Photo By Sgt. David Hodge | Sgt. Joseph Scheerer, a chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear operations...... read more read more
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By the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – In the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, Soldiers are often referred to as "Dragon" Soldiers because a picture of a dragon is embedded into their insignia, which symbolizes the fire and destruction of chemical warfare.
In the crest, there is a tree trunk, which symbolizes what often served as the only reference points for chemical mortar teams during World War I, said Sgt. 1st Class Mauvet Rawls, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear operations specialist, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
After the onset of the Global War on Terror, the corps' mission expanded, explained Rawls, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y.; in fact, CBRN operations specialists have participated in every stage of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Since that time, the Chemical Corps has remained prepared to protect the homeland, conduct sensitive site exploitation and to protect against an ever-changing list of potential threats, such as CBRN hazards, explained Rawls.
There are a few Soldiers from the 1st STB, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., serving a dual role and conducting different missions in support of the 1st "Raider" Brigade's combat mission, demonstrating an unmatched adaptability and dedication, stated Rawls.
"We would all love to do what we've been trained for; however, it's great to know we are needed in other aspects of this operation," he said.
Rawls serves as a project manager for the 1st BCT infrastructure coordinating element team as well as Phoenix CBRN non-commissioned officer-in-charge.
The ICE team works as one with the Iraqi people on projects that develop the country's infrastructure, explained Rawls.
If assigned to a chemical unit, Soldiers fill positions as a member of a decontamination, smoke, recon, or Biological Integrated Detection System Platoon.
On the other hand, Soldiers may serve as a CBRN specialist or a decontamination specialist assigned to a non-chemical unit, added Rawls.
"Dragon Soldiers are not just diverse in their military occupation specialty; we are also diverse in the mission requirements in a time of war," Rawls said.
Several Chemical Corps Soldiers currently serve in different positions throughout the 1st BCT, such as orderly room clerk, personnel security detachment, civil affairs assistant and convoy security, but the Soldiers complete their assigned tasks and accomplish the mission.
"As a Dragon Soldier, when mission calls, I answer that call," Rawls stated.
Spc. AnneMarie Boyer, a CBRN operations specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, said she hopes to do her assigned job in the chemical field but continues to work as an assistant in the brigade civil affairs office.
Boyer helps process microgrants for the many companies within the 1st "Raider" Brigade.
"It's good because we get to learn another job when we are not working in a chemical job," explained Boyer, a Philadelphia native.
Sgt Joseph Scheerer, who serves with Headquarters and Headquarters Company as a member of the battalion PSD, is another. Dragon Soldiers serving in the "Phoenix" Bn.
"This is my third deployment and second time to this area of Iraq," stated Scheerer, who calls Peoria, Ill., his home. "Being a PSD assistant squad leader has given me the opportunity to truly help make a difference in the Rashid district and to understand the positive changes Iraq has gone through."
Another Chemical Soldier fulfilling a supporting role is Spc. Eliane Marquez, an orderly room clerk for Company B, 1st STB, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B.
Marquez, who hails from Lodi, Calif., said she feels honored to be able to help Soldiers of Co. B, which increases their readiness while performing their duties.
Since 1918, the proud Warriors of the U.S. Chemical Corps have served to protect the Nation and the Army from the threat of CBRN attacks and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future by any means possible, said Rawls.
| Date Taken: | 10.29.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.29.2008 15:33 |
| Story ID: | 25702 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 457 |
| Downloads: | 259 |
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