Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt | 1st Sgt. Albert Rodriguez, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 4th...... read more read more
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By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt
Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – For one Multi-National Division – Baghdad senior enlisted Soldier, serving as an American Soldier represents the only goodness a lot of people around the world will ever know.
1st Sgt. Albert Rodriguez, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, is proud of what he and his Soldiers personify around the world.
"For a lot of people in the world, American Soldiers are the only goodness a lot of people will ever know; the only bible a lot of people will never read; and the only example of America and freedom a lot of people will ever see," said the Oxnard, Calif., native currently on his second deployment to Iraq.
"I am proud to serve, because as a member of the U.S. Army, I am part of a long line of Soldiers who have fought and died for our freedom," he said. "In particular, I have had two uncles who gave their lives during World War II and the Vietnam conflict.
"When I reflect on what their experiences must have been like, I immediately appreciate all that is good in my life. I believe all Soldiers should be proud of who they are and what they are doing, regardless of their job. They have all sacrificed so much for our country and our freedom."
Rodriguez currently serves as the first sergeant for the "Gambler Guns" headquarters company. Many of his Soldiers are directly involved in the planning, operation and execution of the Apache helicopter battalion's mission around the greater Baghdad region.
His job is to coach, mentor and take care of Soldiers as they conduct their daily tasks in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His company, currently deployed just north of the Iraqi capital on Camp Taji, uses the attack helicopters to directly affect the fight by protecting Soldiers on the ground with aerial support.
Although the job may seem overwhelming to most, many of Rodriguez's young Soldiers are performing like seasoned veterans.
"Every 15 minutes I get a SITREP [situation report], so I can inform the commander on the mission. I am at the center of the information flow," said Cpl. Jack Condon, 24, aviation operations specialist who works in the battalion's Tactical Operations Center from Catoosa, Okla.
"I ask for guidance from senior NCOs about what to do with a Soldier or a situation, because every Soldier and situation is different," he said. "That's how my NCOs are here, and I want to be the same."
As many Soldiers try to emulate their first sergeant, Rodriguez instills in them that taking care of Soldiers is an NCOs top priority. How Soldiers live while deployed reflects directly on their morale, the mission and esprit de corps.
"Clearly one of the most positive changes I have seen since my last deployment is the quality of life for our Soldiers, who definitely deserve it," said Rodriguez who was part of the initial invasion in March 2003. "The standard of living has been raised so high that we can never go back to the way it used to be. I only hope these young guys and girls appreciate what they have, because trying to describe to a young Soldier what it is like to live on a cot for six months is like trying to describe the days without the Internet – unimaginable."
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2008 08:41 |
| Story ID: | 26770 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 307 |
| Downloads: | 274 |
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