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MSSG-31 Marines supply battalions

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 2004121435524
Story by Lance Cpl. Will Lathrop

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Dec. 12, 2004) -- Marines assigned to the training and operations section of Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group – 31 processed 480 rapid request forms and coordinated re-supply for forward units in Fallujah throughout the month of November.

The section, S-3, was responsible for processing request forms that came out of the field and coordinating the acquisition, security and delivery of the ‘beans, bullets and band aids’ that the Marines needed. They differ from supply in that the S-3 facilitates the delivery of equipment from supply to the troops in the field.

“We’ve got a diverse MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) group in here. We’ve got embarkers, motor transport and landing support Marines making things happen,” said Sgt. Steven Pope, 24, an Amarillo, Texas, native and non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the S-3 for MSSG-31.

“There’s no school for what they do, so they just had to learn by jumping in the water and learning to swim,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jason Boldenow, the MSSG-31 operations chief.

The S-3 performed admirably, even with three battalions of Marines that needed re-supply, as opposed to the one that MSSG-31 is used to supporting, Boldenow said.

“We processed everything from ammo and water to sand bags and concertina wire,” Pope said.
When a request comes in, the S-3 first logs it in and calls the supply section, which has the items needed. Then they have to coordinate with heavy equipment operators to stage the pallets of chow, water or whatever equipment is issued from supply.

While the gear is being staged, somebody from the S-3 works with motor transport to get vehicles and drivers to carry the supplies to the units that need them. Also, a security team has to be assembled every time in order to safely escort the re-supply convoy into Fallujah.

“The last thing we do is get a comm (communications) and security team, write up convoy manifests and make sure nobody’s late,” Pope said. According to him, time was a key factor in getting supplies out to the battlefield because, “they (Marines in the field) can do a while without chow, but what happens when nobody has ammo?”

The S-3 has done an outstanding job, especially considering that nobody in the shop has been trained to do this job, said Boldenow, a native of Valdez, Alaska.

The MSSG-31 S-3 is comprised of Marines from different jobs. Not only is Pope the NCOIC, but he is also the nuclear, biological and chemical chief for MSSG-31.

Since major assault on the city is complete, MSSG-31 has had fewer requests come across their desks than before. Despite the fewer requests, they will continue to efficiently handle the process of supplying troops in the battlefield.