Faith guides Marine in war, in return home

For Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Rano Mariotti, the Bible is just as vital to survival as any weapon.

His faith contributed to his becoming a Marine and supported him throughout a recent seven-month tour in Iraq. Now the 26-year-old Bartlett native will rely on it again to help him choose whether to continue life in the military.

As Mariotti decides how to move forward, he reflects on the path that led him here. He also discusses what will make this Thanksgiving different from any other. (Responses were edited for length.)

Q. Your first exposure to the Marines was through an internship. What about the experience moved you to enlist?

A. After I graduated from Illinois State University, I interned with Campus Crusade for Christ and worked at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., for a year. I mentored midshipmen on a spiritual level in their Christian walks with God. Between 60 and 80 would show up at weekly meetings. I was interested in the Marines prior to that for years and my interest just continued to grow. I liked the formalities and challenges and the adventure the Marines offered, so I applied to Officer Candidates School.

Q. You trained as a combat engineer and in October 2005 became platoon commander of 40 or so Marines. What was it like leading a group of Marines who had just served in Iraq?

A. It was a bit intimidating, but you have to go in with confidence and yet humility in that you don't know it all. You have to lean on some senior leadership like the platoon sergeant and squad leaders. No one's going to follow someone who doesn't believe in themselves.

Q. Your platoon was deployed to Iraq in February. What did you see when you got there?

A. It was eye-opening. You see how the locals live their lives dedicated to their faith in Islam. You see how war-torn and poor their country really is.

Q. What was your mission?

A. We worked around Fallujah (about 40 miles west of Baghdad) and provided support to operating Marine and Army infantry units. There are little bases we helped fortify to make safer. We built machine gun bunkers, fences, berms (dirt walls) and sniper screens to keep observation from the outside to a minimum. We also built protective buildings for Marines and soldiers to live in. We did some demolition work on bridges and roads to take away the ability to move freely. It forces the insurgency to travel the route we wanted them to, constricting them to a certain path.

Q. Did Fallujah change much while you were there?

A. So much. When we first got there attacks were fairly high. To the credit of the infantry units, it did significantly quiet down. I could see progress for sure with my own eyes. That doesn't always get reported on CNN and Fox. There are definitely lives being lost, but there's also a lot of improvement. Specifically in our area. When we left, the Iraqi police controlled the city, which is kind of the point.

Q. Was anyone under your command wounded?

A. Thank God, no. I credit that to the prayers of many back home. We also tried to be extremely careful.

Q. Did you lead prayers in the desert just as you had in Annapolis?

A. The chaplain or I did before most missions. It was a big part of us preparing to go out. Some didn't partake but for most people it was very important.

Q. What else helped you get through the seven months?

A. I got cards, e-mails, letters, care packages. My dad set up an e-mail distribution list and I'd give general updates. My parents were big on getting the word out to people. I had a great deal of support from my family and friends, my girlfriend and her family and my church, Highland Christian Fellowship in Elgin.

Q. In the month you've been back, what's life been like at Camp Lejeune, N.C.?

A. I picked up a company of about 100 men two weeks ago. It's an honor and a new set of challenges. It's one of those points in life where things are so busy that you're just trying to stay afloat.

Q. Did your experience in Iraq change you at all?

A. In Iraq you drive down roads and wonder if your vehicle is going to blow up. You come back here and see the Wal-Marts and gas stations and other comforts we take for granted. The initial feeling of being back fades a little, but I'd say I'm more appreciative of things.

Q. What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?

A. I'm thankful for my friends and family and that I get to spend the holiday with them. I'm thankful all my Marines came back. And I'm proposing to my girlfriend, Robyn, the day before. It'll be in the park in Raleigh where we had our second date. We're both committed Christians and she's been a steady source of encouragement for me. I can't put into words what she means to me, which is why I'm marrying her.

Q. Aside from planning a wedding, what's in store for you next?

A. If I want, I can basically get out of the Marine Corps in June. I'm still trying to decide, just weighing my options. I'm thinking about staying in, but I need to see what they have available for me. That'll be a big determining factor. I'd love to get back to the Naval Academy and work in Annapolis. It's a very old, historic town. It's an amazing place. But the chances are slim. I also hope I could get a job working back here in Chicago or Illinois. We'll see what's down the road.