Marines Advise What To Bring When Deployed

Marine Link ^ | May 15, 2004 | Cpl. Beth Zimmerman

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Marines Advise What To Bring When Deployed
Submitted by: New York City Public Affairs
Story Identification #: 200451415107
Story by Cpl. Beth Zimmerman



NEW YORK (May 14, 2004) -- Marines from New York took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom last year -and some may head back for Operation Iraqi Freedom II this year. Some of the New York Marines who deployed last year share what they learned during their time overseas, including what gear was unnecessary once they got to the desert, and what they depended on the most.


Extra Weight

"The second time around I would bring less stuff," said Cpl. Hector Serrano, a 22-year-old reservist from Brooklyn. Serrano and other Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines in Garden City, N.Y. were authorized to carry recommended personal items in addition to their required issued items. They said that once they were actually in the Middle East, some of the Marines realized they had over-packed.

"We lived mostly out of our alice packs," said Sgt. Edward Chatterton, a reservist with 2/25. The Marines from 2/25 spent March through August of last year deployed in the Middle East. Chatterton said they didn't open their additional seabags after they arrived in the desert. "We didn't even see (the extra gear) until we were ready to go back stateside."

"We could have just brought essentials," said Lance Cpl. Gayber Guzman, a reservist also from 2/25. "I brought books," the 23-year-old student and reservist said. "But, we didn't have any time to read them."

"I brought a tape recorder," said Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Fisher, who is stationed at 6th Communication Battalion in Brooklyn. "I don't even know what I was going to use it for anyway," said the Columbus, Ohio, native. "But I never used it."


Appreciated Load

Some of the extra gear the Marines carried came in handy. "We were there before they had (post exchanges) set up," said Serrano. He said extra soap and razors -along with any other extra hygiene items- came in handy.

"Baby wipes were vital," said Chatterton. "There's so much sand and dust, it just gets everywhere," said the 36-year-old Brooklyn native. "They were great for us, but also for cleaning our rifles."

Some of the heaviest gear was also the Marines' most important. "All the protection you can get, like your flak jacket and Kevlar..." said Guzman. "That's what you really need."


Adaptation and Improvisation

"I had someone send me a paintball mask," said Cpl. Joseph Hyonas, a reservist with 2/25. The 23-year-old from Staten Island spent most of his time firing a machine gun from the top of a vehicle. "I was really glad to have something to keep the sand out of my face."

Other Marines reinforced their issued combat gear. "Some of the Marines from law enforcement brought their own bullet-proof vests," said Chatterton.


Redeployment Suggestions

There are some pieces of gear New York Marines would make sure to bring with them in case they deploy again. "I would definitely bring a pair of goggles for the sandstorms," said Serrano. On the same train of thought, Fisher would take wrap-around sunglasses or tinted goggles. "Your eyes would dry up without them," he said. "And there's a really bad glare from the sun reflecting off of the sand."

Fisher also suggested a digital still camera. "You can store photos on it, and then bring it back with you in your pack." Fisher said it's much more reliable than bringing a camcorder, which he did last year. He said it takes less time to snap a photo than it does to try to videotape something. "I didn't really use (the camcorder) much."

Finally, Chatterton had an impractical, but wishful, suggestion. "What about an air conditioner?" More seriously, he stressed the importance of sharing the knowledge he and other Marines learned on deployment with Marines deploying for the first time this year.

"We know what to bring and not to bring," he said. "That should make things easier for Marines heading into Iraq this year."

-30-

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Related:

8 Marines "Going back into the brawl" ~ Major General Mattis

8 Going to fight in Iraq? Lessons from an infantry company commander ~   Capt. Daniel Morgan

[boxerblues]

Marine Bump

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Some of the New York Marines who deployed last year share what they learned during their time overseas, including what gear was unnecessary once they got to the desert, and what they depended on the most.
 
"The second time around I would bring less stuff," said Cpl. Hector Serrano, a 22-year-old reservist from Brooklyn.

 

"Baby wipes were vital," said Chatterton. "There's so much sand and dust, it just gets everywhere," said the 36-year-old Brooklyn native. "They were great for us, but also for cleaning our rifles."

Some of the heaviest gear was also the Marines' most important. "All the protection you can get, like your flak jacket and Kevlar..." said Guzman. "That's what you really need."

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~       

Staff Sgt. Michael Ventrone, 29, of Lake Zurich, Illinois, bids "Hello" to his family in Illinois and his 2-year-old daughter Jenna in Rochester, New York. Ventrone was in the center of the action from the first day when the Marines fought to set the cordon around Fallujah. As a platoon sergeant he not only fought insurgents but the bureaucracy to get the best of everything for his guys in the field, and almost always managed to bring back something special like apple pie and mail. 

Lance Cpl. Cory "Hamburger" Wallace, 22, of Dunlap, Illinois says hi to his family and jokingly thanks his parents for his "senior trip" to Iraq from the rooftop in Fallujah..

 

Fox Company commander Capt. Kyle Stoddard, 36, of Bronx, New York, was the spine and heart of Fox Company and is the proud father of two little boys. One of them gave him a green matchbox car before he deployed to Iraq and Stoddard carries it in his pocket everywhere he goes - even into battle. He said his son thinks he's "hunting tigers" in Iraq.

Marine Pfc. Ryan Topete, 20, from Sioux City, Iowa, thanks his family and friends back in Sioux City for their prayers.

* Postcards from the front: Camp Pendleton Marines write to loved ones

 (obligatory pic!) 

                     

[Coop]

Just two minutes ago a Boy Scout delivered a flier to my door. For his Eagle project he's been visiting with war wounded at Walter Reed Army Hospital, and he's establishing a collection point next Saturday for needed items (he provided a list). Needless to say, it warms my heart to see our youngsters who truly recognize the sacrifices made by our military! I pray this project is extremely successful!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[elfman2]

" "We lived mostly out of our alice packs," said Sgt. Edward Chatterton"

Marines are still using Alice Packs? These aren’t the same alice packs of the 80s are they?

[PoorMuttly]

On a PERSONAL COMFORT and health note...:

For sweat-chafing of the posterior kind.....a serious issue...forget Talcum Powder. What REALLY WORKS is CORNSTARCH.

CORNSTARCH ! Those little boxes from the supermarket.

Bring lots and lots of them...and you can endlessly trade for ANYTHING else you may desire...but keep enough for yourself !!!!!!!!!!!!

Please pass the word. Only this stuff WORKS !

[McGavin999]

Good old babywipes, they really seem to be the most appreciated of all the items you can send.

[boxerblues]

Speaking from experience?

[BulletBobCo]

I can confirm that. When I was in survival school, we bought corn starch at the commissary prior to going out in the field. Works great and a lot cheaper.

[Lurker]

Talcum powder is only good for one thing.

Corn starch has dozens of uses.

L

[PoorMuttly]

"Speaking from experience?"


Absolutely !!!

[SandRat]

Those in the travel pack are GREAT because they fit very very nicely in the kangaroo pants pocket of the BDU trousers.

[VOA]

I love the second photo with the "Thanks for the Senior trip!"

[300winmag]

When talking "light" and "living out of an alice pack", here's a couple of more items to consider. The first even has a NSN, but good luck in getting Uncle Sam to provide you with a QuiqLite. About $20, and available red, white, green, or nightvision blue LEDs. It clips over the top of a pocket, or to the straps on armor or helmet.

A good pocket knife is another great convenience item, and weighs next to nothing. Here's one that's handy to clip right next to your QuicLite:

You can't buy this exact knife anywhere, but we give them away to our troops at the Hobbit Hole here on FR. Just freepmail me with a name and address, and one will be sent out with our gratitude and prayers.

[windchime]

Bump!