thedrifter
01-25-08, 09:13 AM
911 inspires local man to join Marines
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Jennifer Larson
Community Editor
Marine LCpl Reggie Reinsberg life-long interest with history and warfare was not the single motivator behind the 2006 Forest Lake High School graduates enlistment into the military. For him, that personal decision came on Sept. 11, 2001.
Reggie’s parents discussed enrolling him in college but that was not meant to be. However, Mark and Karen have supported their son’s steadfast ambition to serve his country.
“He wanted something more out of life and felt like it was a duty for him,” said Karen.
Reggie said the desire to enlist comes from the belief he holds that the United States was under attack by an immoral enemy. Feeling he wasn’t doing enough, Reinsberg joined the Marine Corps.
Karen said her son specifically wanted to serve in Marines be part of the elite.
“He wanted the biggest challenge,” she said.
Reggie noted that the Marine Corps is such a small branch of the military that holds the deepest traditions, which are never forgotten.
In addition, he said that branch of the military has a grueling regimen with the toughest boot camp – both physically and mentally as well as in length.
“We train to a standard where a lot of people would break,” Reggie said,
“and not be able to continue unless they had previous training like Boot Camp and SOI “School Of Infantry.”
Recognition
He was also honored, receiving the Best Trainer Award on a training mission in the mid-east. Reggie’s squad of 13 was picked from the 1st Division 1st Battalion 5th Marine regiment (known as the Fighting Fifth) to train the Maldives Island Army in urban warfare and proper use of weapons and weapon skills.
The one-week mission ordered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States of America, said it was not just a training mission but they were also a political influence on their country as the island nation in the Indian Ocean are allies in the war on terror.
Reggie said it was a pleasure working with the Maldivians as they were good fighters and very dedicated. After the mission, the Marines got some liberty time and the people of the Maldives had a big feed on the beach for them. The Maldivians caught fresh shark and other fish for the U.S. troops.
They all enjoyed the feast and their stay, Reggie said.
His platoon is now in Kuwait but is scheduled to deploy to Australia, Hawaii and back to base at Camp Pendleton, Calif., all in six to seven months time. However, Reggie said that they never know as things change everyday.
New Adventures
One certainty Reggie does have is knowing that wherever those assignments might take him, he’s seeing the world. It is very interesting to see how people across the globe live, he said.
His travels have intrigued the Reinsbergs who look up Reggie’s latest location on a map and read about their culture.
“It’s an amazing experience for him,” Karen said.
Reggie noted that island countries seem to be much more expensive that mainland countries. He said the best parts of being in the Marines are seeing the world and having the close friends with you every step of the way, serving your country and of course, for the military buff – learning such a wide range of knowledge on weapons, tactics, navigation, communications, optics, etc.
Obviously, there are some downsides like not seeing friends and family back home for months at a time. And everything the Marines do is a challenge.
“Going from a tropical climate to a desert climate and than to a winter desert climate all within two weeks takes some getting used to,” he said.
Reggie is a saw gunner with his fire team and has been pulled out for many other special operations training. He is with the 1st Division 1st Battalion 5th Marines, Alpha Co. 3rd Plt. 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, USS Cleveland.
Reggie joined the Marine Corps in 2005 going into his senior year in the delayed entry program where he did poolie functions once or twice a month with the soldiers.
Ellie
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Jennifer Larson
Community Editor
Marine LCpl Reggie Reinsberg life-long interest with history and warfare was not the single motivator behind the 2006 Forest Lake High School graduates enlistment into the military. For him, that personal decision came on Sept. 11, 2001.
Reggie’s parents discussed enrolling him in college but that was not meant to be. However, Mark and Karen have supported their son’s steadfast ambition to serve his country.
“He wanted something more out of life and felt like it was a duty for him,” said Karen.
Reggie said the desire to enlist comes from the belief he holds that the United States was under attack by an immoral enemy. Feeling he wasn’t doing enough, Reinsberg joined the Marine Corps.
Karen said her son specifically wanted to serve in Marines be part of the elite.
“He wanted the biggest challenge,” she said.
Reggie noted that the Marine Corps is such a small branch of the military that holds the deepest traditions, which are never forgotten.
In addition, he said that branch of the military has a grueling regimen with the toughest boot camp – both physically and mentally as well as in length.
“We train to a standard where a lot of people would break,” Reggie said,
“and not be able to continue unless they had previous training like Boot Camp and SOI “School Of Infantry.”
Recognition
He was also honored, receiving the Best Trainer Award on a training mission in the mid-east. Reggie’s squad of 13 was picked from the 1st Division 1st Battalion 5th Marine regiment (known as the Fighting Fifth) to train the Maldives Island Army in urban warfare and proper use of weapons and weapon skills.
The one-week mission ordered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States of America, said it was not just a training mission but they were also a political influence on their country as the island nation in the Indian Ocean are allies in the war on terror.
Reggie said it was a pleasure working with the Maldivians as they were good fighters and very dedicated. After the mission, the Marines got some liberty time and the people of the Maldives had a big feed on the beach for them. The Maldivians caught fresh shark and other fish for the U.S. troops.
They all enjoyed the feast and their stay, Reggie said.
His platoon is now in Kuwait but is scheduled to deploy to Australia, Hawaii and back to base at Camp Pendleton, Calif., all in six to seven months time. However, Reggie said that they never know as things change everyday.
New Adventures
One certainty Reggie does have is knowing that wherever those assignments might take him, he’s seeing the world. It is very interesting to see how people across the globe live, he said.
His travels have intrigued the Reinsbergs who look up Reggie’s latest location on a map and read about their culture.
“It’s an amazing experience for him,” Karen said.
Reggie noted that island countries seem to be much more expensive that mainland countries. He said the best parts of being in the Marines are seeing the world and having the close friends with you every step of the way, serving your country and of course, for the military buff – learning such a wide range of knowledge on weapons, tactics, navigation, communications, optics, etc.
Obviously, there are some downsides like not seeing friends and family back home for months at a time. And everything the Marines do is a challenge.
“Going from a tropical climate to a desert climate and than to a winter desert climate all within two weeks takes some getting used to,” he said.
Reggie is a saw gunner with his fire team and has been pulled out for many other special operations training. He is with the 1st Division 1st Battalion 5th Marines, Alpha Co. 3rd Plt. 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, USS Cleveland.
Reggie joined the Marine Corps in 2005 going into his senior year in the delayed entry program where he did poolie functions once or twice a month with the soldiers.
Ellie