KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A squad of paratroopers climbed a mountain, Jan. 11, performing a combat patrol to resupply scout snipers at an outlying observation post a routine mission most of the time, but this particular outing was the precursor to a special event for one of the Soldiers.
At nearly 3,800 feet above sea level, atop Baba Saheb Ghar Mountain, most of the Arghandab river valley can be seen and it is here that Sgt. Aaron Ivory Teutsch of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, a native of Bloomington, Ill., chose to hold his re-enlistment.
Every couple of weeks the Soldiers living on the mountain switch out, soon it will be Teutsch's turn. From so high up, they are able to see patterns of life and any suspicious activity in the area. This security measure helps give peace of mind to the Operational Coordination District Center located at the base of the mountain.
"I think Sgt. Teutsch picked the location because it's something that he can send home. He didn't want to do just a regular reenlistment he wanted to do something special," said Capt. Patrick Heim, commander of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
This was Teutsch's second re-enlistment and his second deployment to Afghanistan. In a warzone far from home, Teutsch signed up for 3 more years. He has been in the U.S. Army for five years stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. He is married to Jessica Ellen Teutsch and they have two daughters, Mckenna Marie age 9, and Jessalyn Ann age 4.
While on the mountain, Teutsch longed to have his wife be there to see him re-enlist.
"Sweetheart I wish you were here," said Teutsch. "I miss you, you're absolutely beautiful and thank you for everything that you do for me."
Teutsch said he knows his wife is proud of him and supportive of whichever decision he makes. A former Airman, she has a good understanding of the military way of life, he said. Teutsch knows his parents would like him to come home, but he feels the choice to reenlist is in his best interests.
"Job security, my family . . . there's a lot of things in the Army that I haven't gotten to do, that I want to do still," said Teutsch.
Some of these things include finishing college, going to Ranger school and becoming a jump master.
Teutsch has been debating on whether to stay in the Army or get out for the past three months. After discussing his options in length with his commander, Capt. Patrick Heim, Teutsch made his decision.
It's a decision Heim thinks benefits Tuetsch and the Army.
"Sgt. Teutsch is one of America's finest. He has chosen to serve his country in a time of war, when most American's would not," Heim said. "Re-enlisting is absolutely what he wants to do. The Army is where his heart is."
For his next re-enlistment Teutsch hopes to get a new duty station. If he and his family could be stationed anywhere, his dream duty station would be Fort Carson, Colo. This would be his choice because of the great views, the mountains and snowboarding. Next time he re-enlists, Teutsch has an even more exciting location in mind.
"Next time I re-enlist, I'm going to try to get a ride in an A-10," said Teutsch.
| Date Taken: |
01.13.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
01.13.2010 22:18 |
| Story ID: |
43794 |
| Location: |
KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: |
630 |
| Downloads: |
316 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Rising to the challenge — Paratrooper re-enlists above Arghandab Valley, by TSgt Christine Jones, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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