Marines get crash course in how to come home

By: DARRIN MORTENSON - Staff Writer | Saturday, January 29, 2005 3:47 PM PST ∞

NAJAF, Iraq ---- With little more than two weeks left in Iraq, Marines stationed at the edge of the Iraqi holy city of Najaf have two big challenges on their minds: protecting Iraqi voters during Sunday's election and getting back into their home lives healthy and whole.

Securing the streets during the election may be the easier of the two tasks, said Navy Lt. Cdr. Paul Shaughnessy, the Catholic chaplain for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Najaf, which is about 100 miles southwest of Baghdad.

The 2,000-some members of the unit are expected to return next month after about nine months in Iraq, where they saw heavy fighting last summer. The unit has spent the last several months trying to rebuild the city, make peace with locals and secure election sites before heading back to Camp Pendleton.

However excited they are to get back to San Diego County, Shaughnessy said the job of adjusting from life in a war zone to life at home may be much more difficult than Marines may think.

Most of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, especially the infantrymen Shaughnessy addressed Friday in what Marines call "warrior transition" training, participated in brutal fighting in the streets of Najaf in August. Eight Marines died in the fighting, more than 1,000 insurgents were killed and thousands of civilians were reportedly killed or wounded.

"For a lot of them, it's going to be their first time in combat," Shaughnessy said Friday standing next to a fresh fruit stand on the base.

"It's probably the first time they've seen a dead body," he said. "Around the cemetery there were a lot of civilians who got killed, you know, just sorta got in the way. And that's difficult to handle. As long as they talk to somebody instead of keeping it in ... ."

As the Marines got seated and the chaplain began to speak, the young men listened quietly, a few of them taking notes as the large, gregarious Irish Catholic from Boston continued.

"Going from a hostile environment to a home environment ---- it's a very different set of skills you need," he began, adding that the first step to their transition is to talk about their experiences in combat, even to each other. "But once you know where you've been, and where you are, it's easier to know where you are going."

Shaughnessy warned the troops that the people they will return home to may have changed, just as they may be different young men after experiencing war.

Girlfriends might have changed their minds and left them, their wives might be tense or apprehensive or anxious, and family members may not know how to treat their Marines or give them the space they need.

And the Marines themselves may not know how to walk among loved ones in the civilian world or among other, possibly envious Marines who did not share the experience of combat.

They might not know how to react to the trauma their loved ones went through while they were in Iraq, when most of the news they got included images of car bombings and death on the television, he said.

"They're going to be on you like a new suit," Shaughnessy said of their family members. "They're going to be very happy to see you and, well, they might be a little anxious. Understand them. Be patient. When you go home, take time, listen."

He also warned of possible negative reactions to their homecoming.

"There could be resentment," he warned the married Marines among them.

"Every day they've been worried about your well being," he said. "There is an emotional toll to that."

The most important thing, Shaughnessy said, is for the Marines to talk to someone about their experiences, feelings, or lack of feelings ---- a common problem faced by survivors of combat.

He said to watch for signs of depression or sadness, tardiness or absenteeism at work, mood swings, excessive drinking and other abnormal behavior.

"It's very important that you keep an eye on one another, especially for the next three months," he said.

Shaughnessy ended with the note that through their sacrifice, the Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit can go home feeling proud that they helped create stability in Najaf and gave the people a chance to hold Sunday's election in peace.

Marines said the pep talk made them feel good about getting home and facing their next challenge.

"It just helped me understand more," said Lance Cpl. Nathan Ziobro, 20, of Temecula, as he shouldered his machine gun sling and headed past the fruit and salad bar out of the mess tent.

"It's good to know where to go if you need help," said Cpl. Cole Young, 21, of Steelville, Ill.

His friend, Cpl. Jeff Winges, interrupted.

"He's right, he said.

After five overseas deployments with the Marine Corps ---- including 13 months at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and two tours in Iraq ---- Winges, 24, of Arkansas, said he's no stranger to the process of adjusting to civilian life.

"It helps you know where to go and who to talk to," Winges added.

"But c'mon," he said. "I just want to get home. Let's just get home."

Contact staff writer Darrin Mortenson at dmortenson@nctimes.com.

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