MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- When Sgt. Patrick T. O’Brien was a teenager the stories from his cousin, a Marine scout sniper, not only captured his imagination but became a serious career option. The idea of working with weapons motivated him to become a Marine rifleman.
Since then O’Brien, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Indoor Small Arms Range operations chief and native of Jacksonville, Fla., has not only excelled in his career but has also helped fellow Marines do the same.
“Every moment with that Marine is memorable,” said Sgt. Matthew R. Piano, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Weapons and Field Training Battalion combat marksmanship trainer and native of Broadalbin, N.Y. “He always leads from the front and is fair and just to his Marines.”
After his initial rifleman training, O’Brien was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment based in Camp Pendleton, Calif., as a radio operator in a constantly deploying and training environment.
The six year grunt has deployed in support Operation Enduring Freedom, twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, graduated a Military Operations in Urban Terrain instructor’s course and became a Stability and Support Operations course instructor.
O’Brien describes his time on deployment only by saying, “We saw a lot of (things), if you will.”
It was during his second time in Iraq when he distinguished himself among his unit. In November 2004 he earned a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a Combat “V” for actions taken while his squad was the lead element for his company during Operation Phantom Fury, the now infamous battle in Fallujah.
He is stoic when describing his citation, explaining it very matter-of-factly.
“There’s a sniper over there, go get him,” said O’Brien describing his orders from his platoon commander.
On Nov. 9, 2004, O’Brien, who was a squad leader at the time, was tasked with finding a sniper without his radio. He and another Marine met fire from a Russian machine gun, while crossing a courtyard. They continued on out of the line of fire, clearing the wrong house before finally making it to the roof of a building where they could see another squad in their company. He made contact with the other squad leader via an inter-squad radio to find out where the enemy was.
“Then I threw a grenade in the window and didn’t hear a sniper anymore,” said O’Brien.
His citation commends him for “displaying tactical proficiency and leadership abilities well beyond his rank and time in service.”
“I had a blast in Fallujah,” said O’Brien. “It was the greatest time of my life. I was a 22, 23-year-old corporal and I had 13 Marines I could tell whatever, and they did it. My leaders had the utmost confidence in me.”
O’Brien’s best friend, who was with him during those deployments praises his intelligence and ability to lead.
“Sgt. O’Brien is very smart, so he (can) therefore pass on that knowledge to his junior Marines,” said Piano.
O’Brien once had to pull-up and relax Piano after he was shot in the head. The bullet only grazed the top layers of his Kevlar, but before realizing this, Piano thought he had met his end.
“And that’s why you don’t throw your Kevlar on the ground,” explained O’Brien as he raised his voice.
Once back at Camp Pendleton, O’Brien continued his leadership training by taking part in the Corporal’s Course, before receiving welcomed orders here.
“I wanted to come out here so I could have some time with my family,” said O’Brien. “I missed both my kids being born while on deployments. When I came out here I had been married for three years and had spent a total of probably nine months with my family.”
During his time here, O’Brien has only left his family for training or for rifle qualification in Okinawa, Japan. He can usually be found behind his desk, concealed in camouflaged netting.
Those who work with O’Brien here describe him as someone who gets the job done.
“He ensures the range functions in all capacities,” said Capt. Michael J. McCoy, ISAR and air traffic control officer-in-charge and Salt Lake City native. “As a sergeant, he has the job that in other bases (pertains) to a staff (noncommissioned officer.)”
During his time here he also became a Marine Combat Instructor Trainer of Water Survival and was the noncommissioned officer of the quarter for H&HS.
A proud moment in his career was the opening of the ISAR more than a year and a half ago. He is the last Marine now remaining on station who saw it happen and made it work from the beginning.
“I remember when it first opened,” said O’Brien. “It was chaos. Nobody knew what their job was and we basically organized it.”
His dedication to the range’s operations has not gone unnoticed.
“He ensures the range functions and he takes marksmanship and any training very seriously,” said McCoy. “He’s an infantryman by trade, was a squad leader in Fallujah and knows the importance of maintaining marksmanship.”
For the future, O’Brien plans to put in a package for Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and possibly attach to one of their battalions at Camp Pendleton or return to his old battalion to become a scout sniper.
“Hopefully I’ll stay with the grunts, pick up (gunnery sergeant) then become a warrant officer,” said O’Brien.
Until then, his peers and students here appreciate working with him for his ability to motive Marines.
“If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have reenlisted,” said Sgt. Nicholas M. Heier, ISAR combat marksmanship trainer and native of Philadelphia. “He whole heartedly believes in what the Marine Corps is all about.”