I see that you are with 1/6. I was with them from 01-05.
I also understand that you have been to Iraq a few times, which leads me to this...
I have been out for about 2 1/2 years and I am reenlisting back in (package approved). I was promoted to Sgt while in the IRR.
More than likely I will be a squad leader. I never been to Iraq, only A-stan as a team leader and a pump to Oki. Can you give me some insight on what I need to know should I head to Iraq? I think I have the gist of things, but would like some confirmation.
Also, how are the squads and platoons set up today? We had two 4-5 man fire teams.
If you head over to Iraq, be sure to bring a good MP3 player and maybe a laptop. I would recommend if you're into working out you devise some kind of fitness plan and have some protein sent to you on a regular basis. That place is straight deadsville, there isn't squat going on worth mentioning. The T/O remains pretty much the same. The 24th MEU no longer has a boat company, they now have a "mobile" company. Although, no of that is going to play a factor since we're heading for Afghanistan. Don't suppose you knew any guys from 1/6 in your time named Trackwell or Carlson?
I knew Trackwell, though we wern't drinking buddies or anything of that nature. I was in Alpha 1st plt and he was originally in Weapons plt Alpha. Then he moved to Weapons Co.
He's a good Marine and NCO.
So it's dead in Iraq huh? I am trying to get with 3/6 because they are heading down range in March.
Buddy of mine who was in with me reenlisted from the IRR last month and he called the moniter to get his orders. He asked for a unit heading to Iraq and he told him that 3/6 is going in March and if he wanted it he can have it.
Ever since I got out I have been regretting not extending past my EAS to go to Iraq.
Cat you were in Echo 2/5 right? I think I knew you. Anyway I should be back in soon but fuck it will suck to have lost all of that time and to still be a Lance Colonel. I should be in good shape still and I remember most of what I learned, but that's just the way it goes.....
Last time We deployed to Afghanistan with the 22 MEU BLT 1/6, our Plt Cmdr. told us at the Airfield in Kandahar the day before the mission, and I quote---
"Marines, only pack 6-8 pairs of socks and only what you need in your mountain rucks. The packing list is light. The rest will go in your daypack, which will be up north in FOB Ripley...For which we will only be outside the wire for 7-10 days. We will operate out of the FOB."
It turned out that we were out in the mountains with no showers, no new socks, MREs, Iso Mat on rocks, no real shelter---for 74 straight days.
Last time We deployed to Afghanistan with the 22 MEU BLT 1/6, our Plt Cmdr. told us at the Airfield in Kandahar the day before the mission, and I quote---
"Marines, only pack 6-8 pairs of socks and only what you need in your mountain rucks. The packing list is light. The rest will go in your daypack, which will be up north in FOB Ripley...For which we will only be outside the wire for 7-10 days. We will operate out of the FOB."
It turned out that we were out in the mountains with no showers, no new socks, MREs, Iso Mat on rocks, no real shelter---for 74 straight days.
If you hear "7-10" days, RUN!
Holy **** 74 days that's a long *** time.You guys must have humped a long *** distance.
We stopped at a small dinky little "FOB" after about 30 days of hiking mountains daily. This FOB didn't have showers, running water, or anything. Just a CP tent and a few humvees sourrounded by a 360 of fighting holes. We rand patrols daily out of there for a month, then moved out to the mountains again.
We did stop at FOB Ripley (with running water), but only stayed there for 2 days and took off again for the remainder of the 74 days of pure suckness. To give you an accurate idea of how long we were out there:
Left Kandahar Airfield Mid-Late April. Came back to Kandahar Airfield Mid July.
It's ashame that the top brass(probably not even Marines)are now figuring out that a Marine MEU/SOC is a great tool in Afghanistan being quick mobile and supplying their own air power.I can't wait until the summer to hear about the 24th MEU's success.I guarantee things are going to turn around with the Marines being involved.
The CMC has been trying to get us over there since at least October , specifically because the MEU is geared towards that arena of activity. The SecDef is the one that blocked it, probably encouraged by the SecArmy. They are worried about losing control in Iraq if we leave and they are worried we will make the Army look bad if we have to pull their **** outta the fire.
