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Two dreams, 10 years, one Marine back in the desert
Two dreams, 10 years, one Marine back in the desert
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division Story Identification Number: 200432813325 Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald CAMP HURRICANE POINT, Iraq(March 23, 2004) -- Waking up to the sounds of machine-gun fire and Muslim prayer songs is nothing new for Lance Cpl. Brett T. Newman, an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. The 35-year-old from Albuquerque, N.M., first joined the Marine Corps in March 1988 at the age of 18. After taking a 10-year hiatus from the military to teach special education and coach high school basketball in his hometown, Newman returned to the Corps in 2001. "While I was in the first time," said the avid sports enthusiast, "I was on sea duty aboard the USS Nimitz and deployed several times. Then I was transferred to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment and went to Kuwait for the first Gulf War in 1991." While in Kuwait, Newman, a lance corporal at the time, was in charge of a squad of machine gunners. His unit was involved in several combat operations and also helped during clean-up efforts after a commercial aircraft from Sudan carrying about 220 people crashed into the desert sand. "After the plane went down, we had to go out there and help dig up dead bodies," he said. "It was tough, but as a grunt you learn to detach yourself from the certain aspects of life and death. We just went out there and did what we had to do. No questions asked." Newman also applied that same rhetoric to his combat experiences in 1991. "Combat is kind of like a sport," he explained. "We trained and trained before we went out there. Our leadership made sure we were properly trained, so when it came time we didn't think about the rounds coming downrange. We just did our jobs and made sure we didn't let the guy next to us down." Newman decided to pursue his other dream of becoming a teacher for special education students after he returned from the war. He left the Marines as a corporal in 1992 and attended the University of Central Oklahoma. "I've always been interested in programs for disadvantaged youth," the father of an eight-year-old girl said. "Many of them feel that they can't do anything productive, but I want to help them realize that they can." While teaching, Newman kept in contact with Marine recruiters in the area. Several of the recruiters attempted to convince Newman to renew his allegiance to the Corps. Newman, admittedly burnt out with the education system at the time, decided to take up their offers in 2001. He returned to the infantry field with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and was determined to pass on his expertise and leadership to all the Marines with whom he served. However, upon returning, Newman was reduced to the rank of lance corporal because of Marine Corps regulations. He explained many senior Marines judge a "devil dog" based upon what he wears on his collar, but he was not deterred in his quest to educate those placed in his charge. Currently, he is working with 2nd Battalion's supply section here as the enemy detention center's noncommissioned officer in charge. "The best thing I do out here is teach the younger guys," he said. "The Marines nowadays get a lot of contradicting guidance, and if they don't understand the system or the intent of certain guidelines, then it creates confusion for them." Staff Sgt. Vernal A. Hairston, warehouse chief, said he's glad to have Newman on his team because he helps train the Marines of the supply section. "He's very straightforward and brings with him a lot of experience," Hairston said. "The younger Marines know this and give him respect and listen to what he has to say. If I need to leave to take care of business, I know that Newman... will make sure the other Marines stay on task." Cpl. Daniel S. Morris, who works alongside Newman, was on of the Marines to benefit from Newman's experiences soon after being promoted to the noncommissioned officer ranks. "When I first picked up NCO, he took me aside and gave me some advice on how to deal with some Marines we were having trouble with," Morris said. "He gave me his perspective on how to handle the situation, and I listened to him because he was in during the first Gulf War. He knows what he's talking about." Newman admitted that he found it difficult to adjust to being a lance corporal again but described it as "character building." "I don't regret my choice to get out the first time and become a teacher," he said. "I'm just glad I was able to realize to lifetime goals: becoming a Marine and a teacher." Lance Cpl. Brett T. Newman, infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, builds furniture for office spaces here. He first joined the Marine Corps in March 1988 at the age of 18. After several deployments and a tour to Kuwait for the first Gulf War in 1990, Newman decided to get out of the Marine Corps and pursue his dream of becoming a high school teacher and basketball coach. Newman, of Albuquerque, N.M., re-enlisted into the Corps after a 10-year hiatus and is currently here in support of operations in Iraq. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald Lance Cpl. Brett T. Newman, infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, builds furniture for office spaces here. He first joined the Marine Corps in March 1988 at the age of 18. After several deployments and a tour to Kuwait for the first Gulf War in 1990, Newman decided to get out of the Marine Corps and pursue his dream of becoming a high school teacher and basketball coach. Newman, of Albuquerque, N.M., re-enlisted into the Corps after a 10-year hiatus and is currently here in support of operations in Iraq. His goal while being here is to pass on as much knowledge of the Marine Corps he can to help the younger Marines in his unit. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...3?opendocument Ellie
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IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND SSgt. Roger A. One Proud Marine 1961-1977 68/69 http://www.geocities.com/thedrifter001/ |
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