As combat is inherently dangerous to everyone involved, I believe in leading from the front and placing myself in the same danger and hardship as even the most junior troops when the situation allows. This enables me to keep things in perspective and never forget what they’re experiencing and to learn more about my Marines and provide them with reassurance. Having your Marines see you endure the same conditions as they are will lift their spirits in even the hardest of times. I enjoyed time with any Marines, and I figured I could lead by a radio farther back or I could lead by a radio with my Marines.
As a senior Marine leader I was also cautious not to get too involved. I wasn’t there to run the squad, platoon, or section. I was there to be with my Marines. So I would become just another rifleman and let the team leader do his job. Afterward when we returned from a mission, I would then pull the young leader aside—separate from his Marines—and give him any input I had. It was also important to be consistent in going out even during the late night or on seemingly boring missions, not just the high-profile ones. In doing so the Marines welcomed my presence and the subordinate leaders never felt threatened or as if they were being overly supervised. Although I was involved in countless large-scale combat operations at the company and battalion level, it was the opportunity to go out on these smaller missions, led by a young staff sergeant or other NCO, that I enjoyed the most. I will never forget the young Marines I served with in Weapons Co. I was blessed with SNCOs such as Staff Sergeants Mortimer, Fox, Lopez, and Viklund and Gunnery Sergeants Wade and Christiansen who made my job as a first sergeant easy.
Leading from the front does have its risks, however. The day I was wounded I certainly didn’t start out thinking I should kick in a door and engage practically hand-to-hand with the enemy. However as I was with my Marines going street by street and house by house, upon learning that wounded Marines were trapped inside a building with terrorists, I knew every second counted. So several other Marines and I charged forward rather than waiting for someone else. To this day many consider it a miracle that I lived after the severe blood loss and trauma caused by seven gunshot wounds and several dozen shrapnel wounds. I simply see it as just the love for a fellow Marine and a little bit of toughness and stubbornness
Throughout this entire ordeal from the time of being wounded until I was medically evacuated close to an hour later, and despite the multiple wounds and loss of blood, I never lost consciousness or quit my post while guarding that doorway. While some may call this heroic, I just call it loyalty. It was because I loved the Marine next to me that I was determined to do anything it took to keep him alive, even at my own risk. He would have done the same for me. It’s called being a Marine—we’re all brothers and a family.
Many times since my injuries occurred people have labeled me a hero. I beg to differ—I believe the true heroes that day were Sergeant Robert Mitchell, Corporal Schaeffer and Corporal Marquez, Private Justin Boswood, and the men of Kilo 3/1 and Weapons Co., 1st CAAT section, who fought to get us all out of the building now called the “House of Hell.” I will be forever indebted to these fine professionals.
The word “valor” is often used to describe the actions of many of these Marines. And it is commonly understood to mean “extreme courage.” But valor is more than the extreme courage of a single individual. It does take courage to do a valorous act, but that courage is made possible by camaraderie and esprit de corps—of not wanting to leave their fellow man behind. I watched young men do amazing things in order to protect the man next to them. For example, Sergeant Mitchell voluntarily trapped himself inside the same room as myself and Lance Corporal Nicoll. Lance Corporal Marquez and Lance Corporal Schaeffer, the two young Marines who carried me out of the house, ran into the room without their weapons, leaving themselves defenseless so they could have their hands free to carry me out. That showed how much trust they had in the Marines who were covering them.
After seeing many news reports on what is currently happening overseas, I decided to have this book written and tell this story I remember once while out on patrol we had an embedded reporter from the New York Times along with us. I asked the reporter why his newspaper didn’t report the complete story and all the positive things going on over there. And he replied, “I see it, but my editor only wants to hear about deaths and disasters. Helping the Iraqi people doesn’t sell papers.”
The biased media have made an impression on the American citizens and the terrorists themselves. Every time the media give airtime to a protestor, it gives another victory to the terrorists rather than to the protestors. And people believe what they read in the paper because it is all the information they have to go on. One time while I was at dinner with a few friends a lady approached me and asked what happened to my leg. At that point I looked like something out of a horror movie and was in a wheelchair. At first she was very concerned. But as soon as I told her I was in the military and injured overseas, she began to go into a long antimilitary tirade about how we don’t need a military, and how there’s never a reason for a war, and all the service members are dying unnecessarily. Biting back my anger for all the fine men who gave the ultimate sacrifice that she just dishonored, I simply replied with “Ma’am, you’re very welcome; I’m sure what you meant to say was ‘thank you’ to myself and all the other service members who have made sacrifices to give you the freedom to openly make whatever statement you desire.”
I’ll be the first to say, as I’ve seen it numerous times firsthand, that war is an ugly thing. But sometimes you have to fight for what you believe in. We are facing a worldwide enemy who has only one agenda: the complete annihilation of the American way of life. And that enemy will stop at nothing short of that goal.
Freedom has never come free. Whatever your beliefs or political stance, our young service members of all branches are performing remarkably and making a difference. In Iraq combat was only a small part of our overall role. Military service members performed countless humanitarian projects ranging from large-scale items—such as building new schools, hospitals, and community services—to everyday things as small as handing out candy and pencils to children or helping a farmer with a flat tire.
These valiant young men are helping to bring freedom to a country that was previously without it. They are constantly facing the dangers of IEDs, suicide bombers, and ambushes while they capture or kill terrorists who have no regard for human life.
Many people are amazed that I wish to return overseas as soon as I’m healthy again. But serving my country is where my heart is. It is my wish that the American media would show the true and complete story of what is really going on overseas and tell the story of how our service members are performing selfless acts of heroism and helping to bring freedom and a better way of life to a country.
During OIF 1 General Mattis wrote, “A U.S. Marine—no better friend, no worse enemy.” I strongly believe in those words and would tell my young Marines to be the most fearsome warriors the enemy has ever faced, but when given the chance and without compromising security, to show compassion for the Iraqi people and their children. The future of Iraq was in those children. I would tell my Marines to kill an enemy and make a friend every day.
So as this book is written, I pray the words can be found to do proper honor to describe the many men with whom I’ve served. I think we all can learn from these young men who wear the uniform of a Marine. We label a basketball player who sinks a last-second shot or a football player who scores the game-winning touchdown a hero. But the true heroes are serving overseas. We watch politicians argue for political gain and our streets escalate in violence. Meanwhile service members have learned to put aside differences such as race, religion, ethnic backgrounds, and social status to serve together in defense of this great country.
To all Marines and sailors, past and present, and especially to the men of the Thundering Third, continue to kick ass, and you will forever be a part of this old warrior’s spirit and heart.
Brad Kasal
GLOSSARY
AAV—Amphibious assault vehicle
ACR—Armored Cavalry Regiment (U.S.A.)
AC-130H—U.S. Air Force “Spectre”
gunship used at night over Iraq to interdict insurgent forces
AEV—Armored engineer vehicle
AFV—Armored fighting vehicle
AH—Attack helicopter
AH-1J “Cobra” Attack Helicopter—The initial Marine AH-Is were Army G models modified only with Navy-compatible radios, Marine green paint, and a rotor brake for shipboard operations. Later Marine models such as the twin-engined AH-1J were specifically designed for Marine aviation requirements.
AK-47—7.62mm Russian-designed assault rifle used by insurgents
Amph—Amphibious
ANGLICO—Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company
AO—Area of operations
Armorer—Someone who works on weapons and in the armory
Arty—Artillery
ARV—Armored reconnaissance vehicle
ASAP—As soon as possible
“Aye, aye”—Acknowledgment of an order
Barracks—Building where single Marines live or a duty station where they serve
BAS—Battalion Aid Station
BDA—Bomb damage assessment; given to fixed-wing pilot by airborne AO at end of air-to ground-support mission
BDE—Abbreviation for a U.S. Army brigade
BLT—Battalion Landing Team; main body of infantrymen that make up an MEU
Blues—Dress blue formal uniform
BN—Battalion
Booby trap—Military slang for any of a huge variety of explosive devices, often homemade, hidden and designed to kill or wound unsuspecting Marine upon hitting a tripwire or other triggering device
Boondocks—Swamps, small towns, middle of nowhere; also called boonies
Boot—A brand-new Marine
Boot camp—Marine Corps basic training
Boot mistake—Rookie mistake
Brass—Senior officers
Butterbar—A second lieutenant; refers to the gold rank insignia
CAAT—Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon
CASEVACs—Casualty evacuations via helicopter for Marines in need of urgent medical care
Casualty—Any person who is lost to the organization by reasons of having been declared dead, missing, captured, interned, wounded, injured, or seriously ill
CG—Commanding General
CH-46 “Sea Knight”—A twin gas turbine-powered medium helicopter that replaced the CH-53A
CH-53D “Sea Stallion”—A twin gas turbine-powered heavy helicopter for the retrieval of downed aircraft, as well as the movement of heavy and large equipment such as trucks and artillery. The CH-53D was the improved version with more powerful engines.
Civilian—Anyone not in the military
CMC—Commandant of the Marine Corps
CO—Commanding Officer
COC—Command Operations Center
Colors—American flag; also the ceremonies of raising and lowering the flag
Combat stack—A closed-up formation used by assaulting infantrymen to enter buildings and other dangerous areas
Comm(s)—Communications
Corpsman—Navy medic who serves with Marines; also called “doc”
CP—Command Post in the field
CPO—Chief Petty Officer in U.S. Navy
CWO—Chief Warrant Officer; also called Warrant Officers in all branches of service
Deck—Floor
Dependent—Legal term used for a person receiving all or a portion of necessary financial support from a service member; alternative term is family member
Deployment—Date/time when a Marine’s unit departs home base for an extended period of time, which can be weeks or months depending on the mission
Detachment—Group of Marines from one unit assigned to another unit
DI—Drill instructor
DIV—Division
DOD—Department of Defense
Doggie—Slang for U.S. Army soldier
Dragon Eye—A $10,000 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying camera that feeds live pictures back to the COC in real time
FAC—Forward air controller
FAST—Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team
First Sergeant—Term used for the senior enlisted member of some units; also a rank (see Officer Ranks chart)
Float—Deployment at sea (as in “a six-month float”) usually on an MEU
FMF—Fleet Marine Force
FMFPAC—Fleet Marine Force Pacific
FOB—Forward Operating Base
FOC—Forward Operations Center
FTX—Field Training Exercise that provides an opportunity for a unit to practice away from the home station
GBU-43/B—Massive ordnance air blast bomb (MOAB); a 21,000-pound GPS-guided bomb nicknamed the “Mother of All Bombs”
GPS—Global positioning satellite
Gung ho—Ready, fired up, enthusiastic
Hatch—Door
Head—Bathroom
HESCO—Name of the manufacturer that was adopted as the generic name for a prefabricated, multicellular defense system made of galvanized steel mesh and lined with nonwoven polypropylene bags filled with sand
HML—Marine Light Helicopter Squadron; the H means helicopter, the M means Marine, the L means light
HMM—Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron; the first H means helicopter, the first M means Marine, the second M means medium. Three numbers following these letters usually identify the original parent Marine Aircraft Group and the sequence in which the squadron was first commissioned
HMMWV—High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle that replaced the Jeep; pronounced and often spelled “Humvee”
Hump—Field march
IED—Improvised explosive device
Ilazarov frame—An external medical stabilizing device made from eight series of circular rings and pins that go around and into the leg
ITBn—Infantry Training Battalion
Javelin—A man-portable, fire-and-forget antitank missile employed by dismounted Marine infantry to defeat current- and future-threat armored combat vehicles
KIA—Killed in action
Ladder well—Stairway
LAV—Light armored vehicle
Leave—Vacation time
LPD—Landing platform dock; a Navy amphibious ship capable of supporting and operating a small number of helicopters for an extended period of time
LPH—Landing platform helicopter; a Navy amphibious ship capable of supporting and operating a squadron of helicopters for an extended period of time, as well as transporting and off-loading a battalion of Marines
LST—Landing ship, tank
LZ—Landing zone; an unimproved site where helicopters land in the performance of their assigned missions
M1A1 Abrams—60-ton U.S. main battle tank
M2A1 and M3A1—Bradley fighting vehicle systems (BFVS); tracked armored personnel carriers that replaced the M-113
M2—Browning .50 caliber beltfed heavy machine gun
M9—Beretta 9mm pistol; designated sidearm of U.S. military that replaced the M1911 .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol
M16A2—5.56mm basic Marine weapon
M40A1—7.62mm Remington sniper rifle used by USMC snipers in Iraq
M60—Belt-fed automatic weapon
M-113—Vietnam-era tracked armored personnel carrier
M203—40mm grenade launcher that mounts on an M-16 assault rifle
M240G—Medium machine gun; a belt-fed automatic weapon that replaced the M60
MAG—Marine Air Group
MARDIV—Marine Division
Mark-19—U.S.-made 40mm automatic grenade launcher
MAW—Marine Air Wing
MCRD—Marine Corps Recruit Depot
MEB—Marine Expeditionary Brigade
MEF—Marine Expeditionary Force
MEU—Marine Expeditionary Unit; group of Marines organized for a float that is de
signated a Special Operations Capable Marine Expeditionary Unit
MIA—Missing in action
MOPP—Mission-oriented protective posture suits designed to protect against gas, biological, and chemical agents
MOS—Military Occupational Specialty; a combination of numbers and letters that identifies a Marine Corps member’s specific military skill. Infantry MOS designators include:
0311 Rifleman
0331 Machinegunner
0341 Mortarman
0351 Assaultman
0352 Antitank Guided Missileman
MOUT—Military Operations on Urban Terrain warfare training
MP—Military Police
NCO—Noncommissioned Officer
NCOIC—Noncommissioned Officer in Charge
NH—Naval Hospital
NHCP—Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton
NRMC—Naval Regional Medical Center
OEF—Operation Enduring Freedom combat operation in Afghanistan
OIC—Officer in Charge
OIF—Operation Iraqi Freedom combat operations in Iraq
OJT—On-the-job training
OOD—Officer of the day
Op Tempo—Operational Tempo; how frequently a unit deploys or goes to the field
Ops—Short for operations
PCS—Permanent change of station; moving to another base
PFT—Physical fitness test
PKC—7.62mm belt-fed, Russian-designed light machine gun favored by insurgents
PL—Phase Line; an imaginary line on a map used to designate a geographical place
Psyops—Psychological operations
PT—Physical training
PX—Post exchange (same as MCX)
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