From the Front Lines

In an effort to support our troops overseas, VRNA sent Christmas cards to soldiers serving in the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and Asia. The following was received via e-mail in January.

Grant Blevins, Rifle Platoon Commander

Dear VRNA,

My name is Grant Blevins and I am a Rifle Platoon Commander in an Infantry unit currently deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). I received your letter today, Dec. 25, 2000, while standing duty aboard the USS Portland.

After graduating from college, I attended Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Va. and earned my commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marines Corps. I then went on to attend the Basic Officer Course where I was assigned the MOS 0302, Infantry. Soon after the Infantry Officer Course, I checked into 1st Battalion, 8th Marines (Camp Lejeune, N.C.) and assumed the job as a Rifle Platoon Commander with Charlie Company. Since holding this position, my platoon has completed multiple tactical exercises in our preparations for this overseas deployment. One of our primary missions for our company is amphibious raids using our mechanized vehicles (AAVs). In doing so we team of with our Navy partners and are supported with a variety of combat elements such as artillery, Cobra helicopters, LAR, and Navy Seal/Force Recon units for enemy intelligence gathering.

In addition to our specialized mission with amphibious raids, my platoon continues to maintain proficiency in its ability for day and night patrolling operations, long-range land navigation training, nonlethal weapons and tactics skills, vehicle checkpoint/search operations, and hand-to-hand combat training.

After leaving our homebase at Camp Lejeune, N.C. on Nov. 29, 2000, our ship, the USS Portland took 13 days to cross the ocean and arrive at Rota Naval Base, Spain. Once there, our company was selected to undergo a joint training exercise with the Spanish Marines. It was an exciting experience to be able to work with a foreign military force. We learned a lot from the experience.

After the training, our ship went on to our next port in Civitavecchia Italy. We have been here since Dec. 22. It was nice to spend Christmas and New Year's in Rome since we are away from our family and friends. One of the most difficult tasks we face while being deployed overseas for a long time is keeping the men always ready and maintaining proficiency with weapons and knowledge. They call us "a certain force in an uncertain world." Space is very limited on a ship, so you have to make due with what you've got and be creative. Included are some pictures of us doing some live-fire shooting off the back of our ship.

Keep track of the 22nd MEU at: http://www.usmc.mil/22ndMEU/index.htm

What is an MEU?
The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is the smallest type of MAGTF. With the strength of about 2,200 personnel, the MEU is normally built around a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite aircraft squadron and an MEU service support group. Commanded by a colonel, the MEU is employed to fulfill routine forward deployments with U.S. naval fleets in the Mediterranean, the Western Pacific and, periodically, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The MEU is deployed aboard up to four naval amphibious ships. The Ground Combat Element is the battalion landing team, an infantry battalion reinforced with artillery, amphibious assault vehicles, light armored reconnaissance assets and other units as the mission and circumstances require.

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