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2011 Third Squad

Location:
Patrol Base Fires, Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Unit:
3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines

Name and Rank: Sergeant Jarick Fry

Age: 24

Hometown: Irwin, Pennsylvania

Interview selections:

Explain how you volunteered to be a combat replacement:

"The opportunity arose probably about a week and a half prior to me actually deploying. I heard 1/5 had some casualties and they needed some sergeants over here, some guys with some experience to help make it through the rest of the deployment. So as soon as I heard the word I started beating on doors to get over here, 'cause that's all I've wanted to do since I've been in."

What did your wife think of your decision to volunteer?

"My wife and my friends didn’t want me to come, but none of ‘em would tell me different because of me being a Marine and me being who I am, they knew that no matter what they said I was still gonna come, so they were all just very supportive after I told ‘em I was coming’."

What do you make of the Taliban in terms of their tactics?

"The Taliban fighters that we’re fighting now are all young, it’s none of the old fighters anymore. Whether they were killed or they just left the AO because they were being overrun by coalition forces. They’re cowards. They don’t stay and fight. If they see the opportunity—if we give them the opportunity to attack us—they will attack us, but as long as everybody’s guard’s up 100% of the time and we use proper tactics, the enemy . . . doesn’t even wanna fight anymore."

What's the responsibility of being squad leader like?

"The billet of squad leader carries a lot of weight. Not only are you charged with . . . in charge of thousands and thousands of dollars of equipment and ammunition, but you’re in charge of ten other Marines’ lives. You honestly hold their lives in your hands. And depending on how hard you are on ‘em and how strict you make them follow and abide by rules an

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Third Squad
Location:<br /> Patrol Base Fires, Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan<br /> <br /> Unit: <br /> 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines<br /> <br /> Name and Rank: Sergeant Jarick Fry<br /> <br /> Age: 24<br /> <br /> Hometown: Irwin, Pennsylvania<br /> <br /> Interview selections:<br /> <br /> Explain how you volunteered to be a combat replacement:<br /> <br /> "The opportunity arose probably about a week and a half prior to me actually deploying. I heard 1/5 had some casualties and they needed some sergeants over here, some guys with some experience to help make it through the rest of the deployment. So as soon as I heard the word I started beating on doors to get over here, 'cause that's all I've wanted to do since I've been in."<br /> <br /> What did your wife think of your decision to volunteer?<br /> <br /> "My wife and my friends didn’t want me to come, but none of ‘em would tell me different because of me being a Marine and me being who I am, they knew that no matter what they said I was still gonna come, so they were all just very supportive after I told ‘em I was coming’."<br /> <br /> What do you make of the Taliban in terms of their tactics?<br /> <br /> "The Taliban fighters that we’re fighting now are all young, it’s none of the old fighters anymore. Whether they were killed or they just left the AO because they were being overrun by coalition forces. They’re cowards. They don’t stay and fight. If they see the opportunity—if we give them the opportunity to attack us—they will attack us, but as long as everybody’s guard’s up 100% of the time and we use proper tactics, the enemy . . . doesn’t even wanna fight anymore."<br /> <br /> What's the responsibility of being squad leader like?<br /> <br /> "The billet of squad leader carries a lot of weight. Not only are you charged with . . . in charge of thousands and thousands of dollars of equipment and ammunition, but you’re in charge of ten other Marines’ lives. You honestly hold their lives in your hands. And depending on how hard you are on ‘em and how strict you make them follow and abide by rules an