Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Maj. Dan Brue and his stepson, U.S. Army Spc. Richard Davis, during Davis’...... read more read more
BAGHDAD – U.S. Army Spc. Richard Davis, satellite operator/maintainer for the 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion from Fort Hood, Texas, was promoted May 31, from private first class to the rank of specialist like many young soldiers are while deployed in Iraq. Unlike most deployed soldiers, Davis was promoted by his stepfather, U.S. Army Maj. Dan Brue, advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense Director General of Communications for Iraq Training and Advising Mission, MoD.
“I didn’t know if he would be able to make it, the date and time was up in the air for so long,” said Davis. “It was a surprise to come to work that morning and he was in our office.”
Having two soldiers from an Army family deployed to Iraq at the same time is stressful for those still at home.
“My wife says that the deployment is twice as hard because we are both over here,” Brue said. “But then again it’s twice as easy because she only has to deal with one period of separation.”
Brue said that it is pure coincidence that he and his stepson are deployed in the same general area.
Davis serves at Victory Base Complex, while Brue serves at Forward Operating Base Union III.
“It is nice to have family only 15 minutes away,” Davis said.
Their family is truly an Army family. Besides the father and son serving tours in Baghdad, wife and mother, Dana Brue, is a U.S. Army civilian working as the Family Readiness Support Assistant for the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy. Davis’ stepsister Courtney, 20, is currently participating in Army ROTC at the University of Alabama – Birmingham. His sister Brianne, 19, is in the Future Soldiers Training Program and his youngest sister Brooke, 11, has hopes to be an Army veterinarian someday.
“I’ve always wanted to be a soldier,” said Davis. “I didn’t really want to go to college, so when my parents said the military was a good choice I jumped for it.”
Before his senior year of high school in Okinawa, Davis was enlisted into the Army.
“When I get back to Fort Hood I plan on volunteering for Ranger School, it is something I really want to do,” he said.
Davis also plans to become a warrant officer and fly in the future.
Davis said, “I love being deployed, it’s one of the few times I can actually do my job.”
As a satellite operator/maintainer Davis ensures that the communications equipment is properly maintained and cleaned daily. When a piece of equipment goes down, it is his job to get it up and running again.
Davis said that the satellites do not like the sand, so there is always work to be done while in Iraq.
His enthusiasm about his work is obvious to his parents. “Over the last two years in the Army, he has really matured,” Brue said. “We are the most proud of the fact that he has turned out pretty good.”
Brue said that he thinks Davis will make a career in the Army.
“He is looking to re-enlist and if they can work it while I’m here I will be right back over there,” Brue said.
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2011 05:02 |
| Story ID: | 72658 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 292 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Father promotes stepson in Baghdad, by SGT Crystal Hudson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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