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Posted on 10/12/2007 5:16:20 PM PDT by SandRat
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Oct. 12, 2007) -- Minutes away from the armed gates that lead into the villages and cities of Iraq’s Al Anbar Province, Marines work long hours, supplying units with everyday essentials and gear needed for combat. Without their hard work and tireless dedication, war efforts would slow, transition would start to backslide and progress would halt. Without them, units would struggle to get by, and though this job does not come with many purple hearts or combat action ribbons, those who work here know they are the bloodline to the mission in Iraq.
The Marines of Multi National Force – West’s Supply Company work are committed to supporting the warfighter and specialize in processing requests, organizing, tracking and accounting for gear ordered by subordinate units in theater. Many Marines are new, arriving within the last two months, and are expected to keep up with the fast-paced needs of war.
“Supply on the MEF level is completely different from the battalion or company level,” said Pfc. Kerry Helton, a supply clerk. “You have a lot more responsibility when you’re in country opposed to the rear. If you’re not good and efficient at your job then you could be putting someone’s life in danger.”
Multi National Force – West is the headquarters for service members in the Anbar Province and is comprised of more than 32,000 Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen.
There is usually a supply Marine working outside, hauling boxes on a forklift or just under the awning helping find gear for these service members. One of those Marines, Pfc. Guillermo ParedesEspinoza, 21, native of Honduras and resident of Denver, is a warehouse clerk and arrived in Iraq less than two months ago. He has numerous responsibilities, but enjoys the challenges his job entails.
“Basically, I take care of all the gear,” ParedesEspinoza said. “We have several convoys that come weekly. When the gear gets here, I go through all of it and put it where it needs to go. I enjoy being outside and not behind the desk all day. It helps the time go by faster.”
Occasionally, Supply Company can not fulfill a unit’s request. There simply is not enough room to store every possible piece of gear on base, but these Marines are always able to find exactly what the units need. If they need it, supply will track it down and get it.
Helton’s job is to request the gear that is not aboard Camp Fallujah, and then track it as it travels here. He said most of the requests are fulfilled by Supply Management Unit, located at Camp Taqquadum.
“Nine times out of 10, (SMU) will have what we need,” Helton said. “If they can’t meet our demands, they will move our requisition to other sources of supply in the states. It takes a little longer to get the gear that way, but the requisitions are being met.”
The amount of service members who come each day to get gear is not something these Marines are used to. At Camp Lejuene, N.C., they often go days without seeing more than 10 people. Here, they frequently have at least 10 people waiting in line when they arrive to work.
“There are a lot more people coming here to receive stuff than Lejeune,” said Lance Cpl. Kenneth Akers, the lot noncommissioned officer. “Back in Lejeune, we had three main sections that would come. Out here, we control everybody’s gear.”
Supply provides everything from pens and light bulbs, to televisions and gas masks. Whatever a Marine needs, he can find it, or get it, from Supply Company.
ParedesEspinoza said most people come for new uniforms, boots and fire-retardant flight suits. He would know, he works at the front desk and is often the first person a Marine sees when he gets to the supply parking lot.
Marines here are used to working long hours, under constant pressure, all while adapting to the deployed lifestyle. To most, their time here is a rewarding experience and something none of them regret.
“I was kind of worried. I thought it was going to be tough, but actually it’s pretty cool,” said ParedesEspinoza. “Supply is a big part of this war. It’s every day. A lot of Marines come in here to get the gear they need to do their job effectively.”
Sergeant Cesar Vera, a 24-year-old war veteran, said these young Marines are doing a superb job, despite their lack of experience. Normally, junior Marines have the benefit of learning from more knowledgeable NCOs, but this shop does not have such a luxury. Instead, they push forward, doing their best and getting the job done.
“Most of the stuff that goes on here relies on them to do their job proficiently,” said Vera, the assistant warehouse chief. “There aren’t many corporals here, just Pfcs and lance corporals, and they’ve responded really well. They are on the ball.”
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