Maintenance and determination

Photo By Monica K. Guthrie | Spc. Jayson Smith, Company B, 425th Brigade Combat Team, performs maintenance work on the propeller of an unmanned aerial system, Oct. 31, at Forward Operating Base Kalsu.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.14.2007

Story by Spc. Monica K. Guthrie 

Multi-National Division-Central

By Pfc. Monica K. Smith
3rd CAB

BAGHDAD - Many Soldiers join the military to change the direction of their life, and for the college assistance the military can provide. Spc. Jayson Smith, Company B, 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, was no exception.

"I didn't like the way my life was going so I decided to do something about it," said Smith, from Albuquerque N.M. "So I thought, 'what else can I do? I need to finish college. I'll join the Army and see what I can do to get my life back.' It was the best decision I ever made."

Prior to joining the Army, Smith spent his time working odd jobs, working for Sprint and a video rental store, while living on his father's couch.

Smith progressed through basic training, advanced individual training and airborne school before arriving in Alaska to perform generator maintenance on Humvees. A month after arriving, Smith out-qualified his peers in his job performance and was thus chosen to move to the unmanned aerial systems unit where he learned to maintain a UAS while also working on his goal to finish college.

"The (additional military occupational specialty) gave me 27 college credits," Smith said. "After finishing basic and all the other training, I had 50 college credits I didn't have before."

Now Smith spends each day taking care of a $600,000 piece of equipment as a member of the UAS Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment out of Forward Operating Base Kalsu. There he works on the UAS aircraft called "Shadow" and also continues to perform his primary task of working on generators, all while displaying the same drive in his work as he does in furthering his education.

"He's doing well out here," said Sgt. Justin Bramlett, who has worked with Smith for three years and is also in Co. B, at Kalsu. "I don't have to worry about anything he's working on because I know he will get the job done. He is always working to get things done and always completes tasks in a timely form."

Smith's determination to complete his work can also be exhibited in his continual pursuit of his collegiate goals.

"I'm taking two classes now, Human Resources and U.S. History Two," Smith said. "The Army is paying for all my college and if I study in the mechanic area the possibilities are endless."
Though the path toward a college diploma is slow, Smith says he will continue to persevere in his work, not forgetting who he is.

"I'm a mechanic," Smith said. "I work on unmanned aerial vehicles and I'm in the Army."

• Date Taken: 11.14.2007
• Date Posted: 11.14.2007 15:33
• Story ID: 13912
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ