Photo By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky | First Lt. Keith Guglielmi, platoon leader of 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion,...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Unlike most college freshmen, by the end of his first year Keith Guglielmi had an idea what he'd be doing upon graduation: going to Iraq.
"It was a different Army then," he said when he first joined the University of Scranton Reserve Officer Training Course in 2002. Although the country was at war with the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Army had yet to cross the berm into Iraq, an event that would occur during the second-to-last month of his freshman year.
Five years later, the 23-year-old native of Blakeslee, Pa., finds himself leading 34 other Soldiers. As a first lieutenant, he leads 2nd Platoon of Company B, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), patrolling the streets in the Sayifiyah area, south of Baghdad.
He never imagined himself performing policing missions, interacting with the populace and trying to help the Iraqi community stand up on its own two feet.
"I'm trained for a kinetic fight; that is how the Army brought me up," said the Ranger-qualified infantry leader.
Like many young officers and Soldiers serving in the Army today, Guglielmi is at the heart of the counterinsurgency strategy put forth by Gen. David Petraeus, commander, Multi-National Forces - Iraq. It is the young Soldiers on the street interacting with local communities who are the driving power behind the success of the strategy.
He relies on a 40-year-old former liquor store owner named Wike as an interpreter and cultural adviser.
"I teach him customs, expose him to the culture, show him how to greet people and what things could be seen as insulting," the Armenian Christian said.
They are lessons that have served Guglielmi well on a day-to-day basis.
"Face value is so important to the locals. To learn about the area you have to meet and greet the guys," he said.
The interaction has paid off in the short time Guglielmi has served in the area, which his platoon recently took over from Soldiers of 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, 3rd Inf. Div.
"They are being pretty open," he said of area residents. "We found a lot of stuff in the last week, not on our own, but led by locals. They've given us a lot of help and lots of intelligence."
That help has led to the discovery of multiple weapons caches, including a complete DSHKA machine gun system, including a mount.
Guglielmi said he did have his share of dealings with tight-lipped citizens, a problem he's learned to overcome in a myriad of ways.
Before deploying, his unit held engagement training, placing their leaders in role-playing situations with Iraqis who immigrated to the United States and lent their talents to the war effort.
"It seemed corny, but it translated well over here," he said.
Ironically, Guglielmi said he also sometimes relies on his school courses in business management, which he holds a degree in, for help.
"Mostly just group dynamics," he said, adding the best way to deal with locals is one-on-one.
It is at times like these when Wike, who has been working with Guglielmi for the past five months, comes into play, helping Guglielmi gather information he needs.
"It's good to have a good relationship with the interpreter," Guglielmi said. "They help with more than just the language barrier."
Wike said he tries to teach Guglielmi Arabic words that would be helpful. Although he accompanies the lieutenant on missions, Wike said there may be times when Guglielmi does not have instant access to him and needs to understand basic Arabic.
Although much of their interaction is learning the differences between their cultures, it is the similarities between the two that provide the most progress.
"You need to be human, so they see that we are not so different. It builds trust," Guglielmi said.
In his experience, he said, he often jokes with the Iraqis and talks about "guy stuff." The most popular topic is sports, particularly professional soccer.
"They all have satellites and follow pro soccer," Guglielmi said.
Knowing the interests of the people helps build relationships and shows that coalition forces have interests in their lives, the most important being the return of security to Sayifiyah.
Sayifiyah, which includes the Minari Village and outlying fields, was once a stronghold for insurgent groups, who had a steady supply of weapons and places to hide them.
While many weapons caches have already been found, both by 1-187th Inf. Regt. and 5-7th Cav. Regt., there are still many munitions in the area. Removing caches is necessary to bring security to the area, allowing contractors to come in and start restoring the infrastructure, Guglielmi said.
Although at times there is no easy solution, it is a job that Guglielmi said he enjoys.
"I think I have the best job in the Army," he said after a successful patrol.
Although Guglielmi entered the Army looking for a "soft-skill MOS (military occupation specialty)" that would translate well into the civilian world, once he understood the war the country was engaged in, he decided to jump in and chose to be an infantryman in the thick of things.
Although currently he does not plan to make the Army a career, like his father did before him, he said he is proud to serve.
"I can say that I have served my country," he said. "Not many people today can."
| Date Taken: | 03.26.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2008 14:55 |
| Story ID: | 17777 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 601 |
| Downloads: | 484 |
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