Bromfield grad chooses Marines over college

[Vulture6]

Against the norm: Bromfield grad chooses Marines over college, faces Taliban in Afghanistan
By Don Eriksson

Friday, October 01, 2004 - HARVARD -- A week ago, 135-pound Marine Lance Corporal John Blinn was "humping" his matching 135 pounds of field gear across barren central Afghanistan with Bravo Company, First Battalion, Sixth Marines.

Monday, he was sitting in the dining room of his family's early American house on idyllic, tree-shaded Old Littleton Road across the table from his mother, Angela, and talking about the last 15 months of his life. A large welcome home sign decorated the family barn across the street.

The dramatic difference in geography is similar to the decision the 2003 Bromfield School graduate made by becoming a Marine in a town well known for its emphasis on college.

"There weren't many who went [into the Marines] before me but there are a couple of guys behind [my class] who are in. One is in Paris Island [boot camp] right now," Bliss said.

"I was always interested in war movies and in high school I figured maybe I needed something before going to college," Blinn said. "Bromfield was challenging and I went against the norm, but I had great support [from home]."

That support came from both parents. Angela said she addresses her son's sensitive side and credits her husband, Richard, with emphasizing to his son the importance of doing whatever job is at hand. Blinn's job, until the end of his hitch in 2007, is to be a Marine infantry rifleman. He volunteered for it.

"It's all about your buddies," Blinn said. "The Marine Corps is all about brotherhood. We are big on the core values of honor, courage and commitment. It's not always 24/7 but if you hang around long enough, you'll see it."

The 1st Battalion, 6th Marines was stationed in central Afghanistan near Oruguzon, having moved north from Kandahar. The Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Asad Khan, had been interviewed by newsman Geraldo Rivera earlier this year and reported his unit had "fixed" close to 200 Taliban.

"He's a great commander," Blinn said. "He pushes well and won't order anyone to do anything he won't do."

The terrain ranges from green valleys fed by underground streams, in which enemy weapons can be hidden, to rugged, rocky mountains often so high that re-supply is difficult. Helicopters cannot crest some of them because of the high altitude and thin air. One mountain peak rises 9,000 feet above the battalion's already high altitude. Blinn and his fellow Marines climbed up and down the steep inclines each day carrying new supplies on their backs.

The Marines do physical training similar to boot camp every day and often do "Colonel's runs," five mile runs in 110 degree heat with Khan in the lead.
"These are no [field] pack runs," Blinn said. "We went through enough of [fully loaded] runs in training. We do plenty of pull-ups and crunches. You never see anyone quit. We all come from different backgrounds but everyone's green as we say."

Being a Marine is "not what you have outside but what you have on the inside," Blinn said. "I'm somewhat of a motivator because it's not so bad. I'm motivated by old sergeants. My first sergeant is a hard charger."

The high temperatures drop to 70 to 80 degrees at night, so quickly that Blinn said you feel the cold. He is used to sleeping outside on bare ground.

"My platoon is smaller than that of a line company," Blinn said, and, glancing at his mother, added, "There is still some resistance."

Blinn said his unit has worked with the Afghan National Army, which is uniformed troops that he described as "pretty much on their toes," and with the AMF (Afghan Militia Forces) who wear identifying arm bands and carry Russian AK-47s.
Every Marine platoon has an interpreter and has Marine Service Support Group female searchers to examine female detainees. "We don't violate that line," Blinn said.

The Marines have also worked in a joint task force with the Army. He respects National Guardsmen he has met and feels they are doing a real job. He sees no need for a draft.

His hitch is four years of active duty followed by four years of inactive reserve on callback status. Blinn heads for Camp LeJeune in North Carolina in a week for an unspecified period of time. He is not discounting the chance he will be going to Iraq.

Angela is happy her son's first tour was in Afghanistan.

"[The reality] is something only those who have served in that country know but in some respects, as a mom, I'm relieved because he wasn't in Iraq because of all the news coverage," Angela Blinn said. "People don't realize though that Afghanistan is still a war zone. It's sort of secret."

Richard Blinn's draft number was not called for the Vietnam War but Angela said he was strongly behind his son's decision to join the Marines. A great uncle, a Marine, lost both legs in the Korean War.

"His dad said this is what you have to do," Angela said. "[John] is a guy with high standards and he thanks [his father] profusely now. He has a new appreciation for his dad.

"He wasn't a student and couldn't imagine college but maybe he does now," said Angela. "[John] knows he has something to offer. Marines are pushed so hard that writing a school paper can't be the worst thing in the world. I'm pleased with his confidence and he can do what he wants."

Asked if college is in the future, Blinn said, "If I don't re-enlist I'd go to school. Being a grunt has it's days but it's busy, and humping mountains is a challenge."


www.ayerpublicspirit.com