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Marksmen provide security and another set of eyes at Kabul's U.S. Embassy

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 200322655443
Story by Cpl. Douglass P. Gilhooly

KABUL, Afghanistan(Feb. 23, 2003) -- According to the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism) Training Center's Designated Marksman Rifle Course Training Book a designated marksman (DM) is an individual highly trained in marksmanship and observation. The book also states, in support of close quarter battle operations, the DM gathers and reports information and upon command from legitimate authority delivers precision fire on positively identified threats.

Here at the U.S. Embassy, designated marksmen play an important role of gathering intelligence and are always on the alert.

"Basically, we are the eyes and ears for the task force," said Lance Cpl. Jeremy R. Riddle, designated marksman for Task Force Kabul. "We see and hear many things because we are at an elevated position."

Riddle said he and his partner, Lance Cpl. James J. Abate, also a DM for the task force are an extremely important part of the 4th MEB. The 4th MEB is a group of Marines whose sole purpose is to deter terrorism and provide security at the embassy.

"In this tight knit area like Kabul, we are trained and ready to do whatever is needed," said Riddle. "We have trained in city environments, like MOUT (military operations in urban terrain) and I feel I can count on my partner and myself to perform whatever mission is at hand."

Riddle, an Asheville, N.C., native, and Abate, a Las Vegas native, described some of their daily observations.

"I look for anything out of the ordinary," said Abate. "Something that looks suspicious, things that repeat over and over. Basic patterns of activities."

Riddle added, "I always see flashes throughout the night. I also see smoke from nearby explosions. And of course, I see the snow-capped mountains, which remind me of home."

Other designated marksman for the task force, Cpl. Joseph Singer and observer Cpl. David Sazo, said they see many things during their shift. They added the importance and necessity for them to be part of the task force.

"If the DM isn't the most important position in the task force, then it is definitely the second," said Sazo, a Providence, R.I., native. "I say this because they can see something long before the other posts can. Our vantage point allows us to gather more intelligence than other posts."

Singer, a Revere, Mass., native, added, "we're extra eyes, we can see a full 360 degrees view of everything that goes on. "I see vehicles, stopping, looking at the embassy," said Singer. "I see poverty, people begging in the streets, 5-year-olds carrying 3-year-olds."

Sazo's observations include a myriad of activities. "I see people praying on the rooftops of buildings, construction in and outside the compound, females covered in their burkas, people walking around with AK-47s and probably one of the more interesting things we get to see is the Afghan sport of buskashi." Sazo explained the sport, "basically, guys ride around on horses and hitting a goat's head around. It looks like polo."

Singer added his views of buskashi, "it is crazy, if you've ever seen Rambo 3, you've seen the sport."

Sazo and Singer said they hear various sounds throughout their time standing post.

"During the day, I hear random gunshots, small explosions, construction and traffic," said Sazo. "Prayer music plays throughout the day at various times. I think it is about five times."

Singer described what he hears during his time on post. "I hear wild dogs, and many odd sounds you just cannot pinpoint."

Riddle and Abate said they hear interesting sounds as well. They also said they smell a variety of things throughout the day. "I smell smoke filled with different scents," said Riddle. "The people burn everything they can find."

The DM's recalled an earthquake one night they stood post. "It was Dec. 26, about 12:30 a.m.," said Riddle. "We had just started post and all of a sudden, things started shaking."

Abate added, "it was crazy and intense. At first, we didn't know what was happening, but then realized what it was."

Riddle said he had read some history of Afghanistan and learned that there is a lot of seismic activity in Northern Afghanistan. He added, "I just didn't think I would be a witness to an earthquake so quickly. It was shocking, but kind of funny when all was said and done."

The DM's said the most important aspect of their job is to never feel comfortable about the surroundings. Once they slip and start to feel comfortable, the unimaginable can happen.

"We have to stay vigilante," said Abate. "Just because there is nothing going on, doesn't mean you should just sit back and relax. No one ever expected the Twin Towers to be hit by two planes."

Throughout the time they stand post, the DM's know they must be ready. It is when they lose their edge, that people can be hurt, even killed. The environment that encompasses them allows them to be ready for any mission. With all of the sounds, visions, and smells, DM's stand ready with their scopes downrange to deter any threat.