1/14 Marines on KGO7 News

150 Local Marines Head To Iraq By Lyanne Melendez KGO7 News

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Dec. 5 - Some local Marines have been called up to fight the war. There are 150 Marine reserves headed for Iraq where they will take on one of the war's most dangerous duties.

In a few months, these Marine reservists will be policing Iraq. The 1st Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment has the latest protective gear which includes a flack jacket with two ballistic plates.

Sgt. Maj. Enrique Borgzinner, U.S. Marine Corps: "He's got this on the front and on the back which adds an additional 18 pounds total to his gear."

Lnc. Cpl. Mark Harvey, Marine reservist: "We've been training for the last 18 months preparing for this mission, so I feel very prepared."

They are also realistic. The mission is dangerous and they've heard or read about the suicide bombings.

Lnc. Cpl. Jose Anguiano, Marine reservist, San Jose: "I'm concerned just because there is so much out there, but I feel with my training that I've gone through, and the Marines ready to go, I feel pretty safe."

Initially they were trained in artillery, but the mission changed. Now they will be part of a military police battalion with about 1,000 Marine reservists from around the nation.

Sgt. Maj. Enrique Borgzinner: "What changes is that instead of shooting large artillery pieces we are down to individual weapons."

For that, they will continue training in southern California for two more months. Security is always an issue, so their exact location in Iraq and the date they will be deployed is not being revealed."

What we do know is they will be in Iraq for even to eight months before returning home. The holidays will be spent away from family.