Brad D., former 0352 and current arms dealer shares his journey.
We’ll start my story with me prepping for enlistment, while still at Auburn University. I was at Auburn, loving my independence a little too much and not having any interest at all in completing my bachelor degree. I knew before I had begun my freshman year that I wanted to enlist. College was my attempt at obliging my parents’ desire for me to use the scholarships I had earned and get a degree. Ultimately, I left after one year.
In May of 2012, I left for Parris Island. Bootcamp was a reality check, but I knew that was part of cutting your teeth as a Marine. Going into Infantry Training Battalion (ITB), I purchased a Casio G-Shock because that’s what you do. I recall it being all digital and rated 200m for WR. Frankly, it wasn’t for me due to how mainstream it was in the infantry.
Upon graduating ITB, I earned the MOS 0352. 0352s in the Marine Corps were always assigned to Weapons Company CAAT platoons when I was in. This kept us flexible in our roles and forced you to learn machine gunnery; mainly due to their being more machine gun trucks than missile (M41A7 Saber) trucks.
Shortly after getting to my first unit, 3rd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, I purchased a Suunto Vector. I rocked that Suunto Vector through my first deployment, a UDP to Okinawa (shoutout Camp Schwab) that also had us going to the Philippines and mainland Japan. Arriving back, I was selected to go to Advanced Infantry Training Battalion for the AATMC (Advanced Anti-Tank Missileman Course) which was a right of passage for upcoming squad leaders and section leaders. The Suunto was great, mainly due to it’s battery life, compass feature, and ruggedness. I used the compass feature often in lieu of an issued Cammenga OD green one. Around this time (early 2014) , smart watches were kicking off and the instructors caught on, banning the wearing of them during land nav evaluations.
My beat up Suunto Vector that I loved, but truly only served as a watch, compass, and stopwatch. The Ambit 3 provided me with 10 digit MGRS and was a magnificent upgrade.
After successfully passing the AATMC, I went back to my unit in time to go to Yuma, AZ for a training work-up called WTI (Weapons & Tactics Instructor). I managed to earn myself a title of “Hunter/Killer” Team Leader in charge of two trucks. I also was chosen to fire the one Javelin missile our platoon had been allocated. Sunto Vector worn the whole iteration, nearing it’s retirement.
WTI in Yuma, AZ for my first Javelin shot. Was honored to be chosen for our ONE allocation of the DODIC during that work-up training.
Work-up complete- I had learned a lot about small-unit leadership and the application of supporting elements. I was gifted a Suunto Ambit 3 around this time, a total surprise for me. This was right around when we were going on pre-deployment leave for my second deployment, which would be a MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit).
We departed for this deployment around early 2015. All we knew was that Operation Inherent Resolve was initiating and we would likely spend some time in the Red Sea, after going through the Mediterranean and Suez Canal. Al Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula was the main threat and we had multiple SOCOM entities we would be supporting in vicinity of Syria/Oman and Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
After doing some shenanigans at port calls throughout Spain and Italy, it was time to get in some partner force training in Djibouti. This is where I really admired the Ambit 3 for it’s GPS accuracy! I could store waypoints along a route, reference locations based on provided grids, and even call-for-fire with it (which I unofficially did). Absolutely loved that watch, which was ahead of the game for 2015.
Training in the middle of a MEU was bittersweet. You got to get off the hell-hole (at least it was for the Marines) known as the Iwo Jima; but you also had to bivouac in the heat of the summer and eat MREs for weeks on end. Embrace it, right?
Every Marine I know wanted to get the call to assist on the ground during our MEU. At one pint we had been on the boat for three months straight. Talk about stir crazy. I’d use my Ambit 3 to ping our location out at sea and track our movements, just to kill time. You also become nocturnal, for no apparent reason other than there’s nothing else to do.
I did get lucky about six months into the eight-month deployment. Our platoon was tasked with assisting a MARSOC team in south Oman and also assisting an air force squadron near Muscat, Oman. We split the platoon into two sections of 18 guys, dismounted. My section got the MARSOC attachment, luckily.
The attachment was provided in order to assist the Raider team with force protection. They requested that the MEU send us to plus up their numbers so they could continue… raiding… at night and not need to have their own CSOs on guard in shifts. We helped them catch a rest and they were appreciative. While it was not glorifying, it was better than being on ship.
After that MEU, I was handed over many responsibilities. I also picked up Sergeant after about 3.5 years of Time in Service. 0352s had that perk sometimes. To my dismay, the “needs of the Corps” came knocking and I was given orders to report to 3rd Battalion 2nd Marine Regiment. 3/2 needed a Sergeant to fill a role as section leader in one of their CAAT platoons.
First deployment as a section leader about to do a major field-op, a freshly promoted Sergeant in charge of 4 gun trucks. I really cut my teeth as a leader this deployment (my third), despite it just being a Japan/Korea UDP. Learned a lot from my juniors and learned where a lot of my deficiencies were. This was after I was cut orders to 3/2 only a few months prior.
I did my last deployment with 3/2 in mid-2016 through early 2017. I learned a lot form those times and ultimately had decided to get out of the Marine Corps after my five year contract was up. In hindsight, this was mainly due to pressure from an ex to get out, but I also knew I wanted to get my bachelor degree while I was still in my twenties. I held a lot of resentment for being pressured to get out, but ultimately I wouldn’t be where I am today had I stayed in.
I will never forget the time spent while enlisted. I value it immensely and credit it exclusively for giving me my resilience, mental & emotional fortitude, and ability to problem solve. The men I met and trained had me walking with giants. I love what our Marine Corps does with it’s men and there is no finer branch in the world.
Thanks for reading my story. Cheers.
Brad D., former 0352 and current arms dealer, is a long-time friend of Club co-founder Mi Nam; this relationship is proof that even Army Infantrymen need heroes, and they're Marines. If you wish to follow his post-service journey and see an amazing bourbon, firearm, and growing watch collection, he can be found on Instagram, @BallisticBrad.