Embedded with the Marines

The 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines "Jump Platoon," crosses the bridge into Marjah, in Afghanistan's Helmand province, on Feb. 18, 2010. CBS News correspondent Mandy Clark profiled a Marine unit, in which she was embedded in Afghanistan, during a recent operation to rid Marjah of Taliban fighters.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Jump Platoon has one mission: Protect the Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Brian Christmas, seen here talking to locals on Feb. 11, 2010, as he moves in his battle space. Where he goes, they go. But Christmas sees the platoon as more than just his own personal body guards.

"They are a great group of guys, and even though some of them are close to my age, I do feel like they are like my sons," he says.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

"It's always interesting about Jump platoons. They always get the orphans from each company so you get a rag-tag band, but when they come together, they are quite an impressive group," says the chief warrant officer, Marine Gunner Joshua Smith. Smith is the platoon's weapons expert, and his skills have paid off.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

A house rigged with explosives is discovered on Feb. 17, 2010. Gunner Smith, the platoon's weapons expert, spotted a wire coming from the house that led to explosives.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

On Gunner Smith's advice, the Marines did not enter the house. Instead, they set off a small charge just inside the door. The charge triggered the bombs inside the rigged house, leaving only a pile of rubble where it once stood.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

This photo shows a pile of rubble where the rigged house once stood. Gunner Smith estimated that about 40 pounds of explosives were likely hidden in the home.

"We would have lost Marines that day," he said. "I'm just glad I caught it."

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Cpl. Paul Mauser is commander of Jump Platoon's lead vehicle. Nicknamed "Mighty Mouse," his MRAP has been hit twice in a short space of time.

"I'm 0-2, I would like to get the guy who is trying to kill me," he says, admitting that riding in the lead vehicle can take a toll on his nerves. "I'm proud to do what I can to protect the Colonel."

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Cpl. Paul Mauser and other members of the 3/6 Jump Platoon examine damage to their armored vehicle caused by an IED explosion in Afghanistan's Helmand province on Feb. 21, 2010.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

A front view of Cpl. Mauser's vehicle after it was hit by an IED on Feb. 21, 2010.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Platoon leader Sgt. Derr spesks on the radio on Feb. 10, 2010.

"We've taken fire from machine guns, RPGs (rocket propelled grenades), we've been mortared on the move, we've hit a number of IEDs," recounts Derr. "We pretty much have encountered every possible scenario."

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Gunner Smith, Sgt. Derr and other members of Jump platoon relax on Feb. 24, 2010.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Pfc. Jim "Gunny" Dickie is seen in his vehicle gun turret on Feb. 25, 2010.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Cpl. Joshua Bower is the platoon sergeant. Serving his third tour of duty at just 21, he's seen a lot of action. In Iraq, a sniper's bullet hit him in the back of the neck, just missing his spine.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Bower shows off his scar. He says the injury has made him more keenly aware of the dangers he and other U.S. troops face on the front line. "I signed up to do this job and I love it, but don't get me wrong, I don't want to die."

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

From left, Cpl. Bower, Gunner Smith and another member of Jump Platoon during a briefing.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Jump Platoon gets briefed by Lt. Col. Christmas on Feb. 25, 2010.

Jump Platoon: Taking Knocks for the Colonel

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

Embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan

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