Stop-lossed Long Knives assist Iraqis

Photo By Creighton Holub | 1st Lt. Jeffery Clark, the Long Knife Brigade headquarter company's executive officer,...... read more read more

Photo By Creighton Holub | 1st Lt. Jeffery Clark, the Long Knife Brigade headquarter company's executive officer, promotes Pfc. Ebony Lane, a supply specialist, in one of the brigade's meeting rooms Dec. 1, 2008. Clark is one of a number of Soldiers, assigned to the Long Knife Brigade, who is affected by the Army's stop-loss policy.  see less | View Image Page

TALLIL AIR BASE, IRAQ

01.27.2009

Story by Spc. Creighton Holub 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

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By Spc. Creighton Holub
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Some of the Soldiers assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division just reached the one-year mark on their countdown to separating from the Army – for a second time.

The Long Knife Brigade deployed to southern Iraq in June of 2008 with Soldiers that were originally scheduled to leave the Army during this combat tour, but were held over due to the Army's stop-loss policy.

Many of those stop-lossed Soldiers have approximately four to six years invested into the Army and have already served at least one tour in Iraq or Afghanistan, so they bring an extra slice of experience to the brigade's operations in the tri-province area of Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Maysan.

"Stop-loss hurts," said Master Sgt. Ola Clark, the Long Knife's equal opportunity advisor. "But when you get past the initial pain, you realize that you're just fulfilling your obligation. A Soldier who does what Uncle Sam needs done has discipline. It can be hard, but it's our job. All they ask is for them to be let go once their tour is done."

With the brigade's combat tour just past the six-month mark, many of the troops are using their free time to figure out their next step. For those Soldiers who are not stop-lossed, it's figuring out how to get into the right military school for their career field or just deciding which base they would like to move to next.

However, the stop-lossed troops who plan to separate from the military are asking, "What school do I attend? Where do I live? What job to do next?"

"I'm glad I enlisted," said Spc. Tyler Rollis, a human resources specialist in the brigade headquarters. "I don't regret what I've done in the Army – the military has made me into a better person. I'm looking forward to see how I can approach the world with my new self."

Rollis could possibly serve an additional year on his current contract due to the U.S. Army's stop-loss policy.

"In the civilian world, you don't carry an M-16 rifle around everywhere," Rollis added. "I don't get 'wowed' by seeing a helicopter take off any more because I've been in the military and have experienced that a whole bunch."

Soldiers like Rollis have insight into combat-oriented operations, and have made significant contributions to the brigade's mission here in southern Iraq. Molding the Iraqi security forces into a self sufficient force requires experience that stop-lossed Soldiers commonly posses.

The brigade's combat troops and leaders, a portion of who are stop-lossed, have given new life to the once distraught ISF. The Soldiers who are stop-lossed are looking to start anew also.

"Even if you do 20 years, you could be 38 years old and starting a new life and career," said 1st Lt. Jeffrey Clark, the brigade headquarters company's executive officer, from Chelmsford, Mass.

Clark is only slightly affected by the stop-loss policy, but it may result in his waiting almost a year for certain graduate degree programs he's interested in.

During his time in the military, Clark insisted that his Soldiers look past their time in the U.S. Army and always think about their future.

"If you're a leader, you have to care," Clark said about his time leading combat troops. "As a leader you have to coach, teach and mentor. I asked my Soldiers in monthly counseling-- What's the key to you achieving your goals? They need to know what they need to get their future taken care of."

The stop-lossed Soldiers are currently scheduled to separate from the military shortly after the Long Knife Brigade completes its 12 to 15-month deployment.

Another way for Soldiers to leave the Army earlier will be based on an individual basis. The high-level commanders can waive the 90-day "stabilization" period after the unit returns to Fort Hood, Texas.

However, the holdover period is designed for the individual Soldier's benefit. Normally, troops get one year to gradually separate from the military and receive training on finding new civilian employment and building their post-military future. However, deploying to a combat zone preempts that training, leaving stop-lossed Soldiers with less time to complete the courses offered by the military. The 90-day stabilization also enables the troops to get medical and dental check-ups and therapy if needed.

"The Army Career and Alumni Program is a great thing," Clark explained, referring to the Army's transitional program for Soldiers who are retiring or separating from the military. "The Army is a great place – insurance, health benefits – everything is there except for my family."

However, Clark is not shutting the door on the military for good, since he knows the Army is not a bad place to live and work. All he, or any former Soldier, needs to do to re-enter the Army is visit their local recruiting station for a recruiter to start the process of returning to the military.