thedrifter
05-13-08, 08:41 AM
Ogle disheartened unit split for deployment
Rochelle Hawk
of The Logan Daily News
HILLIARD - News that the Marines of the hard-hit Lima Company are returning to Iraq has some in Hocking wondering if Rockbridge native Hickory Ogle will be among them.
Ogle was the only Hocking Countian known to have served with the unit when it suffered the most fatalities in the War in Iraq in 2005. Now, as some members of Lima prepare for another tour of duty, Cpl. Rolland "Hickory" Ogle won't be one of them.
Only about 10 members of the approximately 140-member reserve unit from Columbus - Lima Company 3rd Battalion 25th Marines - were chosen for attachment to another battalion, the 2/25 (2nd Battalion 25th Marines).
"They were taking Marines who had seniority and had leadership positions," Ogle said regarding who was chosen. "And they took into consideration how much time was left on their enlistments. They had enough to deploy with the 2/25, but not with the 3/25."
He explained that those in Lima Company who had enough time remaining in their multi-year commitment to the Marines that they could deploy in the upcoming years weren't called; but Marines whose enlistments would soon expire, thus avoiding another deployment with Lima, were more likely to be chosen to go over with the other battalion.
Ogle was involved in Operation Matador, the initiative that resulted in the deaths of nine Marines in Lima Company, five of which were from his platoon. That loss of life in May 2005 thrust Lima to the forefront of the national news.
Still Ogle, who now resides in Hilliard, thinks it would be better for them all to go back, instead of seeing some of his buddies shipped out with another group. "They're pulling them out and putting them in a completely different unit. If we were going back together, it'd be different," he said. "We know how each other operates. But, that's what we get paid for, I guess."
So, as some of his friends undergo preparations for redeployment this summer, Ogle and the others remain, working their day jobs, whatever they may be. For Ogle, that means manufacturing research for fuel cell and alternative energy with SCI Engineered Materials, Inc. in Columbus. He has an associates degree in alternative energy from Hocking College.
Ogle's own reservist commitment will have him involved in squad leader training this summer at Camp Lejeune, N.C., according to his mother, Melanie Ogle of Rockbridge. He has about 22 months left on his enlistment with the Marines.
Ellie
Rochelle Hawk
of The Logan Daily News
HILLIARD - News that the Marines of the hard-hit Lima Company are returning to Iraq has some in Hocking wondering if Rockbridge native Hickory Ogle will be among them.
Ogle was the only Hocking Countian known to have served with the unit when it suffered the most fatalities in the War in Iraq in 2005. Now, as some members of Lima prepare for another tour of duty, Cpl. Rolland "Hickory" Ogle won't be one of them.
Only about 10 members of the approximately 140-member reserve unit from Columbus - Lima Company 3rd Battalion 25th Marines - were chosen for attachment to another battalion, the 2/25 (2nd Battalion 25th Marines).
"They were taking Marines who had seniority and had leadership positions," Ogle said regarding who was chosen. "And they took into consideration how much time was left on their enlistments. They had enough to deploy with the 2/25, but not with the 3/25."
He explained that those in Lima Company who had enough time remaining in their multi-year commitment to the Marines that they could deploy in the upcoming years weren't called; but Marines whose enlistments would soon expire, thus avoiding another deployment with Lima, were more likely to be chosen to go over with the other battalion.
Ogle was involved in Operation Matador, the initiative that resulted in the deaths of nine Marines in Lima Company, five of which were from his platoon. That loss of life in May 2005 thrust Lima to the forefront of the national news.
Still Ogle, who now resides in Hilliard, thinks it would be better for them all to go back, instead of seeing some of his buddies shipped out with another group. "They're pulling them out and putting them in a completely different unit. If we were going back together, it'd be different," he said. "We know how each other operates. But, that's what we get paid for, I guess."
So, as some of his friends undergo preparations for redeployment this summer, Ogle and the others remain, working their day jobs, whatever they may be. For Ogle, that means manufacturing research for fuel cell and alternative energy with SCI Engineered Materials, Inc. in Columbus. He has an associates degree in alternative energy from Hocking College.
Ogle's own reservist commitment will have him involved in squad leader training this summer at Camp Lejeune, N.C., according to his mother, Melanie Ogle of Rockbridge. He has about 22 months left on his enlistment with the Marines.
Ellie