First Army Soldiers provide Camaraderie, Therapy for Area Veterans

Photo By 1st Lt. Marvin Baker | Pfc. Michael Richard of the Colorado Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 157th Field Artillery, yells to fellow Soldiers while participating in an exercise using cultural role players to simulate a hostile environment during improvised explosive device training with the 120th Infantry Brigade, First Army Division West on Fort Hood, Texas. A veterans group from Temple visited Soldiers and viewed post-mobilization training as part of a rehabilitation program with the Department of Veterans Affairs on June 5. (Photo by Brandon Quester, Joint Force Headquarters Wyoming National Guard)  

UNITED STATES

06.19.2009

Story by 1st Lt. Marvin Baker 

First Army

On June 4 and 5, the 120th Infantry Brigade treated seven military veterans to an intimate view of some of First Army's latest fighting and defense techniques at Fort Hood, Texas. The Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored the group, who traveled from Temple, to visit training sites where they watched Soldiers perform crowd control and defensive maneuvers while patrolling residential and urban areas.

Flanked by training instructors who evaluate units' performances, the group of veterans stood inches away as the training scenario began. Arriving in the mock-village, Soldiers were challenged and confused by actors posing as persistent bystanders, local leaders and hostile terrorists. A radio blared music used to call Muslims to prayer as a convoy commander attempted to conduct a patrol of the area.

After a simulated suicide bomber targeted those role playing as Iraqi police, veterans watched the Soldiers fight to manage the ensuing chaos. Working to secure the area, the Soldiers were also required to keep the locals pacified.

Upon completion of the training scenario, all of the guests said they enjoyed what they saw. Alexander Todd, a former Marine who served in the Gulf War and Somalia, said he was surprised with the type of training he saw Soldiers getting.

"I didn't think the Army trained like that," said Todd, who said the training is more developed than what he saw while in Somalia. "The sounds, the music (in the background) ... It kind of got me excited ... we didn't have that (for my mobilizations)."

Navy veteran Howard Rutledge said the training reminded him of Army Reserve and National Guard training he saw while on active duty.

"It looks like they're doing a good job," Rutledge said.

The group, comprised of former Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, received the special honor thanks to a favor and a former battle buddy's enduring respect.

Command Sgt. Major Norman Corbett, the senior enlisted leader of the 120th Infantry Brigade, received a phone call last fall asking for a favor. Guy Wilson, a recreational therapist with the Temple Veterans Affairs office, wanted to bring some of his patients to Fort Hood to watch an M-1 or Bradley Fighting Vehicle in action.

Corbett, a native of Xenia, Ohio, recently assigned to the 120th Inf. Bde., focuses on making sure units and their troops are prepared to deploy and successfully serve at overseas locations. Nevertheless, Corbett felt compelled to hear Wilson's request since Wilson was his first supervisor in the Army.

"When he called, I was trying to figure out how he got the unit's number," said Corbett, who began his career 25 years ago as a prescribed load lift clerk. "When I came to Fort Hood, I knew he [Wilson] was in the area, but we really hadn't talked to each other very much."

However, Corbett didn't need a formal re-introduction. When they served together, Corbett said Wilson, then a mechanic, pushed him to take advantage of educational services and ultimately was his inspiration in becoming the Non-commissioned Officer of the Year at Fort Carson, Colo.

"I'd give him the shirt off my back," Corbett said. "The example of leadership he gave me has endured throughout my whole career."

"Because of (Wilson), I probably decided to stay on 30 years instead of the 20 I planned on doing."

For his part, Wilson felt his former Soldier could help him with a community service.

"All the guys that came out live in our domicile and receive in-patient services," said Wilson. "The focus of our recreational program is to get the veterans back into enjoying life and help them work through their problems."

In-patient care is prescribed for vets suffering from things like substance abuse or for those who need vocational rehabilitation or require residential rehabilitation to treat other illnesses like cancer or diabetes. Because the vets are required to reside at the clinic for three to six months at a time, Wilson looks for things that can keep his patients' attention. Coming out to witness training or going on group outings provides remedies for veterans who may have personal issues that are a distraction to their rehabilitation.

"You'd be having a great time and actually I'm working on some therapy to help you," Wilson said.

Sgt. 1st Class Chris Jacinto, the site non-commissioned officer in charge of the 120th's Improvised Explosive Device Defeat site, didn't know the visitors were here for therapeutic purposes but was happy to be of some benefit.

"It's cool to have some vets come out and see what we do," said Jacinto, a native of San Diego, Calif. "We are very proud of our duties here and we have one of the very best [training] lanes."

Mike Serna said being a witness to the training was something he wanted to share with the younger generation.

"I'm in contact with a lot of young people because of my stepkids," said Serna. "A lot of kids say 'I don't want to go to war' but I've seen that if you are prepared you are going to be all right."

After the viewing, the veterans met with Corbett and Col. John Smith, the commander of the 120th Inf. Bde. Smith welcomed and spoke with each veteran about their military service, then congratulated and awarded each visitor with a Coin of Excellence in recognition of their continued support of the Armed Forces.

"I found that these people care more about others than they do themselves," Wilson said. "Soldiers will give their food, ammunition - even first aid supplies to help someone else. These guys have the same attitude so seeing this kind of event gives them comfort that their efforts have been of some worth to the generations of fighters that came after them."

Corbett said it's no surprise to him to see his former boss continue to look out for others.
"He's a guy who lives by the Warrior Ethos," Corbett continued, "He takes that 'never leave a fallen comrade' to heart."

• Date Taken: 06.19.2009
• Date Posted: 06.19.2009 18:33
• Story ID: 35379
• Location: US