New era vet.

Dear Sgt. Grit,

After reading the latest newsletter calling for new stories from new veterans I decided to share one of my own.

It was 2010 and I was assigned to 1st Battalion 6th Marines Alpha company 2nd platoon. I was a team leader with 1st squad.  February 13 found us assaulting the City of Marjah as the assault force for Operation Moshtarak.

That morning at 0200 the entire loaded into helos and landed in the middle of the city. My company’s objective was to take the market and set up a base for our push west.

When i stepped off the bird with all my gear I was immediately greeted by my mud. Under the weight of my gear, I and the rest of the squad got mired in it. Once I got myself out I help my team and check to make sure their gear was squared away.

According to the plan we were to move into the market, But we waited till almost dawn to do so. The company was set up in a hasty defense and waited.

You wouldn’t think but it was cold as hell that morning. I put my team on 50 percent watch while we waiting. But before I could sleep I had to help another plt. out with an APODS. When we landed several people snapped ankles and shin on the way out of the bird. Which meant my team had to carry it now.

As the sun rose so did the enemy. We started to receive sporadic fire during the morning while we made our way to the building. I was tasked to clear a route thru a field t the edge of town. Which meant I just walk a line thru the field the company would follow my dropping chem light and hoping I didn’t step on an Ied.

That was never racking even as the company watched me. Several enemies jump up from position to try and shoot me and were quickly silenced by our STA teams.

Once I reached the other side I called back the all-clear. The company soon secured the compound we would use to support our push west.

Thank you for letting me share my story from Afghanistan.

Semper Fi

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