Hope and Pride: Sergeant Major reflects on time in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI

05.10.2010

Story by Pvt. Samantha Stoffregen 

11th Public Affairs Detachment

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - After talking to Sgt. Maj. Jean Chouloute for awhile, two words come up time and again; hope and pride. Hope for the recovery of Haiti and pride that in the twilight of his 25-year Army career he can be a part of helping to make that recovery possible. For Chouloute, there is also the pride of being able to return to Haiti, the land of his birth.

In 1977, then 11-year-old Chouloute and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in New Jersey. Eight years later, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and headed to Fort Knox, Ky., to train as a tank crewman. Currently, he serves as the Operations Sergeant Major for V Corps in Heidelberg, Germany.

Chouloute was serving in Afghanistan when news came that the earthquake had struck. He volunteered to go to Haiti and six days later, touched down in Port-au-Prince with the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. He says it is an honor to serve in his homeland but he did not return to Haiti just to be a translator.

"I consider myself a Soldier first. So if it is handing out MREs, or going on patrol, or visiting the camps, then that is what I want to do," Chouloute said.

Being on the ground in the early days after the earthquake gave Chouloute an appreciation for the enormous task facing the U.S. military and the role they helped play in the early days of the disaster.

"In any catastrophe, people will loot, they will shoot at each other, they're going to be desperate. But, I have seen here many people standing in lines, for hours, and it is orderly and organized because of the role of the United States Armed Forces," he said.

Chouloute's last assignment was with JTF-Haiti in the Staff Judge Advocate's Office. Where his Soldier skills were used more in the early days, it is his linguistic and cultural skills that were called on later. "[Being Haitian]I understand the people, the culture and I think it gives people confidence to see a Haitian who is also a U.S. Soldier," Chouloute said.

Working as a translator with the JAG, Chouloute had the opportunity to learn about the laws of the country and doing business in Haiti. More importantly, it allowed him to meet with many different Haitians.

"Most are proud to see a Haitian who wears the uniform. They are proud of my accomplishments and a lot will say I am the first or second Sergeant Major they have seen who is Haitian," he said. "I don't know if that is true or not. I will have to do some research but they always ask how long the U.S. will stay."

It is not a question Chouloute is able to readily answer but he hopes that U.S. organizations stay and help rebuild, bringing the skill sets necessary to help Haiti. With help, he sees Haiti rebuilding in five years but acknowledges it will probably take ten years before the country really recovers.

Redeployed, May 1, Chouloute wrapped up his three and a half months in Haiti and returned to his wife and three children in Germany.

"It gives me a sense of accomplishment to be able to serve my country of birth while also continuing to serve the United States," he said.

Better than many, Chouloute understands the challenges that Haiti faces but he has hope that one day things will improve.

"I want there to be jobs and I want children to be able to go to school," he said. "I would like to see more tourists and foreigners come to Haiti and it be safe like it once was."

Next year, Chouloute will retire from the U.S. Army. He plans to return to Haiti to help bring about the newer, better Haiti he hopes and longs for.

• Date Taken: 05.10.2010
• Date Posted: 05.10.2010 11:16
• Story ID: 49413
• Location: PORT-AU-PRINCE, HT