Combat Doc Supports Marines in Ar Ramadi

Defend America News ^ | Nov 9, 2005 | Sgt. Ryan S. Scranton

[SandRat]

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Marlon Rendon Combat Doc Supports Marines in Ar Ramadi By Sgt. Ryan S. Scranton 2nd Marine Division CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq, Nov. 9, 2005 — Marlon D. Rendon immigrated to the United States from Ecuador when he was 17 years old to live with his father and start a new life in Queens, N.Y. The 24-year-old petty officer third class is now serving as a corpsman with the 2nd Marine Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing for the medical needs of Marines here. Joining Marines on their daily patrols through the streets of Ramadi is a far cry from his strolls as a teenager down Corona Avenue in Queens. “I never thought I would be doing this when I joined the Navy,” Rendon said. “But I like what I am doing.” Rendon is assigned to the camp’s Quick Reaction Force, which is responsible for responding to threats against the camp and bringing security to the area by patrolling the surrounding city’s streets. It’s not an easy job, but Rendon volunteered for the assignment. “When I got here they asked me if I wanted to work with the QRF,” Rendon said. “I said yes because I thought it sounded exciting.” So far the job has met his expectations. Since being assigned to the unit, he’s conducted more than 120 patrols and been involved in the capture of a local terrorist sought by the U.S. military. He’s also seen his fair share of gunfights, but said he doesn’t worry about his safety. Rendon described an incident during his first encounter with the enemy where his patrol was engaged with small arms. One Marine in the patrol grabbed him as rounds impacted just a few meters from his feet. The Marine then threw him behind cover and instructed him to “stay down” in an effort to prevent him from being injured. “The Marines really take care of me,” Rendon said. “They definitely look out for me and they don’t let me get hurt. It’s reciprocal. They take care of me and I take care of them.” Rendon joked about the incident which happened nearly a month after joining the QRF. He was the first corpsman to make it that long without being shot at. Most corpsmen assigned to the QRF come under fire on their first patrol and many have encountered far worse. His tone became more serious when he described what he referred to as “his worse time ever.”

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Marlon D. Rendon, a corpsman with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Blue Diamond, Ramadi, Iraq, provides medical support to Marines on their daily patrols through the city. Rendon is assigned to the camp’s Quick Reaction Force, responsible for responding to threats against the camp and bringing security to the area by patrolling the surrounding city’s streets searching for insurgents and suspicious activity. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ryan S. Scranton He was called to aid two Marines injured by an improvised explosive device. The IED attack on the patrol came from a location he had passed by moments before. He said he had a pseudo-flashback, recalling his footsteps on the patrol. The realism of the situation quickly set in and Rendon started treating the injured Marines. “After seeing two patients down, I quickly came back to reality,” Rendon said. “But afterward, I couldn’t help think that it could have been me.” Rendon is committed to his work and to the people he helps. With every incident, he becomes more skilled and applies what he has learned the next time he goes out. Rendon said the greatest thing anyone can do is commit themselves to helping people and stopping their pain. “At the end of the day it makes me feel good to know that I helped someone,” he said. “When a guy comes up to me and says ‘remember me, you helped me out,’ and then says ‘thanks,’ it makes my day.” His passion for helping people drives him to pursue his work as a corpsman and a career in the Navy. He is currently working toward his nursing degree and hopes to one day become a medical diver. “Working as a corpsman in the Navy is great,” Rendon said. “There is no better job. I love what I do and they even pay me for it.” More Profiles

[SandRat]

Combat Doc with Marines

[kellynla]

Corpsman Up!

And let me be the first to wish you and my other fellow Marine Corps FReepers a Happy Birthday tomorrow!

230? You don't look a day older than 229! LOL

Semper Fi,
Kelly

PS Have you all ordered your Marine Corps silver dollar and Marine Corps postage stamps yet?

[Recon Dad]

If I was smart enough to figure out how post a picture with this I would show everyone "Doc Joey", who was the medic with my son's Marine Recon Team. These are true hero's who deserve to have their stories told.

[SandRat]

As a Doggie I appreciate your wishes for the Corps but the wishes don't belong to me. As the quarter and stamps the answer is yes.

[kellynla]

oops! My mistake, I thought you were a Marine.

"quarter?"
if you received a quarter, you were short changed. LOL

[SandRat]

Ok, if it's been uploaded to a web server then open it and select the http:// address and then copy. Come back to FR open a reply and then type in <.
Then type in img src=.
Type "" and in between the brackets you paste the copied http:// address.
Then you type a > press the preview button to check your work, smile then check the little pox and press the post button.

[SandRat]

Oops my bad Silver Dollar. Just like the what I had to give up on receiving my first Salute.

[Recon Dad]

You make it sound soooo easy. (not) I have Photobucket and the picture archived there as I type. The problem is getting the picture from there to here. I am going to have to get my son in law involved at some point.

[SZonian]

Bump!

Great article!

[Recon Dad]

What am I missing. This is what I copied, but I guess I have no clue where to paste it to or whatever I'm supposed to do with it.

[Calpernia]

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Marlon D. Rendon, a corpsman with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Blue Diamond, Ramadi, Iraq, provides medical support to Marines on their daily patrols through the city. Rendon is assigned to the camp’s Quick Reaction Force, responsible for responding to threats against the camp and bringing security to the area by patrolling the surrounding city’s streets searching for insurgents and suspicious activity. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ryan S. Scranton

[Calpernia]

Sandrat, is that you over there on the left?

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[SandRat]

I Wish my abs were that tight. Find the 57 year old with love handles and that'd be me.

[Calpernia]

Love handles are highly underrated :)

[tutstar]

ping

[Meldrim]

"immigrated to the United States from Ecuador "

Where is "George P!" or the Romney boys? Those families have not put a guy in uniform since the draft ended...