Above is my section on a mission in Iraq in 2008.
I joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 2006. I completed Bootcamp, SOI (School of Infantry) and then LAV Crewman's Course to become a light armored vehicle crewman. I returned home after my initial training in early 2007 and started Computer Engineering at GMU. This is when I got involved in the robotics program and competed in the Trinity firefighting competition. In early 2008 I was called to active duty, deployed to Iraq, and returned home in November of that year.
During that deployment I was a Lance Corporal Driver for "Gunny" (center of picture). We were stationed at a small train station about 15k from the Syrian border in the middle of nowhere, and patrolled a vast swath of desert between our FOB (forward operating base) and Central Iraq.
In the picture above we are in the middle of nowhere, responding to intel drops and trying to find insurgents. The "Sugar Cookie" look was a part of life. Each vehicle had a couple of infantry guys popped out of the top side rear hatches behind the turret. You can tell who they are because they are extra dusted.
When we returned, I remained as a reservist through 2012. I became a gunner, having the privilege of doing overseas training in both Morocco (African Lion) and in South Africa for (Operation Shared Accord).
I completed my reserve service as a Sergeant and vehicle commander in 2012.