Operation Proper Exit

Photo By Sgt. Jennie Burrett | Sgt. William Congleton (left), of Sutherlin, Ore., tries on an Improved Outer Tactical Vest just to get the feel for it compared to the Improved Ballistic Armor he wore when he was last in Iraq during a visit with 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, at Contingency Operation Post Carver Dec. 30. Congleton deployed to Camp Taji, Iraq in 2004 when he suffered a below knee amputation of his right leg after a roadside improvised explosive device went off near his humvee.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.30.2009

Story by Sgt. Jennie Burrett 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

BAGHDAD, Iraq— In past wars, wounded warriors, especially those recovering from severe injuries, were never afforded the opportunity to re-visit the locations where they had been injured or the hospitals in theater where they had been treated.

Five wounded warriors returned, here, to visit with Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, through "Operation Proper Exit," Dec. 30, at Contingency Operation Post Carver.

Some wounded Soldiers have said that when they left the combat zone, they had left their unit behind and they had left something unfinished. The program, in essence, gives the Soldier a sense of closure, allowing them to "leave the battlefield the right way."

"There are several steps towards your recovery and this is just one more step to help come full circle with accepting your injury," said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schlitz, of Moline, Ill., a former 4th Bn., 31st Inf. Regt. Soldier. Schlitz was injured during his unit's last deployment when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device resulting in him being a double arm amputee, being burnt over 85 percent of his body and losing some of his vision.

"It is very important for me to show that guys that if they get hurt they can come back; there is still life after an injury. Two or three years ago I would have never thought I would have come back to this place and here I am now healthy, I am doing a lot more than I ever thought I was going to do and now I can show it to them and give them a little bit of support."

During the day's events at COP Carver the wounded warriors took time to visit with the Soldiers, letting them ask questions and took a look at the new equipment the U.S. troops have now compared to when they were in a theater of operation.

"I think for [the wounded warriors] they get the reassurance that the things that they have done and the effort they have put into it isn't going to waste," said Cpl. Ryan Clark, of Phoenix, an infantry team leader. "And it lets us know, even for some of the younger Soldiers, that you should never give up and always put forth the effort in whatever you do."

This is the third time Multi-National Division—Baghdad has conducted Operation Proper Exit for the wounded warriors to return to Iraq.

"Younger Soldiers are learning that bad things do happen sometimes, but it is possible to continue on and carry on with a productive life in the future," said 1st Sgt. Chris McMillian, of Hoyleton, Ill., Schlitz's former platoon sergeant. "Seeing Sgt. Schlitz again is always fun. He hasn't changed since his injuries. He always has a smile, always has a joke; makes me laugh. It is nice to see my friend again."

• Date Taken: 12.30.2009
• Date Posted: 01.02.2010 00:42
• Story ID: 43380
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ