Operation Proper Exit: Closure, inspiration among Soldiers

Photo By Staff Sgt. Chad Nelson | Michael Merth, a DNA analyst with the joint expeditionary forensics facility on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, explains some of the techniques he uses to track down Iraqi extremists to a group of Soldiers. The Soldiers were visiting Iraq as a part of Operation Proper Exit, which helps Soldiers who experienced traumatic injuries attain psychological closure by witnessing the progress made in Iraq. The scientists at the JEFF explained how they are able to apprehend militant Iraqis with evidence found by U.S. Troops.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IRAQ

04.08.2010

Story by Sgt. Chad Nelson 

135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq — Eight Soldiers, who physically recovered from combat injuries received as early as several months to years ago, arrived at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, April 8, as part of Operation Proper Exit.

A seven-day program, Operation Proper Exit allows wounded Soldiers to share their experiences with service members deployed to Iraq and to view the progress in some of the combat zones in which they were injured.

The goal of the Heroes' journey was to encourage "psychological closure," as part of the Soldiers recovery, by allowing them to witness firsthand how their sacrifices contributed to the increased security and stability in Iraq, according to Richard C. Kell, the executive director of Troops First Foundation.

"Part of the idea is to show the progress [in Iraq]," said Kell, who has brought 29 wounded Soldiers back to Iraq since the operation began in June 2009. "We provide the opportunity. What they get from it from a personal standpoint, obviously, is 29 different things."

He added that each Hero has grown and healed in some measure.

"I think that they're able to answer some questions for themselves," he said.

For Cpl. (ret.) Roberto Cruz, who was shot by a sniper in 2005, some of his questions were answered when he had an opportunity to talk to his former team leader who saved his life.

"That helped heal some old wounds that I had," said Cruz. "I think I found what I left here is my other half; the piece that I wanted. I left in a stretcher and now I have the opportunity to leave on my own two feet."

"It gives them a chance to close the final chapter of their life that they left open when they were over here," said Sgt. Robert Brown, a military mentor with the Troops First Foundation and also a wounded Soldier.

"Before, they were just ripped out of country. This gives them that chance to see the improvements, to see it wasn't in vain, that their sacrifices were worth it," he said.

Seeing the progress Iraq has made since the Heroes received their wounds doesn't just help heal their own mental wounds, it will help heal the wounds of the Families of fallen Soldier's, as well.

"As far as the progress that's taking place [in Iraq] ... they're excited about calling their Families and friends of those who didn't make it back, and say that their sacrifice was meaningful," Kell said.

Their sacrifices have inspired troops currently deployed to Iraq to do things right, to live up to their heroic efforts performed at a more volatile time in Iraq's history and to honor the message hanging above the door the wounded Soldiers entered: "I will not fail those with whom I serve." This idea was backed up by Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, Task Force Marne commanding general, during a speech given to the eight Heroes.

"What we'd like—all these troopers right here—they want you to know," said Cucolo, pointing to more than 100 service members and civilians, gathered in the division main headquarters foyer. "That your pain and sacrifice—most importantly your service—means so much to us; you inspire us ... we're going to end this right."

The Heroes were able to witness exactly how TF Marne plans to "end it right" with a visit to the task force's joint operations center floor and the joint expeditionary forensic facility.

At both these places, Soldiers explained what U.S. forces are doing to ensure Soldiers remain as safe as possible when out on mission and how they're ensuring Iraqis will be prepared to take care of themselves after the drawdown of American forces in Iraq.

This is the operation's fifth mission since its inception in June 2009.

• Date Taken: 04.08.2010
• Date Posted: 04.09.2010 07:29
• Story ID: 47882
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ