Scotts, Mich., native surprised by Ramadi

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Brenda Varandore | Lance Cpl. Brandon Cousins, a radio operator with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, poses for a photograph in Ramadi, Iraq. Cousins is on his first deployment to Iraq and admires the progress made. (Photo/Gunnery Sgt. Brenda L. Varnadore)  

RAMADI, IRAQ

10.26.2007

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Brenda Varandore 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

Story by: Gunnery Sgt. Brenda L. Varnadore

RAMADI, Iraq — At a time when deployments to Iraq seem to be a regular occurrence for Marines, one Scotts, Mich., native is eager and amazed at what a trip to Ramadi actually reveals about how far the United States has come during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Brandon Cousins, a radio operator with Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, just arrived to Ramadi on his first deployment since joining the Marine Corps two years ago.

"It is not at all what I expected," said the Climax-Scotts High School graduate. "I joined the Marine Corps, the toughest branch of the service, knowing I would come here. Then, when I found out I was coming to Ramadi, I was excited because it was known as the toughest area of Iraq. It is not what I thought it would be though. The people here are friendly and actually like us."

After serving with 8th Communication Battalion, in Camp Lejuene, N.C., the high school football and wrestling athlete decided he would do anything to deploy with an infantry battalion so he could work with Marines on the frontline.

"I wanted to be able to do my job in a true support role," said Cousins. "I wanted to be able to provide communications support to the Marines on the ground. I love working with them because they are everything you picture a Marine to be, no better friend, but prepared to be their worst enemy."

Cousins explained that his motivation to be part of the best and elite comes from bad decisions he made growing up. After running with the wrong crowd, he said he found himself going down a path that would lead him to live a life behind bars. His mother, Tamarah Roth, wanted the best for him and motivated him to do better.

"I decided to join the Marines and leave my old life behind," said Cousins. "My mom was my biggest supporter. I think she is nervous now though, because I have gotten what seems like a million letters in just the few weeks we have been here."

Cousins said he had no problem fitting in with the battalion either. Part of his job is to repair and maintain the radio equipment. He said his training at Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., helped him prepare for his deployment.
Now, he has made many friends that are unlike the crowd he left back in Michigan.

"I have friends now from all over the United States," said Cousins. "They are the cool crowd, but in a different way than back home. I have friends from all over the country with varied interests. I am better friends with them than I had before, because I know we have the same beliefs and they will always have my back."

Cousins said he was prepared to come over and participate in major combat operations, but has switched his mindset.

"I can't say I am disappointed," he said. "But now, I am going to look forward to interacting with the locals, playing with the kids and helping the Iraqi Army and police stand up to take over their country."

• Date Taken: 10.26.2007
• Date Posted: 10.26.2007 13:46
• Story ID: 13360
• Location: RAMADI, IQ