Hanging up one uniform for another

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class Mikell Ruedebusch, Task Force 34 HQ Fire Support non-commissioned officer from Mountain Iron, Minn., will return for his third year as a fire fighter and paramedic following his deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, with Task Force 34.  

IRAQ

05.07.2009

Story by Spc. Jodi Krause 

34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade

As the deployment for Task Force 34 comes to an end, many National Guard Soldiers will be looking forward to hanging up their Army Combat Uniform, along with the responsibilities that come with wearing the red, white and blue on their right shoulder.

For many who will go back to school or civilian employment, they will be given the freedom to choose what to wear to school and work each day. For some Soldiers of Task Force 34, they hang up one uniform, only to take another uniform out of their closet.

Law Enforcement Uniforms

Maj. Claire Olson has served on the police force for over 17 years, and will return to her position as Deputy Sheriff at the St. Louis County Police Department upon returning from her deployment on Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

"Instead of serving my country, I will be serving and protecting those within the county I work," said Maj. Claire Olson, TF 34 Headquarters Air Plans Officer in Charge from Duluth, Minn., "and still wear a uniform."

Also wearing a law enforcement uniform is Sgt. Robert Bandy, TF 34 HQ Movement Non-commissioned Officer in Charge from Baltimore, MD.

"My job will still involve public service, safety and security. I will dedicate hours toward, what I believe to be, a noble cause that is necessary and not envied," said Sgt. Bandy, who is returning for his fourth year as a police officer. "On the macro-level, my job will only differ in the magnitude of the populace that I serve. I will still give my every effort to embody core values loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage."

For Sgt. Richard Brown, A Co., 834th Aviation Support Battalion Unit Public Affairs Representative, returning to his position as a community service officer will be a drastic change from his position while on deployment.

"I will no longer be the person who calls for someone when they need something; I will be the one being called," Sgt. Brown said. "My job is to keep people safe and put myself in harm's way from time to time doing so."

"I love my Army uniform," said Sgt. Brown, a native from Maple Grove, Minn. "However, when I wear my other uniform I get to take it off at the end of the day."

Medical Field Uniforms

"Upon returning to work, I get to trade in my ACU coat and trousers for a more comfy scrub top and pants," said Sgt. Aleta Ingli, Headquarters and Support Company, 834th ASB Supply Sgt. from Hudson, Wisc. "I also get to hang up my combat boots for the popular nurse sensation of Crocs shoes to match every outfit."

Sgt. Ingli takes pride in the uniform she wears at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minn., where she works as a registered nurse on the post-surgical floor.

"Creativity is a must for the uniform, we pride ourselves on the patients' comments on our outfit choices," Sgt. Ingli said. "A smile on their faces makes it all worth it!"

"The responsibilities from Sgt. to civilian RN overlap. They both entail leadership, delegation, safety, and accountability for one's actions," Sgt. Ingli said. "They also both involve taking care of fellow Soldiers, whether it be past or present veterans."

Apart from those doctors and nurses who are working behind the scenes to save and ensure quality of life, there are front line first responders.

"[We wear] blue medic pants with a button up blue shirt. Also wild fire safety gear and turn out gear," said Sgt. 1st Class Mikell Ruedebusch, TF 34 HQ Fire Support NCO from Mountain Iron, Minn. "The uniform I wear during the day is the same one I wear under my fire gear. I quickly take off the fancier button up shirt on the way to my other gear."

Working as a fire fighter and paramedic for two years prior to deployment, Sgt. 1st Class Ruedebusch is honored to put on this uniform to help those in danger.

"I work a 24 hour shift; we eat and sleep at the fire hall for 1/3 of the year. There are days when I don't leave the hall, and there are days when I'm at the hall for one hour of 24," Sgt. 1st Class Ruedebusch said. "My service provides Advanced Life Support to a 60 mile radius and ALS transfers for five outlining hospitals. In 2007, I personally responded to over 450 medical calls, in about 115 shifts."

Sgt. 1st Class Ruedebusch finds his position to be exciting because "my job has many duties and every call is different. I'm on call 24/7."

Uniform Pride

No matter what uniform is worn, there is a sense of pride that goes on with each pant leg and arm sleeve.

"Both [uniforms] are equally important to me. [I] would not change or prefer one over the other," Maj. Olson said. "I get to serve and protect no matter what uniform I am wearing."

• Date Taken: 05.07.2009
• Date Posted: 05.07.2009 07:16
• Story ID: 33303
• Location: IQ