U.S. Central Command | A Marine’s perspective on progress in Helmand province

By Cpl. Reece Lodder, Regimental Combat Team 5

U.S. Marine Cpl. Reece Lodder, a combat correspondent with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and 22-year-old native of Everson, Wash., pauses during a security halt while patrolling here with the 81mm Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines, Feb. 8, 2012.

GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan (May 7, 2012) — Over the past seven months, I’ve seen and experienced progress in Afghanistan most Americans will never hear about from mainstream media.

Serving as a Marine combat correspondent with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in Helmand province’s Garmsir district, I’ve been blessed with the unique opportunity of telling the stories of our Marines, sailors and counterparts with the Afghan National Security Forces.

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