Georgia Marine deploys to Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve

Photo By Cpl. Garrett White | U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Lakin Chaffer, an embarkation specialist with Task Force Al Asad, and sourced from Special Purpose Marine Air – Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, from Woodstock, Georgia, poses for a portrait while deployed to Southwest Asia, Sept. 13, 2015. Chaffer serves as a liaison between TFAA and outside agencies, such as the SPMAGTF, in coordinating the movement of troops and supplies in and out of Al Asad Air Base, a strategically important location in Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Garrett White /released)  

AL ASAD, IRAQ

09.11.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Justin Kronenberg and Cpl. Garrett White

Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Graduating from Marine Corps Recruit Training is a special day in any Marine’s life. It is a day of great pageantry, fanfare, and marks the closing of the first chapter in a Marine’s career. For the friends and family of the new Marines, it’s a chance for them to share in their loved one’s accomplishment. But for some in attendance, it is a glimpse into what their own futures hold.

This is what set Lance Cpl. Lakin Chaffer, embarkation specialist with Special Purpose Marine Air – Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, on her path to earning the right to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

The Georgia native explained how watching her best friend’s graduation aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, piqued her interest in joining the Marine Corps.

“When I saw her graduate, I saw how cool it was and thought, ‘I’m not doing anything-so why not?’” said Chaffer.

“When I told my mom I was thinking about joining the Marine Corps, she told me my sister was also considering joining the services. So we went to the recruiting office together and both ended up joining the Marine Corps.”
Chaffer added, at the time it felt like her life was staying stagnant and this was the push she needed to get moving in the right direction.

“If I didn’t join I would have just kept doing the same stuff,” she said. “I was working as a waitress, and just doing the bare minimum to get by in life. This got me on my feet and helped me start growing up.”

While both Chaffer and her sister wanted to enlist as aviation mechanics, there was only one space open for that contract if they wanted to go to boot camp together, Chaffer said. So her sister got the aviation mechanic contract, and Chaffer chose embarkation specialist.

She explained that even though it wasn’t her initial choice, she has learned to like her job, and appreciates the opportunities it has provided her.

Chaffer is currently deployed with the logistics section of Task Force Al Asad, SPMAGTF – CR – CC, working aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. She keeps track of all task force troops and supplies flying in and out of the base.

She serves as a liaison between TFAA and outside agencies, such as the SPMAGTF, in coordinating the movement of troops and supplies in and out of the base. Al Asad Air Base is a strategically significant location in Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition effort to defeat the Islamic State group.

“If cargo such as ammunition, food, or hazmat needs to get somewhere it’s my job to submit the proper paperwork to get it on a flight,” she explained. “Once my name is attached to it, I’m responsible for it until it gets to its destination. I need to keep track of it and make sure it arrives, and if it doesn’t, I have to figure out why.”

Even though Chaffer is relatively new to the Marine Corps, she said she understands her purpose and gains fulfillment from the work she does.

“If it wasn’t for me, people here wouldn’t be able to travel on Marine Corps flights,” she said. “Cargo wouldn’t be able to get where it needs to go, and basically nothing could go to and from this base. While other people I work with know how to do some of the things I do, they don’t know the specifics or the finer details.”

On her first deployment, and not even half way through her contract, Chaffer hasn’t quite decided where she wants her future to go.

“Re-enlistment is always an option, but I still have a while to decide,” said Chaffer. “One of the nice things about this job is that I can take all the skills I learned here and transfer it to a job in the civilian world, but I still haven’t decided yet on what I want to do.”

She said she’s glad she decided to join the Marine Corps, even if she ultimately decides to leave the service when her contract is finished.

“The biggest piece of advice I can offer someone that is looking to join the military is don’t drop your pack,” she said. “Don’t be that guy or girl that just says ‘forget this,’ and give up when things get tough. Just keep pushing and always do the best that you can, and eventually it will pay off.”

• Date Taken: 09.11.2015
• Date Posted: 09.21.2015 09:58
• Story ID: 176709
• Location: AL ASAD, IQ