MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Countless Marines are doing their part to support Operation Iraqi Freedom — even some who've already done their "four and out." More than 175 Individual Ready Reserve Marines are at Camp Talega training or waiting to replace Marines killed or wounded in support of OIF. They've been trickling into the camp's Mobilization Support Battalion over the past few months for refresher training before shipping off to Iraq.
Unlike some of 7,500 Army IRRs who were called up Tuesday, all of these Marines voluntarily left their civilian lives.
"Call me when there's a war, because that's all I'm good for," said Cpl. William Silcox, 27, a Jacksonville, Fla., native. Silcox says he made a living outside the Corps competing in outdoor and extreme sports, such as mountain biking and rigging. He previously served with E Co., 2nd Bn., 8th Marine Regiment in Camp Lejeune, N.C.
All of the returning warriors are corporals and sergeants. They're all infantrymen. Most of those interviewed Friday had been out of the Corps less than a year before getting the call.
They've meshed together well, despite possible differences in tactical methods and leadership philosophies, said Sgt. Ty Reber, one of the replacements.
"Everyone's really professional," said Reber, 23, a Gilbert, Ariz., native, who attended Mesa Community College before volunteering his services as a combat replacement.
"Everyone wants to be here. People sit around and talk about different ways to do things as far as tactics go."
"All of us are pretty excited to train and get over there to Iraq," said Sgt. Jason D. Griggs, a Wilmington, Del., resident, who returned to the Corps after serving as an infantryman with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment until June 27, 2003.
Almost exactly a year later, Griggs — along with his E Co., 2/3 alumnus, Wilmington roommate and fellow bike courier Cpl. Dustin McKenzie — returns to familiar territory, joining his fellow infantrymen or "03s" in Iraq
Based on media coverage of I Marine Expeditionary Force's security and stabilization operations in Iraq, many reservists figured it was only a matter of time before they would get the call.
"I figured I'd get recalled. I was just waiting for it to happen," Grigg said. "You watch the news, and you wish you could do your part."
The Marines returning to active duty are making Camp Talega their new home for the next few months. While there, they'll brush up on their combat skills during combat replacement training.
By the end of this week, all 175 combat warriors will have received refresher training in basic weapons and tactics — everything from pistols to machine guns, and from land navigation to urban patrolling, said Gunnery Sgt. John V. LaMantia, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of combat replacement training here
Some of the Individual Ready Reservists have adopted the "contract-warrior" mentality, ready to complete any mission at a moment's notice.
"I'll keep going until by body doesn't go anymore," Silcox said.
He explained why he answered the call.
"I came back to go to combat because I'm seeing my fellow Marines dying," Silcox said.
The Marines who have been recalled are no strangers to battle.
"These guys are already skilled infantrymen," LaMantia said. "We just dust them off, refresh and reiterate."
Aside from a few complaints about lack of transportation and constant waiting, the morale of the recalled NCOs seems high.
"I'm not surprised that Marine NCOs are like this, but it's nice to see," LaMantia said.
"These guys are real patriots, and they are seriously motivated. They want to be here. They didn't come here to stand guard or to augment to I Marine Expeditionary Force. They need to be allowed to do what they can do."
IRRs are service members who've already served their four-year active-duty requirement but haven't fulfilled their eight-year obligation to the military. Most are on IRR status for four years after active duty and can be called up to meet the nation's needs.
No more IRRs currently are scheduled to come through Camp Pendleton, LaMantia said.