Sadly, yet another Marine gave the ultimate sacrifice on Thursday morning.

A Marine standing guard to protect his area of responsibility aboard Camp Fallujah was shot at about 10 times and soon died of his wounds.  The enemy once again showed their cowardice and disrespect for the Law of war.

The Law of War defines rules of engagement (ROE) and escalation of force (EOF) procedures.  A goal of the Law of War is to protect life & property and minimize/prevent unnecessary suffering.

One figure that comes to mind when I think about the Law of War is General Edwin Rommel (Germany) and General George Patton (United States).  On the battlefield these men demanded quick, accurate, and decisively devastating blows to adversaries.  However, they were also known as gentlemen soldiers who cared for the protection of captured enemy troops.  Both worked vigorously to ensure the captured were not abused.  In fact there is many a story of how Rommel even executed his own soldiers who were found guilty of prisoners of war.

Marines are continually taught about the Law of War.  In fact I was just in another class speaking about it the other day.  Please know too that our military has more then a few Marine in jail today for violations.  President George Bush has set very high standards for us and no unnecessary suffering or taking of like, unless it’s an accident, will be tolerated.

Three of the most important procedures stressed with the Law of War include:

• Do you have positive ID?
• Is the target showing hostile intent?
• Do you know what lies behind your target?

Bottom Line:  If you answer no to any of those questions you cannot shoot.  Period.

What did that savage do last night?

• Yes the Jihadist had positive ID
• Did the Marine show hostile intent?  No.  The Marine was standing their in protection of his base and Marines.
• Did the Jihadist know what lied behind the Marine?  By throwing at least 10 round down range he was just spraying the area indiscriminately.  No care for what other damage he would create so that too is a violation.

Jihadists are not men of honor or men of religion.  The idea of being a gentleman soldier is beyond their limited mental capacity.  They are murders, rapists, extortionist, and thieves.  They have no concern for life.  They are just simply savages.

Will any of the Muslim faith speak out against these thugs today?

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 79% [?]

A couple days ago another Marine lost his life here in Iraq.

I apologize for not being able to let you know earlier but out of respect to the families it’s not the right thing to do.  When we know the families have been contacted then I will release whatever information I can.

Because of where this Marine was and doing I will not going into specifics either.  I will tell you however that there are a lot of dead bad guys with only one of the Jihadist surviving.  You know he is going to have a lot of fun being interrogated these next few days.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 64% [?]

Last night we lost 2 more of our brethren. 

Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 1 (CLB-1) were traveling just north of Karmah when one of their MRAPs rolled into a canal.

Two Marines died at the scene and another was Air CASEVAC’d here to TQ in hopes that the surgeons can save his life.

The surgeons are good men and completely trust in their commitment and desire to help Marines.  I say that because I personally know them.  I am with them in maybe 6 to 7 briefs a week and have helped them research many a subject.  Whoever this wounded Marine is he is with good men.

Often in the Marine Corps we say that success is our own worst enemy.  There has yet been a mission in Afghanistan or Iraq we have not successfully completed.  Because of this, the lack of men and vehicles mixed with a short timeline do not prevent us from rogering up.

Marines are for fighting.  Marines are expeditionary by nature.  It is the Army that is designed to be the land-based sustainment force.  It is not in the Marine Corps doctrine or mindset but here we are fulfilling what should be the Army’s job because of their inability to do so.  Marines need to be in Afghanistan and the Army to assume overwatch and logistics for all of Iraq.

Last night these warriors rogered up for yet another mission.  They helped keep this country from being taken over by Al Qaeda and the insurgents.  They did what they liked doing and that is of course being Marines.

It’s horrible what their family and friends are now dealing with.  Being parents and siblings to Marines I am sure that though grieving they understand and respect the decision their love one made in coming to this place.

In respect of the Marines we have lost, its time to let the Army take full responsibility for Iraq and then let the Jarheads have card blanch in Afghanistan to kill or capture the remaining remnants of Al Qaeda and Taliban so we can call this war won and go home.

Pray for the family and loved ones so that they can more quickly cope.

Pray for the safe return of the other Marines.

Pray for those who just left us.

Semper Fi brothers,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 90% [?]

Tonight I find myself writing and re-writing this blog entry as I just don’t know where to start.

We lost 4 Marines due to an IED just outside of Camp Fallujah (FP) on 2 May.  The 4 warriors were with Combat Logistics Battalion 1 (CLB-1) which is under the 1st Marine Logistical Group (1st MLG) like me. 

I just left CF a little over a week ago and met a number of Marines while there.  I am not sure if I meet any of four as the Marine Corps has yet to publicly release the names. 

The Marine Corps recognizes the great individual tragedies that occur from time to time and work diligently to meet with all the families before the press gets word of the tragedy.  To ensure families find out in the most respectful way possible the Marine Corps shuts down all but the most essential communication (no phone calls home, no general Internet access, etc…).

It’s a sobering experience waiting for Internet access again.  You have work to do and need the Internet up but once its up you can picture in your mind the spouse, parents and siblings crying.  I don’t know how to explain it but for me it’s a bit of an eerie feeling.

Shortly, I will be heading back to CF to speak with a number of Marines in CLB-1 for business matters.  Hopefully, I will also have time to seek out friends of these 4 to see if you all can do anything for their families.

Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathon Jenkins

Popularity: 44% [?]