New Arrivals Fill Troop Vacancies in 39th BCT

CAMP COOKE, IRAQ

09.02.2004

Courtesy Story

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CAMP COOKE, Taji, Iraq --They are coming from all over Arkansas and more arrive every month. Some volunteered and some were given orders to deploy upon completion of military school. They are Soldiers, officers and enlisted, and they are needed to fill various job slots within the 39th Brigade Combat Team.

"We have been in Iraq less than 24 hours and have already been on a mission," said Pfc. William McAnulty, a military policeman with Headquarters Company, 39th Brigade Combat Team, who calls Little Rock, Ark., home. "We delivered a detainee to the front gate."

Upon their arrival in Kuwait, all replacement troops, who are voluntary transfers from other units, troops coming off medical hold or recent military school graduates, are given an orientation brief and a train-up period.

"We send a team to Kuwait to meet them when they come in," said 39th BCT Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Isbell. "There they collect the necessary gear and receive in-country briefs. When they arrive in Iraq, I am there to meet them, give them a quick expectations brief, arrange transportation and get them where they need to be."

During his brief, Isbell welcomes the in-coming Soldiers to Iraq and thanks them for coming.

"I tell them how much I appreciate them being here and try to put them at ease," Isbell said. "I let them know they are going to have a period of adjustment. That they are not going to get thrown into the heat of battle. We have a five-day train-up where we get them oriented to their surroundings then the individual battalions put them through their orientation program. They are then linked up with their particular units who show them where everything is such as the chow hall, shower and laundry facilities, PX, and so on."

Isbell explained that none of the new troops are sent out on their own. They are put in with a seasoned group so that they get a better understanding of what to do and how to do it.

Pfc. Thad Burrow, an MP with the 39th BCT, volunteered to be released from the Individual Ready Reserve list to come to Iraq and serve with his parent unit. He is also the tenth Conway, Ark., police officer to be stationed in Iraq right now.

"I drilled with this unit for three years before going to the IRR," Burrow said. "I am enjoying working with guys I know. The living conditions are good and the food is not bad either. Things could be a whole lot worse."

Second Lt. Tracey Murray, a native of Little Rock, Ark., is a tactical intelligence officer with 39th BCT. Upon graduation from the Officer Basic Course, she received her deployment orders.

"I am the only member of my family that has been in the service," Murray said. "This is kind of a new experience for them. My mother was a little nervous about my being here but I talked to her and put her at ease. I told her that it is not that bad here."

Murray explained that her attitude about the deployment is that it is an adventure and something she will look back on and tell stories about later. "I am just looking forward to jumping in and doing my job," she said.

Isbell explained the roles the new troops would be performing and how important they are to fulfilling the brigade's mission.

"We have a large area of responsibility," Isbell said. "Every individual coming in is needed for us to maintain our operation. They are primarily filling support roles, from force protection to transportation to manning medical facilities."

By December of this year, approximately 200 troops will arrive to fill vacancies within the 39th BCT and even though they are arriving in country more than halfway through the deployment, the replacement troops will depart country with the rest of their brigade.

"I have been very pleased by the attitude of the replacements," Isbell said. "The Soldiers coming in are well trained and highly motivated. Everyone one of them is a true American patriot. They are dedicated Soldiers making a great sacrifice to leave friends and family at home and come here to defend our freedom. I am very proud of them."

• Date Taken: 09.02.2004
• Date Posted: 09.02.2004 11:10
• Story ID: 328
• Location: CAMP COOKE, IQ