CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - The 317th Maintenance Company is currently rolling into their eighth month of deployment and the Soldiers have transitioned from their normal garrison day-to-day routine to combat operations. They have steadily kept themselves busy with work, school, and getting into shape.
When asking any Soldier within the formation about their most difficult challenge while deployed, the majority will answer with, 'Being away from the people I love most.' For some Soldiers, the activities mentioned above are coping mechanisms while they are away from their loved ones.
It is challenging for Soldiers to be away from their families; however, it may even be a little more challenging for Soldiers who actually have family members in theater.
The Mighty Wolf Pack has a number of Soldiers with family members or significant others deployed in theater as well. Mixed feelings linger among this group of Soldiers about sharing the deployment with family.
For some, they find some type of comfort because they can share the honor of serving their country together. The deployment may even bring people closer because they have someone there to understand what they go through during the hardships of deployment.
Staff Sgt. Emilo Hernandez, a Utilities Equipment Repairer and a native of Immokalee, Fla., is currently assigned as the Operations non-commissioned officer for the 317th Maint. Co., 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, from Warner Barracks, Bamberg, Germany. He is one of the many Soldiers deployed in Iraq with a family member serving as well. His brother, Sgt. Maj. Santiago Hernandez, is currently serving with the 227th Infantry Battalion of the 25th Infantry Division out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He is stationed out of Forward Operating Base Summeral, Iraq. Sgt. Maj. Hernandez, an Infantryman and also a native of Immokalee, Fla., is the Battalion S-3 Sergeant Major in charge of operations for his battalion.
When asked what it is like to be serving his country with a sibling, Staff Sgt. Hernandez said, "Being in the military, for both of us, is like a roller coaster. When we talk on the phone, being far apart is easy. However, getting together at home is a battle for even the best of NCOs. Sometimes our biggest disputes are about who is going to do what and who is better. Now that we are serving together in Iraq, it has brought us closer than ever. Even though we have our differences at home, here we stick together."
Some Soldiers may find it a little more difficult as well because of the family life they had to leave in the rear. This is one of the main challenges that Sgt. Deeann Bishop, a native of Flagstaff, Ariz., and a Small Arms & Artillery Repairperson, and her husband, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bishop, a Tracked Vehicle Mechanic for the Forward Support Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, and a Campbellsville, Ky. native, face together.
They both deployed with their units to Victory Base Complex in Baghdad. Although they say it is a benefit being on the same deployment rotation, it is still very challenging because of their son they had to leave in the rear with their family. Both parents also find it difficult because of their different mission requirements; however, they still find one day out of the week to spend with one another.
Pfc. Steffen Johnson, a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, and native of Carthage, N.Y., is on his first deployment to Iraq. From the moment the unit hit ground, he has been excited knowing that his father would be deploying within months of the 317th. After almost seven months into the 317th's deployment, Staff Sgt. John Johnson, a Moses Lake, Wash. native, and a Forward Observer for 1st Corps, came walking through the company area looking for Pfc. Johnson. He immediately stated that he was looking for his son.
Eagerly waiting, Staff Sgt. Johnson and Pfc. Johnson were finally reunited. It was an experience for this father and son duo. Pfc. Johnson stated, "It's great to have someone close while deployed. It definitely makes the time go by faster and gives me a reason to look forward to the weekends." Both Johnson and his father have already spent two days together.
Deployments are never easy for anyone. It can be very stressful for Soldiers, family members, and friends alike. It is a time when a Soldier has to temporarily say "good-bye" to the people they love. However, for some Soldiers, deployment is a "family affair."
| Date Taken: |
04.18.2009 |
| Date Posted: |
04.18.2009 19:46 |
| Story ID: |
32553 |
| Location: |
BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: |
323 |
| Downloads: |
282 |
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