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Crossroads of the Marine Corps

Georgia Deployment Program go through demobilization training

28 Feb 2013 | Cpl. Antwaun L. Jefferson Marine Corps Base Quantico

Coming off of a deployment has the power to change Marines, not only physically, but mentally as well. For this reason, more than 50 reservists part of the Georgia Deployment Program, came aboard Quantico to participate in the Transition Assistance Program from Feb. 20 - March 1.

During the demobilization phase, the Marines brought their dental and medical records up to date, retrieved flight itineraries and participated in TAP classes to ensure their transition to the civilian work force and infantry units went as smoothly as possible.

“Even though this is my third time pushing through this, I always learn more each time,” said Sgt. Christopher Shell, rifleman, Charlie Co., 1st Battalion, 24th Marines. “It’s very beneficial for the Marines and I can take the information to my unit and pass it on to the Marines there.”

The Marines have returned from a tour in the Middle Eastern nation of Georgia where they advised and taught Georgian battalions Marine Corps infantry skills, so they can better help U.S. Marines in Afghanistan.

In 2009, when the program started, small military engagement teams went to Georgia and taught different skills two-to-four weeks at a time. Even though the Marines were building a good rapport, as soon as they would leave, another group of Marines came in and it was like starting all over.

This was the first Georgia training team to be there the entire six months.

“Sticking with them through the whole work up, helped us build a better relationship with the Georgians,” said Sgt. Matthew Sullivan, infantry skills and operation advisor, Georgia Deployment Program. “Also, the Georgians’ understanding of infantry tactics has grown and we believe they will have more success on the battlefield and in assisting the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan.”

The Marines were in Georgia for five months and in Hohenfels, Germany for a month for a rehearsal exercise. During that month in Hohenfels, Marines worked with the Georgia liaison team, which is a group of infantry Marines who are scheduled to go with the Georgians to Afghanistan.

“We are very proud to have had the opportunity to go and assist in training a country that is willing to fight side by side with us against terrorism,” Sullivan said. “The fact that they are going along with our brothers and sisters, makes us take this training as personal as it is intense. You just want to give it your all, because you don’t want to set them up for failure or put anyone at risk. Hopefully, this type of training will continue to be a success as we further our relationship with the Georgian government.”


Marine Corps Base Quantico