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However, there’s more to the unit than just raising toys for under-privileged children.
The unit, and it’s almost 200 members who come from all over the country to JBAB, are attached to Marine 2nd Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
According to 2nd CAG Operations Officer, Marine Capt. Agustin Solivan, the civil affairs team, is designed to enter an area and assess what the area needs are to become more stable and safe.
“We do that by augmenting the active duty force who deploy anywhere in the world a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deploys,” Solivan said.
Unlike other service’s civil affairs groups, the Marines of the 2nd CAG don’t go into areas to provide long-term solutions up front.
“We help quickly set up the resources and subject matter experts from those areas who will be able to take on those long-term solutions, and we train them how to implement a successful civil affairs program of their own. It’s pretty rewarding knowing they’re going to rebuild their area with the knowledge we’ve taught them.”
The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native said the unit has been all over the world and has been involved in some of the major recent operations like Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom
The members of the 2nd CAG are rarely in one place together for very long either.
“It’s a continuous evolution,” he said. “Supporting the MEUs is one of our main focuses. Our Marines are constantly training so that we aren’t behind the curve when it gets time to deploy and to help support those active duty units.”
He added it’s a very interesting dynamic between the active duty and the reserves where there’s a mutual respect among the two.
“The active duty element knows there’s just a small Marine presence of Inspector-Instructors on JBAB who always make sure the reservists are fully qualified in training in order to be mission-ready,” he said.
The Marines of the civil affairs group are also involved with other various activities throughout the National Capital Region.
“Our Marines work really long hours supporting funerals, and we get upwards of 150 of those a year too. We will also be participating in the upcoming inauguration parade. Then there’s the Toys-for-Tots program which is the largest, most yielding in the country right here.”
Solivan said he is amazed at the Marine reservists for being able to tackle so many responsibilities.
“It’s incredible how these reservists can handle the workload of their fulltime jobs, and then turn around and always support the unit anyway they can. I’ve never seen a unit more adaptive to challenges and to the things that creep up in order to meet the mission. Just point us in the right direction, and we’ll be there to do the job.”
He concluded that much of the unit’s success goes to the reservist’s full-time employers for being so understanding and willing to work with the Marines with so many added tasks.
“It really is a testament to those employers,” he said. “Without their support for our mission, we may not have as many men and women who can meet the call.”
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2016 11:50 |
| Story ID: | 214353 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DC, US |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Marine Civil Affairs reservists build on can-do spirit, by Eric Ritter, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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