Photo By Master Sgt. Dorian Gardner | Two radiomen with Regimental Combat Team 2 monitor the radio chatter across the unit...... read more read more
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CAMP DELARAM II, Afghanistan — From the solitary radio-wireman who ran wire through trenches in World War I, to the Marines who make certain our communications satellites are fully functional, communications sections throughout the Marine Corps have ensured our ability to communicate with one another at home and overseas.
While piles of lumber and the banging of hammers is a constant reminder that Camp Delaram II is still in its embryonic stage of construction, the site of many communications Marines of Regimental Combat Team 2 double-checking computer systems and running wire is a welcomed reminder that our communications lines are up and running.
"[We] set up stable, redundant networks," said Maj. Jeffrey Hammond, the communications officer for RCT-2. "As a regimental headquarters company, this is our primary mission, Command and Control. Communication is fairly important in that aspect."
Since the advanced party's arrival in late January, communications Marines have been working tirelessly to establish a strong network for the regimental personnel as well as its subordinate units.
"When we first got here, we set up an internal network," said Hammond, a Millington, Mich. native. "Just your basic [Non-classified Internet Protocol Router] and [Secret Internet Protocol Router] network, and telephone services. We will continue to set up throughout the year."
Like many military occupational specialties throughout the Marine Corps, the communications field provides Marines with a trade that they can apply elsewhere upon their departure from active service.
Everything these Marines do is translatable to what civilians are doing, according to Hammond. However, these Marines do it with a great deal less training and in an austere environment.
"The unique part is we set up the emails and the phone lines, but we also have the ability to call in missions for air support, or anything that requires a quick response time," said Staff Sgt. Miguel Perez, assistant radio chief and platoon sergeant of the communications platoon.
Though every Marine is faced with daily challenges, communications Marines have challenges of their own.
"Being prepared is the biggest challenge," said Hammond. "For us, you have to plan well in advance to be ahead of the cycle, or at least stay up with current operations, so you can support [the unit's] needs when they need it."
Lance Cpl. Ryan Timothy Defreitas, a system administrator, enjoys his job. Mainly dealing with the Command Post of the Future machines and network computer systems, his job is not an easy one.
Malfunctions and systematic errors are two common sights within the communications community.
"It's never the same," said Defreitas, a Vancleave, Miss. native. "There are several working parts and any one thing can go wrong.
"Trouble-shooting is 85 percent of our job," said Perez. "You can teach any Marine how to program a radio, but when you have to trouble-shoot under tight deadlines that could mean the difference between life and death, this MOS takes a whole new face."
Trouble-shooting and networking take up the majority of Defreitas's work day, but with a long year ahead, the communications platoon looks forward to accomplishing the task at hand.
"Everybody talks about comm, but you can't talk without comm," Perez concluded.
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.16.2010 22:50 |
| Story ID: | 48262 |
| Location: | CAMP DELARAM II, AF |
| Web Views: | 418 |
| Downloads: | 219 |
This work, RCT-2 Comm keeps Delaram II wired, by MSgt Dorian Gardner, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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