Sgt. 1st Class Peter Chadwick
Division Support Brigade PAO
CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- Being stubborn is often referred to as a negative attribute.
But for a Soldier with the Division Support Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, here, it's an important quality for mission accomplishment.
"Being stubborn is helpful," said Sgt. Felicia S. Long, a heavy wheel vehicle operator with 2nd Platoon, 396th Transportation Company, 87th Corps Support Battalion.
Long, a Thomasville, Ga. native said when she sets her mind to do something, she does it.
"She's very set on what she wants to do," said 2nd Lt. Alisha G. Vaughn, the platoon leader for the 1st Platoon.
She has applied this relentless and determined attitude regarding education, the Army and the non-commissioned officer's board.
Long said she first came into the military November, 2000, when she joined the Georgia Army National Guard.
Long said she served with he 1148th Transportation Company, ARNG, while attending Southwest Georgia Technical College, both located in her home town.
Once she received her Medical Office Specialist diploma in December 2002, there was nothing for her to do in her small town, said Long. She entered active service January 2003.
"I knew what I was getting into when I went active duty," said Long, who is on her second deployment with the 369th Trans. Co.
During her first deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom I, she received a Red Cross message that her brother had died.
"She initially took it pretty hard," said Staff Sgt. Kenneth E. Turner, her platoon sergeant at the time. "We got her out on leave the next day."
Once she returned, she was the same, hard worker she was before she left, said the Montgomery, Ala., native.
"Things are going to happen unexpected," said Long. "You have to keep going. The Lord, my family and my friends keep me going."
Turner, who is now the platoon sergeant for Headquarters Platoon, 396th Trans. Co., said because of the job they do, they have to be able to push through the challenging times.
The company's job is to support the division by hauling both containerized and non-containerized cargo to the forward operating bases within the Multinational Division-Baghdad, area of operation.
First Platoon, nicknamed "Ruffriders," has the mission of transporting a variety of supply classes and equipment along dangerous roads throughout Iraq to keep the division supplied and running.
Vaughn, a Florence, Ala., native, said the daily convoys are stressful. However, Long's demeanor helps the Soldiers stay calm. She always smiles while she works.
Long said it's important to be optimistic. A determined optimism for the job at hand gives a new definition to stubborn.