CAMP COMMANDO, KUWAITI DESERT, 15 March 2003 — Marines pride themselves on “being a close-knit family who take care of their own.”
Although the smallest branch of the US military service, they are able to draw people in from all walks of life.
Marines will tell you they have the reputation of being the toughest branch of the US military and because of this, they always meet their recruiting goals. Joining the Marines, they say, is all about challenging one’s self and being on the winning team.
First Lt. Albert Gamal Eskalis is a Marine. Arab News, embedded with the Marines, met him here at Camp Commando, in the Kuwaiti desert.
Born in Alexandria, Eskalis spent his childhood in Egypt. At the age of 10, his father moved the family to America.
“Life in the US was really great, we were fulfilling the dreams my father had set out to achieve. Opportunity was the big thing my dad wanted for us — unlimited opportunities.”
Eskalis said his father set the example for him and his sister by doing odd jobs in the US until he was able to “work his way up to having a significant job as a chemical engineer.” His gratitude for the good life the US had offered his family was one of the primary reasons why Eskalis said he joined the Marines. Before starting off on his college career, he said he “wanted a chance to give back to the country that gave us these opportunities. And the military would offer me the best way to do that.
“Out of all the branches in the military, I knew that the Marines would be the most challenging, and I’ve been loving it ever since. I just can’t seem to get out,” said Eskalis. Looking out at the dry, dusty desert, he said this is the closest he’s been to his roots in a long time.
Asked about the polarization that many believe has taken place since Sept. 11 between the Arab world and the US, Eskalis said it had not affected him.
“It’s something I don’t see as an Egyptian – American. On my level, every Arab I come across welcomes me with open arms. Not just because I’m an Arab, but also because I’m a US Marine.”
No one within the Marines targeted him after Sept. 11, he said. On the contrary, it increased his sense of belonging.
“Marines are an extremely close-knit community. When a Marine looks at me, he sees me as a Marine; he doesn’t see me as an Arab or as an Egyptian.”
But the tragedy of Sept. 11 did prompt him to learn more about Islam.
“As a Christian, Sept. 11 was an opportunity in the sense that I decided to learn more about the religion. I really looked into Islam — and discovered we have so much in common.”
Eskalis said one of the most important lesson he’s learned is about the commonalities of people. “You realize that we all have the same needs and emotions.”
He said he’s learned “that the more we know about each other, the more we realize we’re the same — Arab or American. We have a lot more in common than many of us realize. And the more we take time to look beyond the headlines and look at the basics of our needs and essences as people; we realize we’re all the same.”
Eskalis has had an interesting career in the Marines. Currently a PAO — a public affairs officer — he started out as a combat correspondent. “After 14 years as an enlisted man, I received my commission as an officer, which was the highlight of my career.”
When asked how, as an Arab, he felt about the impending war with Iraq, Eskalis was quick to point out that President Bush has yet to make any decision on Iraq.
“But looking ahead at what we might be asked to do in the future, I personally feel it is a question of right and opportunity. It really is a chance for us to help people who do not have freedom, or even the basic necessities of life.
“Being able to open up with the humanitarian efforts that are going to be a part of this operation, and being able to help people who need them, is really the exciting part for me,” he said.
Asked how he felt about the US going in alone without support from the United Nations, Eskalis said: “That issue is echelons above me. We’re waiting on orders from our president, and speculating about the UN isn’t something I can hypothesize on.”
“Personally,” he said, after a pause, “I would like to see a peaceful resolution to this, but as Marines we stand ready to carry out the orders of our president.”
