When the Pentagon announced Wednesday the United States would be soon sending thousands more troops to Iraq, UB student Justin Haag was already getting ready to pack his bags.
"At the beginning of the war, we thought we'd be sent then. We've just been living day-to-day, but now it is coming," said Haag, a junior English major and lance corporal in the Marines. "I am really glad it is coming soon and to know that it is. We are ready to do our part and we are excited to join our comrades."
Lance Cpl. Haag was one of 170 Marines who are set to leave in January for California, where they will undergo training prior to their expected departure to the Middle East.
Among the enlistees are a handful of UB students who say they are proud to serve, relieved to be going, and thankful for support from the community.
According to Haag, his unit is comprised of infantry Marines who will actually be fighting in Iraq.
"In the military, there are all sorts of support guys, but those are all the people who work to support the infantry," Haag said.
Although they expect to depart in January, the troops of India Company of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, are leaving Buffalo uncertain about the exact nature of their tour of duty in Iraq.
"The usual cycle is seven months, but really one can't say because you don't know for sure," Haag said.
Haag said despite the uncertainty of their assignment, to know definitively he was going after months of waiting was a relief.
Cpl. Daniel Batt, another UB student who is leaving for training, said although next semester he will be fighting a war instead of attending classes, there is relief in his anxiety.
"I think everyone going there has apprehension because we don't know where we are going. It's a fear of the unknown," said Batt, a junior history major. "But the knowledge that we have great leadership and great training gives me a good deal of peace and security."
While confident in their own training and abilities, both students said they were equally confident in the cause they will be fighting for and the leader who is sending them to the Middle East.
"I definitely agree with the war," Haag said.
Haag said the presence of U.S. troops is important to the Iraqi people.
"The people need help," Haag said. "They need us there and they are appreciative of us being there. I am a supporter of Bush because he is a genuine person. He's the kind of commander in chief you feel proud to go to war for."
Cpl. Batt also agreed the war in Iraq is the right option.
"I joined when we were in the peace, but I think democracy anywhere is an awesome thing, and I am willing to help," he said. "I believe that President Bush is a fine leader and well suited as commander in chief. I am totally confident in his decision making and ability to lead."
Both Batt and Haag added the UB community has been understanding and helpful in easing their transition from students to soldiers.
"It's what we are trained for, but the people make it a lot easier," Haag said.
Haag, taking classes this semester at UB in addition to training for Iraq, said he was impressed with the support from the university.
"UB is really good. My professors have been very understanding," he said. "I have missed classes and I am leaving (Saturday), so I will be missing finals week, and the professors were outstanding with accommodating. I know that at a lot of other schools it wasn't so easy for the Marines."
Batt also began the semester at UB, but unlike Haag, he chose to withdraw from classes earlier this semester because he felt certain military courses would better serve him.
"The decision to withdraw was completely my decision," he said. "The professors were completely accommodating, but the Marines were offering courses to prepare me and a few others with specific skills to teach to the company to help us accomplish the mission and get us back as safe as possible. I felt I'd be better served to take those classes than academic classes."
Batt said although his unit is leaving Western New York, he hopes the UB community will continue to keep the troops in their thoughts.
"All the Marines really appreciate the support from the students and (we would appreciate it) if they could just keep us in their prayers," he said.
Editor's Note: Justin Haag is a sports writer for The Spectrum.
