Strike Force officer awarded prestigious scholarship

Courtesy Photo | 1st. Lt. Sean Healy, a Smithfield, R.I., native and member of the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, will study in Ireland after his selection as one of 12 nationwide recipients of the George J. Mitchell scholarship.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.25.2002

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs

By Staff Sgt. W. Wayne Marlow
2nd BCT, 2nd Inf. Div. Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq -- A combat engineer platoon leader in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to study in Ireland.

1st Lt. Sean Healy of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Special Troops Battalion is one of 12 American recipients of the George J. Mitchell scholarship. Healy will use the scholarship to pursue a master's degree in International Securities and Conflict Studies at the University of Dublin.

The Mitchell scholarship is meant to strengthen the U.S.-Irish alliance among future leaders. Awardees are selected on the basis of their academic achievements, community service, leadership abilities, and performance in an interview. The 12 individuals selected will spend one year in graduate school.

When Healy learned he would deploy to Iraq, he started learning more about the region, and this started him on his road to the scholarship.

"A while back, in order to understand what was going on, and to help bring all my guys back safely, I started reading about the Middle East and Iraq," he said. "I enjoyed the subject more than I thought I would. So that got me to thinking I could do more than just bring my guys back safely, I would like to be in a position someday to influence public policy."

Specifically, Healy hopes to explore how to stymie insurgent recruiting drives through improvements in infrastructure and use of natural resources. He plans on writing his dissertation on this subject.

"I think we need a different approach than the one we're taking right now," Healy said.

His graduate studies begin Sept. 25, but for now he's staying focused on the current mission.

"I'm going to keep my head in the game now, but it's something to look forward to. I'm pretty excited about this opportunity," Healy said.

Healy graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2005, where he ranked fifth in a class of 910 students.

The Smithfield, R.I., native has earned the Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Army Physical Fitness Badge. His collegiate honors included the Commandant's Award, the Distinguished Cadet Award and the Superintendent's Award. He was also recognized with the Most Outstanding Cadet Award in his battalion of 100 cadets.

Healy captained his baseball and football teams in high school and also played basketball. He was on the power lifting team in college and also participated in the Ranger Challenge competition.

His community service has included work with homeless shelters, Habitat for Humanity, Walk for Life, the Special Olympics and the March of Dimes.

• Date Taken: 01.25.2002
• Date Posted: 01.25.2007 12:01
• Story ID: 8935
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ