Artilleryman follows brother into military service

Photo By Matthew Moeller | Members of Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 321th Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade (Airborne), fire the 9,900 lbs M-777 Howitzer Artillery Cannon at Forward Operating Base Bostick, March 17.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

03.27.2009

Story by Sgt. Matthew Moeller 

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Army Pfc. Ottis Harris loves his job.

"I get to blow stuff up all day," the artilleryman joked.

A member of Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade, Harris' time at Forward Operating Base Bostick in Afghanistan has taught him much more than just how to send rounds downrange.

Harris always dreamed of being a Soldier.

"I always wanted to join the Army," the 27-year-old Arkansas native said. "I guess me being the youngest, my mom wanted to keep me away from it."

It was Harris' brother Fredrick, who eventually inspired him to pursue his dream 11 months ago.

One of the first Marines to enter Iraq in 2003, Fredrick, a 10-year veteran of the Corps, was medically retired after an explosion from a rocket propelled grenade caused a severe back injury.

"I guess just by me being so close to him, that I'm doing this for him," Harris said thoughtfully.

Now Harris is a member of a team responsible for firing the 9,900 pound M-777 Howitzer Artillery Cannon.

"I'm the guy who puts the powder in, so it's kind of an easy job," Harris said, about firing 105 pound rounds up to 18 miles. "I want to learn more about being a [section] chief, that way when we get back, I can show the new guys what I have learned."

Harris' hard work has not gone unnoticed by his teammates.

"Truth is," Harris' section chief, Army Staff Sgt. Jean Gabard said, laughing, "he is one of the cockiest Soldiers I have ever had, but in a good way."

"Once anything comes up, you'll see him start going at [it], and it spreads throughout the whole section," Gabard added. "He's contagious."

Harris has learned a lot since arriving in Afghanistan last January.

"It's so different from back home," Harris said. "You have good running water there, enough food there, then you come here, and you see that they don't have any of that, and you kind of feel sorry for them."

"We're trying to make it better for them," he added. "Not just shooting downrange at targets, but to let them know that while we're here, we're going to protect them."

Although Afghanistan can be tough, Harris feels he can always turn to his teammates, whom he described as "like no others."

"I used to have a problem talking to people about anything," Harris said seriously. "But knowing that you got guys to your left and your right that will come up and ask, and actually care about you, and want to know how things are going back home, and with you, and you can be honest with them, that means everything."

According to Harris, the Army has given him a lot, and he hopes to give some back, "I definitely want to do 20 years," he said.

While in the Army, Harris plans to pursue a degree in business management, once again following in his brother Fredrick's footsteps, who now owns several successful businesses.

Pfc. Ottis Harris really does love his job.

"You don't find too many people who wake up and put on this uniform, and can actually say that they serve their country," he said. "For me it's a blessing, knowing that people depend on you to help them when they're in need of help, it makes you stick your chest out a little bit further."

• Date Taken: 03.27.2009
• Date Posted: 03.27.2009 11:19
• Story ID: 31691
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF