Marines could deploy at any moment, but are they ready?

27 Aug 2004 | Lance Cpl. Brian Kester Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Every Marine is aware of the common goal of achieving mission readiness, but are they really ready? As Marines return from deployment to Iraq and elsewhere, it begs the question, "how ready are you to face the challenges of a unanticipated deployment or assignment from Parris Island?" For Staff Sgt. Gerald Fenton, line staff noncommissioned officer in charge for Starlight Range, who deployed to Iraq earlier this year with only four days' notice, hindsight has convinced him that nothing is more important than good pre-deployment preparation, especially given the fact that Parris Island will continue to field requirements for individual augmentees to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. In the past, Depot Marines have been afforded less than 30 days of notice to prepare when called upon to fill such billets."It is really important to be ready," said Fenton. "You have to have your family prepared and you have to prepare yourself mentally. Make sure that you are ready to go, because if you are not, then there is another Marine who is and he will be rolling out instead of you."Fenton was ready for that challenge. He faced it head-on and overcame the short duration of time between getting orders and leaving for foreign shores."From the time I knew I was leaving until the time I left was about five days," he said. "That included making sure that all of my medical was good to go - as far as all of the shots and dental - to make sure that I was deployable and then making sure that all of my gear was ready. All of these things are a part of getting ready."Even though Parris Island is a non-deployable duty station, Marines have been chosen to augment to the forces in Iraq. That fact caught Capt. Timothy Hough, Service Co. commanding officer, H&SBn., off guard when he found out that Marines could deploy from here about a year-and-a-half ago."The Individual Augment Program opened a lot of Marines' eyes about who typically deploys and doesn't," said Hough.With Marines from various parts of the Depot being called up for overseas assignments, everyone should be in a state of readiness for that possibility. Marines cannot take for granted the fact that any of them could end up being tabbed as an individual augmentee to Iraq at any point, said Capt. Bradley Anderson, Headquarters Co. commanding officer, H&SBn. "Since we began sending Marines to Operation Iraqi Freedom, I have seen many come without the basic administration readiness that can be done prior to any tasker being received at G-1," said Hough. "That includes updating their [Record of Emergency Data], wills, powers of attorney, and family plans. The more [they do] now will provide more time later to spend with family, should a Marine have to deploy."According to Hough, a lot of Marines are waiting to see if they are going to be chosen as an individual augment. What they need to do is start preparing today for tomorrow."What we found was, many of the Marines chosen to go had not updated their personal readiness data, specifically wills or powers of attorney," said Hough. "These simple administration requirements can knock an entire day off of your preparations if done prior to the word that you are deploying. As far as getting your gear, shots and weapon, many of the sections have bent over backwards to ensure Marines have all they need to deploy." While the sections are doing their part to help out Marines who are deploying, the individual has to do their part and be ready to go at anytime. Knowing what you need to get, and where you need to get it can help someone who is getting deployed prepare more expeditiously, said Fenton."Some of the biggest things were making sure that you were up on your shots and making sure that you are deployment- ready as far as your medical and dental goes," said Fenton.
Marine Corps Training and Education Command