Soldier Profile: Sgt. Jeremiah Rutledge

Photo By Sgt. George Welcome | Sgt. Jeremiah Rutledge, is a door gunner assigned to Company C, 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment. Rutledge was moved to the postition before his unit deployed to Afghanistan, from his usual job as a quartermaster and chemical equipment repairer.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

10.14.2008

Story by Sgt. George Welcome 

101st Combat Aviation Brigade

By Spc. George Welcome
101st Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Trying something new can lead to exciting things that a person would never have experienced continuing in their normal routine. A Soldier from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade is discovering that taking on a new job and duties is both challenging and rewarding.

When Sgt. Jeremiah Rutledge, a 63 J (quartermaster chemical equipment repairer) originally assigned to Company E, 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment found out that he was going to be a door gunner for the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade's upcoming deployment, he was a bit apprehensive about doing something so far removed from his normal job.

"I was volunteered for the job and at first I was upset about the position because I thought I was being put on a suicide mission," Rutledge said, reflecting on that day. "After I went to the company and saw that there were guys who were door gunners during the last rotation, and that they were alive and well with no markers commemorating their lives, I thought I would give it a try. So far the experience has opened my eyes to a whole other side of the Army that I would have never seen just hanging around the motor pool."

Rutledge, who hails from Conway, S.C., has been on numerous missions which range from medevac chase, V.I.P missions and troop transport.

"Some of those missions are still classified and I can't discuss them," Rutledge joked. "I'll tell you, I've been on some missions where I got to fly with Gen. Milley (Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, Combined Joint Task Force-101 Deputy Commanding General, Operations) and those have been the most rewarding jobs I've had out here. He likes to go find excitement, which works out good. He doesn't mind going to the hot spots to see what's going on."

When he's not flying around the country on missions, Rutledge likes to spend his off duty time relaxing.

"I spend a lot of time surfing the net and reading books," he said. "I like to brush up on all the training manuals and field manuals so I can better prepare Soldiers for the battle."

One of the most somber missions Rutledge has been a part of was an equipment recovery mission after the attack at Wanat, a small coalition outpost which was overrun by insurgents in July, leaving nine U.S. Soldiers dead.

"The day that the Wanat incident happened, we had to go up there to retrieve the Soldiers' gear," recalled Rutledge. "It was one of those life altering moments where you actually come face to face with the blood and guts of your fellow Soldiers. If you were kind of cavalier about this whole war prior to that, then that changed your mind. This is a real war, and there are Soldiers whose families thought they were coming home and they didn't make it. Life happens out here and it ends out here as well."

Rutledge has decided to pursue a career in the Army. He recently re-enlisted to work in supply and hopes to one day become a recruiter.

"I just re-enlisted to change my military occupational specialty, I want to be a supply sergeant, my long term goal is to become a recruiter. I want to do that full time because I think it's a better fit for my personality."

Once he returns to Fort Campbell, Rutledge plans on spending as much time as possible with his family.

"I just want to spend as much time with the family as I can. I'm missing a whole season of football," Rutledge exclaimed. My son is a starting receiver at Kenwood High School, my daughter is president of the Beta Club at Kenwood Middle School. I want to try to catch up on lost time, and spend time at the Faith Outreach church [Exit 11, Clarksville, Tn.]."

In all, Rutledge says that he tries to remain positive and always remembers that things could be much worse than what they are.

"Attitude is everything," Rutledge stated. "If you have a positive attitude about your job, you'd be surprised at how others perceive you. I've been doing this job for 10 months now and I've done things I never thought I'd do, and I've been exposed to things that I wish other Soldiers had a chance to experience."

• Date Taken: 10.14.2008
• Date Posted: 10.14.2008 01:58
• Story ID: 24920
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF