest, shower, or a good night’s sleep. Some of the events that happened will never leave my mind or body but the experiences I gained have forever bettered me as a person and for the next deployments that would come all too soon.  Some of which may be more hostile and deadly areas.