COMBAT OUTPOST HIT, Iraq — The attacks in South Hit on Friday should serve as a reminder to Marines to be careful what they wish for in an apparently calmer region, where boredom seems as much an enemy as insurgents.

"I would almost say it would be better if I was getting shot at," said Lance Cpl. Antonell Ciprian, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment hours before the attacks. "What was all that training for?"

Ciprian wasn’t the only one grousing about the slow tempo of operations at the remote outpost where nightly video game tournaments and daily trips to the gym are among the few diversions.

"Last year we had a mission every day. It kept things going pretty fast," said Lance Cpl. Jason Jones with Combined Anti Armor Team White. "Now unless we have a mission or something we just sit in our racks all day."

Leaders in the unit aren’t oblivious to the situation, but say letting Marines determine for themselves how best to use their downtime is key to keeping morale up.

"I think a lot of them are questioning our current mission," said Staff Sgt. Michael Padisak, platoon sergeant for CAAT White. "I think a lot of them are frustrated and asking themselves why they’re here."

Just hours prior to the attacks Padisak was putting his platoon through a series of drills to keep their skills sharp. Padisak said monthly ranges and weekly drills help prevent complacency.

Padisak said he is glad for the slower pace of things this year.

"Although it may be boring, if it keeps up like this everyone will come home alive," he said.