I have to say that I have really enjoyed the experiences that this site shares with the world.  It is important that we record history as it truly happened an all of you out there have done just that - written the history of our generation for our posterity to enjoy and understand who we are and what we do.

My story is nothing spectacular and I wouldn't pretend to offer that I have done anything personally of merit.  What I can say is that I have been blessed every day of my service to this great Nation and my life has been continually enriched by those who I am honored to serve with.  The great thing about an organization that requires selfless sacrifice is that we get the privilege of serving with and getting to know the heroes of our day who will go down in history as such.  It's been an absolute honor.

I was asked today why I chose to serve and had to say that it was for the college money.  I had no idea what I was getting into or the impact that it would have on my life and my family for the rest of eternity.  My grandfather, a very wise man, showed me opportunities that the Army had for getting college paid for as well as getting a good dose of life experience.  Being a retired Lieutenant Colonel, he had a vast knowledge of Army programs and how to leverage them.  What I can say now is that I sure am glad I listened to him.

I went to Brigham Young University on an Army ROTC scholarship and, honestly, received some of the best training I have ever had.  The cadre was excellent and they truly prepared us for what was in store.  I commissioned as an Adjutant General Officer with a branch detail to Infantry Branch.  I wasn’t too happy about it at the time, but very grateful that I was given the opportunity to lead some outstanding Infantry Soldiers.  This is where my reason for being here today began. 

I was stationed at Fort Irwin, CA where I was privileged to serve as a Platoon Leader in the 11^th Armored Cavalry Regiment as the Opposing Forces (OPFOR).  The Soldiers I had charge of were an inspiration and their enthusiasm was utterly contagious.  Despite my fears of not measuring up, I did my best to learn from those Noncommissioned Officers and, in doing so, was very successful.  As a Second Lieutenant, I maneuvered an entire company of combat vehicles and associated attached forces for 14 force on force rotations.  My experience increased exponentially while I enjoyed the company of the best Soldiers in the Army – Infantry Soldiers.  It always amazed me how much fun these Soldiers had despite the arduous task at hand.  After a long couple of weeks in the field, where sleep was scarce and the heat was overwhelming, there was always a positive air about this platoon that I got to be a part of. 

Time goes by and my time in the Infantry came to an end.  I never would have believed you if you told me back in ROTC that I would miss it.  I started my time in the Human Resources field and it was a very challenging adjustment.  I had to spend a lot more time learning and studying to figure out what I was supposed to be accomplishing.  It really wasn’t the tons of fun that fighting BLUFOR presented, but I found great rewards in serving the Soldiers that we supported.  I was again blessed with outstanding NCOs that taught me everything that I needed to know and helped me be successful.

In the middle of 2004, we got the deployment order.  It was a little confusing…a Regiment with only two companies of real combat vehicles that we in severe disrepair was going to deploy to combat?  We were all a little perplexed.  I was told by my squadron commander to continue on to my Captain’s Course…I had orders and a transportation pick up date.  My little family continued preparations for our PCS until the day before we had our second child.  I was called up to the Deputy Regimental Commander’s office for an interview.  He told me that my orders had been cancelled and that I was going to deploy with the Regimental Headquarters in a Division Staff role.  He told me that I didn’t necessarily have a job but that I was sorely needed on the staff.  This was our first real challenge.  My son was born the next day and I waited a couple of weeks to break the news to my wife.  She wasn’t real surprised but we did have to come to terms with the idea of how we were going to adjust to our first deployment.

Time rolled on and we left at the beginning of 2005.  As a family, we decided to remain positive and make the best of it.  I was on a division level staff working out of the presidential palace in Mosul, Iraq.  I felt confident that I could tell my wife that I was safe and that she could go about raising our 2 year old and 5 month old without worry.  I know that was unrealistic for a wife, but I was in the best circumstance I could imagine.  Blessed by a great group of Soldiers on the 11^th ACR’s staff, we had a tough but rewarding year in Iraq.  As a family, we sacrificed enough to truly love our country and enjoy serving in whatever capacity we are able to.  That is was drives us today and will get us through the next 10 years. 

We were fortunate that I haven’t deployed since.  I was able to go to my Captain’s Course, although quite late in my career, and then I was assigned to Recruiting Command.  The recruiting assignment was a lot of work but I figure that command at any level is the same.  I spent a lot of hours away from home, but I got to sleep in my own bed every night.  I was blessed to serve there for three years and my family lived in a normal, civilian community for that time.  They were able to grow and experience life with me home every single day.  I feel that with the experience of my peers across the Army, I was given a real gift to not deploy for all that time.  We were able to build a strong foundation at home with every growing children so that we are prepared for the next opportunity to sacrifice.

Our next gift from the Army was to go the Command and General Staff College.  In contrast to going to my Captain’s Course senior to everyone in my class, I am now the junior officer in all of my CGSC class.  I see it as an opportunity to finally train for the next assignment that I will get and more time to spend with my family.  Not to upset anyone out there, but I will be home for almost five years since my only deployment when I finish this course.  I am truly grateful for all the time I’ve been given to spend with my family and we are now ready to sacrifice if asked to.

I feel ready if another deployment is upon us.  My family is healthy and happy and we have spent the last year doing everything together.  If the Army asks us to go, we have been well prepared to serve and contribute to the effort in whatever conflict we are called to. 

We thank you all for your continued sacrifice and know that we have been blessed far beyond what most of you have experienced.  We hope to be a contributor to the continued freedom of this great Nation and will be forever grateful for your selfless sacrifice.