Aren Brandfass spent more than 20 years in the United States Marine Corps and served as a machine gunner, sniper, Recon Marine, Marine Raider and more. In this episode, we discuss Aren's pre-9/11 career and his decision to get out of the Marines. He then describes signing back up after 9/11 and taking part in the invasion of Iraq as a sniper with 2nd Battalion 1st Marines.

Following his deployment to Iraq, Aren was assigned as an instructor at the Marine Corps legendary Sniper School. Aren was ready to take his career to the next level by attending Basic Reconnaissance Course and joining the legendary 1st Recon Battalion.

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Reference:
117 - Backpack-able radio for tactical use
148 - Walkie-talkie style tactical radio
152 - Walkie-talkie style tactical radio
7-Ton - Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (Dump truck-sized military vehicle for hauling troops, supplies, etc.)
9-Line - CAS mission brief format
A&S - Assessment and Selection
AAV - Assault Amphibious Vehicle (Also called Tracks)
ABC - ANGLICO Basic Course
ANG - Air National Guard
ANGLICO - Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company
BLT - Battalion Landing Team
BRC - Basic Reconnaissance Course
CAR - Combat Action Ribbon
CAS - Close Air Support
CCT - Combat Control Team
CLB - Combat Logistics Battalion
CO - Commanding Officer
COC - Command Operations Center
COP - Combat Outpost
Corpsman - Navy medic attached to Marines
EOD - Explosive Ordnance Disposal
FAC - Forward Air Controller
FCT - Firepower Control Team
FDC - Fire Direction Control
FET - Female Engagement Team.
FSCC - Fire Support Coordination Center. Where fire missions are deconflicted and approved prior to shooting.
GBU - Guided Bomb Unit
GLT - Georgian Liaison Team. Georgian military advisors in Afghanistan.
Hesco Barrier - Earthen filled barriers used to make or reinforce outposts
HMMWV - High mobility multi-wheeled vehicle
IED - Improvised Explosive Device
IOC - Infantry Officer's Course
JDAM - Joint Direct Attack Munition (GPS guided bomb)
JTAC - Joint Terminal Attack Controller
LGTR - LASER Guided Training Round
M-ATV - MRAP All-terrain vehicle
MARSOC - Marine Corps Special Operations Command
MART - Marines Awaiting Recon Training
M-ATV - MRAP All Terrain Vehicle
MCMAP - Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
MCIWS - Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival
MCT - Marine Combat Training
MEB - Marine Expeditionary Brigade
MEU - Marine Expeditionary Unit (Unit attached to ships for deployment)
MRAP - Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (armored vehicle)
MSOT - Marine Special Operations Team
OCS - Officer Candidate School
OP - Observation Post. An area where forward observers spot enemy positions and conduct fire missions on targets
PB - Patrol Base
PGM - Precision Guided Munitions
PID - Positive identification
PLDR - Portable Lightweight Designator Rangefinder
PosRep - Position Report
RIP - Relief In Place
RO - Radio Operator (Sometimes called an RTO)
ROMAD - Radio Operator, Mechanic, and Driver
R&S - Reconnaissance and Surveillance
SACC - Supporting Arms Coordination Center (FSCC on a ship)
SALT - Supporting Arms Liaison Team
SERE - Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape
SOCS - Special Operations Capabilities Specialist
SOI - School of Infantry
SOTG - Special Operations Training Group
S Shops - S-1 (Administration), S-2 (Intelligence), S-3 (Operations), S-4 (Logistics), S-6 (Communication)
SVBIED - Suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
TACP - Tactical Air Control Party
Water Dogs - Logistics Marines in charge of purifying water and running sanitation facilities
VBIED - Vehicle-borne improvised explosive device