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COMBAT OUTPOST SHABU, Afghanistan – In an effort to make the village of Shabu a better place to live, armored reconnaissance Marines patrolled to find new civil affair’s projects, Sept. 10.
“Our mission was to find the village elder and establish a list of projects,” said 1st Lt. Michael Wright, the platoon commander for 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. “We try to build a relationship and help them in any way we can.”
The Marines work in conjunction with the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct these projects.
“To [the locals] it’s a sign that the government is building up the economy,” said Wright, a Tulsa, Okla., native. “Our main goal is to get the word out there, that the government is helping and supporting its people.”
During the patrols Marines walked around the village looking for things that the locals may need.
“I am always taking pictures of potential projects in the village surroundings like crops, canals, roadways, key structures, like mosques and other places of significance,” said Cpl. Patrick Fields, a civil affairs non-commissioned officer with 3rd Civil Affairs Group attached to Company A, 1st LAR Bn. “This way we can see what could be improved or constructed.”
In Shabu, the village elders gathered with the Marines and informed them of their biggest needs, which included the reconstruction of their mosque.
“A lot of it is just talking to the people and asking who can get the projects done. Then we get the resources to fund it,” said Fields, a Laguna Hills, Calif., native.
Marines looked around for sites where they could start quick impact projects. For these types of projects, Marines can quickly give back to the community, by employing the local civilians who have prior construction experience.
“In past years, Afghanistan was supplying the majority of opium to the world,” Fields added. “So, we’re trying to get the people off the narcotics’ money and into more legitimate means of living.”
The Marines hope that giving locals jobs in projects for their village will help them gain a more comfortable lifestyle, Fields explained.
“By having the male local population working it is less likely that they will be bought off by the Taliban to emplace improvised explosive devices or support them because of the need of money,” Fields said. “We are trying to get to the point where civilians can take over for the military and do these projects on their own.”
During key leader engagements, the civil affairs NCO’s must decide whether the people’s requests are a legitimate need or not.
“I feel good about doing these types of projects because I feel that I personally had a little bit to do with making someone’s life better,” Fields said. “Every Marine out here, no matter the size of the project we are working on, feels good to know we are making a difference.”
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.13.2010 20:39 |
| Story ID: | 56216 |
| Location: | COMBAT OUTPOST SHABU, AF |
| Web Views: | 297 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
This work, Civil Affairs Marines bring hope to Shabu, by Sgt Eugenio Montanez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
