John Doggett
United States Marine Corps

1977-1983
United States Marine Corps, 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, 2nd Marine Sergeant E-5

September 1, 1982 - October 30, 1983
Multi-National Peacekeeping Force, Lebanon Development

John Doggett served with the United States Marine Corps from 1977 until he retired with commendations six years later in 1983 after being wounded in the line of duty.

Training - Bootcamp
Male applicants to the USMC must be within the ages of 17 - 28. According to Doggett's FBI record, he was assigned to the MAU in 1977. In 1977 Doggett would have been 17 years old, he applied for the Marines at the youngest age allowed. Recruits go through 12 weeks of training which include: general military subjects, swim week, marksmanship training, team week, A-line, Basic Warrior Training, The Crucible and Graduation. From what we know of Doggett it is safe to say that he trained at the Recruit Training Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina (since recruits who live east of the Mississippi were sent there for training). Basic training is followed by a period of advanced schooling in small unit tactics and weaponry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

"The first dead body I saw, I was 19 and a Marine."
In "Badlaa" Doggett tells Scully that the first dead body he saw was when he was 19 years old and a Marine. Based on the Marines memorabilia in Doggett's house (Marines book on coffee table, USMC t-shirt, framed photographs of men dressed in camouflage, etc.) we can see that Doggett is proud of his accomplishments while he was active in the Marines and that he continues to be proud of the Corps after his retirement.

Multi-National Peacekeeping Force
According to The X-Files series, Doggett played a role in the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force for Lebanon Development from September 1, 1982 until October 30, 1983. Given these dates, we can assume that Doggett was stationed at the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine BLT (Battalion Landing Team) Headquarters building, located at the Beirut International Airport.

Beirut, Lebanon
Before the 24th MAU was sent to Beirut, Lebanon to relieve the 32d MAU of their duties (support the Lebanese Armed Forces), they were stationed at Camp Lejeune. On October 30, 1982 the 24th relieved the 32d MAU. For 21 days in December 1982, the 24th MAU trained Lebanese Armed Forces. The 75 Lebanese soldiers received training in basic infantry skills and helicopter assaults. On February 15, 1983, the 32d MAU (redesignated 22d MAU) returned to Lebanon to relieve the 24th MAU. The 24th MAU returned on May 30th to relieve the 22d. During the following months the Marines conducted patrols with the Lebanese Army. The commanding officer of the 24th MAU allowed his Marines to tour Beirut by bus and to visit local historical sites of interest. They also enjoyed port visits to Greece and Turkey. Marines in Beirut cross-trained with French and Italian peacekeepers. Perhaps Doggett picked up a little of the French and Italian languages.

The months leading up to the October 23rd suicide attack on the Marine barracks at the Beirut International Airport were filled with increased violence toward the Lebanese Army, the airport and the multinational force. On August 28, 1983, the a combat outpost came under fire from semiautomatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Marines returned fire for the first time on this date with rifles and M-60 machine guns. There was no friendly casualties after 90 minutes of fighting. On August 31st the Department of Defense authorized hostile fire pay of $65 per month for Marines and sailors of the 24th MAU serving in Lebanon.

On September 26, 1983 a cease-fire went into effect at 6 A.M. It was announced by Saudi Arabian and Syrian officials in Damascus and was supported by Druze (group who had been attacking the armed forces in Beirut) Talks began about the formation of a new coalition government for Lebanon. Marine casualties to date: 5 killed, 49 wounded. Despite the cease-fire attacks continued in Beirut against the Marines (snipers). Four Marines were wounded at an attempt to ambush a Marine convoy with a car bomb on October 19th, the attempt was thwarted.

Beirut International Airport Terrorist Act: October 23, 1983
On Sunday, October 23, 1983 at 6:22 A.M., a truck loaded with explosives crashed through the security perimeter of the United States Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. In the explosion that followed, 241 U.S. Military personnel were killed and 80 seriously wounded. Most died while sleeping or were crushed when the building collapsed. Thirteen C-141 aircraft Marine replacement began the same day. Wounded Marines were flown to West Germany for medical care and were visited by the Commandant of Marine Corps on October 25, 1983. On November 19, 1983, the 24th MAU was relieved by the 22d MAU.

These young people, on a mission of peace in a land stricken by violence, were killed as they slept. Twenty-one (21) of the young American victims of this cowardly act were returned to the United States and were buried near one another in Section 59 of Arlington National Cemetery. Near their gravesites is planted a Cedar of Lebanon tree which commemorates their sacrifice.

Doggett was the 2nd Marine Sergeant (E-5) in the 24th MAU and played a role in the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force for Lebanon Development. With six years in the military, he retired with commendations after being wounded in the line of duty. Given this information on his retirement, we can assume that he was wounded during the Beirut International Airport Terrorist Act.

John Doggett and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be produced by experiencing or witnessing severly threatening, uncontrollable events with a sense of fear, helplessness or horror.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Doggett could suffer from this because he was in Beirut and possibly at the Beirut International Airport at the time of the terrorist attack on October 23, 1983. If this is true, he would have seen many of his friends die - men who he trained with while at Parris Island. He may have blamed himself for not being able to help them after the attack.

Symptoms include: haunting memories of attack, nightmares of attack, a numbed social withdrawl, jumpiness, anxiety or depression, a sense of basic trust erodes, fearful wariness, and hoplessness about the future.

To calm anxiety, sufferers of PTSD sometimes drink. Combat stress more than doubled a veteran's risk of alcohol abuse, depression or anxiety.

PTSD is experienced by combat veterans, accident/disaster survivors, and sexual assault victims.

Psychological disorders and suicide attempts were most common among veterans who felt responsible for a trauma, because they had either killed someone or failed to prevent a death.

Many still experience nightmares, have trouble sleeping and concentrating and find themselves easily startled - especially so for those exposed to savage mutilation, torture or the sight of a friend's death. Much as they might wish to avoid or suppress the memory, it continues to intrude. PTSD can effect a person at any time - days after a traumatic event or years after.

The Marines' Hymn
From the halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom,
And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marines.

Our flag's unfurl'd to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

Other USMC Links

United States Marine Corps
www.marines.com

Beirut, Lebanon

They Came In Peace
BEIRUT, LEBANON: 24TH MAU, MAY-DEC 1983
HyperWar: US Marines in Lebanon 1982-1984
The Beirut Memorial Online
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC
Camp Lejeune

Post Traumatic Stress

National Center for PTSD
Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
MedlinePlus: PTSD
HelpGuide: PTSD