KIM LANDERS: These are the final moments for families soon to be separated by war.
CHILD: Can I have my arm back?
KIM LANDERS: They have less than an hour left together, time only for an embrace or a quick phone call, because these US Marines are going to Iraq. Corporal Ben Harraldson clings to his wife and daughter.
CORPORAL BEN HARRALDSON, US MARINES: It's never easy leaving family. Never easy, no.
KIM LANDERS: How are you feeling?
MRS HARRALDSON: Really bad right now. Ben and I have been together for eight years, so this is hard.
KIM LANDERS: Farewells like these are common at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Today it's the turn of about 150 Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 6, which is part of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. They're heading to Fallujah, one of Iraq's most volatile regions and for many, it's their first tour.
LANCE CORPORAL TABITHA RODELA BUBIER, US MARINES: I'm anxious, I wouldnt say nervous because I dont think I have anything to worry about - not just yet - but I'm anxious.
KIM LANDERS: Her husband was there last year.
CORPORAL JONATHON BUBIER, US MARINES: I feel a lot worse now than when I actually when I went. I mean I knew she was going to deploy, but it kind of snuck up on me.
KIM LANDERS: Camp Lejeune is home to about 31,000 Marines. With more than 20 kilometres of beaches, it's a major amphibious assault training facility. Boats like these are used to patrol the Euphrates River in Baghdad. Marines will make up about 4,000 of the extra 21,500 troops that the President has decided to send to Iraq.
TAMMY RASCH, WIFE: Get some wine out, babe.
KIM LANDERS: The Rasch family is one of those preparing for deployment.
GUNNERY SERGEANT INGO RASCH, US MARINES: I'm originally from Germany but being a Marine is everything I've always wanted to be.
KIM LANDERS: This sergeant will soon do his third Iraq tour. He's a helicopter mechanic and also an aerial gunner. If he has doubts about having to go back to Iraq, he doesn't show it.
INGO RASCH: I'm a Marine, I go where I'm sent. Things like that don't cross my mind.
KIM LANDERS: Do you get disappointed that the American public seems to be growing increasingly tired of the war?
INGO RASCH: As Marines we do our job, that's what we do. What happens around the world or the United States is really nothing that is of any concern to me.
KIM LANDERS: What has changed in Iraq since the time of your first deployment and your second deployment?
INGO RASCH: We don't as Marines pay much attention as to whether it gets better or worse or anything like that, so I didn't pay much attention to that, quite honestly. A deployment was another day on a job.
TAMMY RASCH: It's not enjoyable as far as him being gone. I stay very busy. I have three girls and a family that keep me busy.
KIM LANDERS: When her husband's away, Tammy Rasch emails him each day and tries not to dwell on the war.
TAMMY RASCH: In the beginning when he was gone I used to nonstop watch the news. But then it got to where the point is I had to quit watching the news as much and focus elsewhere.
TAMMY RASCH: I try to focus on my girls, on my household and while Ingo gone, he doesn't have to worry about it while he's over fighting. I don't want him worrying about what's going on at home. KIM LANDERS: There aren't many women among the Marines heading to Iraq. But Private First Class Nicky Craven is one of them. She'd been in her barracks packing the day before. PRIVATE 1st CLASS NICKY CRAVEN: The last thing were going to put in is our flack jacket. Were going to put it in last because it is the most important. We want to make sure we can get to it when we get there. KIM LANDERS: The 18-year-old joined the Marines six months ago. She'll be in Iraq for the next seven. When the time came to leave, she sat alone. The Marines have spent months training for their mission, but as the Iraq war nears its fourth anniversary, their families are bearing the brunt of this long campaign. The Marines themselves will take about a week to reach Iraq. Beyond that, none of them know what lies ahead.
TAMMY RASCH: I try to focus on my girls, on my household and while Ingo gone, he doesn't have to worry about it while he's over fighting. I don't want him worrying about what's going on at home. KIM LANDERS: There aren't many women among the Marines heading to Iraq. But Private First Class Nicky Craven is one of them. She'd been in her barracks packing the day before. PRIVATE 1st CLASS NICKY CRAVEN: The last thing were going to put in is our flack jacket. Were going to put it in last because it is the most important. We want to make sure we can get to it when we get there. KIM LANDERS: The 18-year-old joined the Marines six months ago. She'll be in Iraq for the next seven. When the time came to leave, she sat alone. The Marines have spent months training for their mission, but as the Iraq war nears its fourth anniversary, their families are bearing the brunt of this long campaign. The Marines themselves will take about a week to reach Iraq. Beyond that, none of them know what lies ahead.