Posted on 03/09/2006 2:59:54 PM PST by SandRat
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 9, 2006) -- In 2004, President George W. Bush declared March to be further known as National Women’s History Month. Throughout the years, countless women have proven their importance to our great nation and women in the military are no exception.
Corporal Jessica L. Curtis of San Francisco is one Marine who will go down in history as well, at least where fellow Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Marines are concerned.
The field radio operator deployed to Iraq in February 2005 in support of Operation Iraq Freedom.
During her time in Iraq, Curtis participated in more than 230 convoy operations, but she would not have wanted it any other way.
“I loved being deployed,” said Curtis. “I really enjoyed going outside the wire and actually doing something. I learned something every time I went out on a convoy.”
Being stationed at Camp Blue Diamond in Al Ramadi, Iraq, meant almost daily supply convoys to surrounding camps including Camps Taqaddum, Al Asad, Fallujah and Hurricane Point to name a few.
“Every time we would go to Al Asad something bad would happen,” Curtis stated. “We would almost always endure small arms fire or sustain [improvised explosive device] attacks.”
Luckily, no one was ever seriously injured during the convoys she participated in, but that does not mean the enemy did not try.
“We returned fire several times during an attempted enemy attack on our convoy,” she said. “It’s pretty scary too, because once an attack is over, you can’t stop thinking there’s going to be another one any second.” Curtis’ actions definitely made her stand out, according to one of her fellow Marines who rode the same convoys she did.
"Whenever we were halted, Curtis would always be the one getting on the radio and sending information back to higher keeping them informed of our position and activity," said Cpl. Philip W. Young of Henderson, N.C., a motor transport operator with the company. "She did everything she had to do to make the convoy a success as far as her participation was concerned. We never lost communication on any of the convoys she was on. She did great out there."
No doubt her motivated actions caught the attention of her platoon sergeant, Sgt. Renee Marie Pesqueira of Tucson, Ariz., as well.
“What impresses me the most, besides her dedicated work ethic, is that she didn’t have to join the Marine Corps,” said Pesqueira. “She chose this job and she values the works she puts forward. Corporal Curtis is calm under fire…literally.”
With all the blood and sweat and sleepless nights Curtis dedicated to take part in all the convoys she has, one would think she should be exhausted, but she disagrees.
“I miss Iraq,” said Curtis. “I miss going on convoys and experiencing the camaraderie a convoy operation displayed. I just miss everything about it. Being so busy and getting so many things accomplished in one day. Iraq was a great experience for me.”
Curtis was presented a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her hard work and dedication while serving in Iraq. She was also awarded a Certificate of Commendation for her work with various Army units.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 7, 2006) -- Corporal Jessica L. Curtis of San Francisco, a field radio operator, showcases her Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for actions in Iraq at the Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Divison, motor pool March 7. Curtis participated in more then 230 convoys in Iraq - all of which never lost communications due to her knowhow, according to her fellow Marines. Photo by: Cpl. Matthew K. Hacker
Motor T Marine makes 230 T-runs.
They don.t let them drive do they?
Wow, running the gauntlet 230 times.
She should be proud...what she did "at work" mattered to Iraqis, her fellow marines, and all of us.
Her commendations are well deserved.
First, I like that " No BS" look she has.Says, "Y'all don't want to start nothing with ME!"
Second. an example of what the attraction the Marines Corps has:
You EARN PRIDE!
Double thumps up to a job well done.
Doogle
It is impossible to imagine what the Marine Corp would be without females.
It is impossible to imagine what the Marine Corp would be without females.
No one has to join the Marine Corps.
Now, how many men are doing what she did and not getting any recognition?
Gee, how did they win all those battles over 2 hundred years without females!
Women of Bravo Company Take a Back Seat to No One
Giggitygiggity Gooo!
I have the same Medal she was awarded, and I got mine for doing the impossible in a time frame that no one believed could be done (removed and replaced two H-1 Main transmissions in the desert of 29 Palms without the normal tools and equipement in less then two days, when we were told it would take two weeks to get what we needed to do the job delivered to us).
I Think that anyone The Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Secretary of the Navy has decided earned A Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal deserves it, of course I might be a tad biased since I have one, but The facts are the facts what she has done is being recognized from the top down,and if she didn't deserve, she wouldn't have been awarded it.
It's just all propaganda to show a few female US Senators that the USMC has it's mind right.
I love reading their stories.
"Gee, how did they win all those battles over 2 hundred years without females!"
Whenever female GIs are mentioned by politicians, politicized officers etc., the most common description is that they do as good or better than the warriors. As good as or better can only mean slightly better, so I have to assume the Marine Corps would be slightly better if it became an all female Marine Corps, zero men. Not one male in the entire Corps, at the very least the Marine Corp would be equal to what it is now or in the past, experts tell me this, even people on this forum believe this.
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