Morristown Marine transitions from protecting president to developing Afghans

Photo By Master Sgt. Brenda Varnadore | Corporal Austen Clark, 2nd squad leader, 1st Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, is currently deployed to Now Zad, Afghanistan. Clark has served with Marine Corps Security Forces at Camp David. He re-enlisted to finally deploy to Afghanistan.  

NOW ZAD, AFGHANISTAN

10.31.2012

Story by Master Sgt. Brenda Varnadore 

Regional Command Southwest

NOW ZAD, Afghanistan – Joining the Marine Corps was an easy decision for one Morristown, Ind., native, especially with a guaranteed job to protect the president.

Corporal Austen Clark, 2nd squad leader, 1st Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, decided after graduating from Morristown Junior/Senior High School during 2007 that Marine Corps Security Forces was his destiny.

“My granddad was in,” said Clark. “He was (communications) though. I didn’t want to go to college, so I joined.”

After graduating recruit training and infantry school, Clark headed to Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., while his security clearance went through. Once all necessary investigations were done, it was time for him to head to Camp David to protect former President George W. Bush.

“President Bush was a huge mountain biker,” said Clark. “We would always see him out riding. He was hilarious though and always had time to talk and laugh with us.”

After President Barack Obama was elected, Clark had the chance to not only provide security for him, but play basketball with him.
Clark moved up quickly while with Security Forces and earned a billet as Reactionary Force Commander, making him responsible for two react teams. His more than three years at Camp David made Clark realize his ultimate goal is federal service after the Marine Corps.

“I want to eventually get on with the Secret Service or U.S. Marshals,” said Clark. “I was going to do it from (Camp David) with all the connections, but I was scheduled for (2nd Bn., 7th Marines) and knew they were deploying soon. That is what I joined to do, so I re-enlisted.”

After Clark arrived at 2nd Bn., 7th Marines, he found out his deployment was not to Afghanistan like he originally thought, but to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. While with the 31st MEU, he found himself in Australia to set it up for the following units that would start rotating through the unit deployment program.

“I really enjoyed my time there,” said Clark. “Being able to train with the Australians was a great opportunity.”

What Clark found out quickly when he arrived to a regular infantry battalion, however, was that he would have to prove himself to the unit that he had what it took to lead Marines.

“I love what I do and being here with a very prideful unit helped,” said Clark. “It was an uphill battle, but I proved myself and have progressed to squad leader.”

Clark is finally in Afghanistan and has set some definite goals for himself.

“I waited five and a half years to get out here,” he said. “I want to try to use the time to sharpen my skills as a Marine and try to pick up sergeant.”

Whether Clark decides to stay in the Marine Corps for the long haul or transfer to federal service, he said his parents Brian and Joy Clark would always be supportive and proud of him.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2012
• Date Posted: 10.31.2012 02:47
• Story ID: 97033
• Location: NOW ZAD, AF