By Joy Pariante
13th Public Affairs Detachment
IRAQ - Long hours, travel and constant vigilance. This describes quite a few jobs in Iraq. One job combines all of these tasks, plus military bearing, professionalism and maturity. These traits are required to become a member of the commanding general's personal security detail.
"Our job is to ensure the safety of the MNC-I commander as he travels throughout the theater," said Staff Sgt. Alex Taylor, personal security officer for Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III. "It's so important because we're responsible for his safe movement throughout the day and he's responsible for 160,000 Soldiers."
The commanding general's personal security detail works hard to properly protect Austin, traveling three to four days a week around Iraq and training daily. A normal PSD day starts at approximately 5:30 a.m. and ends whenever Austin's day ends; which could be anywhere from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Throughout the day, they guard Austin and his residence. They also go to the range, review standard operating procedures and run through security scenarios, Taylor said.
"Training is important because things are changing all the time," Colon Reyes said. "You need to keep up with training changes or you'll end up outside the loop."
Personal security detail team members are hand picked, focusing on areas such as physical fitness, self motivation and leadership skills. "We need someone with maturity and who can operate without supervision," Taylor said.
"I was thankful for the opportunity to work for the MNC-I CG," said Spc. Jared F. Sadler, 401st Military Police Company, Fort Hood, Texas. "It is good to work for somebody who truly appreciates Soldiers and cares for their welfare like General Austin does."
At the end of the day, no matter how long, the PSD job is about being part of a team. A team that relies upon and trusts each other and is in turn relied upon and trusted by the commanding general.
"I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world," Colon Reyes said. "The only thing that would make it better is if we got to jump out of the birds."