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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, the adjutant general, Oregon National Guard traveled to Iraq over the Thanksgiving holiday to visit soldiers of the 41 Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
While there, he had the opportunity to observe citizen-soldiers engaging in their daily activities while deployed. Rees said he was very impressed with the dedication and attention to detail of Oregon's soldiers in particular, Staff Sgt. David Gowan of Alpha Battery, 218 Field Artillery.
"I had the opportunity to observe Staff Sgt. David Gowan in a pre-combat inspection working with his troops and equipment prior to going out on a convoy security mission," said Rees.
"He obviously had the skill and capacity to take on the training the military had given him and do a superb job."
Gowan said he was honored to have Rees watch him do his job.
"It was a pleasant surprise, and I am happy he was able to spend some time with the 'hands' that get stuff done," said Gowan.
"At the end of the day leading my squad throughout Iraq is motivating in its own right, the unquestioned support I receive from my peers, squad, and leadership makes this job easier," he added.
In his civilian career, Gowan works for Wells Fargo Bank as a Senior Analyst, managing a small team that has a role in the war on terror.
He said his civilian job helps him in his deployment in a number of ways. Gowan said he and his colleagues work better as a team working together on complex scenarios, often depending on one another for insight and fresh perspective.
"Similarly, our mission in Iraq, providing security for logistical convoys of all shapes and sizes, is dependent on the team as a single unit working together...to deliver our logistic convoys of all shapes and sizes to the intended destination," said Gowan.
Rees said Gowan is just one example of how our citizen soldiers use their civilian skills and the training the military provides to do a superb job.
"In some fashion we are taking full advantage of our civilian skills and in other cases we are just using our maturity and flexibility in our training to perform to the same high standard," said Rees.
Gowan has served in the military for 14 years.
He enlisted in 1996 at the age of 20, in the U.S. Army and first served with the 25 Infantry Division in Hawaii. Later he moved to Prescott, Ariz., and joined the Arizona National Guard. In 2005 he moved to Portland, Ore., and joined Battery C, 2-218 Field Artillery.
Gowan said he believes National Guard soldiers possess diverse skills.
"We have a blend of skilled tradesmen, law enforcement, technology professionals, and students that provide unique skills and abilities not common to a group working together. We leverage our experiences to get unique solutions to problems, create distinct efficiencies in processes, and create an environment of flexibility that I did not see as an active-duty soldier."
| Date Taken: | 02.08.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.08.2010 15:53 |
| Story ID: | 45105 |
| Location: | AL ASAD AIR BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 226 |
| Downloads: | 191 |
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