MARINES IN THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA
Last year I was fortunate to deploy to the Republic of Georgia (in the former Soviet Union) to cover the work of the Marines serving there as part of the Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program (GSSOP). Marines, along with personnel from the US Navy, Army and Air Force have been serving in the Georgia since 2002, helping to train military units to western standards. Georgia is a democratic nation looking eagerly to the west with hopes of joining NATO and the European Union in the coming years. A well-trained, professional military supports their goals and helps bring stability to the the volatile Caucasus region. The Georgians are wonderful, gracious people. I hope to visit there again. For more about the work of the Marines in Georgia, see upcoming issues of the Marine Corps Gazette and Leatherneck magazines. Links to the articles will be posted here when available.