Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office
Forward Operating Base KALSU – He paces back and forth, cigarette smoke curling above him. The ritual pace and smoke helps reduce his anxiety, allowing him to focus on the mission at hand.
Despite being on his second deployment, the pre-mission jitters still get to Cpl. Damien Suber, a driver with Blue Platoon, Battery B, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment.
Suber is not alone in his trepidation.
"Everyone has feelings (of fear); even the toughest guy in the world," said Staff Sgt. Pedrus Helgenberger, a squad leader with White Platoon, Battery B, 1-9 FA, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. "You just have to overcome it.
That is what separates the men from the boys."
Suber also relies on his faith to see him through.
"I pray; pray everyone comes back after each mission, that the mission is successful," he said. "That's my big thing before a mission."
Soldiers have different means of preparing for missions. Some have special rituals, others rely on the moral support of fellow Soldiers.
As a leader, Helgenberger said he tries to calm Soldiers down by motivating his men and letting them know they can count on him to see them through the mission.
"I make them feel taken care of. We go over the mission," he said. "I do my PCCs (pre-combat checklists) and PCIs (pre-combat inspections)."
These quick inspections ensure the Soldiers' gear is serviceable and mission-ready. Helgenberger said the checks help ease nervousness, allowing Soldiers to focus on the task at hand.
Officers like 1st Lt. Jay Morgan, Battery B, executive officer, who may deal less daily with individual Soldiers, said the best way they can help Soldiers get their game face on is by letting Soldiers know that their mission has a purpose.
"We do in-depth rehearsals and make sure from the top to the lowest private . . . at least knows the task and purpose (of the mission)," said Morgan. "Guys know we don't just do missions without a goal."
Knowing that what they are called to do has a purpose is a motivating factor for Pfc. Trevor Riesner, a driver with White Platoon.
Riesner, who is serving on his first deployment, said when he first arrived and saw the acts of the insurgents, he was motivated to go out and stop them.
"I was pumped. I was ready to do something, (I) wanted to get the guys doing it (bad things)," he said. "I was pretty psyched the whole way."
With repetition, the initial excitement decreases.
"We do it (missions) so much, it almost becomes an everyday thing," said Helgenberger, who is on his third deployment to Iraq.
To stay in the game, Suber said many Soldiers turn to their iPods and CD players. "Most listen to songs, their favorite rock songs."
Others swap jokes and play pranks on one another for fun. Still, each knows that each missions carries a hint of danger, and that what could possibly happen is no laughing matter.
Morgan lets each Soldier know that as long as they fulfill their individual role, the mission will be a success.