Radio Operator

Photo By Cpl. Mackenzie Binion | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tyrell Harris, a radio operator with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Central Command, takes part in a Quick Reaction Force readiness mission in Southwest Asia, Feb. 2, 2019. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a quick reaction force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Binion)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

02.02.2019

Story by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Binion 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command

“I wanted to be a Navy SEAL, but given I was 17, I had doubts I could do it.” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyrell Harris, a Boston native.
After learning about the high the attrition rate from the U.S. Navy special operations force training, Harris started looking to other branches of military service.
“I wanted to do the next big thing. I wanted to be a United States Marine,” said Harris.
Now a sergeant in the Marine Corps, Harris is a radio operator with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Central Command.
The job title implies that Harris only operates radios, but there is much more to his job than that. A 0621-radio operator maintains the metaphoric lifeline of the U.S. Marine Corps, stretching from any one unit throughout the Central Command area of responsibility to other elements of the SPMAGTF-CR-CC.
Radio operator tasks include setting up antennas to connect to satellites, issuing and maintaining communication gear and relaying information from forward positions back to the command.
“The hardest part of my job is dealing with the randomness,” said Harris. “My job is pretty simple but when you think everything is going good, problems pop up and you’ll have to issue out equipment and do things you’ve never encountered.” Although Harris chose an alternate path from becoming a Navy SEAL, the role of a radio operator continues to test his wits and challenges him to improve in an evolving career path.
To maintain a constant radio connection, a radio operator must be flexible. Day-to-day operations can be tried by rugged weather or austere environments. No matter how difficult, radio operators get the job done, ensuring mission success. As a crisis response unit, it is imperative for the SPMAGTF-CR-CC to be in constant communication with units deployed in the CENTCOM area of operations. Using information gathered from radio operators, SPMAGTF-CR-CC is able to deploy and employ a variety of capabilities across the region.
Information provided by radio operators like Harris ensures the well-oiled machine that is the SPMAGTF-CR-CC functions properly in any environment. Facing a conglomerate of challenges to ensure all Marines in his unit are safe, Harris has found his calling as a radio operator.

• Date Taken: 02.02.2019
• Date Posted: 04.06.2019 10:51
• Story ID: 317030
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
• Hometown: BOSTON, MA, US