Marine leads with experience
RUTBAH, Iraq (June 28, 2007) -- The rank of corporal has great meaning for a Marine. They proudly brandish the traditional blood stripe, and must take on the great responsibility that comes with the stripe to lead junior Marines.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/90CEAF28FE6B313C8525730800472DC4?opendocument
June 28, 2007
By Lance Cpl. Brian L. Lewis, 2nd Marine Division
For Marines from Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Task Force Tarawa, one corporal is making quite an impression and showing what the true value of leadership is.
“I don’t see myself as a leader, but for some reason others seem to,” said Cpl. Travis J. Lambert, a designated marksman with the company. “I just do what I am told; no questions asked.”
Lambert provides a vital resource for the battalion by acting as a designated marksman.
“My job is similar to a sniper, but with less strenuous training,” says the Ocula, Fla., native. “I am there to provide over watch for the safety of the area, as well as acquire accurate targets, so there is less collateral damage.”
Lambert also goes beyond the call of duty, assisting on operations taking place, and often lending his experienced hand by leading patrols and missions in the area.
“It isn’t hard to lead Marines for patrols, you just have to make a mental checklist before you leave,” he said. “Checking for protective equipment, plenty of water and making sure they are in the mindset is a few of the things I remind myself to do.”
Lambert’s proactive attitude has caught the eye of many of his superiors, to which they praise highly.
“He brings so much to the table,” says 1st Sgt. Ramon B. Nash, the company first sergeant. “Just considering his job at hand, he brings vital intelligence reports about the area that allow us to keep operations running smoothly.”
Lambert, who is currently on his third tour in Iraq, has spent great amounts of time learning how to deal with certain situations, and ways to help fellow Marines deployed for their first time. He often reflects on past experiences to help lead others while on patrol.
“I remember my first deployment. Times were so much different than they are (now),” he recalls. “You constantly had to keep your head down. It was nonstop chaos.”
The war has changed much since then, but Lambert still carries himself as if he were still living in the same atmosphere as before.
"You always must keep the mindset that you are being watched, especially on patrol,” he said. “I am constantly monitoring the surroundings, constantly looking for a place to take cover in the event of an emergency, and constantly making sure that my Marines are doing the same thing.”
It is this mindset that his superiors believe will be his greatest asset as he climbs into new ranks and is put into a position to lead greater numbers of Marines.
“Since I have been part of the company, I have watched him grow tremendously,” said Nash. “Even to this day, he still asks questions and makes great effort to understand anything available to learn.”
As his deployment nears the halfway mark, Lambert looks to the future with high expectations.
“I hope that the Iraqi Army and Police can achieve a status where they can support themselves,” he said. “I’ve seen too many people lose their lives, and I hope to see it come to an end.”
Task Force Tarawa is part of Regimental Combat Team 2 located in Iraq’s western Al Anbar province.