Army private put navy dad 'through hell'

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jb Jaso | Pfc. Joseph Biando, a Chesapeake, Va., talks with children outside a recreation center in Baghdad's Adhamiyah security district on Aug. 19, 2008. Biando is a mortarman assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

TAJI, IRAQ

09.26.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Jb Jaso 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Staff Sgt. J.B. Jaso III
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Running away from home, stealing the family's car and taking his father's checkbook are all things of the past.

Today, Pfc. Joseph Biando serves as an infantryman here with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

It was a long and bumpy road for Biando to reach where he is today; a successful Soldier serving in his 10th month of a 15-month deployment. He lives and works in the Istaqlal Qada, just northeast of Baghdad.

"I was doing everything bad and nothing good," said the 19-year-old, Chesapeake, Va., native, about his childhood. "I put my dad's life through hell! I ran away several times; one time for 18 days."

Biando's father, a U.S. Naval officer with 24 years of service, had equally important issues to face when he wasn't dealing with his son's troublesome nature.

At one point, Lt. Cmdr. Keith Biando, Joseph's father, deployed in the Persian Gulf on the patrol coastal boat USS Firebolt.

"I was deployed when a lot of stuff was happening with him," said Keith, in regards to his son's free-spirited behavior. "I tried to be a father through a [satellite] phone."

If it wasn't for an argument with his father that resulted in Joseph leaving home for good with no shoes or shirt, he probably wouldn't be serving with distinction in Iraq today. The day after he left his home, he went to the Army recruiting station and enlisted as an infantryman.

"It was the quickest way out of the situation I was in," said Joseph, about joining the Army in June 2007. "I always figured I would go into the military, but never thought the Army."

Still not speaking to his family, Joseph stayed with a friend for two weeks before departing for basic combat training.

Even though Keith knew where his son was and what was going on, he decided to let Joseph tell him in his own time.

Finally, when Joseph was in need of clothes and other personal items, he talked to his father about his decision to join the Army.

The entire Biando family met with Joseph on his last night at home before heading to basic training. They didn't talk about the past and the troubles that Joseph had caused; rather they enjoyed their last night together as a family.

That was the last night they were all together before Joseph would depart for Iraq. Once he completed basic combat training in November 2007, he was assigned to the Wolfhounds at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He didn't have much time to enjoy the island as he deployed to Iraq three weeks after his arrival.

"I called my dad, and he told me that it had to be done," Joseph said. "He helped me get situated and told me to be careful."

"I gave him the same guidance I give my young Sailors," Keith said. "Show up on time, and you'll be good!"

Not knowing anyone yet, Joseph boarded the plane in Hawaii to do what he had trained for – combat.

"I was scared, nervous, worried, but also excited," said Joseph, about his feelings while flying to Iraq.

Joseph is now 10 months into his deployment the feelings of fear, nervousness and worrisome have all but diminished, and he has embraced his job as a member of the personal security detachment for the Wolfhound commander.

It's no easy task standing in 120-degree summer temperatures wearing the required protective gear, while others get to be inside air-conditioned buildings.

However, Joseph realizes the importance of his duties.

"It's an important task," he said about his job. "We secure the battalion's leadership in order to allow them to rebuild and reconstruct Iraq."

Because of the security he provides, the Wolfhounds have been able to assist the government of Iraq on the road to reconstruction. If it's a difficult journey down that road – Joseph can relate.

Joseph was selected as the Wolfhound Soldier of the month in July and received the Army Achievement Medal for meritorious service in Iraq.

"He was so proud to be selected," said his father. "I'm proud of him."

"It felt good," said Joseph, after receiving the award. "I felt special for about 20 minutes until I went on mission – then it was back to work."

Joseph has another mission – to make his dad proud.

"I just want to make my dad proud," Joseph said. "I want to redeem myself, but it's going to take awhile. I caused my dad a lot of stress."

But Keith said he has no resentment over his son's troubled youth.

"I never had any resentment or ill feelings for what he did," the lieutenant commander said of his son's childhood actions. "A dad can't have any. I just tried to steer him on the right path and away from the bad.

"He's always trying to make me proud, and I recognize that," Keith said. "I recognize his maturity and I'm so proud of him."

Now that he knows his father is proud of him, Joseph wants to continue to be the best he can and try to live up to his father.

"I apologize for my childhood, and I'm proud of my dad," Joseph said. "I wish I could accomplish what he has accomplished in his 24 years in the Navy."

Even though Joseph has several years until he could accomplish all that his dad has, he is defiantly on the road to success, looking at his childhood nightmares in the rearview mirror.

• Date Taken: 09.26.2008
• Date Posted: 09.26.2008 10:55
• Story ID: 24184
• Location: TAJI, IQ