II Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs

Story by Lance Cpl. Brian Jones

RICHLANDS, N.C. – Marines are battling insurgency on multiple fronts throughout the world, and civil affairs is crucial to these operations as Civil Affairs Marines engage with local populaces and governments to ' win hearts and minds' and engender goodwill in their areas of operation.

"It's putting a different face on the battle," said Maj. Mike Ohleger, the Civil Affairs Detachment officer-in-charge with 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

Marines of the Civil Affairs Detachment met with the Richlands, N.C., mayor and other city officials at the Richlands Town Hall, Sept. 24, 2009, as part of a training exercise to prepare the Marines for future operations overseas.

The goal of the exercise was to refine their skills in gathering information about the people and culture that make up a city and surrounding area. In the long term, the Marines can use information they've learned about small-town America and apply it to small communities abroad, shaping government and improving local economy.

"We're glad to have them here," said Marvin Trott, the mayor of Richlands. "They sacrifice so much for us and this is the least we can do to help them."

During the interview, the Marines inquired about such topics as medical and community services, local business, energy sources, crops, schools and crime. All important topics for assessing and analyzing communities in combat environments while battling insurgencies.

"I'm impressed with the young people that defend our country," said Fran Pierce, a Richlands alderman. "Their questions were on point and very interesting."

The Marines also visited the Richlands Volunteer Fire Department and Onslow County Museum to research the history and culture of the area.

"Today was a good training exercise," said Sgt. William D. Aynes, the detachment's platoon sergeant. "We got a lot of good knowledge out of it and the Marines got good practice talking to town leaders. They learned not to be timid and how to associate with somebody to get their point across while receiving information."

The eight-man detachment is a new regimental asset, and as it grows to its full complement of 56 Marines and Sailors, Ohleger is confident they will have a measurable effect on the unit's mission.

Ohleger spoke about his past deployment experience working in civil affairs, saying that it was not uncommon for Iraqis to praise Americans in areas where civil affairs put money into the communities and completed projects needed for economic improvement.

"Winning hearts and minds is a huge plus on our side," said Ohleger. "It's a very fulfilling job helping out people who are less fortunate than us."

Ohleger went on to explain that civil affairs is also more than just civil assistance.

Through interacting with the people, their job also allows them to gather valuable intelligence that proves helpful in defeating enemy threats in combat environments.

"I'm actually pretty excited about my job," said Pfc. Jyher Lazarre, a new civil affairs specialist, who just learned he will be deploying to the Horn of Africa. "I can't wait. It will be my first deployment."

"Today was a good exercise talking with town leaders and others in charge and learning the simple things on how to run a village," Lazarre continued. "We will get to use the knowledge once we get over there."

In the future the Marines will also visit Swansboro, Jacksonville, and other communities surrounding Camp Lejeune for further training to learn small-town economics, gaining knowledge they may one day use to improve the lives of impoverished people around the world.

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