ABSTRACT
Military personnel had been processing civilians as usual that afternoon when the suicide bomber entered the checkpoint. Standing between the barriers, he raised his arms in preparation for a search as he triggered the explosive device. The blast radiated in front of him on the interior side of the Entry Control Point (ECP), causing harm to those in close range. Characteristic of his command style, the Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL), Roger Selden, was working directly with his men at the ECP. Their mission was to secure a small but significant city in their area of operations (AO). Selden was an integral part of the day-to-day operations that led the Ground Combat Element (GCE). He had spent most of his time in reconnaissance units and had moved up the enlisted ranks, earning respect from his superiors and subordinates alike. The GCE is one element of a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) comprised of both Marines and sailors.
