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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Sep 6, 2008 - 11:54:07 AM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Cpl. Brandon Shields, a Blytheville, Ark., native, provides security at Camp Taji, Iraq. Shields is a gate guard with the 1123rd Transportation Company, an Arkansas National Guard unit attached to the 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry Regiment, an Indiana National Guard unit attached to the 1st Sustainment Brigade in support of Multi-National Division-Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. George Fowler, 1123rd Trans. Co., 1st Sqdn.,152nd Cav. Regt., 1st Sust. Bde., UPAR.) |
CAMP TAJI - When he was in 6th grade, Brandon Shields witnessed a serious car accident. His first words to his mother were, "What can we do to help?" This question has served as Shields mantra throughout the rest of his life.
Cpl. Brandon Shields, a Blytheville, Ark., native, feels right at home in his current mission of force protection at Camp Taji, Iraq. Shields is a gate guard, which is one of the force protection responsibilities of the 1123rd Transportation Company, an Arkansas National Guard unit attached to the 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry Regiment, an Indiana National Guard unit attached to the 1st Sustainment Brigade in support of Multi-National Division-Baghdad.
Shields has spent most of his adult life serving others. In 1981, when he was just 16 years old, he joined the Explorer Post, a volunteer group that works with local law enforcement, going out on "ride-alongs" for traffic stops and routine enforcement.
He also joined the Emergency Squad, a volunteer organization that works with law enforcement when there is an emergency or special case that needs extra manpower.
After graduating from Blytheville High School, Shields worked part-time helping with farming, welding, and construction, all the while continuing his work as a part-time law enforcement officer. At 21, he was officially hired as a part-time police officer, and has never looked back.
In 1991, he earned a spot as a full-time firefighter, but still did not stop his law enforcement career. "It’s just who I am," explained Shields.
Finally, on Sept. 12, 2001, Shields decided to enlist in the Arkansas National Guard. Unfortunately, at 36, he was too old to enlist; but in 2005, the Army raised the age limit and he joined immediately, thus allowing him to fulfill his desire to serve his country in yet another way.
Before shipping off to basic training, he participated in the Recruit Sustainment Program, an Arkansas Army National Guard program that prepares new recruits for the rigors and stresses of basic training - complete with drill sergeants.
A year and a half after enlisting, Shields had attended basic training, truck driving advanced individual training, the Warrior Leaders Course, and the Army Instructors Course.
Shields was pulled from the RSP, where he was working with his former drill sergeants to help train new recruits, to fill the ranks of the 1123rd Transportation Company for their deployment with the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Iraq in 2008.
Working the gate provides Shields an opportunity for, what he calls, "good community relations." Shields stated, "It is hard on the Soldiers, but it’s serving the good in the long run."
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