Making Memories

THE LAW OF WAR/ RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

The importance of understanding the Law of War in the current operational environment cannot be overstressed. All we need to do is look at one of the several cases where questionable actions have been publicly showcased to understand its importance. It is imperative that we as leaders not only know what the Law of War is but we also have the ability to conceptualize these principles and train our Marines to the same standards.

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5 - December - 2001 (fifteen years earlier)

Kandahar, Afghanistan

15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

I couldn't believe we'd been in-country since November 25. This was as foreign a land to me as I could even imagine. Nothing made sense.

We had no warning, no sign that this was going to happen. On the morning of September 11, we were aboard the USS Peleliu, finishing a PT run. Less than three months later, I was in Afghanistan, The Box, being shot at by an enemy I never knew existed—T-Man, slang for Taliban.

Part of the Fifteenth MEU, from FOB Rhino, was sealing off enemy escape routes along Highway-Route One. They were called Taskforce Sledgehammer. Armed with both ass and air. Their ass comprised twenty-two Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs) and armored Humvees. Their air, F-18, and AV8-bravos. Our platoon was a small force ninety miles from FOB Rhino. We were being used as an Air Interdiction Patrol—hunter-killers. The Sea Stallion transport helicopters inserted us to search for and destroy any enemy element we encountered.

"T-Man about seven hundred twenty-five meters. Have visual contact with RPG tube with optics," reported Theo as he glassed over the area.

"They're spread out over 100 meters or so. Six-digit grid should do it, Lieutenant," he said to Lieutenant Davies, who kneeled beside him.

"Lance Corporal," said Davies. He tapped Viking on his helmet. "Get me on the horn with Fire Direction Center." Viking handed Davies the handset, who snatched it and put it to his ear.

Lieutenant Davies was known as Banger because he hailed from one of the worst inner-city projects in Chicago, Fuller Park. Raised by his grandmother, he often reminded us he fought daily just to get to school. He adorned his back with tattoos. Roses, crosses, and barbed wire had the names of friends and relatives killed in the projects.

Banger held the grid designator Theo had marked and got on the comm with the FDC.

"Rainstorm, Rainstorm," he said, "this is Lost Boy Six Actual, requesting fire support, over."

"Lost Boy Six Actual," they replied. "This is Rainstorm. Fire support, out."

"T-Man in fighting holes. Platoon-sized element," said Banger, readying the coordinates. "Grid, six-eight, six-four, tree niner, over."

We were under heavy small-arms fire, taking cover in an impact crater. The cracks of their RPK light machine guns were in cadence, blending and sometimes interrupting each other. An occasional rocket grenade would impact within twenty to thirty yards of our position. Theo stood backing away from the front of the crater, binoculars fixed on his eyes. I was staying low, nervous. I looked at him, amazed at his poise and how normal he acted. He caught my glance and smiled.

"Knees, Kelly, knees," he said. He broke his focus on the action to look at me. "I'm getting old." He winked at me, immediately calming my nerves. I laughed out loud.

"ye-aye, Staff Sergeant," I said, leaning back against the crater wall.

"Lost Boy Six Actual," said Rainstorm over the net. "One round HEVT adjust, five rounds effect, over."

Moments later, artillery impacted with precision on the marked grid. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard at that moment.

"Rainstorm, you are on target," said Banger. "Fire for effect, how copy?"

"Rainstorm to observer, solid copy. Shot over."

"Shot out," Banger replied.

"Splash, " said Rainstorm.

Theo began counting down from five and smiled. Looking at me, he winked again, baring his teeth. He was the epitome of combat discipline. I could tell he was in his element—the protocol, the spotting, and the sounds of artillery finding T-Man with steel rain.

"That's outstanding effect on target, Staff Sergeant," said Banger. "Outstanding!"

I glanced over the crater wall and saw the pixie dust settling from the massive explosions. I knew there was no way anyone would survive that.

"What d'you got, Staff Sergeant," asked Banger. He waited to report the effect to Rainstorm.

"Battle Damage Assessment—one hundred percent. Have no movement, Lieutenant," replied Theo before smiling ear to ear.

"Rainstorm, Rainstorm," said Banger. "Stand by for BDA. Break—One hundred percent enemy casualties. Will clean from here. Lost Boy Six Actual, out."

I knew what was coming next. We were going onto the field to check for enemy prisoners of war and earn our pay. I reluctantly left my little plot of land, which had kept me safe from enemy fire, but it was time to make memories.