Matt Brennan
23, Jenkintown
Sergeant, Marine Corps
Deployed to Iraq Fall 2005 and Spring 2007
|
Matt Brennan
23, Jenkintown
Sergeant, Marine Corps
Deployed to Iraq Fall 2005 and Spring 2007
"I come from a family and a community where you go to high school, then you go to college," says Matt Brennan. He was the only kid from his graduating class to join the Marine Corps. He'd been vocal about his plans to enlist since the 9/11 attacks during his sophomore year, but also wanted more time to think about college and find a way to fund it.
Brennan would go on to serve twice in Iraq. "There was a huge difference in the two deployments," he says. "The first was a lot more aggressive, the second was [transitioning] over to the Iraqis — much more passive. We actually had Iraqi soldiers sharing posts with Marines; that was pretty stressing. It was like having a gang take over." He quickly qualifies this statement: "Their training was obviously ... it took [the Marines] a hundred years to get to where we are now, and [Iraqi security] is just starting. It's going to take some time. ... but they'll get it done, I'm sure."
After his second tour, Brennan opted not to re-enlist, and proposed to his girlfriend. "My fiancée said it's either [the Marine Corps] or me, and she wins every time," he says. The possibility of another recall, though, will stay with him until 2012. "I am doing everything I can to not be recalled — going to school and working," he says. Brennan hears that this makes a difference, but he isn't sure. "Something tells me it really doesn't matter," he says.
Also In This Week's Cover Story Section
Comments