Iraq Veterans Against the War has become About Face: Veterans Against the War. About Face can be found at aboutfaceveterans.org
I served as a Marine Infantry man from 2002 to 2006. During my time I was deployed to Iraq for the U.S. Invasion and once again later during my enlistment to Fallujah. Between those deployments I also served at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. After being discharged in 2006 I became focused on school work and activism. In 2007 Thomas Buonomo and I formed Iraq Veterans Against the War's 34th Chapter in Rochester, New York.
E4 (Corporal) USMC Active Duty 2nd Marine Division 2nd Battalion 6th Marines Fox Company 2nd Platoon and eventually Headquarters Platoon
TIMELINE Enlisted August 6th 2002 Hometown Camillus, NY
Kuwait/Iraq Mar 2002 - May 2002 Started at Camp Commando Kuwait and pushed during the invasion guarding General Tommy Franks until we ended at Sadam's Palace in Babylon Iraq I was just a grunt 0311 Infantryman, sometimes on the turret, standing post, convoy security
Okinawa Japan Sep 2003 - May 2004 *The deployment was 9 months, but the leave and return dates could be give or take a month Stationed at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan Started to be trained as a Team Leader, but still just a basic grunt.
Kabul, Afghanistan Sep 2004 - Mar 2005 *The deployment was 7 months, but the leave and return dates could be give or take a month U.S. Embassy Acted as a Team Leader and designated marksman spotter. Primarily did guard duty at the sniper post a top the U.S. Embassy Kabul. Ran my team through several patrols behind the U.S. Embassy
CAX Twenty-nine palms, California Aug 2005 Promoted to E4 Corporal
Fallujah, Iraq Sep 10th 2005 - May 2005 *The deployment was 9 months. The leave date is give or take a couple days, and the return date had to be in that month. At various Forward Operating Bases in the city, and eventually at the CMOC in the heart of the city. By this point I had become part of HQ platoon. My official title was Training NCO. My duties rotated but we acted as primary medivac for the city of Fallujah. Did standard logistical runs for our company (chow, mail, drop off's / pick up's). We also provided augmented security for house raids and large cordons. After 9 months we had done over 1000 convoys, something we laughed at as being impossible when we first got there.
Camp Lejune, North Carolina August 5th 2006 Honorable discharge after 4 years active duty in the United States Marine Corps
Rochester, New York September 2006 Enrolled at RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) to obtain a degree in Information Technology IRR Recall Notice Mailed to Me April 18th
Kansas City, Missouri June 2nd 2007 - June 4th 2007 IRR Recall Report Dates The incident I talked to Dahr about when I stood up to a General and told him this recall was bogus was probably on June 3rd of the 4th
Rochester, New York October 2007 Formed IVAW’s 34th Chapter with Thomas Buonomo and Mike Totten
Silver Spring, Maryland March 2008 Attended and testified at Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan
Saint Paul, Minneapolis September 1st – September 4th Marched in IVAW's action at the RNC
Rochester, New York October 4th IVAW Rochester holds Rochester Winter Soldier
Rochester, New York December 2008 Become IVAW's Suddo Northeast Regional Coordinator
Rochester, New York April 2009 Hired as IVAW's Webmaster
Dates have been recalled by memory and could be up to a month off. For specifics when reporting or writing an article, please contact me.