MCRD Parris Island -- "I was asked if I wanted to go to Iraq, and I volunteered for it."
That is how Cpl. Andrew Fusco, postal clerk, Parris Island, Post Office, found himself serving overseas while still attached to Parris Island.
Fusco, who returned to the Depot in March, was one of four Marines who recently returned from overseas after being an individual augmentee.
"I wanted to go to Iraq before I got out," said Fusco. "It was a lot of work. We worked from [7 a.m. to 8 p.m.] everyday with no days off, but it was definitely a good experience."
The other Marines who were recently augmented are Col. William Leek, chief of staff, MCRD Parris Island/Eastern Recruiting Region, Capt. Robert Tart, series commander, Bravo Co., 1st Recruit Training Battalion, and Capt. Christopher Kannady, defense conselor, Depot Law Center.
The purpose of an individual augment is to move Marines around the Marine Corps based on needs and also serves as a way for Marines to get to a deployable unit, said Cpl. Isom Hodges, files and directives NCO, S-1, Headquarters and Service Battalion.
Kannady had just arrived from the Naval Justice School in New Port, R.I., and was working in the Depot's legal assistance office when he was asked if he wanted to augment.
"One [Marine Expeditionary Unit] from Camp Pendleton needed an IA for a judge advocate in Iraq," said Kannady. "So, I was approached by [Lt. Col. Kathy Estes, director, Depot Law Center,] with the offer of going to Iraq. I saw it as an opportunity, so I took it."
As an individual augmentee, there is more responsibility on the Marines' part because there are less people to help and more work to do, said Kannady.
"It's like night and day compared to here," said Kannady. "You are taken out of your element and have everything thrust upon you at once. It's very character building."
According to MarAdmin 049/07, individual augmentation is available for every Marine.
Marines wishing to be augmented need to fill out an administrative action form and have it approved by their chain-of-command before it can be sent up and approved or denied by Headquarters Marine Corps.
However, Marines should be aware that augments are based upon the needs of the Marine Corps, and only Marines with military occupation specialties needed by a deployed or deploying unit can be considered for augmentation.
For more information on individual augmentations, Marines should contact their respective S-1 shops.