West Virginia Marine serves in Afghanistan

Photo By Cpl. Clayton Vonderahe | Lance Cpl. Justin McCourt, a Clay County W.Va., native, walks from the flag poles aboard the base. McCourt, 20, graduated from Clay County High School May 22, 2009, and joined the Marine Corps five days after. He is currently with Regimental Combat Team 8, serving his first tour to Afghanistan.  

DELARAM, AFGHANISTAN

07.05.2011

Courtesy Story

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimruz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -- “You take pride in what you are,” said Lance Cpl. Justin McCourt, a Clay County, W. Va., native currently deployed to Forward Operating Base Delaram II, Afghanistan. “I believe Marines are the most respected out of all the military.”

McCourt, 20, has been deployed with Regimental Combat Team 8 in Afghanistan for approximately six months, yet little more than two years ago he was preparing to graduate from Clay County High School. Five days after he received his diploma he was headed to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.

“I went to boot camp with one of my good friends that I graduated with,” McCourt explained. “We were hiking back from our Crucible (the final hike during recruit training), and at the end of the nine-mile hike, me and him ending up being right beside each other on the last mile just saying to each other ‘It’s finally over, we made it.’ Most people don’t know what we went through while there, but most Marines will tell you that it’s the proudest moment of your life when you receive that eagle, globe, and anchor.”

McCourt is trained as a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialist but currently serves as the battle space manager for the regiment. These CBRN specialists are an elite, but small, field of highly trained Marines ready to defend their unit in case of chemical attack. The risk of such an attack does not deter the specialists from keeping their skills sharp.

“Although there is a low level of threat for chemical attacks here in Afghanistan, I still have to be prepared for the worst,” McCourt said. “I keep track of the gear that we have here on base to make sure that if we have expired gear we dispose of it properly. I do still go over knowledge of my (military occupational specialty) while I’m on my down time just so if anything does happen I’m still proficient in my job.”

McCourt currently helps define areas of operation for subordinate units within RCT-8’s command in addition to recording pertinent events happening within each area.

“If we didn’t manage the battle space, U.S. Marines could possibly go into another unit’s area without proper authority which may result in friendly forces engaging with other friendly forces,” McCourt said. “We track all movements so that doesn’t occur.”

McCourt spends a majority of his day executing his responsibilities, but he manages to keep in contact with his family, including his new wife.

“I miss being around my family,” McCourt explains. “I still talk to my wife almost every day through e-mail, but it’s hard because I can’t hear her voice every day. They are my motivation. I believe that’s why a lot of people joined the Corps, to protect this country for our loved ones.”

The young couple got married April 16 this year, during a rest and recuperation leave from his yearlong deployment.

“When I get back, the first thing I’m going to do is hug and kiss my wife.”

McCourt, like any other young Marine, occupies his time with thoughts of family and friends from his hometown.

“I come from a very small town that many people never heard of,” he said. “But what I remember most are the summers with my friends down at the river, just having the best times.”

He joined the Marine Corps to ‘do something better with his life’. At 20 years old, McCourt shoulders vast responsibilities and has traveled across the globe. He has received a Navy Achievement Medal for his superior performance in establishing a confidence chamber (gas chamber) for the regiment. He is expected to be promoted to corporal within months.

“He is a good Marine, he does what he is supposed to do,” said 1st Sgt. Brandon Bragg, Headquarters Company first sergeant and Rupert, W. Va., native. “He’s done well; he was up on the Marine of the quarter board to represent (his section).”

McCourt is half way through his first enlistment, and though uncertain, he is strongly considering reenlistment.

“This is a great life that I have and I do want to try to accomplish things out of the military,” McCourt said. “Re-enlistment has been on my mind since I hit my two year mark, and is most likely the future for me.”

• Date Taken: 07.05.2011
• Date Posted: 07.05.2011 13:55
• Story ID: 73253
• Location: DELARAM, AF