MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines from 9th Communication Bn., I Marine Expeditionary Force, are increasing their training tempo and turning to their experienced leaders for a second tour in the Persian Gulf.

The battalion was deployed to Kuwait for Exercise Internal Look in October 2002 and continued to serve in Kuwait and Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom until October 2003.

The battalion's mission is to deploy, on order, task-organized, self-sustaining combat-ready detachments capable of providing command, control, communications and computer support to Commander, Marine Forces Pacific, the commanding generals of I MEF and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade, as well as subordinate Marine Air Ground Task Force and Marine Expeditionary Unit commanders, in support of joint and/or combined operations in any environment and across the spectrum of conflict.

Aside from providing key communication support for MEF and Marine Forces Pacific commanders, several battalion Marines were tasked by I MEF with convoy control and management for units crossing the Kuwait border into Iraq during the initial phase of OIF. Other Marines were given the responsibility to support coalition forces, including the British and Polish led multinational divisions.

The battalion's senior leadership is expecting the experienced small-unit leaders to share their knowledge with Marines who have never experienced life in Iraq.

"The biggest thing that I want to happen is to make sure that the Marines who went through before are sharing their leadership and combat experience with some of the new Marines who haven't been there," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey A. Begin, operations chief.

The battalion's noncommissioned officers are ready and willing to provide the frontline leadership and guidance necessary for the troops to accomplish their mission.

"Some of the things I have to do is to make sure that they bring the proper gear they need," said Sgt. Robert Shuaf, quality control chief.

"I'm also going to keep them busy, but not overworked," he said.

Some of the NCOs who are familiar with long-term deployments can provide guidance, mentorship and experience with the Marines who have never been away from home.

"I need to make sure that I keep them calm, and raise morale over there," said Cpl. Alex R. Astudillo, generator mechanic. "That's what they look up to us for, anyway."

Astudillo served as a generator mechanic during the first phase of OIF as a part of Combined Joint Task Force-Consequence Management, as well as the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

In addition to regularly scheduled training events, such as physical fitness tests, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training and qualification and Marine Corps Common Skills testing, the training section for the battalion is adding extra training.

"We're making sure every Marine is being battle- (sight) zero with their M-16A2, and we're putting them through the gas chamber more often to build confidence," said Master Sgt. Scott H. Miller, assistant operations chief.

"We're also providing combat pistol techniques and training on improvised explosive devices," said Miller.

The mission and displacement for the communication Marines will also be different this time around.

During the first phase of OIF, the majority of the battalion was staged at Camp Commando, Kuwait. The Marines are now looking forward to Iraq, where they will accomplish their mission in support of the next round of OIF.

"There's a different mindset for Iraq than there was for Kuwait for us," said Begin.

Another aspect that will see changes of the upcoming deployment is the embarkation process.

"It's different this time because before, at Camp Commando, Kuwait, we had nothing," said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher J. Seyler, technical control engineer.

The resources available at the established base as well as those that the Marines of 9th Comm. are embarking will sustain them for the duration of the deployment.

"We'll be able to provide all of the same services at the same level that you can get at garrison," said Miller.

Communication capabilities, whether via satellite, computer or phones, is a key element for mission accomplishment, said Miller.

"It's vital," said Miller. "The commanders must have reliable, consistent means of communication, or else they won't be able to control their forces, adding to the fog of war."