U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. James C. Saurman Marine Serves Third Deployment

Defend America News ^ | May 26, 2005 | Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

[AZHua87]

AL ASAD, Iraq, May 26, 2005 — His whole life, James C. Saurman knew he wanted to be a military man — shoot guns, play in the mud, go to war.

After graduating from Alan D. Nease High School in May 2002, the native of St. Augustine, Fla., chose a path for his future that would allow him to do just that.

Saurman was a part of his high school’s Junior ROTC program and through the mentorship of his instructors, chose to join the Marine Corps in early September 2001.

“I always knew I was going to be in the armed forces,” the corporal said. “However, after meeting my ROTC instructor, who was a retired Marine first sergeant, I knew I wanted to be a Marine.”

Drawn to the history, discipline and traditions of the Corps, Saurman walked into a Marine Corps recruiting office, a recruiter's dream.

“I told them I wanted to be a Marine and I wanted to be in the infantry,” he recalled.

A bold and focused leader from the start, ---

[Venerable Bede]

Yes, but does he have his own palantir?

[Americanexpat]

Anyone know how long these tours are for Marines? I think the Army was going to one year tours at one time, don't know if they did.

[AZHua87]

Sorry you'll have to ask a Marine.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Anyone know how long these tours are for Marines? I think the Army was going to one year tours at one time, don't know if they did."
So far my nephew's been in two deploys. Both are 7 months in combat zone. However, I do know that some BN's where scheduled for over a year, based on talking with my nephew prior to this last deploy. So it does vary. As for our Army, some are 1 year, some are greater then one year. If you remember last year, the DoD decided to maintain a given force strength and therefore keep certain units for an additional 90 days in combat zone as new troops where coming in.