Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Anishka Calder | Spc. Faisal Baz from the 227th Preventive Medicine Detachment, 56th Multifunctional...... read more read more
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FORT HAMILTON, N.Y. – One of the effects of natural disasters and other calamities is that people in affected areas are usually brought closer together as a survival technique. Hurricane Sandy’s aftermath saw the United States as a nation coming together to assist and provide comfort to those in need.
Acts of kindness and compassion such as this, is one of the many reasons why Spc. Faisal Baz, a preventive medicine specialist from the 227th Preventive Medicine Detachment, 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 62nd Medical Brigade, out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., opted to make the U.S. his home and join the U.S. Army. His unit was called to provide support to service members assisting federal, local and state agencies in the recovery efforts in New York and New Jersey.
“We are United States citizens and as soldiers we are what we say in our soldier’s creed; that we will serve the American people," said Baz, a native of Attock, Pakistan. “We are here and we feel their pain, but we are very honored and excited that we got this opportunity to serve our fellow Americans. I am more eager to serve on this mission because we actually get the opportunity to practically implement what we learned in the soldier’s creed.”
According to Baz, the foundations of the U.S. military dictate that soldiers are called upon to be of service to the people of the country first, and to protect their freedom and way of life.
Before enlisting in the military, Baz lived in Lodi, Calif., with his wife of seven years and two young daughters. With two master's degrees under his belt, he worked as a manager in a corporation that owned several convenience stores and food chains. But his decision to join the military as a Muslim did not sit well with some of his family and friends.
Baz explained that there is the perception that Muslims cannot serve in foreign militaries such as the United States, but he stresses that it is the duty of a citizen to protect his country. On Veterans Day last year, he, fittingly, earned his American citizenship.
“I know it is hard for Muslims to be in the United States or any other foreign army, but we must be loyal as other Americans are because we live here and we took the oath after becoming U.S. citizens that we will protect this land,” Baz said. “There is no rule in the constitution that says Muslims cannot do service in the military. Our religion teaches that we must be loyal to the land we live in. If I were a citizen in any other country, I would be loyal to that country. But I only have one citizenship, and it is American.”
Despite the many objections he faces from family and friends while serving in the Army, Baz is comforted by the fact that he has the backing of his proudest supporter, and hopes that others will follow suit.
“It was the will of my father for me to join the military,” said Baz. “He wanted me to be in the United States Army and I wanted more knowledge to understand the philosophy of the constitution of the United States and how it helped to promote an environment for everyone without any religious, gender, color or ethnic bias.”
Baz’ zest for knowledge is what led him to start his research before making strides to fulfill the dreams of his father. He said he looked at the provisions that were being made for Muslims in the U.S. military and was satisfied with what he found. He stressed how accommodating his leaders in the Army have been from day one – from basic training all the way up to his current unit.
“All my social, emotional and religious development concerns are addressed,” said Baz, who has been serving his country for the past 17 months. “I haven’t faced any problems in those echelons since I joined the Army.”
Baz is looking forward to what the future holds. He hopes to explore more avenues in which he can be of service to his country. He is currently looking into serving as an intelligence or finance officer in the Army in the near future. It is his desire that each citizen does his part in preserving this legacy of service.
“It is the duty of every fellow American to serve this country,” said Baz. “It is not something special that we as service members are doing. It is the duty and responsibility of each individual in the United States to protect the freedom of this country.”
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 11.11.2012 22:47 |
| Story ID: | 97644 |
| Location: | FORT HAMILTON, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 119 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Breaking down barriers in service of country, by SFC Anishka Calder, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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