Columbus, Ga., native aids in fight, one package at a time

Courtesy Photo | Kibble assists in the Camp Fallujah Post Office, monitoring packages that come through the office Oct. 31, 2005. There are strict guidelines on items that can be sent out of Iraq that he enforces.  

FALLUJAH, IRAQ

11.02.2005

Courtesy Story

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Story by Lance Cpl. Josh Cox
II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)


CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 3, 2005) -- The mission of postal Marines in Iraq is vital to the morale of troops serving in operations, and one Marine here is helping in the fight, one package at a time.

Corporal Marcus D. Kibble, inspecting noncommissioned officer, Postal Detachment 6, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group (FWD), serves as a link between Marines here, and their families at home.

The Columbus, Ga., native became interested in the Marine Corps as an athlete in high school.

"I was interested my freshman year," he said.

The sports enthusiast played basketball, wrestled and ran track and cross country before joining the Corps in 2003.

The idea of joining the military wasn't foreign to Kibble; his family always had a strong link to the armed forces.

"My whole family is in the military," he said, after assisting a fellow Marine with a package destined for the United States. "My father is stationed at Camp Honor, Iraq."

Kibble said his father retired from the Army, and is currently working in Iraq as a civilian contractor. Kibble and his father haven't crossed paths in Iraq so far, but they are still just a phone call away from each other.

He also has a brother and an uncle in the Air Force, and another uncle in the Army.

Kibble said his family's military history contributed to his decision to join the Corps.

Being a competitive athlete, Kibble wanted a challenge in his career. The Marine Corps was exactly what he was looking for.

The 2003 Kendrick High School graduate stepped on the yellow footprints aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C, June 10, 2003. After basic training and military occupational specialty training, Kibble became a postal clerk and received orders to his first permanent duty station in Okinawa, Japan. After a tour in Okinawa, Kibble was assigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C., before deploying to Iraq earlier this year.

Today, Kibble assists in the Camp Fallujah Post Office, monitoring packages that come through the office. There are strict guidelines on items that can be sent out of Iraq that he enforces.

"I'm the inspecting NCO," he said. "I inspect all of the packages that come through here, and make sure there aren't any illegal materials in them."

Kibble is currently taking on new responsibilities in the office that come with being a leader of Marines.

"He aspires to do great in everything he does," said Gunnery Sgt. Terrance R. Moore, postal chief, Postal Det. 6, Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd FSSG (FWD). "Whatever task is given to him, he does it to the best of his ability. He is always seeking self-improvement."

Kibble said the mission of the post office is important because it boosts the morale of the Marines serving on Camp Fallujah.

"I love it," he said. "I treat every package like it is my own. I feel like it keeps the morale up so people can keep doing their jobs. People come in every day and say 'thank you." It makes me feel good. It is a great environment."

• Date Taken: 11.02.2005
• Date Posted: 11.02.2005 14:35
• Story ID: 3574
• Location: FALLUJAH, IQ