America's Battalion Goes to Iraq
Marine Corps News
Roe F. Seigle March 20, 2006
Now, all of the Marines from the unit – known as “America’s Battalion” – have arrived in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province, which they will call home for the duration of their stay.
After months of training in Hawaii and southern California, the battalion flew in from their home base over the past several weeks to replace the Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.
These Marines will be operating in the “Triad” region of Haditha, Haqliniyah, and Barwanah along the Euphrates River in western Iraq, where they will pick up where their predecessors left off – working hand-in-hand with Iraqi Security Forces to conduct counterinsurgency operations on their own and eventually take control of Al Anbar Province.
This latest deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism comes just eight months after the battalion returned from a combat tour in Afghanistan. About 55-percent of the battalion’s 1,000-plus Marines and sailors deployed with the unit to Afghanistan last year.
The Marines, both veterans and first-time deployers alike, are eager to be here. While waiting for flights and convoys to their destination in Iraq, the Marines’ talk to each other about home, the Marine Corps, what daily life will be like, and a multitude of other subjects to include their mission of assisting the Iraqi Security Forces.
During their down time, the Marines write letters home and talk about their loved ones. In the evening, they receive refresher classes on the rules of engagement, levels of force protection, and other subjects designed to keep them alive and within the laws of war.
All of them seem to be in high spirits considering they are in a combat zone.
“I came here to Iraq to do my part,” said Staff Sgt. Ronnie Torres, 29, Weapons Company platoon sergeant and a native of Pembroke Pines, Fla. “I want to help the Iraqi people settle and have an easier life.”
“I want to be here,” added Lance Cpl. Riley Carter, an intelligence analyst with the battalion. “This is what I came in the Marine Corps to do. Being in Hawaii was nice, but it is time for me to leave paradise and do my part for my country.”
Carter and Torres’ demeanor seem commonplace throughout the battalion’s ranks. In fact, the unit’s commander, Lt Col. Norman Cooling, says the Marines are “motivated and ready to train the Iraqi Security Forces.
(Continued next page)
Roger… Out
We had this really funny really cocky sergeant who was TAD up there in some kind of FO position. The noise was us laughing out loud as he stood on the LZ like it was a stage and told us outrageous stories. (I still remember he referred to the summer service alpha uniform as his "peanut butter" suit.) We were so noisy, they could hear us down in the dustbowl and we woke up the captain. So the 6 radioed us. I don't remember our call sign, but let's say it was "Mike OP".
For some reason, instead of Wilsey taking the call, this sergeant who didn't know the Captain took it and he held the handset out and turned the volume up so we all could hear what the following colloquy take place.
CO: Mike OP, Mike OP this is Mike 6 over.
Us: Mike 6, this is Mike OP, over.
CO: You're making too much noise up there. Keep it down, over.
Us: Roger, out
Brief pause, then:
CO: Mike OP, Mike OP, this is Mike 6 over.
Us: Mike 6, this Mike OP over
CO: Mike OP, I am the 6. I "out" you. You don't "out" me.
Us: Roger, out.
Briefer pause, then:
CO: Mike OP, Mike OP, this is Mike 6, over.
Us: Mike 6, this Mike OP over.
CO: Mike OP, I repeat. I am the 6. Because I am the 6, I "out" you. You don't "out" me.
Us: Roger, out.
No pause, at all and then:
CO: Mike OP! Mike OP! This is Mike 6, over!
Us: Mike 6, this Mike OP, over.
CO: Mike OP, I just told you. I am Mike 6, I "out" you. You don't "out" me.
Us: Roger, out.
CO: Mike OP! Mike OP! This is Mike 6, over!
Us: Mike 6, this Mike OP, over.
CO: Mike OP, This is Mike 6! I am giving you a direct order! You don't get the last word. You have to let me "out" you!
Us: Roger, out.
CO: Mike OP! Mike OP! This is Mike 6, over!
Us: Mike 6, this Mike OP, over.
CO: Mike OP, this is the last warning. Unless you acknowledge that you got this message and say "over" I will send a helicopter up there first thing in the morning and have you brought before me! You are ordered not to say "out." Over.
Us: Roger.
CO: Mike 6 out!
It took everything we all had to stifle our laughter so we could save that guy's stripes.
3/3 RVN Newsletter Vol 1, Issue 7
Pages 3-6 Printed Version
TIPS ON WORKING WITH YOUR SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE:
It is always an advantage, regardless of the nature of the disorder underlying a claim for benefits, to have an experienced veterans service repre- sentative assist you in the prosecution of a claim for VA disability compensation.
These individuals are familiar with veterans benefits law and procedures, and can provide more effective representation than trying to handle the claim yourself. .
Keep in touch: You should talk to your representative at least once per month while your claim is pending. Whenever you get mail from the VA, call your representative to make sure that he or she has received a copy (as required by VA regulations) and that you understand exactly what it means.
Ask questions: If you do not understand something about your claim, ask about it. Part of your service representative’s responsibility is to ensure that you understand the claims process.
Exercise your judgment: Your service representative is charged with acting in your best interests. However, you are the ultimate decision maker with respect to your claim. Your service repre-sentative will tell you if he or she disagrees with what you want to do and why. They can make recommendations, but must do as you instruct.
Note that the law permits service representatives to resign if there are true fundamental disagreements.
Insist that your service representative:
·
discuss your case with you;
discuss your case with you; ·be familiar with your VA claims file and all of the evidence;
be familiar with your VA claims file and all of the evidence; ·be able and willing to discuss what VA regulations require to win your case and what evidence is needed to prevail;
be able and willing to discuss what VA regulations require to win your case and what evidence is needed to prevail; ·discuss your case and what to expect with respect to personal hearings;
discuss your case and what to expect with respect to personal hearings; ·submit a written statement to the VA before a personal hearing. He or she should let you read the statement before it is submitted.
submit a written statement to the VA before a personal hearing. He or she should let you read the statement before it is submitted. As discussed above, it is always a good idea to obtain a service representative to help you present your claim to the VA. VA rules and procedures are very complicated. It can be frustrating and hazardous to go it alone. Veterans service organizations, as well as state and county departments of veterans affairs offer their services without charge. No matter whom you select to represent you, it is important that you be personally involved in your case and make certain that everything that should be done, is done. Although it can be a difficult task, shop around for the best advocate. Talk to the prospective representative; ask if there are any limits on his or her representation; get a feel for the person who will be working for you before you sign a power of attorney appointing the person as your representative.
I'm pretty sure Lester Ray can vouch for this one. As you know, the Rockpile accessible almost exclusively by helicopter was virtually an invincible position. As a result, during the period our squad was up there for 53 days, we got a little overconfident. We were having a party one night and got noisy.
Camp Al Asad, Iraq - Just eight months after their deployment to Afghanistan, Hawaii-based Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment departed Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, recently to begin their seven-month deployment here in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
