Haitian born U.S. Soldier proves his allegiance

Courtesy Photo | BAQUABAH, IRAQ (December 30, 2005) -- Staff Sgt. Mitterand Jean-Francois, an Army Reservist from Miami, checks out a cell phone battery before it can be brought onto the compound. (Spc. Lee Elder, 133d Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)  

01.09.2006

Courtesy Story

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Spc. Lee Elder
133d Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAQUABAH, Iraq (Dec. 30, 2005) " A Haitian-born U.S. Soldier sees many similarities between his troubled homeland and the nation where he now serves.

Staff Sgt. Mitterand Jean-Francois currently serves as an intelligence analyst with the Police Transition Team at the Provincial Joint Communication Center in Baquabah. He is an Army Reservist called onto active duty out of the 841st Engineer Battalion based in Miami.

"Every time I get on top of this roof, it looks like I'm in Haiti," Jean-Francois said as he pointed to the building that houses the PJCC. "It's about the same."

Jean-Francois came to the U.S. in February, 1999, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After four years, including a stint in Al Kut during Operation Iraqi Freedom I, Jean-Francois left active duty. He enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2003 after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the world, lies on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. It has been the scene of unrest and bloodshed often in recent years.

"I remember in "95 when I first saw American Soldiers and Marines," Jean-Francois said. "Now, here I am doing the same thing for the Iraqi people."

Living and working with Iraqi Police and Police Commando units is worthwhile experience, Jean-Francois said. He believes he can use the lessons learned from his native land to help the police here.

Jean-Francois" supervisor, Capt. Ean Howard, the intelligence officer for Task Force Blue, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, said his NCO is a major player on the task force. His position as senior NCO analyst is vital to the team's success.

"He plays a really big role right because there are only two of us," Howard said. "He makes sense of the intelligence we receive from other battalions."

Having had one tour under his belt makes Jean-Francois especially valuable, Howard said.

"This is my first tour, and I rely on his experience," Howard said. "He's very proficient and that helps."

Once his tour here is over, Jean-Francois hopes to pursue a master's degree in diplomacy. He also is trying to get a direct commission in the Army Reserve.

For now, the aim of training a professional police force is a worthy one for Iraq, Jean-Francois said. He believes that Iraqis will adapt their training to work within the confines of their society.

"I really feel that I am helping the Iraqi people," Jean-Francois said. "Perhaps in 10 years I will return here and be happy knowing that I helped them make it happen."

• Date Taken: 01.09.2006
• Date Posted: 01.09.2006 10:01
• Story ID: 5013