CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq -- Ronald Reagan once said, “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.”
For Cpl. Tyler R. Allamong, a combat engineer with 5th Civil Affairs Group, and his fellow team members, this statement seems especially true. Their mission is to help the Iraqi people restore critical infrastructure and assist in economic development and reconstruction.
The 22-year-old Hagerstown, Md. native is a member of Team 3, Detachment 2, 5th CAG. The unit came together in January at Camp Lejeune to train in civil affairs. Allamong’s team is in direct support of 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
“We’re kind of jacks of all trades in this team,” stated the 2000 Clear Springs High School graduate, whose six man team is comprised of Marine reservists who in the civilian community perform diverse jobs such as policemen, engineers, doctors and public administrators. “It’s kind of cool, because we have a lot of people used to working for the public on the team.”
It’s this experience that served the six-man unit well after starting what Allamong called “a crash course in civil affairs” in January.
“We were told sometime before the holidays that we were going to be activated, so after taking a block of leave (time off) for Christmas, we came to Camp Lejeune to start training for this deployment,” the former Department of Homeland Defense employee said. “We took courses to learn about Iraqi culture, how to contract civilian workers, and conduct Civil Military Operations.”
Allamong said his group also received humvee driver training and combat lifesaver training, a course that teaches Marines how to perform first aid measures in combat.
“We had a good time while we were at Lejeune,” Allamong said. “I came in only knowing one other guy, but by the time we deployed, we’d all meshed together really well.”
Two months later, Team 3 deployed to Fallujah to put their civil affairs training to work.
“A typical day for us here is getting up and leaving Baharia every morning, then heading for the CMOC (Civil Military Operations Center in Fallujah),” Allamong said. “We’ll usually head down to places like Jolan Park and get some face-to-face time with the people there.”
Allamong referred to one ongoing project here. Marines are working in conjunction with Iraqi Security Forces and local officials to issue a total of $100 million in compensation money to Fallujah’s citizens as payment for damages done during the push through the city last year. Civil affairs teams such as Allamong’s frequently travel to these sites and ensure that operations are going smoothly.
“Basically, our job is to help make the people’s lives here a little better,” Allamong said. “You always want the friendships we’ve made with people so far to continue growing.”
To accomplish this, the group also stops by schools throughout Fallujah to survey the area.
“We’ll go in and talk to the headmaster and maybe check the place out to see what the kids might need,” Allamong said. “It’s all about building rapport with the people.”
Additionally, CA Team 3 maintains an ongoing project in one of Fallujah’s judicial buildings.
“The place looks like Swiss cheese,” Allamong said, describing the bullet hole-riddled building. “We’re trying to get them office furniture and supplies to replace stuff they lost during the war.”
These civil-military missions complement the battalion’s combat offensive capabilities.
According to Maj. Chris E. Phelps, the CA team leader, CAG teams “act as a force multiplier to support the tactical missions of an infantry battalion.”
The civil affairs team conducts patrols and missions alongside Iraqi Security Forces to teach them how to interact with Fallujah’s people.
“It’s important for the Iraqi people to gain trust in their forces,” Phelps said. “In the U.S., our military works for the people, but in Iraq, it hasn’t been that way for the longest time.”
Allamong said his CAG team is constantly busy, as there is a never-ending amount of civil affairs missions to perform.
“I’m sure things are going to get even busier in the next couple of months,” he said.
Nonetheless, Allamong and his teammates remain motivated to perform whatever the job demands of them.
"When you’re able to talk to people and help them solve their problems, it gives you an extremely gratifying sensation,” said Phelps, who has spent about 17 years in the Marine Corps and considers this CAG assignment the most challenging and rewarding.
“I’m happier than hell to be here,” said Allamong. “I see things getting better in Iraq because of what we’re doing.”