Photo By Cpl. Andrew Johnston | Maj. Henry Parrish, executive officer for 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, speaks...... read more read more
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MARJAH, Afghanistan— In a world where high-speed internet, emails and information databases flow from every direction, some things just can’t be explained through words or pictures.
The same principle holds true on the battlefront, which is why each week primary staff and key individuals with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, conduct a battlefield circulation.
The main purpose of the circulation is to visit various patrol bases and command posts in the unit’s area of operation and examine day-to-day procedures, improve logistical infrastructure and help commanders fine-tune combat operations, by allowing experts from each field the opportunity to give recommendations.
“Basically, the battalion brings all of its major commodities down to the company level,” said Capt. Daniel Nilsson, commanding officer for Golf Company, 2/9. “A picture is worth a thousand words, so a visit is worth how many thousands of words? We can have a group of people collectively come out and look at things from their perspective in regards to their job or specialty.”
Nilsson said the visits are a huge help. In the beginning, most of his correspondence between primary staff was, for the most part, through phone or e-mail. Having them at his command post, in person, and being able to show him firsthand what certain issue were and address them right there on the spot was exactly what Nilsson was looking for, he said.
“As for me in my position it’s very hard as one person trying to hit up a lot of people in the battalion,” said Nilsson. “It’s also very hard for the battalion, from a distance, to try to get a perspective from their part as to what’s going on in a different location. Having them out here they can actually see it for themselves.”
Each visit, key individuals inspect things, such as ammunition supply, communications, transportation, equipment maintenance, food and water supply and combat tactics.
Cpl. Nicholas Kovarik, an intelligence analyst attached to 2/9, explained that the visit allows the command to see exactly what needs to be changed or what can be done to help Marines out. He said by visiting each location they are able to see what has and hasn’t worked throughout their AO and perfect their battle space.
Feedback is acquired from the lowest ranking Marine all the way up the chain of command then discussed openly. Experienced specialists from each field are able to offer solutions, strategies and new tactics, which have been fine-tuned since arriving here, said Nilsson.
“It’s important for the primary staff to get out to the line companies as often as possible, because it gives them a realistic view of how infantry Marines are conducting combat operations,” said Kovarik. “They can get a firsthand point of view on how good everything is going, what needs work, or what needs adjusting and then give their professional opinion.”
For a lot of locations, Marines rarely get any visitors other than local nationals. For them anything they need or want is usually voiced up their chain of command. According to Nilsson, having key individuals visit these bases helps directly influence the command on the realities of what his Marines are going through.
“When they go out there they have an understanding as to the requirements at these locations that have been coming from us,” said Nilsson. “However they will now have a better understanding as to what we’re asking for and why. Now they will have seen it they’ll be able to say, ‘Oh yeah I know exactly what he is talking about’. Plus they have been to other locations and will be able to say, ‘Hey over at patrol base so and so, they run things like this and it seems to be working great for them,’ stuff we might have over looked or not thought of.”
With the battlefield circulation tour continuing to run weekly and combat operations continuing in Marjah, it is apparent that the unit has full intentions of continuously fine-tuning themselves into a well oiled fighting machine all the way to the end of their deployment.
“Each week a different group of Marines can expect the use of these assets,” said Nilsson. “It will help everyone tremendously in the long run.”
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2010 04:12 |
| Story ID: | 62383 |
| Location: | MARJAH, AF |
| Web Views: | 308 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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