By Pfc. Samantha Schutz
Multi-National Division - Baghdad
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – When Spc. Christopher Herff, a native of Feasterville, Pa., single-handedly saved an important satellite connection, he said he was just doing what he felt called to do during another day at the office. Herff is a broadcast journalist serving with the 27th Public Affairs Detachment in support of Multi-National Division – Baghdad public affairs operations.
Little did Herff know that his quick action and dedication to duty would earn him recognition as the Special Troops Battalion, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B's "Player of the Week." He was presented an Army Achievement Medal for his quick actions during an STB leaders' meeting near the battalion headquarters here March 1.
Herff's knowledge and commitment to his mission was evident when the MND-B public affairs team was preparing for the 4th Infantry Division's Town Hall meeting Feb. 28.
The town hall serves as a vital link between the division and its Families and fellow Soldiers back at Fort Hood and Fort Carson. The method of communication is made possible by the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System. Just prior to the meeting, the team at MND-B's Media Operation Center lost its vital link back to its stateside audience do to an equipment challenge.
The system goes down every once in a while, Herff said, so he thought it wasn't a big deal at the time. To overcome this challenge, the PA team borrowed a DVIDS from another unit and drove on with the mission. However, with only an hour until the scheduled test to make sure the connection could be made for the meeting, the second system developed issues as well.
"For two (systems) to go down at the same time, that's rare," said Herff, who added that the problems were different with each one.
Knowing he didn't have much time to spare, Herff took the initiative and used the knowledge he had gained during a DVIDS training course in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, to take the systems apart and swap out non-functioning parts to make one functioning machine.
He completed his task with just minutes to spare.
"It's very important to the morale of the 4th Infantry Division for them to be able to speak directly to the units at home," Herff said. "If the satellite system would've stayed down, we all would've missed that."
Herff's commitment, both as an impromptu DVIDS repairman and as a video journalist, does not go unnoticed by his supervisor, Staff Sgt. Brian Rhodes, a native of Kalispell, Mont., who said Herff is an asset to the team. Rhodes serves as the operations chief for MND-B's 27th PAD.
"He has an unquestionable military bearing and sense of duty, and he doesn't question orders that come down," Rhodes said. "He trusts in his leadership. He stays very focused on the mission."
The mission Herff accepted when he enlisted in the Army in June 2006, said Herff, has taken him to places in his career he never thought possible. The videos he produces, from the Ironhorse Report to the Moment of Valor, are available to virtually anyone in the world through the DVIDS website.
"It's been a very rewarding experience. I've learned a lot," said Herff. "I never thought I'd be where I am today. I never thought 90 million people would be watching my product."
Herff said the only thing that could make his deployment better would be the company of his wife, Katie. The two of them have been together for approximately eight years and were married two months prior to his deployment to Iraq.
"Honestly, if I could have my Family here, I wouldn't mind being stationed here," Herff said. "I like what I do here; I'm proud of what I do here. I wouldn't mind going out on the missions and working the long hours as much if I could have my Family with me."
His dedication, motivation and positive outlook toward any task were the qualities that really earned Herff his nomination for the "Player of the Week."
"It's very true that the Army will give you what you want to take from it. If you're giving 100 percent, you'll get 100 percent back in return," Herff said, regarding his on-the-job attitude.