Marine Geeks 'R Us

From Jbad comes this story of tactical technology. Geek Squad Faces Future of Modern Battle, from dod.mil, tells the tale of 4 fighting geeks that love their jobs.


Sgt. Alexander Papiernik, and Cpl. Andrew P. Parsons are among the Marines currently deployed to Jalalabad, Afghanistan with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in support of Operation ‘Enduring Freedom.’

The Marines affectionately known as the ‘geek squad’ or by their Military Occupational Specialty, 0656, tactical data networking specialists, are responsible for installing, operating, and maintaining network systems.

Tactical data networking specialist responsibilities include installing and configuring hubs, routers, bridges, and other transmission mediums. They also install and configure server hardware and software.

Many times they are called upon to install, optimize and troubleshoot local area and wide area networks, and operate the tactical data network server.

“We do everything from E-mail to live video feed from aircraft. We can deliver a real time, instantaneous feed to anywhere in the world,” said Papiernik. “How many computer nerds do you know that have a grenade launcher? Bill Gates doesn’t.”

Indeed!

“When I came in the Marine Corps, we had to write letters, and you had to pay for your own stamp. Now I have Marines that can chat with their wives and even use webcams,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Gerardo V. Panetta, battalion operations chief. “These guys are amazing. Without Marines like Papiernik and Parsons, we would be in a hurt locker. We usually have at least one computer go down a day, and we just bring it to them, and they get it right back up.”

I'm sure these guys are the ones that make it possible for me to get those cool pics from Lcpl. Pete. THANK YOU!!!!