Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Daniel Weber, cavalry scout, 2nd Platoon, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry...... read more read more
By Pfc. Bradley J. Clark
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, IRAQ— Soldiers re-enlist in the Army everyday, but for one Soldier with the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, re-enlisting was an experience far from ordinary.
Frankenmuth, Mich., native, Pfc. Daniel Weber, cavalry scout, 2nd Platoon, Troop B, 1-9 Cav., re-enlisted June 13 only hours after being involved in an improvised explosive device attack in Mosul, Iraq.
"I was planning on re-enlisting that day for a while now," said Weber. "Why should I let something like this change my mind?"
Weber's company commander, Capt. Bradley Nelson, was in a convoy heading to Forward Operating Base Marez for a meeting and Weber just hitched a ride so he could re-enlist.
"We were riding along just fine when we heard over the radio that Delta Troop was in some trouble, so we decided to turn around and help them out because we had a medic with us," said Weber.
When the convoy had decided to turn around, Weber, along with his fellow Soldiers, was surprised at what happened next.
An improvised explosive device detonated right beside their vehicle.
The concussion of the blast rattled through the vehicle, blowing Weber out of the vehicle.
"I knew we got hit," said Weber. "I thought I was dead. I slid on the concrete for at least 20 meters."
As Weber lay on the ground his adrenaline began to take control of him.
"I couldn't feel my legs, but I realized I had to stand up and get back to my truck for cover," recalls Weber.
Weber ran over to his commander and helped him back into the vehicle and then recovered his driver's weapon.
"The blast forced my door open all the way trapping the driver in the vehicle," said Weber. "As I helped him fix the door I could feel my sleeve stick to my arm and that's when I knew I was hurt."
The convoy regrouped and rushed to an Iraqi military base nearby, where Weber was seen by U.S. Navy doctors.
"The docs thought my arm was broken but they weren't sure, so they cleaned me up and rushed me over to the Iraqi troop medical center for an X-ray," said Weber.
Weber's X-ray came back negative.
Right after Weber received the results of his X-ray, Nelson told him that he could be on a flight to FOB Marez, if he still wanted to re-enlist.
"My sergeant asked me if it was something I still wanted to do," said Weber. "I want to re-up to get the guys that did this."
After a short helicopter ride, Weber landed and re-enlisted on the landing pad.
"After it was all done, everyone came up to me and thanked me for my service and re-enlisting," said Weber. "Colonel (Stephen) Twitty thanked me and then (Command) Sergeant Major (Stephan) Frennier gave me a coin and thanked me. After that (Lieutenant) Colonel (Keitron) Todd and (Command) Sergeant Major (William) Beever thanked me."
Weber's family might have mixed emotions about what happened, but they all share pride for him and what he is doing.
"My two brothers are in the military and both of them are extremely proud that I decided to re-enlist," said Weber. "My wife and mother were shocked and worried, but in the end, they are also very proud of me."
Weber chose to re-enlist for several reasons.
"My wife is going to school, so I wanted to stay in to help support her," said Weber. "I also did it because I love my job and I love all the outstanding support I get from everyone."
Weber re-enlisted for six years receiving a $10,000 bonus and duty stabilization at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.18.2007 12:16 |
| Story ID: | 10882 |
| Location: | MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: | 165 |
| Downloads: | 108 |
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