From the oil field to OIF: JW Drilling employee's skill set proves asset to GWOT

Photo By Sgt. Jennifer Sardam | Spc. Lance Bennett, who works as a Chain hand with the JW Drilling Company in Carlsbad N.M, is currently deployed to the Middle East along with several other members of the Army National Guard 111th Air Defense Artillery.  

DOHA, QATAR

03.07.2006

Courtesy Story

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DOHA, Qatar " "Being a "roughneck" pretty much gets you through anything," said Lance E. Bennett, oil drilling rig crew member for JW Drilling, Inc. in Artesia, N.M. "It is one of the hardest and most dangerous jobs. It will keep you paying attention."

During his two years as a JW employee, Bennett practiced the necessary skill of staying alert to his environment, which might seem ordinary, but quickly became a vital asset to this New Mexico National Guardsman, a U.S. Army specialist deployed in the Global War on Terror (GWOT).

As a chain hand for JW, Bennett works with high-pressure plumbing, services the drilling rig and repairs diesel motors and other large machinery.

Bennett deployed with 1st Regiment, 200th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Battalion, 111th ADA Brigade, a unit from his hometown of Carlsbad, N.M., to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in November 2005.

OIF, which began with the liberation of Iraq in 2003, has resulted in two democratic elections, a constitutional referendum and the development of a professional Iraqi security force. In partnership with the Iraqi government, the coalition forces are helping the Iraqi people defeat terrorists and build an inclusive democratic state. The coalition forces, to include the Iraqi army, are conducting full-spectrum counter-insurgency operations to isolate and neutralize the former regime extremists and foreign terrorists. Coalition forces organize, train and equip Iraqi security forces, in order to create a secure environment that allows the reconstruction process to continue.

Before the OIF mobilization, Bennett and other 111th soldiers of different military occupational specialties (MOS's) went through an intense two and a half weeks of training at Camp Robinson, Ark., to acquire the infantry MOS they would need for forward operations. The primary MOS he holds at home station is in Avenger missile repair, which mainly involves troubleshooting all of the Avenger missile's electronics.

While serving under OIF, Bennett provides force protection and overwatch alongside civilian contracted security forces at Qatar installation gates. He also conducts joint patrols with his host nation comrades, the Qatari military police, and pulls security outside the camp's perimeter. For this infantryman, staying tuned in to his surroundings has become second nature.

It was just as natural when Bennett decided to join the military three years ago. His dad served with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, his grandfather fought in World War II, and he had an uncle who served in the Vietnam War. "I kind of owed it to all the males in the generations before me," he explained. "Somebody's got to pay it back."

Bennett is only a few months into his first deployment, which is under U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), with over half a year to go, but he's already thinking about doing this again. "I'm ready to put in for a second one," he said. "I think this is great."

USCENTCOM, which is located at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., is the unified command responsible for U.S. security interests in 27 nations that stretch from the Horn of Africa (HOA) through the Arabian Gulf region, and into Central Asia. USCENTCOM is one of nine unified commands in the Department of Defense (DOD).

Central Command's mission includes enhancing regional stability and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to regional security. CENTCOM is also responsible for executing the GWOT in its assigned area of responsibility (AOR), which includes Iraq, Afghanistan and HOA. Other important USCENTCOM activities include humanitarian and security assistance programs, as well as combined training and education opportunities for military members in AOR nations.

Beyond the duties of work for USCENTCOM, Bennett stays focused by playing chess and guitar and studying Arabic with the help of the Qatari MPs. Bennett mentioned that the MPs brought basic instructional Arabic notebooks and even some of their kids" Arabic-to-English schoolbooks to him and other 111th soldiers; and thanks to this, he already has a decent command of the written Arabic alphabet.

The only part of the mobilization he isn't as excited about is being away from his two children, daughter Tesa, 7, and son Jack, 5. "I miss my babies," said Bennett, who cheerfully mentioned that he plans to take them to Disneyland when he returns.

Bennett's sacrifices as a soldier and the discipline and dedication he brings home from this experience validate the importance of the support of civilian supervisors like Bob Miller, his boss at JW Drilling.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA, allows Bennett and other mobilized military members to retain their rights to return to their civilian jobs following a deployment. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the information agency for the employers of America's new Minutemen. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at [phone].

• Date Taken: 03.07.2006
• Date Posted: 03.07.2006 14:47
• Story ID: 5641
• Location: DOHA, QA