Photo By Jason Ragucci | TEDD, Marley searches a wide area for a buried training explosive device at Command...... read more read more
Subscribe
ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan - An infantryman has many additional duties when assigned to a company during combat operations. For Spc. Jerome Fryar, he has traded his semi automatic weapon for a three-year old yellow Labrador named Marley.
Before Fryar could deploy with Baker Company, 4-17th Infantry Regiment to Afghanistan, he had to pass the Tactical Explosive Detector Dog or TEDD program at Fort Bragg, N.C. First Brigade, 1st Armored Division sent 25 soldiers to the class and only eight passed successfully.
“When Marley came out the kennel with a trainer and I saw this beautiful yellow lab, I knew I wanted him,” said Fryar from Hampton, S.C., “I used to have a yellow lab named Cocoa when I was 10 years old. The trainer came up to me and said that if I want Marley, I got him. Once I grabbed the leash, he was dragging me around the pond and we were having a great time. I loved it.”
During a long mission outside the small combat outpost, Terra Nova, Marley and Fryar were called to assist the Afghan National Army. This was their third objective since six that morning and the ANA uncovered 43 land mines.
“Once I got the brief and were dispatched to the scene, Marley quickly started searching,” said Fryar, “Two minutes in the search, Marley found a dug in jar of explosives. I contacted EOD to confirm. During the confirmation process, I continued my search. Marley then found another jar of explosives hidden in a room.”
For Marley and Fryar’s quick reaction to assist the ANA and uncover two jars of high explosives in record time, Fryar received an Army Commendation Medal or ARCOM from the Brigade Command group.
“I actually didn’t know the Brigade Commander was coming,” said Fryar, “My unit wanted it to be a surprise. I woke up one morning and my 1st Sergeant told me that someone wants to talk to you. I was shocked to see the Brigade Command group and ecstatic to be awarded an ARCOM. I told them that Marley deserves the award since he did all the work.”
Fryar is always concerned and responsive to his battle buddy’s health. Once a month for a week, Fryar takes Marley to Kandahar Air Field. While his visit Fryar conducts sustainable training with Marley as well as making sure Marley has all of his vaccinations.
“In my sector there are a lot of disease and bacteria so I keep him physically fit and healthy in the best way I can” said Fryar.
The command outpost, Terra Nova is quickly closing and Baker Company will soon be redeploying back to Fort Bliss, Texas. Fryar will then say his tearful goodbye to Marley as he picks up his semi automatic weapon once more and progresses through the ranks of a non commissioned officer.
“I plan to re-enlist and stay on the east coast,” said Fryar, “Marley has given me many opportunities to meet people and to take me out of my comfort zone and try new things. I see people come to me and want to pet Marley and this makes me happy when I see smiles on other people.”
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.14.2013 08:23 |
| Story ID: | 108666 |
| Location: | ARGHANDAB, AF |
| Hometown: | HAMPTON, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 547 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Marley and me, by Jason Ragucci, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT