MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- First Lt. Robert Miller, lead series commanding officer, Charlie Co., 1st RTBn., was presented with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a Combat Distinguishing Device for Valor at the Depot's All Weather Training Facility Aug. 10.
Miller earned the medal while serving as Weapons Platoon commander, Charlie Co., 1st Bn., 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on Nov. 8, 2004.
According to the citation, During Operation Phantom Fury, Miller successfully coordinated the placement of 95 Iraqi security forces and 86 Iraqi emergency response soldiers within the offensive scheme of maneuver while under intense enemy fire. At first light the following day, he maneuvered the emergency response unit down a fire swept avenue of approach in preparation for the main assault on their objective. Miller's tactical employment of the Iraqi forces was critical to mission accomplishment.
Miller has now turned his focus away from his activities in Iraq and is primarily focused on the basics at recruit training.
"Recruit training to me is the life blood of the Marine Corps," said Miller, "This is where it is at."
The lessons he learned in Iraq will now be put into effect for the recruits striving to complete recruit training, a focus on the basics, on the intangibles that keep Marines alive.
"The biggest thing that I learned and was taught throughout my couple of deployments here or there [was to always be that] constant professional," said Miller, who has been in the Marine Corps for 10 years. "That constant focus on the basics is what, I think, kept a lot of people alive and is continuing to do so in Iraq right now. First Sergeant Berry over at Third Battalion is probably one of the first people that I came across who really stressed the basics."
First Sgt. Douglas E. Berry Jr., first sergeant, India Co., 3rd RTBn., served with Miller in several aspects for over two years. While serving together the two Marines learned many lessons that have carried over into recruit training.
"A Marine with the basics can go forth and do great things," said Miller, a prior enlisted Marine. "He can learn more advanced things and go from there, but if he doesn't know the basics then there is nothing for him to stand on."
As an example of his diligence, Berry said 1st Lt. Miller made sure that all of his Marines and sailors knew their duties and responsibilities well.
"He accomplished this during the pre-deployment work up by inspecting what he expected, establishing standards or goals for his platoon and working as a team to achieve them," said Berry. "[He also] developed battle or immediate action drills that would enhance the unit's fighting capability. During combat operations in Iraq he achieved success by keeping his men informed of current [techniques, tactics and procedures] used by the insurgency and how to counter them, ensuring that his Marines understood the mission and commander's intent, inspecting gear and equipment prior to stepping off and conducting productive, realistic rehearsals."
The constant focus on the little things led Miller and Berry to be successful not only in Iraq, but it has carried over into recruit training as well.
"That's why I wanted to come down here to Parris Island," said Miller excitedly. "One of the great things at Parris Island is that we are training that basically trained Marine. We are teaching the basics in weapons maintenance. Weapons maintenance is huge, and a lot of people [don't emphasize it as much as they should.]"
With each new series of recruits that Miller finds himself in a position to pass on knowledge to, he is very intent on stressing the basics.
"Another thing that was big in Iraq that I teach here is hydration and eating chow," said Miller, a Charleston, S.C., native. "Sometimes in combat, Marines forget to eat chow and they forget to hydrate, especially in a fighting situation that lasts longer than ten or fifteen minutes. In a sustained combat environment you have Marines that forget to eat chow.
"At all levels, [from the] officers on down, they are too busy to eat chow. When it comes down to it and push comes to shove, you reach down into the well of souls and you haven't got anything left over because you have expended everything that you have."
While both men are currently training recruits, the two have not forgotten the impact each has made on the other.
"I am proud to have served with First Lieutenant Miller and this is a well deserved award," concluded Berry. "His contributions to the company were tremendous and I am grateful for his service."