OffArtist

Was a 0331 Machine Gunner, in a 0311 Company @ Pendleton (1st Mar 1st Div Aco). Loved it since the first cycle our platoon cmdr was nuts. Considered the blacksheep of the company, as we did indirect fire with the 240G. I know its more common with the Mk19 & M2, but that was platoon cmdr. He made us do humps all the time and for PT we would do BaJesus Runs.. ak running for 14 miles and the stop is somewhere high on a hill and your ready to pass out.

2ND Cycle we were in Austrailia when the Towers got hit. It was unreal, and then we left for Afghanistan, we were there for 30 some days. Our officers wanted to get the expeditionary medal. Shot some camels and had a little wake up call one night, some Taliban spotter got made. Heard the SpecOps dudes having a fire fight 10 miles away. I swear I was imagining things on firewatch, but it happened once I asked around. Crazy how quiet it can be out there.

Almost got extended to go to do the initial fight in Kandahar, but our float was coming near to an end. After which we found out that we would invade Iraq. But I only had 6 months left on the books and my 240G blew up because the extractor ripped a round in half, and then chambered another round into the barrel. It was way past its Failure point on round count. But yea, got out since everyone in my platoon was leaving as well.

In the end I wish I stayed longer, but it was the best time of my life. Would do it all over again.

0381 81MM Mortarman in a heavy weapons company - cold weather mountainous unit out of Moundsville WV (3rd Bt 25th MarDiv). I actually signed up for the reserves but this was back during the beginning of desert storm in late 89 so I got activated right out of MCT. Got about an asshair (literally, we were at the armory loading out) away from deployment but the damn war ended in 89 hours and I ended up pulling guard duty in LeJeune for 8 months. That whole bit sucked but I loved the total experience except for the near constant 23 mile humps and frigid temps. How's about you?

So what did you do when you were in?