Pipes Playing in Afghanistan – War On Terror News:
“CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – From remembering people from the past to relaxation and even shaping the war atmosphere, one man has found a way to use bagpipes to fulfill many different needs.
Patrick J. Carroll, the governance and cultural advisor for the I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) Civil Affairs Group, plays the bagpipes for many different reasons, and brings its tunes to all different parts of the world.
Through his experiences he has found something that brings back memories, allows him to give back to his brothers in the Corps and keeps him working toward something better as he immerses himself into learning new songs and other types of bagpipes.
‘Most people say they can’t believe that I bring it with me, but once you remove the bass drum you can actually fit it in a normal-size gun case,’ said Carroll. ‘It fits conveniently in a seabag, so if I can take a seabag somewhere, I can take the pipes with me, and I pretty much take them everywhere I go.’
Carroll retired from the Marine Corps as a lieutenant colonel in September 2009 and has continued working as a civilian contractor. He began as an infantry officer but was also a middle eastern foreign area officer, helping him with the job he is doing working with the civil affairs group as a contractor.
‘I went to certain schooling during my career to become an expert on the history, politics, language and culture of the countries that fall within the Central Command,’ said Carroll.
Speaking mainly Arabic, Carroll also knows some Pashto and farsi after studying the Middle East for over 17 years.
The bagpipes are not an instrument most people would think to pick up. Carroll had a little more motivation than just the personal drive he has had throughout life.”