From Sudan to Iraq: Soldier overcomes many obstacles on his way to U.S. citizenship

Photo By John Crosby | Spc. Anderia Mayom, a linguist attached to the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, out of Fort Lewis, received his U.S. Citizenship, Sept. 9, in Balad Air Force Base, Iraq. He has been a U.S. resident since July 2001 and a Soldier since Aug. 2005. Mayom, who was born in Sudan, grew up dreaming of being a U.S. citizen and Soldier.  

TAJI, IRAQ

09.28.2007

Story by Spc. John Crosby 

4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

TAJI, Iraq – The men and women of today's all-volunteer force have many different reasons and motivations for joining. Whether it's money for college, patriotism, or adventure, each individual's choice is unique.

Spc. Anderia Mayom, a linguist attached to the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., has always dreamed of becoming an American Soldier. To achieve this goal however, he had to confront many personal challenges.

Mayom was born in Panrieng, Sudan, during a time of civil war and unrest. His family of three sisters and two brothers, one whom fought in the war for the Sudan People's Liberation Army, were thrust into a chaotic world. Mayom's mother was lost to the war when he was only two years old and his father at age eight.

It was after his father's passing that Mayom left Sudan. He walked on foot with the International Committee of Red Cross for more than two months to reach the Panyuda refugee camp in Ethiopia.

Sadly, when civil war broke out in Ethiopia, not long after his arrival, Mayom was again uprooted and forced to walk an additional three months with a Red Cross escort to Kenya.

At 12 years old, death was no stranger to Mayom. He had seen people lost along his trip to disease, malnourishment, the war and even animal attacks.

Mayom felt a strong pull toward military service and wanted to join the same army his brother fought for, but was told he was too young to fight. Instead, he spent the next eight years of his life at the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya.

There he learned English and Arabic. He joined the Young Men of Sudan, a program that gives Sudanese refugees a chance to earn their American citizenship. On July 25, 2005, Mayom moved to Kansas City, Mo., where the Don Bosco Catholic Church organization provided him living accommodations for three months until he could get on his feet.

Mayom never had a problem meeting new people. His first American friend, Richard Berry, showed him around the city and taught him about American culture. Berry also introduced Mayom to his mother, father, sisters and a brother. They enjoyed family dinners together and talked about their plans for the future. Mayom told Berry and his family about his aspirations to become an American Soldier.

Within two months after arriving in the States, Mayom had a job on the kitchen staff of a hotel casino and found a three bedroom apartment he rented with four roommates. He enrolled at Penn Valley Community College part-time and studied English, psychology, politics and American history.

Mayom said several of his schoolmates were joining the Army Reserves and he decided to volunteer as well. He visited his local recruiter about enlisting as an infantryman.

Mayom's experience and knowledge helped shaped his future career in the Army. With the ability to speak English, Arabic, several dialects of Swahili and Dinka as his native tongue, he was encouraged to pursue a career as a linguist.

After completing basic combat training, Mayom attended the Defense Institute of Language in San Antonio, Texas. While there, he agreed to transfer to active duty from the reserves. He graduated in Aug. 2006, and was assigned to the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade in Fort Huachuca, Ariz.

"It feels great to be with other people who have the same visions as I to be a Soldier," Mayom said. "It's great to complete something you think will be difficult, but you make it easy."

Mayom was then attached to the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Lewis, Wash., and deployed to Iraq in April. Today he works with Recon Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment.

"When Mayom first arrived, I wasn't sure what to expect," Sgt. 1st Class Winfree Steele, Mayom's platoon sergeant, said. "I've worked with a couple interpreters before, but he is my first linguist. I wasn't sure of his skills ... (but) he not only speaks the language, he understands the culture as well.

"He is a regular Soldier," Steele continued. "He digs up weapons caches, conducts raids and clears houses with all of the other Soldiers. He doesn't wait around to interpret; he does what all the other Soldiers do."

Mayom recalled a question another Soldier asked him during an enemy mortar attack. The Soldier asked Mayom what he thought about the Army now and does he wish he would have joined the army in Africa instead.

Mayom replied that he is glad he joined the U.S. Army.

"If you have a love and a vision of freedom, you should be in this Army," Mayom said. "In this Army, it's not about what we can do to make America better. It's about what we can do to make the world a better place. It's the world's Army. It has all the races of the world in it."

Mayom plans to continue his education after he redeploys. He has a passion to learn about other cultures and people and wants to pursue college courses studying international relationships after he redeploys. Mayom also received his U.S. citizenship in a ceremony at Balad Air Force Base, Iraq, Sept. 9. His hard work and commitment to duty have earned the respect from all who work with him.

"Mayom is one of the best Soldiers and linguists I have ever worked with," Steele said. "I'm glad he got his citizenship. He really deserves it."

Although each Soldier has their own story to tell, Mayom's story is one of perseverance, call to duty and personal courage. With a strong desire to serve and a hard road behind him, Mayom looks forward to a bright future serving in the Army he longed to be a part of.

• Date Taken: 09.28.2007
• Date Posted: 09.28.2007 12:00
• Story ID: 12603
• Location: TAJI, IQ