My third mobilization since 9/11 began on February 1, 2007 and was scheduled to end on January 31, 2008. I decided to allow the Army to extend my active duty until February 1, 2009.
Since I turn 60 on February 28 of that year and must retire from the military, this will be my last year in the Army. The fact is that the military still needs experienced soldiers to mobilize and train the troops that are being shipped off to war.
When this final year ends, I will return to duty at the police department. From that point on, I will work as a cop until it isn’t fun any more. Then I will retire from there as well.
My decision was also based on which organization needed me more right now – the police department or the Army. Although I may be “getting on” in years, I still like a challenge and it feels good to put my experience to the maximum use possible.
All I have to do is read the casualty and after-action reports sent to us from the war zones. Then I look into the faces of the kids we are training and deploying. After everything I have done throughout my life, I believe I am needed more in the Army for the next year.
My employer has been pretty good about supporting me. Whenever there were issues about active duty, we shared information and we resolved them together. I know it is hard on them to have employees remain on active duty during wartime. When I was in Iraq, their support was invaluable and I appreciated it when they stood by me.
I haven’t heard from anyone at the PD since I forwarded my new orders, but I only hope they understand that it is worthwhile to “loan” me out to America during wartime for the purpose of teaching soldiers how to stay alive. It is one way everyone at the department can support the troops, whether or not they support the war.
I looked again at the picture of Nichole M. Frye, the young private in our unit who was killed shortly after our arrival in Iraq in 2004. PFC Frye (promoted to specialist after her death) came through a class I helped teach at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Our class was on how to clear a building, but she was killed when insurgents attacked her un-armored Humvee with an IED.
No matter how much we care and no matter how hard we train them, some of them won’t come home. That fact is causing goose bumps on my arms right now because I care about them as if they were my own kids. Their young fresh faces with the bright smiles go hand-in-hand with the positive attitudes they bring to the Army.
I am so proud of them for their professionalism, their warrior spirit and their willingness to sacrifice everything for all of us.
I simply must do everything I can for as long as I can to make them ready...
SFC Chuck Grist
www.AmericanRanger.blogspot.com
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the - Web Reconnaissance for 01/24/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day...so check back often.
ReplyDeleteHave read your postings for sometime and have always enjoyed them---waiting for you to write the book that you have stored away inside. I know that many will be sorry to see your time end----there are very few "old-true warriors" left to teach these young men and women who are joining rank. I do hope your job with the police force can see that you still needed by the Army---God Bless in your journey this year for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind thoughts, bayagga. I have written the book; it is about to be cleared by the Department of Defense and I do have a publisher that has expressed interest, but no firm committment yet. We shall see.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your book. We definetly chewed some of the same ground. Even today, when I look for NCO's, Often I find myself measuring them against you. You were patient and taught me a lot more than you probally realize over the course of that year. I remeber the Day Frye died just like it was this morning. Its weird, It was one of the most trying years for me, But I wouldnt have traded it or the people I served with for anything in the world and look forward to my next deployment. I hit my 20 in july and hope im around for another 20. Drop me an email and lets exchange cell numbers and catch up.
ReplyDeleteCPT (Formerly 2LT then 1LT) Art Gordon
I've stopped by and read this several times - it is beautifully written and makes me so proud of the men and women who give their lives for the important things - that would be you SFC !!!
ReplyDeleteToday, a friend was killed in Iraq. It is still not quite real to me - yet a reminder of the enemy we are fighting. They attacked and killed 5 of our soldiers from a mosque in Mosul.
Thank you for all you do to train these men and women so that their chances are improved.