Hello,

I have a friend who writes me letters and sometimes I have no idea what he is saying. Can someone interpret this?

"In the meantime, when I get back to Iraq, I’ll move down to be the S3 of 2-6 IN in Baghdad".

Not sure, but I think S3 would deal with some level of command staff, the 2-6 would be the battalion and the division, 2nd batallion 6th division, no idea what the IN stands for, but I think it should be the theater the force operates in.

Peak,

If he is a Marine, it means that he is now in the Operations Section (S-3) for 2nd Battalion 6th Marines.

S-1 - Administration

S-2 - Intel

S-3 - Operations

S-4 - Logistics/Supply

etc.

TBU

Big ugly, he said "i have a friend that writes me letters"

Marines can write?

Just Kidding!!!!! It was too easy, and I'm not that funny so I had to take the shot.

I too, as a former NAVY man, am inpressed that a marine can write!

Just kidding...I sure would not say it to any Marine's face...

Please tell your friend that we here at Cbid say thanks for serving his country!

The "IN" stands for INFANTRY ---also written sometimes as "ID" for Infantry Division....like members of the 4th ID were the unit responsible for capturing Sadaam.....This makes him ARMY rather than USMC.

Peakhandyman,

Big Ugly is right with his S-1 thru S-4 labels. There is however, in some units, particularily Special Operations, an S-5, which is Civil Affairs, but most likely NOT in this case.

2-6 IN stands for 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment. They are a Regiment of Bradley Fighting Vehicles based in Baumholder Germany. At least they used to be. I'm not sure, but I'm thinking they have three companies, Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie, and of course the HHC (Headquarters and Headquarters Company).

The S-3 in this size Battalion will be a Captain, so I'm assuming your friend is a commissioned guy, yes?

As the S-3, he'll be in the HHC, and be a part of the Battalion Commanders Staff. He'll be "operations and training." The "S" folks are all staff guys. They basically make the Battalion run, and the Commander makes decisions based upon their input and suggestions.

Tell him to take care and come home soon.

Yep, Marines can't spell, they spell infantry G R U N T.

...and they spell "Helicopter" like this:

oooo! oooo! oooo!

I thought it meant checkmate.

Thanks for the replies. I know its terrible to call someone a good friend and forget whether he is army or marine. I know he is one of those. 🙂

The post about Germany is correct, he is based out of Germany.

I was wondering about his rank and all. I kinda got the idea he was doing good when he told me he was going to War College in Kansas. I dont know his rank though.

He is a great friend though. When we were both out of college, I told him I was traveling to St. Louis and he was in DC. He hitchhicked in the middle of the night to hang out with me for about 8 hours at our hotel before he had to leave again. When I told him I had a company credit card, his eyes lite up real big and we had a great steak dinner.

I'll pass the sentiments onto him. Thanks and yeah, I worry about him sometimes.

"...we had a great steak dinner."

Opps, I left out the "...thank you Peat Marwick (KPMG) for the dinner and all the drinks. I certainly couldnt have afforded it on my salary back then."

Peak,

Yes, He's a commissioned guy.....the war college thing tells me that. He's Army also. Probably an 0-4, or Major. About 10 years in the service, yes?