Unit Profile

6th Civil Affairs Group, 2nd Marine Division

"The stories that we don't hear enough about – the good news stories about making lives better and a nation stronger – that's what civil affairs Marines do everyday in Iraq." — Col. Paul Brier, 6th CAG Commanding Officer

FALLUJAH, Iraq –The Marines of Team 3, Detachment 4, 6th CAG, assemble after meeting with local community leaders Oct. 4. The unit's role is to connect with the local Iraqi community and government and promote good relations.
Photo by Lance Cpl. Josh Cox

6th Civil Affairs Group, 2nd Marine Division provide civil affairs support for the command and ground combat elements of Multinational Force West-Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Currently, 6th CAG Marines are working with the provincial and municipal governments of al-Anbar province with the goal of restoring critical infrastructure and facilitating the transition into a self-governing people.

The 6th CAG provides guidance in civil administration, economic development, education, infrastructure restoration, and reconstruction. Several times a month they also travel to communities and facilitate projects to repair, renovate or build public utilities, roads, schools, businesses, factories and medical clinics.

Headquarters:

Camp Blue Diamond, ar-Ramadi

Structure:

The 6th CAG consists of about 200 Marines and sailors and is organized into a headquarters element, liaison element and four detachments.

One detachment makes up the Governance Support Team and mans the Provincial Civil-Military Operations Centers in ar-Ramadi and Fallujah.

The three direct-support civil affairs detachments, consisting of a headquarters element and five civil affairs teams, are embedded with the Marine and Army infantry battalions, regiments and brigade of 2nd Marine Division throughout the Al-Anbar province.

Background:

The provisional 6th CAG was activated to support the Marine Corps' mission in Iraq and officially established in March 2005. The 6th CAG and its predecessor, the 5th CAG, are the only two Marine Corps civil affairs units formed for a short term and will be permanently deactivated upon return from Iraq.

Their activation provides relief to the Marine Corps' two permanent civil affairs groups, 3rd and 4th CAG, both which deployed to Iraq twice since 2003.

CAMP BAHRIA, Iraq - Thirty-year veteran Chief Warrant Officer Gregory A. Melotte gives his team a convoy brief before leaving Camp Bahria. Melotte is a team commander with Team 4, Det., 4, and a Madison, Wis., native.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Ronna M. Weyland
FALLUJAH, Iraq - Gunnery Sgt. Kevin S. Tuite, watches as children carry bundles of their country's flag into the Ministry of Education's office. Tuite is a team chief with Team 4, Det., 4, and a Sterling Pa., native.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Ronna M. Weyland

Composition:

The 6th CAG represents 30 states and 29 reserve units. Marines range in age from 18 to 57 and hold more than 120 advanced degrees.

The group includes accountants, electricians, engineers, lawyers, mechanics, nurses, students, teachers, business managers, construction workers, fire fighters, police officers, stock brokers, a cardiologist, a farmer, a pharmacist, a plumber, a psychologist, a state-elected official and active duty Marines.

Statistics:

  1. Officer to enlisted ratio: 1:2
  2. Average age: 34
  3. Average rank: Enlisted – sergeant; officer – major.
  4. Average time in service: 13 years
  5. Marines recalled from retirement: 7

The 6th CAG is proud to have the oldest two sergeants in the Marine Corps — 53 and 48 — and the oldest lieutenant — 45. All three were out of the service for 20-30 years and were asked to return to duty.

Training:

During a three month period, the 6th CAG's Marines and sailors received training in Arabic language, culture, history, civil administration, infantry tactics, Iraq-specific security and stabilization operations including, patrolling, detainee handling, convoy operations and combat lifesaving.