Darn dyslexic fingers!!!
Posted on 12/03/2005 2:07:43 PM PST by SandRat
CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (Dec. 3, 2005) -- Holding an AN/PRC-119 field radio to his ear, a Marine communicates with the lead vehicle about the status of the convoy.
Whether it’s providing communication for convoys or units inside the wire, field radio operators directly contribute to the success of the Marine Corps mission while in Iraq. Lance Cpl. John A. McLaughlin, with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), routinely ensures Marines within his unit have continuous radio accessibility.
“Being a radio operator I also make sure convoys have [communication],” McLaughlin said. “Without Communication the mission would be virtually impossible.”
Although Iraq is a combat zone, McLaughlin said it is nothing that his family should worry about.
“I keep telling them not to worry and that I will see them in a few months when I finally step foot in the states again,” the Golden, Colo. Native said. “Besides, it’s an honor to be serving my country when they need me.”
Although his family is concerned for his wellbeing, his grandfather Rex Welch, understands what he going through because he served for more than 20 years in the Air Force, according to McLaughlin.
Because his grandfather previously served the red, white and blue, it helped McLaughlin decide that military would be a valid life decision.
“I look at my grandfather and the way he turned out,” McLaughlin said. “He is a great man; and becoming a person like him would fit me just fine.”
Raising his right hand in October of 2002, McLaughlin entered the Corps Delayed Entry Program; and in July of 2003, he stood on the infamous yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.
Shortly thereafter, he attended the Field Radio Operator Course at 29 Palms, Calif., where he learned everything from operation to maintenance of the field radio that units throughout the Marine Corps use daily.
His first duty station was Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan. This was an opportune place to hone not only his occupation, but also his basic understanding of how Marines conduct themselves outside of a training environment.
“Okinawa was a great experience,” McLaughlin said. “The first thing I asked myself was, ‘Why are they driving on the wrong side of the road?’”
While in Okinawa, he routinely volunteered his time to teaching Okinawan students English with Camp Schwab Camp Services.
“I learned that Okinawans have a completely different way of teaching than the way Americans do,” McLaughlin said. “I believe the children began to understand us, just as we started to understand them.”
After serving a year overseas, he changed duty stations to Camp Lejeune, N.C. Although living close to the ocean was nice, it was nothing compared to living at the base of the snow peaked Rocky Mountains, McLaughlin said smiling.
Months after arriving at Lejeune, McLaughlin, as well as thousands of other Marines from 2nd MLG (FWD), deployed to Camp Taqaddum, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Sometimes it sucks being here,” McLaughlin said with a smile. “But sometimes, when you know realize what you’re doing in the big picture; it’s doesn’t suck at all.”
Darn dyslexic fingers!!!
BTTT
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