Mortarman takes on multiple roles during Operation New Dawn

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Peter Streb, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, briefs some of the local Iraqi workers at the start of the day on Contingency Operating Station Garry Owen, June 13, 2011. (U.S. Army photo By Staff Sgt. Victor Rios, 3rd Bn., 8th Cav. Regt., 3rd AAB, 1st Cav. Div.)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION GARRY OWEN, IRAQ

06.16.2011

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION GARRY OWEN, Iraq – ‘Army Strong’ describes the strength that soldiers draw from the Army's proud 236 year history: physical, emotional, and mental strength. It also means that soldiers must be flexible and adaptable, traits that don't necessarily jump to mind when one conjures up images of strength.

These characteristics are just as important for a soldier deployed as part of an advise and assist brigade in an environment that is both harsh and unforgiving.

For Sgt. Peter Streb, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, these are values he lives by. Trained as an indirect fire infantryman, Streb grew up in Madison, Wis., and dreamed about becoming a soldier.

“I wanted to be military since I was young,” Streb said. “I thought it was cool to be a soldier, to be that guy that everybody...it makes me proud to say that I'm a soldier.”

In Iraq, Streb's job has changed from deployment to deployment.
He deployed with the 4th Infantry Division in 2006 and 2008, both times to Baghdad. In 2006 Streb was a driver and participated in raids and ambushes. Then in 2008, he was a gunner on a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle and part of a mortar platoon that fired numerous illumination rounds. Illumination rounds light up the battlefield to deny the enemy their hiding places.

These days, as U.S. Forces-Iraq take more of a backseat role and the Iraqi Security Forces are able to maintain security on their own, U.S. soldiers, are finding that the operating environment has changed significantly. Gunfights have been replaced with advise and assist roles and behind-the-scenes gathering of intelligence that is shared with the ISF. Through it all, Sgt. Streb has maintained the kind of flexibility that a professional, vigilant and disciplined Soldier must possess.

Now part of 3rd Bn., 8th Cav. Regt., Streb, is maintaining both his strength and his flexibility by taking on new responsibilities. He is the non-commissioned officer in charge of the company intelligence cell. While the battalion has its own intelligence gathering shop, Streb gathers intelligence and tailor's it for his company's mission requirements. In addition to that, he is also the sponsor for local nationals working on Contingency Operating Station Garry Owen and the manager of interpreters for HHC.

He describes the job as tough but rewarding.

“The interpreter job gives me a first-hand look at their culture. Before I only interacted with (local citizens) while on a patrol. Now I don't have to be suspicious about everything,” said Streb. “Here I can have a conversation and talk with them face-to-face.” He added that he does have to maintain a level of situational awareness, because of the operating environment.

Streb has to make sure that the interpreters have the proper badges and identification, and that their badges are up to date. He coordinates their mission schedules, time sheets, and vacation schedules. It is a 24-hour job since missions are happening around the clock.

“The job pretty much dictates my hours,” he said. “Sometimes I'm busy all day and woken up multiple times during the night, other times I have free time during the day.” When Streb has free time; he works out, watches movies, and calls home to speak with his wife of six years, Laura Szeremi, a Killeen celebrity in her own right. Szeremi, a veterinarian, owns and operates Banfield Animal Hospital in Killeen and Temple. The couple own “a slew” of animals, including horses, sheep, cats, and dogs.

“It's good to get experience in other fields, but it's not as good as the infantry,” Streb said of the many jobs he has to taken on in the Army. The 31-year old has been in the Army six years and plans on making a career of soldiering. Since no one knows what the next 14 years will be like, Streb's flexibility is his strength, and will continue to make him an asset to his country and to the Army.

• Date Taken: 06.16.2011
• Date Posted: 06.20.2011 09:47
• Story ID: 72418
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION GARRY OWEN, IQ