Interview with Nicholas Clements

Partial Transcript: Why did you decide to join the military?

Segment Synopsis: He wanted to do something adventurous.

Keywords: Adventure; Marine Corps; US Army; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; military family

Partial Transcript: What was your transition like from the military to school?

Segment Synopsis: There were many similarities. After the military, he worked as a camp counselor and then applied to Madison area technical school. Overall the transition into civilian life was smooth.

Keywords: MATC; Madison Area Technical College; Madison, Wisconsin; Marine Corps; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; camp counselor; civilian life; non-traditional student; student veteran

Partial Transcript: So then why did you attend-- Why did you decide to attend UW Madison?

Segment Synopsis: He wanted to be a badger and his brother went here.

Keywords: UW-Madison; home school; home state

Partial Transcript: While in Afghanistan, what was your job/assignment and what did you do?

Segment Synopsis: He supervised an Afghan outpost, acted as a transition force for the Afghans, and went out on patrols.

Keywords: Afghan government; British army; Marine Corps; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; War in Afghanistan; civil infrastructure; deployment; infantry; transfer of power

Partial Transcript: What were the relationships like between the Afghan people and American soldiers, and then the Afghan army and American soldiers?

Segment Synopsis: Many villagers watched the Americans while they were on patrol; others would flip them off. The children were friendly. The relations between the Afghan army and the marines was not hostile.

Keywords: Afghan army; Afghan civilians; Afghan culture; Afghan-American relations; British army; Marine Corps; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; War in Afghanistan; resupply missions

Partial Transcript: In your opinion and what you saw, did you think the Afghan army was ready for the transition of power?

Segment Synopsis: They were close to ready. They were not bad. Overall, the Afghan army presence was very high in Afghanistan.

Keywords: Afghan National Police; Afghan army; Afghan culture; Afghan government; Marine Corps; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; War in Afghanistan; transfer of power

Partial Transcript: In your time in Afghanistan, did you see an impact or influence of American training?

Segment Synopsis: In theory the Afghans were supposed to be already trained. The Afghan soldiers of the National Directorate of Security were better trained than the regular Afghan army.

Keywords: Afghan National Directorate of Security; Afghan army; War in Afghanistan; civil infrastructure; military training; transfer of power

Partial Transcript: What were some of your memorable experiences in Afghanistan?

Segment Synopsis: Training back home prepared him a little but it was a culture shock for him once he was in Afghanistan. But patrols were fun. Overall, very few violent moments in his tour. The kids were very smart and clever.

Keywords: Afghan culture; Marine Corps; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; War in Afghanistan; culture shock; military training

Partial Transcript: With your time in Afghanistan, do you believe you were successful in completing your assignment?

Segment Synopsis: More good than harm was done.

Keywords: Marine Corps; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; War in Afghanistan

Partial Transcript: When you said you gave out supplies-- You gave it to Afghan soldiers or American soldiers?

Segment Synopsis: We had a giant refrigerator and a cook.

Keywords: Marine Corps; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; War in Afghanistan; food

Partial Transcript: Were there-- Since the British were also where you were, were there any cultural tensions between American and British?

Segment Synopsis: The British stuck to themselves. But they were nice.

Keywords: British army; Marine Corps; Narnia; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; War in Afghanistan

Partial Transcript: Do you know what the soldiers that you-- before you came, do you know what they were doing there?

Segment Synopsis: They were bored due to it being the non-fighting season.

Keywords: Marine Corps; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; War in Afghanistan

Partial Transcript: So pretty much all of the training of the NDS was done way before you came?

Segment Synopsis: What did you learn in the course how to train the Afghans? Do not make promises you cannot keep.

Keywords: Afghan National Directorate of Security; Afghan army; Afghan culture; Marine Corps; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; War in Afghanistan; military training

Partial Transcript: Anything else you want to add?

Segment Synopsis: He enjoyed his experience but he was bummed he did not see more combat.

Keywords: Marine Corps; US Marine Corps; United States Marine Corps; War in Afghanistan; security forces