thedrifter
12-18-07, 07:50 AM
TUESDAY DECEMBER 18, 2007
Last modified: Monday, December 17, 2007 12:02 PM CST
Feeling small
Thirteenth in a series of “letters home” from a local Marine deployed for a second tour in Iraq
This last week was just a replay of the previous week. We went out to ranges for exercises. This week it was on a grander scale — the entire battalion was involved this time.
We had airplanes, helicopters, tanks, amphibious personnel carriers and all the vehicles we have in our company. It makes you feel smaller the bigger the operation gets. My mortars and rockets seem small compared to aircraft bombs and tanks. The operation took two days and then the day or two on either side for administration took up the entire week.
At the end of the week, we had a class on rules of engagement and escalation of force. The dynamic nature of this war requires these classes are continually taught. The rules have changed since the last time I was there.
Today we are preparing for the final operation that will take the last 10 days we are in the field. Packing up our equipment and cleaning weapons has been the focus.
The Marines are excited to get training over with because we will be getting leave for the holidays.
Weix, an Elmwood native, serves with the 24th Marine Regiment out of Madison as a platoon sergeant for Weapons Platoon, “G” Company, 2nd Battalion.
Ellie
Last modified: Monday, December 17, 2007 12:02 PM CST
Feeling small
Thirteenth in a series of “letters home” from a local Marine deployed for a second tour in Iraq
This last week was just a replay of the previous week. We went out to ranges for exercises. This week it was on a grander scale — the entire battalion was involved this time.
We had airplanes, helicopters, tanks, amphibious personnel carriers and all the vehicles we have in our company. It makes you feel smaller the bigger the operation gets. My mortars and rockets seem small compared to aircraft bombs and tanks. The operation took two days and then the day or two on either side for administration took up the entire week.
At the end of the week, we had a class on rules of engagement and escalation of force. The dynamic nature of this war requires these classes are continually taught. The rules have changed since the last time I was there.
Today we are preparing for the final operation that will take the last 10 days we are in the field. Packing up our equipment and cleaning weapons has been the focus.
The Marines are excited to get training over with because we will be getting leave for the holidays.
Weix, an Elmwood native, serves with the 24th Marine Regiment out of Madison as a platoon sergeant for Weapons Platoon, “G” Company, 2nd Battalion.
Ellie