The Way It's Supposed To Be...
Blackfive blog
Via Seamus, below is the email from retired Marine First Sergeant Mark Gordon who's son, Lance Corporal Matt Gordon, just returned from a tour with the 1/6 Marines in Afghanistan. I have written about some of the Marines from 1st Battalion before...a friend of mine says that they are the toughest outfit in the Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Asad Khan is the Commander of 1/6. He is known as "Genghis" to his Marines.
I had the privledge to witness a homecoming for the warriors of 1stBn 6th Marines. I was very impressed by the way our Marines and Sailors are welcomed home after their tour on the forward edge of the empire. Every American should witness this event.
Before I go any further let me give a big BZ to the key volunteers for 1/6. Their efforts were clearly noticed as these gunfighters rolled into the AO.
I would like to thank the leadership of the Battalion. For if it were not for the tenacity, and "Spartan" style training things could have been bad over there. It was obvious as the Marines stepped off their buses they were relieved to be home, and damn proud of what they had accomplished. I walked up and re-introduced myself to LtCol Khan and Maj Dewald. Both of whom I had crossed paths with during my career. Over the next few hours waiting for Matt to arrive (he was on the last bus) I received several updates from the leadership. I was not the only one but it seemed as though every 20 minutes or so, either LtCol Khan or a representative from his battalion was seeking me out and giving me a sitrep. As the day progressed I watched every member of the battalion talk with concerned parents, shake hands and give a warrior hug to Marines.
The next morning I again had the priviledge to witness an awards formation in for the Battalion. 15 Marines were awarded medals for valor on the battlefield. What was very inspiring was that young Marines were in that formation. The ranks spanned from Capt to Private. It was obvious that summaries of actions were written as they happened, and given the proper award. A Sgt received a battlefield meritorious promotion to SSgt. It was the intention of the Battalion to award Marines their medals while their families were able to be a part of it. This was very well done, and again showed why this battalion went to Afghanistan, fought the enemy on his ground, and was successful.
One conversation with LtCol Khan I thanked him and the rest of his team for taking my son, training him and bringing him back. He stated that he had pushed the battalion while in training to limits they didn't think they could go. They did, and they won. "Genghis" talked of Cpl Payne and what a great young Marine he was. He talked on how he felt like he failed because he didnt bring everyone back. I saw the light in his eyes fade a little. Genghis stated that he believes if he would have been with that patrol Cpl Payne would still be here. Maybe he is right, but I told him that he could not be everywhere on the battlefield. And, that he did bring everyone home. We can never accept the loss of a Marine but, sometimes that is what happens. War is hell, and Marines know that better than anyone. But, the leadership of 1/6 can look people in the eyes and state that they trained this battalion to be as ready as any unit before, their training was tough, long and effective. To take well over 1000 Marines into harms way and lose 1 speaks to the quality of the training.
As my son and the rest of his warrior brothers prepare to head back in the coming months, I hope that men like LtCol Khan, Maj Dewald, and their team continue to lead the battalion. Continuity is essential. The longer a team stays together, the more efficient the team becomes.
It is time to end this. I have seen the look in the young Marines eyes, from the Private to the SgtMaj. When they head back to the forward edge of the empire to do this nation's business, our leadership in this country needs to turn em loose.
THERE IS ONLY ONE TACTICAL PRINCIPLE WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO CHANGE. IT IS TO USE THE MEANS AT HAND TO INFLICT THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF WOUND, DEATH, AND DESTRUCTION ONT HE ENEMY IN THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME! - General Patton
Maybe we should heed the words of warriors like that.
Semper fi my brother
Gordon Sends
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