Boots on the Ground

presented by:
Phi Alpha Theta
and
The History Club

From left to right: 1st Lieutenant Cathy Harrington, Captain James Mullin, Staff Sergeant Christopher Kiefer, Mrs. Morgan Copeland-McCorkle and Forum Moderator Christopher Mitchel

On March 9, 2005, Phi Alpha Theta and The History Club held the second in a series of forums on Iraq and the Middle East. If you were fortunate enough to attend the previous forum, Cal State San Marcos History and Political Science Professors provided an overall summary on the history of Iraq, its people, and the past and current politcal environment of the region.

In the Boots on the Ground forum, we switched gear to hear from U.S. military personnel who served in Iraq during the current hostilities. In addition, to broaden the scope of our panel we also heard from a spouse of a Marine currently deployed in Iraq.

The first speaker of the night was Staff Sergeant Christopher Kiefer of the United States Marine Corps. The Staff Sergeant is an Interrogator and Human Intelligence Specialist with the 1st Intelligence Battalion, Counter-Intelligence Company. Staff Sergeant Kiefer served in Iraq during the initial invasion and for a few months afterwards. He has been married for 9 years and is currently attending CSUSM to become an officer. His awards include the navy Commendation Medal with a Combat "V" for valor, and the Purple Heart.

Capt. Mullin reviews several of his flight missions over Iraq.

Our second speaker was Captain James Mullin, also of the United States Marine Corps. Captain Mullin is a Cobra Pilot with the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267th who served in Iraq during the initial invasion in January of 2003. Captain Mullin is currently a student at CSUSM as part of a government sponsored program. His awards include three Strike/Flight Air Medals and one Single Mission Air Medal with a Combat "V" for valor.

Our third speaker was 1st Lieutenant Cathy Harrington of the United States Marine Corps. 1st Lieutenant Harrington serves as an Adjutant to the 1st Combat Service Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group. She served in Iraq from Febuary to July of 2003 and again from March to September of 2004. Her husband also serves in the military and is currently deploye to Iraq.

Mrs. Copeland-McCorkle shared the ups and downs of being a military spouse and the stresses they go through on the homefront.

Our final speaker of the night was Mrs. Morgan Copeland-McCorkle whose husband Sergeant McCorkle served in Iraq in the 1st Light Armor Recon from January to June of 2003 and is currently deployed to Iraq with the 1st Force Recon as of Febuary 2005. While her husband is deployed Mrs. Copeland-McCorkle acts as a Key Volunteer or a liaison between the military and the spouses.