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By Cpt. Brian Sweigart
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Since September 11, 2001, New Yorkers have been at the epicenter of the war on terror, and a Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldier is continuing that tradition.
The Soldier is Spc. Michael Ortiz, a native of Riverhead, N.Y., who deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and is conducting missions daily to secure the citizens of Iraq; he is an infantryman assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warriors," 25th Infantry Division.
Close to 2.5 years ago, Ortiz enlisted in the Army to serve as an infantryman. He said his father and his step-father's service as a Seabee and infantrymen influenced him to join the military. Upon arriving at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in Dec. 2005, he was assigned to Co. A and immediately began training and taking in the island life.
"Before deploying, I was really into surfing and hanging out with the guys on the beach," Ortiz stated, about his time on Hawaii. "When I get back, I want to get better at surfing and take my Denny Pang board out to Sunset Beach."
When it came to training for the deployment, he said he took no short cuts and strived to be the best. His motivation and desire to learn resulted in his selection to serve as one of the company marksmen prior to the deployment.
"In May 2007, I went to ... school at Fort Benning, (Ga.), and it was one of the best schools I have been to in the military," Ortiz said.
His hard work and training finally culminated in Dec. when his unit deployed to the Taji Qada, northwest Baghdad.
"I expected it, so I was ready," he said. "I was not nervous, and I was excited to see a new culture."
Thus far, the deployment has kept Ortiz busy; in addition to being employed in his assigned role, Ortiz has also worked on the personal security detachment for the commander and as a unmanned aerial vehicle operator for the company.
"On (our) missions, we over-watch areas of interest for the company and look for improvised explosive device emplacement and suspicious activity," said Ortiz, adding that he typically operates at night.
Beyond the over-watch missions, he has served as an integral part of other security missions in the Taji area, to include the capture of two high-value individuals and multiple weapons caches, consisting of rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
Oritz is "very dedicated to the mission and always accomplishes it with minimal supervision," said Capt. Lucas Yoho, a native of Long Beach, Calif., who serves as the commander of Co. A, in talking about the multiple tasks that Ortiz is given. "He's a team player."
The multitudes of missions have also brought Spc. Ortiz into close contact with local residents in the area.
"The locals have all been friendly, but the language barrier gets in the way a lot," he said.
One area that the language has not impeded the cross-cultural experience for Ortiz is with the food.
"I've tried the Iraqi cuisine, as they always offer it to us first as their guests," he said. "It's good, but it's not like New York pizza!"
While deployed, Ortiz is continuing to look toward the future by taking college classes online and preparing for his next move. He said is considering staying in the military with a goal of becoming a special forces operator or warrant officer.
In the meantime, he said he continues to carry on the tradition of excellence of New Yorkers and patrols the streets to help secure the people of Iraq. At the end of the road, he knows that Riverhead and his family will be waiting and ready for his safe return.
| Date Taken: | 06.04.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.04.2008 09:16 |
| Story ID: | 20096 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 775 |
| Downloads: | 721 |
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