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
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