GARMSIR DISTRICT, Helmand province, Islamic Republic

GARMSIR DISTRICT, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Lance Cpl. Shawn Cole, a native of Cresskill, N.J., is a fire team leader with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment's Guard Force Platoon. He is responsible for three other Marines during his seven-month deployment. This is Cole's second deployment. He graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., in 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan for the first time in 2009.The battalion supports Regimental Combat Team 1, the Marine ground combat element in Southern Helmand province. The mission of the RCT is to partner with Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations to secure the Afghan people, defeat insurgent forces, and enable Afghanistan to assume security responsibilities in the region. Ultimately, the partnered forces promote the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.