Another day of MSG training

Quantico, VA (Oct 23, 2006) --- Day 3 was on friday. It was a cold day here at Quantico. We did a lot of classes in the morning and after lunch we spend the afternoon on M9 pistol drills. It was so repetitive that I was about to loose my mind. Before securing for the day we got a motivational speech from one of the Instructors. After that, I was ready for the weekend. Saturday and Sunday was liberty. I spend the morning and part of the afternoon watching colleges football.
Couple of friend came from Maryland and took me to the movies. I really wanted to see "Flags of our Fathers" but they wanted to see "Employee of the Month". So I had to see it with them. After the movie, we had dinner at Red Lobster. I couldn't get enough of the endless shrimp meal they got over there. I recommend you try a Bahama mama drink at Red Lobster. They have the best recipe.
I really wanted to go party in DC but we had a 3 A.M curfew and I knew I would not have made it back from the club by then. So, my friends took me home around 11 P.M.
Sunday was all about Football. The Philadelphia Eagles battled Tampa Bay throughout the game and then lost 21 - 23. That 62 yards field goal from Bucs' Bryant was heartbreaking. The worst part of the day was sitting through the Redskin defeat to Colts. I am a big fan of the skins but damn, they are really disappointing.

Today is training day 6. We spend the first half of the day in the classroom. After chow, we did drills on the M870 shotgun. We did more classroom and Admin stuff before securing at 5:30 P.M. We are getting so much information in so little time and I am trying hard to keep up. I started icing my leg yesterday. It still hurt but hopefully by the end of the week things will change. I got Physical Training on wednesday, I hope my leg give me a chance to train.
Later!!!
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Day 2: Marine Corps Security Guard Training

Quantico, VA (19 Oct 2006) - My second day of training began at 5:30 A.M. I had taken some Ibuprofen for the little pain in my muscle last night. I woke up feeling real good. I had my Physical Fitness Test at 6:30 A.M so I sat in bed and drank a cold can of Red Bull before going accross the street where the mass formation was held. I was hoping to do at least 15 pull-ups but this morning wasn't good for me. I hit 10 pull-ups and attempted 11 but failed.
The good news is that I did the 100 crunches with ease and I didn't too bad in the 3 miles run. I was able to run it in 20 minutes and 30 seconds. The weak pull-ups hurt my score. The entire PFT worth 300 points. A 100 points for each event, that is the 3 miles run, 100 crunches and the 20 pull-ups. Overall, I got about 240 and some change.

After the run, my leg started hurting again. I quickly took a shower and wore my Charlies. I had a class at 0900. After the class, I had to report to my Gunnery Sergeant. I had to be interview for the program. wow!! I felt like a dumm ass when got to his office. He ass-chew me for not alligning my belt with my shirt and that my uniform was a mess. I was kicked out of his office to go and check myself. It's all the about the mind game. They want to push us to our limits so I just took it all like a man. I went to the head and took a closer look at my uniform and went right back to this door. lol.....

My interview with him took about 30 minutes. He asked questions about every espect of my life. Through my file was right before him. He play tough til the end. I was glad to be out of his office.

I was issued my training gear and we were diveded into various teams. The most boring part of my day was the 3 hours Psychological/Personality test we had to take.

Today is thursday so I have to get back to the barracks to clean up. I am getting tried of walking about 10 minutes to this library to use the computer. Oh! before I forget, we do get some liberty during training. Most of saturday and sundays we are free. That's some good stuff.

Later!!!
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Day 1: Marine Corps Security Guard Training

Quantico, VA (Oct 18,2006) Today is the first day of my two months training for Marine Corps Security Guard. I check-in yesterday and for the first time in three years I wore my Charlies (USMC Service "C" Uniform). Google it if you don't know what it is. :)
After being a field Marine for 3 years I felt good in those Charlies. I never got to wear my service uniform when I was with II MEF.It was all admin stuff that was done today. We checked-in SRB, Health and Dental records, did pay and RED audit and all the usual administrative stuff.
Tomorrow is Day 2. We have to take our first Physical Fitness Test. I will let you all know how that went. The instructors here have all done three or more tours as MSG. Most of the guys here for the training are either Coporals or Sergeants. We have one PFC. I don't know how in the world he got here but I guess he must be damn good. We are not authorized free foods to I figure i can spend about $10 a day at the chow hall instead of eating at subway. Marines here in training are not authorized to have POVs. (Private Own Vehicle) so I have to walk everywhere I go. That sucks!!!
The next two months promised to be a tough experience but I am up for it. I will update you on my training as often as I can.
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ISF and 4th CAG deliver school supplies

BAGHDADI, Iraq - Marines from the 4th Civil Affairs Group, Detachment 4-2, and Iraqi Security Forces teamed up for Operation Benefit Day on Wednesday in the Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

The purpose of the operation was for Iraqi Security Forces and Marines to deliver donated backpacks filled with school supplies to children for school, said Master Sgt. James A. Allen, the Detachment 4-2 chief of the 4th Civil Affairs Group, based out of Naval District Washington.

Many Iraqi children in the western Al Anbar Province do not have the proper supplies for school, said Allen.

More than a dozen Iraqi Security Forces personnel ensured school children received the supplies, said Allen. The Marines preferred to have local Iraqi security forces partake in handing out the school supplies, he added.

It builds the Iraqi Security Forces" trust of the people that they can work with the coalition to distribute school supplies, said Allen.

If more backpacks come in during the middle of the school year, the Marines will make sure to take them out to children they think will need them, said Allen.

Similar types of operations are slated to be conducted across the entire area of operation, said Allen.
We are really helping the children with projects such as this one and we are trying to do the best for this area, said Dr. Diana Tlemsami, an interpreter for the 4th CAG.

The Marines know the impact of OBD may affect the children in the future.

"When the kids receive new things, it shows them someone cares. When they know someone cares, they"re more willing to take initiative in preserving their own community," said Sgt. Alexis C. Wilson, a Marine with Detachment 4-2.

Tlemsami said it was worthwhile to witness the children"s gratitude over the school supplies.
"It gives you a feeling of satisfaction that you"re doing something beneficial, that you"re making a difference," said Allen.

The Marines say they will work with the Iraqi people and local authorities in the Al Anbar Province to build capacities and political infrastructure in order to support their progress as a community, economy and government.

"It"s not always about the adults; the future is a really big deal. These kids could be the ones to put an end to the fighting," Wilson said.

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400 new Iraqi police to boost security in Iraq-Syria border region

CAMP AL QA'IM, Iraq (Oct 12, 2006) - Four hundred newly-trained police officers are slated to join the 1,000-man police force currently providing security for the Iraq-Syria border region of Al Qa'im in western Al Anbar, Iraq.

The new police officers were recruited just three months ago and recently completed 10 weeks of police academy training in one of two academies in Jordan or Baghdad.

Just four months ago, the region of about 170,000, established a police force for the first time in three years.

With no police force in the region, the brunt of security was provided by Iraqi soldiers and Marines from the southern California-based 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment.

The new police officers claim they're ready to start policing their neighborhoods and keeping the "bad guys" out.

"I am looking forward to wearing the uniform," said Ahmed, a 27-year-old man from the village of Ramana, through an interpreter. "I know that together we can help keep the insurgents from coming into our towns."

A 23-year-old named Hadi, said he has a brother serving in the Iraqi Army. Hadi said he joined the police because he wanted to serve close to his home — unlike Iraqi soldiers who can be stationed anywhere in Iraq, Iraqi police officers are "home grown," serving where they live.

Iraqis here remain undeterred from attacks on local police and continue to enlist at monthly recruiting drives. Just four months ago, the police station in Husaybah, a city of 50,000 was attacked twice in one week by insurgents using explosives attached to suicide vests. The attacks resulted in five police officers killed.

"The bombing made me angry because I knew one of the police officers who was killed," said a 22-year-old from Husaybah. "I don"t care if the insurgents have bombs; we have guns."

Two months later in Ubaydi, a town of about 10,000, another suicide bomber wearing a vest laden with explosives detonated himself at the local hospital leaving two Iraqi soldiers dead.

Despite the attacks, the Iraqis continue to enlist. During a three-day Iraqi police recruiting drive last month, 500 Iraqis from the Euphrates River valley signed up. In Fallujah, once an insurgent-infested stronghold, recruiting drives netted 176 applicants last month.

The police transition team here, a group of Coalition Forces and retired U.S. police officers in charge of mentoring and training the new police force to become self-sustaining, say the new batch of police officers will add a much needed boost to existing security forces.

"The Iraqi police here are already doing a good job, now they"ll be able to put more officers in all of the smaller villages throughout the Al Qa'im region," said Arthur L. Dehlinger, a 14-year police veteran from Big Spring, Texas.

Dehlinger is one of several retired U.S. police officers responsible for building-up the Iraqi police in the Al Qa'im region.

The new police officers will work in their hometown communities and will provide security and stability alongside Marines and Iraqi soldiers. While several police stations dot the region alongside the Euphrates River, more police stations are being built in villages where police have been non-existent over the last three years.

As Iraqi Security Forces who currently maintain law and order in the villages and cities here begin taking over their own areas of operation, the Marines will take a more back-seat role in providing security to the region.

The region"s security has improved significantly in less than a year, according to local tribal sheikhs and city leaders who meet frequently with the Marines.

"Today the city of Karabilah is a better and safer place thanks to the Marines and the work they have done with the Iraqi police and army," said Abu Munder, the 50-year-old mayor of Karabilah - through an interpreter.

Recently, Iraqi police here took a lead role in providing security for two public soccer games.

"When it came time to provide security for the soccer games, we (Marines) let the police run the show and we were simply advisors," said 1st Lt. Daniel F. Davis, the executive officer for Charlie Company, who operate out of Karabilah.

Karabilah, a city of 30,000, is one of dozens of cities and towns along the Euphrates River just east of the Iraqi-Syrian border in Iraq's Al Anbar Province, where U.S. and Iraqi forces have spent nearly three years fighting insurgents, and more recently, building Iraqi Security Forces to take that mission over.

The boost in manpower is just one example of how Iraqi police are bolstering security in the region. The police chief has established new security measures with the additional police to deny the insurgents use of the region's major highway, which extends from the Syrian border into Baghdad. The security measures will also restrict the insurgents" ability to plant the improvised explosive devices on the widely-used road.

One of the biggest threats for Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces in this region are improvised explosive devices, according to the Marines here. The roadside bombs have been responsible for numerous deaths.

Despite the dangers of IEDs, Iraqis here continue to enlist to become police officers and soldiers. Many are undeterred by the threat of insurgents who move into the villages dotting the Euphrates River hoping to make the area a base of operations.

"Now that I am a police officer, my brothers want to become officers too," said Ahmed. "It will be the job of the Iraqi police and soldiers to take care of the people here, not the Marines."
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2/3 Marines honors fallen warrior just weeks into deployment

HADITHA, Iraq (Oct. 10, 2006) -- Just weeks into a seven-month deployment in Iraq"s Al Anbar Province, Hawaii-based Marines from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment held a memorial service Oct. 1, 2006, at the Haditha Dam for a Marine killed in combat action. Chamroeun was one of two Marines killed in action since 2nd Battalion arrived in Iraq several weeks ago.

More than 150 Marines, sailors and soldiers gathered at the dam - where 2nd Battalion is based in this region of Al Anbar Province - to remember the life of Lance Cpl. James P. Chamroeun, a 20-year-old from Union City, Ga.

Chamroeun, described by fellow Marines as a "soft-spoken but friendly guy," died Sept. 28 of wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

"One of the most memorable things about Chamroeun was the way he talked - real slow," said Lance Cpl. Joshua Glaymeyer, a field radio operator for 2nd Battalion and friend of Chamroeun.

Chamroeun, a field radio operator, was a member of a U.S. military Explosive Ordnance Disposal security team in the Haditha Triad region of Haditha, Barwanah and Haqlaniyah. In Iraq, EOD teams regularly investigate and destroy roadside bombs and enemy weapons and munitions caches.

Chamroeun joined 2nd Battalion in 2005. He graduated from basic training in Oct. 2004 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.

"Learning of Lance Cpl. Chamroeun's death hit me hard," said 1st Lt. Jonathan Stoddard, Chamroeun"s platoon commander. "Instantly the war in Iraq became much more than distant news reports."

As the ceremony memorializing Chamroeun began in the dimly lit dam, Marines listened to friends and fellow Marines recount their memories of him.

"It didn"t matter if he was asked to do something simple or something that other Marines would complain about, he attacked it in a steady way and got the job done," said Stoddard.

"I'll always remember the late night conversations we had. We"d talk about everything," said Lance Cpl. Kyle Kirkman, a fellow field radio operator, and roommate of Chamroeun for more than a year. "Chamroeun will always be a friend to me. He won't be just another person I've met along my life. I will carry a little piece of him with me everywhere I go."

Following the Marines" comments, 1st Sgt. Craig J. Cowart, senior enlisted advisor for 2nd Battalion"s Headquarters and Service Company, gave a final company role call.

After calling out the names of several other Marines in the formation, who all quickly responded with a loud, "here, 1st Sgt."

Cowart called Chamroeun"s name three times - each time Cowart was met with a solemn silence.

Following the ceremony, those in attendance took their turn to kneel in front of Chamroeun"s memorial - represented by Chamroeun"s rifle, military boots, dog tags and photo - for one last chance to say some parting words, pray or touch the fallen Marine"s boots for the last time.

This was Chamroeun"s second deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism - he spent seven months with 2nd Battalion in Afghanistan in 2005 and 2006.

Chamroeun"s military awards include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
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Iraqi Army uncovers hidden weapons inside Fallujah’s souk district

FALLUJAH, Iraq (Oct. 6, 2006) -- Iraqi Army soldiers discovered five separate weapons caches, including materials to make improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition. The discoveries were made during a search of Fallujah"s souk, or market district of the city. The operation was conducted by Iraqi soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division alongside Marines from 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment.

"Our goal was to disrupt insurgent activity in that area," said 1st Lt. Jason J. Maraffi, a 26-year-old from Richmond, Va., who serves as Military Transition Team advisor for the Iraqi battalion.

"These guys don"t attack where they live and where they work," added Capt. Christopher M. Westhoff, a 34-year-old from Rifle, Colo., who also advises the Iraqi battalion. "We didn"t think we"d find any bad guys, but we were pretty sure we"d find some stuff."

Iraqi soldiers cordoned the market section of the city along with Marines early in the morning, just as business was picking up. Shops were open and Iraqis were busy buying and selling everything from fruit to furniture. This section of the city is where commerce takes place and it was suspected of holding a few weapons.

It was also an area known to be dangerous.

"The history of the area is that there have been grenade attacks," Westhoff said. "We had to watch the rooftops so no one drops anything on you."

But insurgents wouldn"t be able find much refuge after Iraqis and Marines surrounded the area. The narrow streets were filled with the chocolate-chip patterned uniforms of the Iraqi soldiers in their sector. Armored humvees, both that of Iraqis and Marines, chugged through the streets.

"Once you"ve got the cordon set, it"s the outside of the cordon you have to worry about," Maraffi said. "On the outside, someone could take a shot and run. There"s nowhere for them to run on the inside, so it"s more likely they"ll leave their weapons and walk out."

The flood of Iraqi soldiers and Marines sent many Fallujans to the outlying areas. Some stood and watched from beyond the perimeters and others offered to open their stores.

Iraqi soldiers hammered open locks and for those that wouldn"t budge, they called in Marine engineers to blast them open. Inside the cavernous maze of shops, back in dark alleys and behind aluminum door shops, Iraqi soldiers turned over everything looking for telltale signs of weapons.

Movement through the area was slow. Doors were double and sometimes triple locked. Warnings were called out over radios about controlled blasts by Marine engineers to cut locks that proved too tough for sledgehammers.

It didn"t take long, though, before Iraqi soldiers began to uncover what they suspected. The first discovery came just blocks from the starting point for the operation. Soldiers found electronic parts known to be used in making IEDs.

"We"re taking their stuff away from them," Westhoff said.

Iraqi soldiers dug deeper and pulled out large spools of wire, an AK-47 with a laser sight and other banned materials. Another box they pulled from the small shop contained binoculars, a sniper scope, ammunition, magazines for a sniper rifle and AK-47, explosives and a mortar sight and fuses.

A used rocket tube was discovered in the back of a furniture store a little later and just around the corner, Iraqi soldiers uncovered hidden rocket-propelled grenades and launcher, AK-47 assault rifles and other small arms along with the ammunition for them.

Further down the road, Iraqi soldiers found crates of bulk explosives and cans of machine-gun ammunition.

"We wanted to make sure they were being safe when we were doing the searches," said Staff Sgt. Tyler L. Morgan, a 25-year-old from Caldwell, Idaho, who serves as an advisor to the Iraqi battalion. "We wanted them to be careful to make sure the doors weren"t wired to explode."

Still, he said he was impressed with what the Iraqi soldiers found. They went into a dangerous part of the city and pulled weapons away from insurgents who intended to use them against Iraqi soldiers or Marines. Their ability to find those weapons is indicative, he said, of their ability to operate.

‘They"re really good at going through a search and being systematic," Morgan said.

With each find, Iraqi soldiers also grew more excited. They knew they were putting a dent into the insurgents" ability to move weapons through Fallujah.

"In past searches, they"d get tired and want to stop," Maraffi said. "Today, they did good. Once we got past the halfway point, they kept up with it."

Iraqi soldiers" operating effectively largely by themselves was just as beneficial as getting the weapons off the streets. Fallujans are able to see their own army taking security matters into their own hands and realize their forces are capable of putting insurgents on the run.

"When we go to an area that we don"t typically work in, the people are very happy to see the Iraqi Army," Westhoff said. "The people react differently to the IA. There"s more interaction between them. It"s like having 100 interpreters with you."

The successful discoveries also go far in instilling in Iraqi soldiers their own abilities to carry out independent operations. Iraq soldiers accomplished the mission along with Marines, but they worked their own sector. They searched each and every shop, provided their own security and left the area without needing major support from Marines.

"Operations like this build confidence," Westhoff explained. "We just spent a day in a very hairy place and didn"t lose anybody. They have the tactical ability. They have the leadership. They just need more soldiers."

"They need Iraqi engineers," Maraffi added. "They need Iraqi EOD," or explosive ordnance disposal technicians.

Westhoff explained Iraqi commanders made extra efforts to ensure their part of the search of Fallujah"s marketplace would be successful. Soldiers who were supposed to go on leave were held back and others were called back off leave early.

"They like their job," he said. "They commute all the way from Basra to do this for low pay and people want to kill you. They amaze me."

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