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A Soldier’s Story First Sgt. Robert Jennings |
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PHOTO COURTESY OF STAFF SGT. MENDOZA
Capt. Todd Moe listens to some of the concerns of residents in Amu Shabi, Iraq.
Residents surprise troops
with eagerness to improve
April 18, 2030 hours >> 3rd Platoon reported they had an Iraqi civilian say he knows where an improvised explosive device had been planted against dismounted patrols. Capt. Todd Moe, company commander, immediately dispatched soldiers to meet this guy.
On arrival, we found a 6-year-old-boy wanting to help the coalition. After the interpreter interviewed him, we found out he had overheard two men talking about it. We loaded him in the truck and he showed us the area they were talking about. It was dark and the weeds were rampant.
Capt. Moe made a decision not to search tonight because of poor illumination and the dense weeds. We secured the area and at daybreak a thorough search was conducted, but nothing was found.
We find ourselves reacting to a lot of these reports. We have to investigate each somewhat credible situation. If we don't, the one we pass up may be for real, and that could cost American lives.
This week, we held a town meeting in Amu Shabi with all the tribal leaders to hear their concerns. As I have mentioned in previous articles, this is one of the poorest communities in the Kirkuk area.
The company commander and I have decided to make it a point to get to know these people and find projects in their community that will improve their quality of life.
We notified them a week prior that we would be holding this meeting at the refinished school. We expected about 60 members and were astonished and excited that over 200 people attended.
This was a sign that a community was ready to improve and was looking for guidance. After introducing ourselves, we heard a number of issues when we were surprised once more.
This is a community of about 7,000 to 8,000 people with no structured government. There are roughly 20 to 25 tribal leaders. Well, to our amazement, they had chosen one voice to speak. They caught us off guard for a minute when their chosen leader stood up. This was one of our future suggestions already complete.
Before voicing his concerns, he explained that Amu Shabi means "by the people." The town had been built by the people and, until the fall of the former regime, it was not part of Kirkuk city limits.
The concerns of the people ranged from improving the sewer system to the improvement of the town clinic to school supplies. The majority of the concerns were very doable. We were pleased to know that some of the major projects already have money allotted.
After the meeting, Capt. Moe and I stood on separate sides of the room, answering one on one concerns. I left Amu Shabi with a good feeling that we were going to make a big difference in these people's lives over the next year.
The week ended with another surprise. We were visited by four young people in their late teens to early 20s looking for guidance. They have started a new group in Kirkuk called the New Iraqi Youth group. They came to us for our advice on petitioning sponsorship for growth and development.
This was very flattering to us. With the ethnic clashing and diversity in this town, these young people seem to be doing exactly what most of us wish was happening more. They require all members to denounce their political parties and do not require you to put ethnicity on your application. This is a major step towards uniting the people here.
Their mission statement includes empowering women to leadership roles in the government and businesses; nondiscrimination of ethnic backgrounds; and promoting sports and culture to the youth in the new Iraq.
We knew they were serious because the Kirkuk Chapter president is a 19-year-old woman. They are active in the community with the youth. As far as we know, this is the only group of its kind in town. We have another meeting in a week and I really hope I can report on their progress. They seem to have a groundbreaking idea .
Ninety days -- that's the mark we have achieved in Iraq. Seems like six months since we left. The soldiers have adjusted well and other than a few minor glitches here and there, they are a well-oiled machine.
As a company, I think we have grown leaps and bounds over the last three months. Before we left, we were a proven unit in training; now we're a proven unit in combat.
God bless and aloha.
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Officer thanks troops for work
This week, we say goodbye to our Executive Officer Capt. Brad Hartz. He has promoted himself out of a job and will relocate to the battalion staff next week.
Brad Hartz: Says he's satisfied to see different ethnicities starting to live together
I have to say it has definitely been an adventure over the past months. Through all the company changes and growing pains, we have become pretty close friends. I asked Capt. Hartz to summarize his assessment prior to and working in Iraq.
He said: "My initial goal was to be able to support the soldiers with what they needed to complete their missions. I thought I had it mastered back at Schofield; then we hit this environment.
"I found out things are different here, so there was a period of adjustment to learn new techniques. Now, just like most Army jobs, once you have figured the system out, you get promoted and move out."
He added: "I wish I would have devoted more time to learning the language and culture before coming. I would have been able to have better relations with the locals. It satisfies me that I see the different ethnicities starting to tolerate and live together; I wish I could do more.
"I have to thank the first sergeant for his mentorship over the past few months. Because our jobs overlap in a lot of ways, he was able to help me develop my Army skills and thinking process."
Hartz finished by saying, "Thanks to all the soldiers for their hard work, and I hope I can see and experience different parts of Iraq, and possibly be assigned to other areas of the country."
First Lt. John Hallett, from Concord, Calif., has some big shoes to fill. 1st Lt. Hallett comes to us from the Scout Platoon, where he spent 11 months as the platoon leader.
"I am excited to get to know the soldiers of Alpha Company and learn my new job," Hallett said.
He wants to say hello to his wife Lisa in Mililani. She is studying at the University of Hawaii, working on a graduate teaching degree.
He said: "I appreciate your hard work, support and patience. Good luck with your studies, and I love and miss you."
