Posted on 09/16/2005 5:30:58 PM PDT by SandRat
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, Sept. 16, 2005 — After more than two-and-a-half consecutive years of being mobilized on active duty, a reservist with II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), is serving his second combat deployment and his first in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, here.
Lance Cpl. Mark Beaton, 20, administration clerk with command element G-1, is responsible for personnel accountability as well as preparing the morning briefing for the commanding general.
Military service has been a tradition in Beaton’s family for many years. As a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps during high school in his hometown of Spring Hope, N.C., he prepared to carry on the legacy.
Four days after graduating Southern Nash Senior High School in May 2002, he left for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., to attend boot camp and become one of the “few.”
“I decided to join for a lot of things,” said Beaton. “In every generation of my family there has been at least one family member of mine that joined the Army. Also, my friends were joining up in the National Guard and the Air Force, so I went to see the recruiters and the Marines were the best of the best.”
Upon completion of Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, N.C., as well as the Marine Corps Personnel Administration School at Camp Johnson, N.C., Beaton returned home and checked into his reserve unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Augmentation Command Element where he remained for a short time before being mobilized in January 2003.
“When I was first mobilized I wanted to deploy,” he said. “The opportunity came up for me to go to Iraq, but it was turned down. Eventually, another opportunity came up and I was assigned to a joint operations center as a journal clerk in Djibouti (Horn of Africa).”
Being part of a joint service setting was new to Beaton, however he enjoyed the camaraderie and being one of the few Marines in the theater.
“There were soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines around me at all times,” he said. “It was my first time being around all the other services at one time, but it was a nice environment. It was interesting to see how all the other services worked together.”
Returning to Camp Lejeune in December 2003, the global war on terrorism veteran remained on active duty working in the II MEF G-1 Reserve Liaison Office until his latest deployment to Iraq.
He works behind the scenes from late evening to early morning making sure things are running smoothly and personnel are accounted for at all times.
A testament to his selfless service is evident through the fact he volunteered to extend his current active duty contract in order to come out here in March.
Although he will be here until early next year, Beaton looks forward to his upcoming leave period.
“I’m just going to go home and spend time with my friends and family,” said Beaton who turned 21 on Sept. 4. “I’m also thinking about trading in my old motorcycle and buying a new one. Other than that I’m just going to hang out and enjoy it.”
MARINE on 2nd tour in Iraq extends
Our troops rock!! What a guy!!!
Semper Fi!
It's a damn shame he couldn't get in the United States Army like others in his family, but being a Marine is OK!! ;-)
Give 'em hell jarhead, May the Lord keep you safe.
Ditto that, please!
:) I have the distinct mission with working with the military. 8)
Then you have my total admiration. It's what I would love to do someday.
BTT
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