Deploying to Iraq

[Anonymous]

Hello -

I am enlisting in the Marine Corps next week, in a Reserve unit, and I've been given the job of Combat Engineer. As soon as I am done wtih training, I am leaving with my unit to Iraq.

What can I expect to do over in Iraq? What do female combat engineers do, if they can't be in combat - the whole country is combat! I very much want my job, I'm excited about it, and I want to do it fully! Will I be suffocated in Iraq? Will I be "creatively redesignated"? I hope not. :(

Any advice?

Oh - and am I going to be the only women in this MOS?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Congratulations on your decision to join the ranks of the Fewer, the Prouder, the Women Marines! You sound very motivated, which is awesome. :D
I can't say I've met very many combat engineers in my career - maybe 15 - but none of them were women. I think because it is more of a front line job, it hasn't always been open to women.
I learned quickly over there - as scuds were flying over my head - that just because women cannot technically be in combat, doesn't mean we're not in danger. Far from it.
Sorry I cannot elaborate further, but feel free to email me questions on boot camp, Iraq, or the Corps, and I'll be happy to help (sfirmiss@rwbaird.com).
Semper Fidelis,
Cpl. F

[Admin_USMC]

Combat engineers do so many various things. They build bridges, runways, structures, etc. They blow up mine fields, mines, unexploded ordinace, and ordinance caches. This is just a few of the tasks of a combat engineer. There are females in this MOS it was only opened to females in recent years. Also keep in mind that in today's combat environment there really isn't a clearly defined front line like there was in WWII and the past. Just because you are serving in a support MOS does not mean that you are not going to be in harm's way. This is why every Marine is trained as a basic rifleman so you will recieve training to help protect yourself. As you have probably seen on TV, nowhere in Iraq is safe. Make sure to pay attention to the training your receive it just may save your life! Best of luck in your endeavors.