thedrifter
09-26-05, 01:38 PM
Portland, Ore., native keeps night watch going
II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story by Cpl. Ruben D. Maestre
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Sept. 25, 2005) -- When the majority of people aboard the camp are preparing for bed, there are Marines scattered throughout walking their post. These protectors stand watch in the stillness of the night with their weapons loaded, providing security against those who might do harm to the members of the camp.
One of those on guard, Lance Cpl. Glade L. Wallen, 29, is just one of many who stands watch every night, fighting complacency, sleepiness and boredom in order to provide the security necessary for a base in the heart of Al Anbar province.
“I walk my post back and forth and I try to think about things,” he said of what he does to stay alert as his thoughts drifted to home and his young son.
Nearly 6 feet tall with an average build, Wallen’s story has been filled with personal struggle and pain. His mother died after a long fight with cancer nearly eight years ago.
Before joining the Corps, the Portland, Ore., native had a newborn son and he moved with his family throughout Oregon, Utah, Nevada, California and Washington state working as a food service manager in the restaurant industry and doing other side jobs.
“I was caught up with work, supporting my family,” said the trained food service specialist assigned to the Food Service Section, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD). “I was working two to three jobs at the time.”
Partly in search of financial stability and partly a personal dream, Wallen went to boot camp in May 2003.
“My son and his mom moved [away] and I was at a down point in my life,” said the 1995 graduate of Timpview High School in Provo, Utah. “My expenses were above my income when a recruiter approached me and it was something I had wanted to do.”
Wallen could have gone into another branch of the military with a shorter boot camp or he could have applied to the job programs the federal government offers.
Instead, he joined the Marines.
“I wanted the benefits but it wasn’t the main reason why I joined,” said Wallen. “I wanted the title of Marine.”
Since graduating from boot camp, Wallen has had some set backs. During military occupational specialty school, a personal medical condition surfaced and had to be physically evaluated for several months. After being cleared, Wallen reported to II MHG, leaving 10 months later for deployment to Camp Fallujah, Iraq.
Quiet and soft spoken, Wallen takes his challenges in stride by taking them ‘one day at a time.’ One aspect of the Corps that continues to stand out to him is the camaraderie shown amongst Leathernecks.
“One of the things I like about the Marine Corps is the sense of brotherhood,” he said. “The sense that we are there for each other and like brothers we may not always agree but we’ve got each other’s back.”
Wallen is scheduled to return back to the states early next year. After the end of his term, he is contemplating using his Montgomery G.I. Bill to pay for his studies into computer graphics.
Ellie
II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story by Cpl. Ruben D. Maestre
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Sept. 25, 2005) -- When the majority of people aboard the camp are preparing for bed, there are Marines scattered throughout walking their post. These protectors stand watch in the stillness of the night with their weapons loaded, providing security against those who might do harm to the members of the camp.
One of those on guard, Lance Cpl. Glade L. Wallen, 29, is just one of many who stands watch every night, fighting complacency, sleepiness and boredom in order to provide the security necessary for a base in the heart of Al Anbar province.
“I walk my post back and forth and I try to think about things,” he said of what he does to stay alert as his thoughts drifted to home and his young son.
Nearly 6 feet tall with an average build, Wallen’s story has been filled with personal struggle and pain. His mother died after a long fight with cancer nearly eight years ago.
Before joining the Corps, the Portland, Ore., native had a newborn son and he moved with his family throughout Oregon, Utah, Nevada, California and Washington state working as a food service manager in the restaurant industry and doing other side jobs.
“I was caught up with work, supporting my family,” said the trained food service specialist assigned to the Food Service Section, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (FWD). “I was working two to three jobs at the time.”
Partly in search of financial stability and partly a personal dream, Wallen went to boot camp in May 2003.
“My son and his mom moved [away] and I was at a down point in my life,” said the 1995 graduate of Timpview High School in Provo, Utah. “My expenses were above my income when a recruiter approached me and it was something I had wanted to do.”
Wallen could have gone into another branch of the military with a shorter boot camp or he could have applied to the job programs the federal government offers.
Instead, he joined the Marines.
“I wanted the benefits but it wasn’t the main reason why I joined,” said Wallen. “I wanted the title of Marine.”
Since graduating from boot camp, Wallen has had some set backs. During military occupational specialty school, a personal medical condition surfaced and had to be physically evaluated for several months. After being cleared, Wallen reported to II MHG, leaving 10 months later for deployment to Camp Fallujah, Iraq.
Quiet and soft spoken, Wallen takes his challenges in stride by taking them ‘one day at a time.’ One aspect of the Corps that continues to stand out to him is the camaraderie shown amongst Leathernecks.
“One of the things I like about the Marine Corps is the sense of brotherhood,” he said. “The sense that we are there for each other and like brothers we may not always agree but we’ve got each other’s back.”
Wallen is scheduled to return back to the states early next year. After the end of his term, he is contemplating using his Montgomery G.I. Bill to pay for his studies into computer graphics.
Ellie