Dear Interested Reader,
H&S Marines prove their versatility, mettle at FOB Geronimo. A Taliban cmdr. makes a brave choice in Nawa. Border Police complete 1st NCO course in Nangarhar prov. Forces capture Taliban cmdr, seize drugs in Kandahar prov.
Iraq: Soldier receives surprise visit at Camp Taji. Belandeb patrolled in Logar prov. Environmental PRT in Abu Ghraib. Suspected AQI leader/assocs. arrested in Baghdad.
Joanna
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AFGHANISTAN STORIES:
DVIDS
3/3 H&S Marines Prove Their Versatility, Mettle
Instead, Ramirez ended up in the same scene, but with new characters. He still patrols. He still stands post, and sets up vehicle checkpoints. He still denies the enemy movement, only now it's with the 3rd Bn, 3rd Marine Regt, HQ Co Guard Force, a group of mostly non-infantrymen who perform infantry duties in the H&S battle space. Of the 12 men in Ramirez's squad, only 3, counting him, are infantrymen by trade. The rest hold billets like truck driver, administrative clerk, radio operator … all grunt support. But for Ramirez their military specialty doesn't matter as much as another title — Marine. "A lot of grunts would put these guys down," Ramirez said. "They'd say, 'they've never patrolled, they've never done this or that, blah, blah, blah …' Yeah, they've never patrolled, but we're still all Marines. You can train a Marine to be an infantryman. If they haven't had the same training as you, of course they won't be on the same level, but I guarantee by the end of the deployment they will be. It's just how much time and how much effort do you want to put into these Marines, and I'm teaching them everything I know." At first Ramirez worried the Marines under his charge wouldn't be enthusiastic about their new positions. They already had jobs they'd been trained to do. Who would want to be dropped into an unfamiliar role? However, the men surprised him with their motivation and eagerness to head outside of the wire, a term used to describe the uncertainty outside of an FOB. His squad completed their first patrol without being accompanied by a plt sgt or cmdr, May 30, near FOB Geronimo, and Ramirez was pleased by how quickly they had absorbed his training. For some in Ramirez's squad, like with many Marines, there's always been grunt envy. Pfc. Aramis Sandoval went to his local recruiting office in Bronx, N.Y., just a little more than a year ago, hoping to enlist as an infantryman. When his recruiter told him he'd have to pick a new military occupational specialty, Sandoval settled on administrative clerk. He hopes to be a lawyer one day, and figured a chance to work as a clerk in a base legal office would help him build experience. With less than a year in the Marine Corps, Sandoval, the trained office worker, is a rifleman in Afghanistan — a white-collar warrior. "I give all the respect to the grunts," Sandoval said with a tired sigh. "This work is not easy at all. It's physically and mentally demanding. The pressure is the biggest challenge. I don't ever want to look back and think I got a Marine hurt, because I wasn't doing something right." The work is as fulfilling as it's demanding. Sandoval's face may usually be covered in sweat, dirt and awkward tan lines from constant, post, patrol and training, but it's got a smile on it as well. As for Ramirez, when he's out on patrol, he doesn't see the difference between leading a squad of infantrymen and a squad of clerks. "Just because you're not a grunt doesn't mean you're not a Marine," Ramirez said. "Everyone knows a Marine is a rifleman. If they wanted to do just one job, they would've probably joined another service or something. The Marine Corps is a combat-arms service. We're all expected to be combative."
Story by Sgt. Mark Fayloga
A local farmer explains why he has 12 bags of fertilizer in his van to Cpl. Eric Ramirez, squad leader, HQ Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marine Regt, at a vehicle checkpoint near FOB Geronimo, May 30. Enemy forces use fertilizer in the production of IEDs. After running tests on the fertilizer, and speaking with a local elder, Ramirez let the farmer move through the checkpoint. "On patrol sometimes you have to move through fields, but I'm always sure to ask the farmer first and make sure not to destroy their crops. They're very appreciative and are glad to see Marines actually caring about their lives," said Ramirez.
FOB GERONIMO, Helmand province — The phrase, "every Marine a rifleman" is so overused it's gone from motto to cliché, but if Cpl. Eric Ramirez has his way, a new battle cry will emerge — every Marine an infantryman. Ramirez is no stranger to the life of a grunt. His boots have seen more than 600 dismounted patrols in Iraq, but for his current deployment, his 3rd in just as many years, the 21-year-old infantryman wanted something different.
Instead, Ramirez ended up in the same scene, but with new characters. He still patrols. He still stands post, and sets up vehicle checkpoints. He still denies the enemy movement, only now it's with the 3rd Bn, 3rd Marine Regt, HQ Co Guard Force, a group of mostly non-infantrymen who perform infantry duties in the H&S battle space. Of the 12 men in Ramirez's squad, only 3, counting him, are infantrymen by trade. The rest hold billets like truck driver, administrative clerk, radio operator … all grunt support. But for Ramirez their military specialty doesn't matter as much as another title — Marine. "A lot of grunts would put these guys down," Ramirez said. "They'd say, 'they've never patrolled, they've never done this or that, blah, blah, blah …' Yeah, they've never patrolled, but we're still all Marines. You can train a Marine to be an infantryman. If they haven't had the same training as you, of course they won't be on the same level, but I guarantee by the end of the deployment they will be. It's just how much time and how much effort do you want to put into these Marines, and I'm teaching them everything I know." At first Ramirez worried the Marines under his charge wouldn't be enthusiastic about their new positions. They already had jobs they'd been trained to do. Who would want to be dropped into an unfamiliar role? However, the men surprised him with their motivation and eagerness to head outside of the wire, a term used to describe the uncertainty outside of an FOB. His squad completed their first patrol without being accompanied by a plt sgt or cmdr, May 30, near FOB Geronimo, and Ramirez was pleased by how quickly they had absorbed his training. For some in Ramirez's squad, like with many Marines, there's always been grunt envy. Pfc. Aramis Sandoval went to his local recruiting office in Bronx, N.Y., just a little more than a year ago, hoping to enlist as an infantryman. When his recruiter told him he'd have to pick a new military occupational specialty, Sandoval settled on administrative clerk. He hopes to be a lawyer one day, and figured a chance to work as a clerk in a base legal office would help him build experience. With less than a year in the Marine Corps, Sandoval, the trained office worker, is a rifleman in Afghanistan — a white-collar warrior. "I give all the respect to the grunts," Sandoval said with a tired sigh. "This work is not easy at all. It's physically and mentally demanding. The pressure is the biggest challenge. I don't ever want to look back and think I got a Marine hurt, because I wasn't doing something right." The work is as fulfilling as it's demanding. Sandoval's face may usually be covered in sweat, dirt and awkward tan lines from constant, post, patrol and training, but it's got a smile on it as well. As for Ramirez, when he's out on patrol, he doesn't see the difference between leading a squad of infantrymen and a squad of clerks. "Just because you're not a grunt doesn't mean you're not a Marine," Ramirez said. "Everyone knows a Marine is a rifleman. If they wanted to do just one job, they would've probably joined another service or something. The Marine Corps is a combat-arms service. We're all expected to be combative."
Using an interpreter, Cpl. Eric Ramirez speaks with a local elder about the 12 bags of fertilizer found in a farmer's van. After Ramirez ran tests on the fertilizer, and the elder vouched for the farmer, the van moved through the checkpoint. "Out on patrol you spend a lot of time talking to people, asking them about their lives," said Ramirez. "A lot of the people we talk to, we ask them, 'Do you mind? How does it make you feel when we search you?' A lot of them say that it makes them feel safer. They're willing to work with us because they know we're here to help them out."
Lance Cpl. Karl Schmidt and Pfc. Aramis Sandoval, a squad automatic weapon gunner and an administrative clerk, patrol through farmland on their way to set up a vehicle checkpoint.
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DVIDS
A Taliban Commander Makes a Brave Choice in Nawa
Story by Sgt. Brian Tuthill
Using an interpreter, Lt. Col. Matt Baker, comm. officer, 1st Bn, 3rd Marine Regt, talks with a former Taliban cmdr, after a reintegration shura at FOB Geronimo, June 1. An ANA general released the former cmdr after deeming he was no longer a threat. At the shura, the former cmdr vowed to participate in the peace and prosperity of Nawa.
FOB GERONIMO — A former Taliban cmdr, in the Nawa area responsible for the production of IEDs and recruiting fighters, was released by an ANA general after months in detainment, when it was determined he was no longer a threat. Both govt and tribal leaders vouched for the Taliban cmdr's intent to reintegrate into the area as a peaceful citizen during the brief meeting. His reintegration is only the 4th. "In any counterinsurgency, eventually this has to be a part of the peace process," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Holt, comm. officer, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marine Regt. After the shura, the Taliban cmdr spoke with Lt. Col. Matt Baker and Holt, whose bn is set to take over 1/3's area of ops in the coming days. "He vowed to participate in the peace and prosperity that the people of Nawa enjoy," said Holt. "The greatest challenge is how do you reintegrate the Taliban into the peace process? We're brave enough to do it in Nawa. The question is, how do you spread that? We know this guy believes that we're here to help people prosper and make them more self-sufficient."For many, the question remains: how can you trust that a Taliban cmdr and other enemy leaders won't return to old ways after reintegrating? Holt has an answer. "Don't give him a choice," he said. "Give him a job. He needs work just like any other guy. Give him whatever he needs: security, success, anything possible to make a better life."The 3/3 cmdr understands there is risk in integration, but said you have to make peace. He said he isn't ready to call the reintegration of one member of the Taliban a tipping point in the war, but he's hopeful. "Without hope we've no future," Holt said. "It's our hope they choose peace. "I think they're tired of war."
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RC-East, Bagram Media Center
Border police complete first NCO course
At Zone 1, East ABP HQ, local ABP march to their graduation ceremony, June 7. The ABP ran and organized its first NCO course, which displayed progress in structure and stability of ANSF, without the help of ISAF.
All of the young Afghan men volunteered and tested to become border police officers. Their education levels varied from high school freshman-level education to college graduates. One volunteer had an advantage when it came to the ABP’s teachings. “The classes were not hard for me because I am from a militia family,” said Sgt. Shari Fullah, age 26, who achieved the highest honors in the class. “My father, my uncle, all of them, they're military.”
Instructors handpicked by the ABP trained the NCOs in subjects such as police tactics, IEDs, criminal tactics, police ops and logistics. “I'm happy to work as a teacher for the military for 31 years,” said Maj. Malang Jan, an instructor at the NCO course. “I've a lot of experience, and enjoy my job.” About 15 months ago, the ABP didn’t have any matching uniforms. That was until the ETT stepped in and provided the ABP with uniforms similar to the Army and the AF. The new uniforms displayed professionalism, encouraging more people to join. One of the hardships the border police face is constant attacks against their outposts. As a result, the ABP often see more combat than any other ANSF entity. Reichart concluded his commencement speech with advice for the NCOs. “You're going to units that are involved with ambushes, fighting, and smuggling in a very busy time of the year,” said Reichart. “You need to listen to the trainers, those people already trained in those areas, as well as the soldiers who've already been in the area. They've some great experience,” he said. “You need to work together to form a good team. You've learned a lot of things in the past several months. You're now leaders in your unit. Don’t take this great responsibility lightly,” said Reichart. “Soldiers and future leaders will look to you to guide them and lead them the right way.” The ABP are responsible for securing a 5,529-km border and int'l airports, and administering Afghanistan’s customs regulations and the immigration process. The new graduates expressed eagerness to start their jobs. “If you ask the NCOs where they want to go, they say they want to go to the border; they want to fight the enemy; they're ready to serve Afghanistan,” said Jan.
About 51 ABP attend the first NCO course graduation ceremony.
An ABP displays his graduation gifts and shouts, “I serve Afghanistan.”
An Afghan Border Policeman accepts his graduation certificate from Col. Khayle.
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DVIDS
Forces Capture Taliban Commander, Seize Drugs
Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs
KABUL - Afghan and in'l forces captured a Taliban cmdr, and other insurgent suspects in Kandahar prov., June 8, military officials said. The cmdr is believed responsible for bringing together IED experts to construct the devices, and of being a member of a Taliban assassination cell in Kandahar City. The man and the other suspects were captured in a rural compound in Arghandab District. Also, an ISAF patrol June 8 discovered about 1,980-lbs of of marijuana in the Reg-e Khan Neshin district of Helmand prov. The patrol found 37 bags of the drug in a truck and detained the driver.
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IRAQI STORIES:
DVIDS
Soldier Receives a Surprise Visit From His Father 
By Capt. Charon Camarasa
Delighted to see his son, Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Soriano, the 412th Aviation Support Bn's senior NCO, flew from COB Adder to Camp Taji, to meet Spc. Diego Soriano, May 21.
CAMP TAJI – Father and son had not seen each other since the summer of 2009. Deployments have kept them apart. "The opportunity to visit my son has been the best part of this deployment so far," said Command Sgt. Maj. Soriano. "It's been a very special couple of days; I appreciate the company leadership giving my son time off to spend with me," he added. "I remember having a conversation with my father after 9/11 about how the world would change, and here we are 9 years later in Iraq together," said Spc. Soriano, as he explains the long conversations he had with his father in the days following Sept. 11, 2001. Spc. Soriano is a 21-year-old infantryman assigned to Charlie Co, 1st Bn, 3rd Inf Regt (The Old Guard), a unit subordinate to the 211th MP BN. Soriano enlisted in the Army to follow the footsteps of his father and brother, Mar, who is currently serving in Afghanistan with the AF. Spc. Soriano took the oath of enlistment in January of 2007 in front of more than 600 members from his father's class at the Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas. "I was pretty nervous, but I'll definitely never forget it," he said. "I'm proud that he wanted to serve his country in a time of war, and glad to know he's doing what he wants to do," said Command Sgt. Maj. Soriano, as he expresses how proud he is of his son. "I don't worry too much; I pray like any other father," he added. -30-
DVIDS
Belandeb Patrolled in Logar Province(Photos by Spc. Deyonte Mosley) 
FOB SHANK - Army Sgt. John Russell conducts a search for medicine for a man in the village of Belandeb, June 8, Logar province. Russell is assigned to the 173rd Abn BCT.
Sgt. Russell shakes the hand of a man in the village.
Staff Sgt. Michael Baldwin takes part in a key leader engagement in the village. Baldwin is assigned to the 401st MP Co, 720th MP Bn, 89th MP Bde.
U.S. Army Soldiers travel mounted in MRAP vehicle's through the village. Belandeb is frequently patrolled to conduct key leader engagements.
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DVIDS
Environmental Provincial Reconstruction Team in Abu Ghraib (Photos by Spc. Venessa Hernandez)
Location: Abu Ghraib, IQ
ABU GHRAIB - Army Lt. Col. Darron Wright, Dep. Comm. Officer of 4th Stryker BCT, arrives at the Qadaa Council building in Abu Ghraib, June 3. The intent of the meeting is for Baghdad Provincial Council members to become familiarized with the agricultural efforts in Abu Ghraib, and to construct goals to improve future agricultural efforts.
Franklin Morris of the Environmental PRT arrives at the Qadaa Council building.
Baghdad Provincial Council Chairman, Mr. Zaidy, and members of the Environmental PRT, escorted by Soldiers from 4th Stryker BCT, 2nd ID, arrive at the Abu Ghraib Agricultural College for a meeting.
Ms. Christine Sheckler, Chief of U.S. Agency for Int'l Development, Environmental PRT-West, escorted by Soldiers from 4th Stryker BCT, arrives at the College for a meeting with the Dean.
Sgt. Andrew Canvasser from 4th Stryker BCT, provides security for Baghdad Provincial Council members during Op Walk the Green II.
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USF-I
June 8, 2010
Suspected AQI leader, four associates arrested
BAGHDAD - ISF arrested a suspected AQI leader and 4 criminal assocs during joint security ops, June 8, in Baghdad. In west and north Baghdad, ISF and U.S. advisors searched multiple buildings for the suspected AQI leader who is allegedly involved in attacks on ISF and CF.
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flickr
Pecking Order
(Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Manhea Kim)
An Iraqi child and his father wait to receive free chickens near Mosul, May 9, 2010, as part of the U.S. PRT’s effort to stimulate the local economy, through promotion of agriculture and free trade.
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