educational benefits in December 1977 (I planned to finish my bachelor's degree, get out, and return to college). I was assigned to Fort Dix, NJ, for basic combat training, then on to Fort Devens, MA for morse code training as a Morse Code Interceptor/Operator). I was denied a clearance (mostly because my northern Illinois references wouldn't talk to the investigators) and put on casual duty for a few months cleaning barracks, raking, mowing, and finally as permanent night charge of quarters, monitoring a barracks overnight. I was then notified that I was being reclassified as a 19D (Cavalry Scout) and sent to Fort Knox at the beginning of 1979. After successfully completing that training I was then assigned to 4/12 Cavalry, Fort Polk, LA. Because Chris and I could type...we were assigned as clerks in the personnel action center (PAC-me) and the intelligence shop (S-2-Chris) where we were promoted twice and I achieved Division Troops Soldier/NCO of the Quarter. Chris got our clearances reinstated prior to going to Germany in summer 1980 assigned to HHT, 3/11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as their evaluations and promotions Non-Commissioned Officer.
In 1981 I reenlisted to return to MI as a 96B (Intelligence Analyst), trained at Fort Huachuca, AZ and was afterwards assigned to the United States Army Threat and Analysis Center, General Intelligence Production Division (USAITAC-GIPD), Fort Bragg, NC. Part of INSCOM, we produced corps level and above classified and unclassified volumes on target countries and areas. After they announced the unit was moving to the Washington Navy Yard (and I had insufficient time in service left to move with them), I was transferred to the 8th PSYOP Battalion, across post.
I briefly served in their 1st Operational Detachment (OPDET), but was transferred to the 2nd OPDET shortly. PSYOP was an easy transition from what I learned and applied to the real world. Great people, great training, and opportunities. It was great to be in the Special Operations community; we had wonderful flexibility and unique missions, as well as a very pleasant climate and base.
When the Grenada issue came about, every battalion wanted to participate. Our operational detachments had the men and expertise, but the powers that be activated and deployed another battalion, with the augmentation of the 8th Battalion's loudspeaker team. It seems our team was the ONLY one with the proper equipment and expertise to make loudspeaker mounts for the UH-60. Our Soldier went home and welded them together in his backyard overnight, so that mission in the operation was a success.
We trained together with conventional units, and also successfully helped conduct a USAR PSYOP battalion's annual training on Fort Bragg, and got them ready for any upcoming conflict. I was coming due for reenlistment, and requested several schools as incentive, all denied. I got out in 1984 and regretted it, went home to Illinois, enlisted in the Army Reserve. I had continued my education via the New GI Bill, and received my Bachelor's degree in History, the first one in our family to do so.
I found a home in a USAR PSYOP unit near home after a year in a specialty unit, a military intelligence detachment, with focus on SE Asia. Our Annual Training was at the Defense Intelligence Agency, and we were co-opted then to support the bombing missions in Libya. I went to the 305th POB in Arlington Heights, IL partly for the promotion potential, and enjoyed that immensely as their S-2 intelligence NCO, until their TO&E changed and made the Intel NCOIC job a 97B. The summer of 1985 and 1986 found me as an instructor in the 96B course for Reservists at Fort McCoy, WI. I instructed over 250 students, enlisted and officer, in the 96B program of instruction successfully.
In the fall, fortunately, I was able to transfer across the parking lot to the MI Detachment, 2nd Battalion, 12th SFG (A). I thrived in that environment and with those great Soldiers. Then came the word that we had lost the battle. The two ARNG SF groups had been retained even though both USAR groups had higher readiness ratings, they were to be deactivated. We spent drill periods burning classified and sensitive material and preparing to close down the Group. I did walk away with some gear; a maroon beret, unit crests and flash.
Then I again transferred across the parking area to the Battle Projection Group (BPG), 85th Division, to create and produce training for the Battalion and Brigade and above units across the USAR in order to help prepare their staffs for war. Somewhere in the middle of this, in early 1996 I prepared to mobilize to Bosnia for 9 months. Our unit received an order to require all four of the division's E-6 96B intelligence analysts to mobilize, serving in the G-2 of the 1st Infantry Division (Forward). What a great experience at division level! Daily briefings and lots of activity during that deployment. At the DFAC one day, I even ran into my former PSYOP battalion commander.
In August 1986 I was offered a job for 29 days (due to end of the fiscal year restraints), at Fort Bragg, NC, to help write the new 96F (Psychological Operations specialist) course, since we had lived it and taught it while on active duty. After that, I returned to Chicago, and my BPG duties, and was encouraged by my PAC NCO to apply for the Active Guard-Reserve (AGR) program. Accepted in 1999, I went to AR-PERSCOM (later HRC-STL) in St. Louis and I spent 5 years there as a personnel manager, special programs NCOIC, and finally, Security Office NCOIC. I also earned NCO of the Quarter again. Then I was offered a position at the Army Reserve Readiness Training Center (ARRTC) at Fort McCoy, WI, near to our families and Illinois and where I had really no job. I was a Senior Course Writer, except that the ARRTC produced and taught NO military intelligence courses.
One morning, in 2006 my training NCO called me to his office and showed me a by-name request for a deployment to Iraq with a military transition team (MiTT) as their intelligence NCOIC. The lieutenant colonel in charge of my brigade team (with 3 battalion teams under us) decided he wanted me as his command sergeant major, so in addition to driving our lead vehicle, I was responsible for personnel, welfare, training, and operations for our 43 Soldiers as well as interfacing with the Iraqis.
We survived training, First at North Fort Hood, TX, and later in theater. We deployed and advised and led the 4th Brigade/1st Iraqi Army Division first in Anbar Province (Camp India) from June 2006, then into Baghdad for the Surge in 2007. First at FOB Rustamiyah, in the eastern part of the city and then FOB Shield, in Rusafa, we ran operations, coordinated with our counterparts and helped improve their professionalism as well as their administrative, pay, maneuver, training and logistic issues. When returned my CO was an O-6, and we brought everyone home safely, and a year later, I retired.
Shortly thereafter, I completed and received my Master's degree in Management. People ask why I enlisted because I could have done other things. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. And due to my grandfather's service in WWI (earning one of the first Silver Star medals), and my father, mother, and uncle's service in WWII (CIBs and Bronze Stars), I wanted to serve. Service over Self. It's the epitome of the Army Values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. It's valid that Selfless Service occupies the central position, bracketed by so many obviously vital values. It's the way I was raised, and I didn't even know it; I just lived it.
