"Thundering Third Marines" Deploy

As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead,"  - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.

Staff Sergeant Nathaniel Dreyer (left) has been to war before.

In 2003 he was part of the initial invasion force that went up from Kuwait into Iraq. But for most of the Marines under him, this is their first deployment - and that is a challenge for Dreyer, who has been in the Marine Corps since 2000.

"Typically i won't hold any punches," says Dreyer, who is from San Antonio, Texas. "I'll tell them what to expect when we get there, I think it mentally prepares them for it."

But Dreyer knows that whatever nerves his Marines may have going to war, the real stress is on the home front.

CBS News Special Report: The Road Ahead

"They're married, they're leaving their family, there's steps that we take to make sure that the family's taken care of not only financially but mentally, they have contacts if they get stressed out they can call," he said. 

"There's gonna be times where you're not going to be able to talk to your family for weeks on end, you need to make sure your family's prepared for that."

Since January, CBS News has been following Dreyer and many of his comrades from the 3rd battalion of the 1st Marine Division - "Three One" as they call themselves.

We have watched them training in the desert at Twentynine Palms, east of Los Angeles, and sat with them in Afghan cultural awareness classes at their home base of Camp Pendleton near San Diego. We have met some of their families, listened to their stories, shared meals.

Now, we have followed them to Helmand province in southern Afghanistan as they arrive for a 7 month deployment - part of President Obama's surge of 30,000 U.S. troops this year aimed at winning back momentum in the war against the Taliban.

We will be spending a lot more time with Three One in the coming months, getting to know individual Marines as they come to terms with their slice of the war. And we will stay in touch with some of their families back home - after 9 years of this war, it is getting increasingly tough on the home front.

Dreyer's wife, Becky, gave birth to their baby daughter Macy in January. Just four months old now, Macy will probably be close to walking by the time he gets home at the end of his tour. Dreyer is stoical about that on the outside... But his wife knows how tough it really is for him. "She is his angel," she says. "He wants to protect her."

Staff Sergeant Nathaniel Dreyer has been to war before. But this is the first time he has to leave a four month old baby behind. That is a tough challenge - even for a Marine.

[missdonna3]

Our son is a Corpsmen with the Thundering Third. This is his fourth deployment. On his way to Iraq in 2008, he found out he made Chief. As his parents we are very proud of him and also concerned for his safety. He has a wonderful wife and little girl waiting for his return. We will continue our prayers for the Thundering Third for their safe return back home. Wathing the CBS news is upsetting, but we need to know the news and what goes on in Afghanstan.

Donna

[allykat1984]

I have to say that every wife, girlfriend, or family member are one of the strongest people in the world. My husband is in the Marine Corps and just rep-enlisted. He was apart of 3/1 for 3 years. He was there when his guys deployed and wished he could of gone with them. Which would of meant leaving his wife and 2 year old little boy. People need to realize that those deployed guys and girls have to give up so much stuff and to read how people are not even grateful for what they do is just plane wrong. And people need to think how good that they have it. There love one doesn't train all of the time spend months away from there family. Don't have to miss birthdays or anniversaries or holidays. So why don't you just take a moment to think about it!

And to all of the 3/1 wives, mothers, girlfriends. My husband might not be with your boys but I do know what you are going through and so does he. We wish all of 3/1 to be back in the states with us ASAP

[anotherproud31wife]

Nathan, Becky & Sweet Macy,
You are all three in my thoughts and prayers daily! Becky, I cannot wait for our husbands to all return!

To all you "haters" out there...Celebrate your freedom of speech today...COURTESEY OF OUR HUSBANDS!! :)

God bless all the Marines of 3/1 and bring them home safely to us!

[daisy024]

My daughters father is also with 3/1. I worry everyday!!!! I have been through many deployments and this is by far the hardest because I am worried for our little girl. I am making her a scrapbook of every letter he sends to her, news articles and anything that will help her while he is gone to be able to see see pictures, letters, and anything thats a reminder of him. I am keeping not just 3/1, but all the military over in these countries fighting for us in my thoughts. Because, they are fighting for us.. They are fighting to keep us free unlike the way people are brutally treated over there. It's one thing if someone doesnt support the war, but at least support our troops. They are sacrificing themselves for everyone back here, sacrificing for even the individuals back here who dont have any appreciation for them. If you dont want to stand behind our troops, please feel free to stand in front of them. I am sorry to hear that during a time like this that there are still people out there with no compasion towards others. It's honestly just sick!!!!! So, on that note, before I write a novel. God Bless 3/1 and every soldier who has had the courage to defend us back home. I write this with sincere appreciation. Thank you!!!! Stay Safe 3/1.. See you all soon!!!

[18_88]

I Just cant believe how ignorant and unsensative people can be. My husband is part of the 3/1 unit and we also have a 4 month old daughter. And it makes me really angry the comments people are posting. To answer your stupid questions. If anything were to happen to my husband I will make sure my daughter grows up knowing what a wonderful man her father was.I would tell her how brave he was in going to war for us. so she can live in a better world, have a better life, a better future. And him being deployed is hard really hard but I do know he is going to come back because I know he is well trained and because he loves what he does. So for you people putting down all this marines instead of thanking them you should know that all this marines the moment they signed the contract they knew what they were getting themselves into so I can garantee you that the marines that have fallen they did with honor. You are the ones that should have more respect and gratitude for this men who are fighting for their country, for their families, for you. Even though you are not worth it.

[ProudUncle]

Regardless, when he comes home or IF he does not, that little girl will grow up knowing her father is a great man. She has a great support structure in her Mother, her Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Aunts, Uncles, and hopefully more sisters and a brother (Another Nathaniel?) As his Uncle, I have watched him grow into the man he is today. As a retired US Army Officer that proudly served in the first Gulf War, I know the apprehension and frightening experience we all who serve feel when the time to put our training and skill to task. It is not one we glorify or do lightly. Nathaniel does not take it lightly and the fact that he impresses upon his Marines the realities they may face is truely a mark of a leader. He knows what they will be up against and what they must prepare for. God Speed Son and all my love. Uncle T.

[NJDs_dad]

My son comes from a long line of military family members. Both his grandfather?s were in WWII. His step grandfather was in WWII, the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War. His father (me) is a 20 year retired Air Force Veteran, his step-mother is a 20 year retired US Army Veteran, his sister is in the USAF serving at Luke AFB in Phoenix, AZ, and his younger sister is in the ROTC at NMSU. We KNOW and understand the risks of war and military service. We have VOLUNETEERED to serve our country and KNOW the risks involved. I am PROUD of my son and what he does for a living. He made a PERSONAL CHOICE to serve his country and his basic motto is ?Any Time, Any Place?. I think of all our young men have done throughout history when their country called. It matters not the ?right or wrong? of these calls, only that the response to serve is made. Without the dedication of these young folks (men AND women), we would NOT have the best country in the free world! My son and I had many talks about his service and, if the worse happens, what to do to ensure that he is properly honored and that his daughter never forgets her ?Hero?, her dad. I find it reprehensible to me that one would think of how hard it would be to live without a parent who dies in combat. How about the parent that dies in an alcohol related accident? Is their parent loss less valuable to the remaining children who will never get to know them? Or how about those who were lost on 9/11? Isn?t it just sad that ANY child lives with the loss of their parents? Especially those who are lost senselessly? EVERY DAY some child loses a parent, how this comes to fruition is of no consequence, and, since the dawn of time, we have been killing each other in senseless wars. General William Tecumseh Sherman coined the phrase ?War is Hell? just before he burned Atlanta to the ground on his famous march to the sea. Many souls were lost in the ?senseless? battle of the Civil War. HOWEVER, many lives were freed that day, and, the last I heard, Thomas Jefferson is quoted to say that ?All men are created equal.? Does that not extend to the peoples of this world? When will we learn that ALL life is sacred? My guess is not soon, and until then, people like my son will answer the call and go where they are needed to protect the innocent, even if it means to sacrifice their own lives to accomplish this task. EVERY life lost in battle is valuable and those folks need to be remembered as heroes! We honor ALL our heroes annually on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day. My wife?s family and I have been doing this PERSONALLY with the expenditure of personal funds for 21 straight years. Maybe more citizens should do likewise!

[wyotabby88]

Woo hoo!!! My husband is part of the glorious Thundering Third,and it's great to see them get some notice for once! SSgt Dreyer is a great man, my husband has worked with him, and I'm proud of each and every one of our boys over there because they are the most prepared battalion and they will clean up all the dirty work that lies ahead of them! Thank you CBS for mentioning our boys, we are all grateful!

[shreddder]

My son suffered a severe brain injury last October 2009, yes, just a mere 7 months ago. He wasn't suppose to survive and I was prepared for the worst. He was on life support and in a coma for three weeks. Once my son came out of his coma, his mission, his determination, his goal was to get back to being a Marine, get back to his duties and more importantly get back to being with his "boys" of 3/1. Amazingly, he deployed on April 19th to Afghanistan. He will also turn 21 while deployed. I'm so very proud of my son not only for recovering from a devastating injury, but having the determination and will to fulfill his commitment to this country. I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to listen to our National Anthem without tearing up. Amazing how circumstances in your life bring your priorities in perspective. "bonnie" do you acknowledge the National Anthem and what it stands for...think about it. You're unpatriotic comments are unwelcomed and should not be placed on this site, go find those that support your ignorant views and spew your venom elsewhere. A proud patriotic Marine Mom - who sacrifices a lot for the "bonnies" of this world to have free speech.

[luann78217]

bonnie1010p...First I want to comment...there is nothing fair about any war when it comes to loved ones being separated from their families to secure America's freedom, and yes that includes YOU!!! I am the mother of the Marine that was interviewed! I am very proud to see my son telling what part he will have in securing our safety AND your safety as well!!!!!!! You along with every American should be saying daily prayers for our troops and their families for all that they sacrifice!!! Because of all they sacrifice, you can wake up tomorrow in your own bed and enjoy the rest of the day with your family!!! Think about that next time you choose to open your mouth!!!