Former actor turns Black Hawk mechanic

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Ganesh Maharaj, Black Hawk helicopter mechanic, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division -- Baghdad from Rousillac, Trinidad, inspects a generator on Camp Taji, Sept. 30, 2008. Maharaj left the life as an actor to become a Soldier in the 4th Inf. Div.  

TAJI, IRAQ

10.01.2008

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade

By Capt. Kathryn Briney
Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – As children, many dream of becoming something special when they grow up, such as a pilot, an astronaut or even an actor. In most cases, dreams never materialize; but for one Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier, a dream became reality.

Spc. Ganesh Maharaj, a Black Hawk helicopter mechanic with Company D, 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, was born in the little village of Rousillac on the island of Trinidad.

He said he had always dreamed of becoming an actor, and he realized his dream after earning a degree in Dramatic Arts from the Conservatory of the South West in 1996.

After graduating from acting school, Maharaj left Texas and moved to Los Angeles to try his luck in Hollywood. He got a job rather quickly working at a studio, although not as an actor but as a security guard.

After getting his foot in the door, he soon ditched his security guard uniform and began acting.

Throughout his acting stint, he appeared in the movies "Space Cowboys" and "Terminator 3." In addition, he also had bit parts in the television shows "The Monk," "The Shield," "24," "The West Wing," "Lost," "ER" and "Ally McBeal."

However, he never got the steady work he had hoped for, so he gave a recruiter a call. In 2007, he found himself at Fort Hood, Texas, working on helicopters and today he is deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"He is a model Soldier for the section," said Sgt. Kenneth Terrell, squad leader, Co. D from Washington. "He has an active interest in avionics and never backs down from a task. I know that I can count on him."

Maharaj is now focused on learning his military occupational specialty so he can contribute more and more to the effectiveness of the company and the battalion.

"I left the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and found myself in the Army," said Maharaj. "I have now learned how to be an aircraft electrician but my toughest job is still to come. When I get back to Fort Hood, I will play the toughest role of my life...dad."

• Date Taken: 10.01.2008
• Date Posted: 10.01.2008 11:20
• Story ID: 24370
• Location: TAJI, IQ