Play In The Sandbox

[LcplStud]

ey devil dogs i need some advise; i've got an opportunity to volunteer to go to Iraq. I know it's my own choice and this is exactly what i asked for when i joined (albeit I joined as a reservist). I'd just like to know if any of you had some advice you could give a Marine in a tough spot. It's not that I'm scared, I've just got a great job goin. I'm Motor T, 4th Med Bn located in Miramar, CA. Thanks for your help.

Semper Fidelis

[TracGunny]

I would suggest that you go. I have a feeling you might regret not taking the chance to serve with your fellow Marines in the service of your country.

As for the job, check out your employer's military service policy, and then check what the Federal, State, and local laws say your employer must do for you (a little help here, please; CAS3, moderators, anybody?).

The opportunity to have great jobs can always be found by those who want it and are willing to work for it, the chance to serve as a Marine in the service of our Nation does not....

[USMC-FO]

Go ! Because if you don't you will spend years of your later life wondering "What if" and perhaps battleing guilt for not having done enough.

[LcplStud]

yah i've got a feeling i may regret it if i don't go. it's hard to venture into the unknown sometimes, but that's what we did when we enlisted right? hell, if i miss this one, there's always the chance i'll miss the next one as well. thanks for the advise; i've still got a couple of months before i ship out. another question, anybody know if reservists can sign up for b billits? or is it just for the active duty guys. when i come back, i'd like to try and attend MSG school. thanks again

Semper Fidelis

[Super Dave]

I would go if I could...sign me up and lets go!!

[leroy8541]

If you go there are federal laws in place that prohibits the termination of reservist, and guardsmen called to active duty.

[CPLRapoza]

B-Billets are only for Active Duty Marines.

[vision836]

I would go. I was recalled for Desert Storm after being out of active duty for three years, went back to Camp Pendleton for four months. Sometimes I feel like I did'nt do my part by not actually being there but billets needed to be filled on base as well. And by the way 19 years ago today I became a MARINE!! Semper Fi.

[namgrunt]

Let me tell you a story before I give you an answer.

When my outfit, F/2/5, landed for my first tour in Vietnam, it wasn't at a dock, or an airbase tarmac. We did a wetnet landing from a troop transport. Down the net we went, with full field transport packs, into Poppa Boats. After circling forever and losing breakfast, we made the run for the beach. We were told we were going into a potentially hot beachhead. We were the FIRST WAVE!

At 1000 meters, we were ordered to get below the gunwales of the boat to prevent being hit by small arms fire. We were also told to face forward, then lock and load our M14's. I didn't have butterflies in my stomach, I had eagles. The very real chance of being killed that morning loomed before us all. We each dealt with the fear in our own way, and set our minds to hit the beach.

When the boat ground against sand in the shallows, the ramp went down. If you've ever seen the opening of Saving Private Ryan, then you can imagine what I was expecting to happen. The Platoon Guide bellowed "GO! ...GO! ...GO!", and we stormed down the ramp into the waist high surf. When we got free of the surf and water, we charged inland and hit the deck in firing positions.

A few moments later, I felt the sand quivering under my belly as I lay there. I heard a diesel engine somewhere to our front. We couldn't see anything because the beach sloped upward sharply, and hid anything on the far side from view. I thought I would die for sure, if the enemy had gotten tracked vehicles to repel our landing. Our 3.5 rocket teams were still afloat, and we had only two hand grenades apiece. Not much help against armor.

Despite all these terrible possibilities, we grunts still jumped to our feet and churned uphill to confront whatever awaited us. When we made the crest of the sand and hit the deck again. we checked out our "enemy". The "tank" turned out to be a huge forklift moving pallets in our immediate front. Beyond it lay the busy sprawl of the Chu Lai Airbase. We had been snookered by the word of a "hot beachhead", and had landed at the second largest base on the I Corps zone.

By telling us we faced imminent danger, our Officers and Staff NCO's had made us confront our fears, which kicked in the training we had undergone to deal with exactly that scenario.

Go take care of business, LcplStud. You'll do just fine.

Semper Fi!
namgrunt

[LcplStud]

thanks namgrunt, i called up my squad leader to see what was up, and if we were going or not, he said he didn't know and neither did our gunny. since i'm not enrolled in school, i told him to sign me up for every AT we have planned. it looks like theres a 50/50 chance we may be going to Iraq. i'll keep you posted on what happens, hopefully they'll let my company go for a 2nd tour. if not, theres alwyas gonna be more chances to and do something for my Corps.

[jinelson]

LcplStud go for it, you will never regret it. Motor T is a great way to go. Dont worry about your job it is protected by the Soldier and Sailors Relief Act. I spent two tours in Vietnam as a 3531 and 3537, when my four year enlistment was up I spent a couple of years serving as a non-obligore with H&S 1/26 as a reservist. Keep on truckin.

Semper Fi Jim

[namgrunt]

Howdy again, LCplStud,

Presume you will get the word to mount out. It is always better to be ready for action, than to think it won't happen, and be caught unprepared. Focus on expanding and sharpening your job skills while you wait for the word. Study and practice the particular subjects where your job performance is weakest. These are usually the ones you want to postpone for a later day.

Immerse yourself in becoming the most proficient Marine in your unit, at your specialty. Do this for your own sake, as well as for your buddies' safety. What you learn now will be with you, in your core as automatic reflexes, when in-country. This will serve you well when you're on the move, and unable to reference tech manuals or your Guidebook. It will save lives when the s*** hits the fan.

I'm sure you already know all of this, since you are not some green boot. I repeat it to reinforce its importance in your mind. Do well, young Marine, and make us all proud.

Semper Fi! :marine:

[FREDDY]

Do your part and dont look back

[Das Behaelter]

I would have gone again.

B-billets... you can go if you re-enlist as an active duty Marine. As as LCpl you wouldn't lose rank by doing so.

Hey Vision. Were you part of 1st MarDiv.. What unit? I met some guys in the Gulf that were stationed at Camp Pendleton at the time...

I was 3dMarDiv then 1stMEB K-Bay HI.

I am trying to find some guys that I knew over there, because of some things that happened. I hate talking to people who weren't there about some things.

[snipowsky]

Whatever decision you make I can tell you this! I will be praying for you and my fellow brothers like you no matter what! If it was me I'd go and not even look back! We are doing a good thing in Iraq and I support President Bush on his actions!

Semper Fi brother!

[airframesguru]

If ya got room in that sea bag give me a call. Good luck Marine here or abroad.

MW

[LcplStud]

hey devils false alarm just reported last weekend and............ it was canceled. so what a dissapointment. next chance comes up though i'm packin my seabag

[tophor]

Lcpl Stud, Go for it. You will not regret it. Everyone's prayers are with you and every Marine and other service member that is doing their duty for their country. SEMPER FI DEVIL DOG!!!!!!