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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Jan 5, 2009 - 8:24:33 PM |
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Fathers, sons, brothers and veterans : Citizen Soldiers ready for war together
By Spc. John Crosby, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs
Nov 20, 2008 - 8:28:34 PM
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Sgt. Gordon Gilliam warms up next to a barrel fire while training at Camp Atterbury for an upcoming deployment to Iraq. Gilliam is an armament repair sergeant from Lineville, Ala., in the 158th Support Maintenance Company, Alabama National Guard. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. John Crosby) |
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - Many Army National Guard units have deployed since the start of the Global War on Terrorism but few are as tight knit as the Soldiers of the 158th Support Maintenance Company from Alabama.
The 158th SMC is currently at Camp Atterbury, training for their upcoming deployment to Iraq. The 198-man unit is made up of second, third and fourth-tour veterans, fathers, sons and brothers, all preparing to make the trip together to serve their state and country for one year in Iraq. Their mission will be to recover disabled vehicles while in country.
"We have Soldiers who just returned from deployment and volunteered to turn around and go right back," said Capt. Robert Schodorf, commander of the 158th SMC. "The combat veterans are taking the younger Soldiers under their wings and teaching them the latest tactics in Iraq. It brings a lot of experience to the unit."
Chief Warrant Officer Ricky Acord has 26 years experience in the Army and is on his fourth deployment. He volunteered for the mission with the 158th SMC.
"Knowing the atmosphere over there gives you a lot of insight to show the younger troops about what to expect," Acord said. "It calms them down and gives them a sense of what to anticipate."
Acord became a warrant officer in the mid '80s with the 158th SMC. He said that helped influence his decision to volunteer to return to Iraq again.
In addition to seasoned veterans who serve with the unit, there are several family members serving together. One such family team is the Quarles brothers.
Both brothers volunteered to return to Iraq for their second deployments. This time they will be together.
"Any time we come up with ideas like this we run it by each other," said Sgt. Leo Quarles III. "It didn't take long for us to come to this conclusion. We called the 158th up and asked if there was anything that we could do for them on their upcoming deployment."
The 158th SMC took them on a month ago and since then they've become part of the team.
"We're competitive," said Leo Quarles. "I don't want [my brother] out doing me and vice-versa. It's teamwork. I'll have a whole lot more support this time, knowing that my brother has my back. Knowing he'll get me right if I'm wrong. He makes me a better Soldier."
The Hursts are another family team in the unit. Spc. Michael Hurst and his son Spc. William Hurst are deploying for their first time to Iraq.
"I am thrilled and nervous at the same time," Michael Hurst said. "I am proud of the man he has become. If he has to deploy, I'm glad he is deploying with me, this way we can keep an eye on each other."
Michael Hurst found out he was deploying during a battle assembly weekend. He told his son that Sunday and William said he wanted to go with his father. By that following Thursday, they were given the green light to deploy together.
William Hurst has a family of his own, a new wife and baby on the way. He said his commitment to his father, the Alabama National Guard and his nation made him feel obligated to deploy.
Their commander said this kind of commitment is apparent across the entire company.
"It's the dedication and the determination of these Soldiers," Schodorf said. "They're determined to complete the mission their nation has called on them to complete."
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| A 205th Infantry Brigade Soldier checks Staff Sgt. Deborah Powell's weapon at the Camp Atterbury rifle range. Powell and her unit, the Alabama National Guard's 158th Support Maintenance Company, are training to deploy to Iraq this winter. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. John Crosby) |
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| Pfc. James Richardson steps away from his rifle awaiting the orders to take up a good firing position from the control tower at the rifle firing range at Camp Atterbury. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. John Crosby) |
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