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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Darrell D. Coleman clears his M 249 Squad Automatic Weapon after firing at numerous targets at a squad defense range at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos.

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER, TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. Dec. 13, 2004 — Sighting on the mounds of dirt in front of him, the Dinwiddie, Va., native eagerly awaits for targets to appear so he can fire his machine gun, eliminating targets as quickly as possible.

Motivation and high morale keeps U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Durrell D. Coleman, a field wireman attached to the Personal Security Detail of Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, ready for anything as he trains for an upcoming deployment to Iraq.

“Having high morale helps keep us focused on our jobs,” the 2003 Dinwiddie High School graduate explained.

With a cool, early morning breeze blowing around them, Coleman and his fellow Marines mounted the 7-ton vehicles ready to begin their training.

He began singing along with a few other Marines as others looked on in amazement at the sight they saw. Singing all different kinds of songs is a normal routine for them, whether doing regular duties or in the field training.

Smiling, Coleman said, “Singing and making music have always been some of my favorite things to do.”

The Marines let their vocal cords rest as they arrived at the squad defense range. They were briefed on what training they would be participating in and how they will use it in Iraq.

The Marines with combat experience and those who have deployed before explained how important the training is by citing personal experiences.

Coleman and the other Marines were issued rounds to begin the first course of firing. After receiving their training and a safety briefs, the two relays went through the course twice while facing three different scenarios each time. Coleman fired an M16 A4 Service Rifle in the first two relays. After all relays were finished, he was one of 20 Marines who fired the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon.

“I am more comfortable firing the [Squad Automatic Weapon] than anything else,” Coleman said. “It just feels more natural to me when I’m firing machine guns.”

Coleman was sent to Haiti with his battalion just shortly after he arrived at Camp Lejeune. He was fresh out of his job training and not too familiar with his job responsibilities while in a deployed environment. He was able to learn from the situations he faced and from the guidance he received from his superiors.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Darrell D. Coleman fires an M 249 Squad Automatic Weapon at stationary and moving targets while training at a squad defense range at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. The Dinwiddie, Va., native prepares with his fellow Marines for their upcoming deployment to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos

Coleman met the battalion chaplain in Haiti while on post. Establishing a good working relationship with Navy Lt. j.g. Robert E. Bradshaw, he was able to go to him with any problems or discouragements. Talking with the chaplain provided Coleman with a way to keep his morale high during their deployment.

“Just having the chaplain there to talk to, helped me with morale and keeping my motivation high,” Coleman explained.

“If you don’t know the Marines and sailors on their regular days, you can’t know then on their down days,” Bradshaw explained.

The experiences from Haiti have helped prepare Coleman for what he will face when deployed to Iraq.

“While in Haiti, I was given the chance to experience my job in the field and know what I would be facing in future deployments,” Coleman explained. “I went on convoys, patrols and provided security while I was there.”

The squad defense training, along with all previous training done during the evolution has also given him more confidence to complete his mission as a rifleman and field wireman.

All the experience Coleman gained in Haiti, along with his extensive predeployment training has prepared him for his departure from the comforts and security of home to Iraq with his battalion.


© 2004 Defend America. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.

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