By Spc. L.B. Edgar,
7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Despite the constant questions, he doesn't have a good answer. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't do it. No amount of explanation can convey what he does for a living, and why he does it – serve in the U.S. Army infantry.
For Staff Sgt. Gary Epley, being an infantryman comes first and foremost. Explaining what he does is just not important to the platoon sergeant of 1st Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.
"I don't really talk about what I do. It's a lot harder to explain to somebody," said the native of Louisville, Ky. "Even if I did take the time to explain it, chances are they would never be able to grasp what I was telling them. There is no way you could sit down and explain to them what you've seen here and put it into terms they could possibly fathom."
Since returning to active duty in 2002, Epley, whose wife is active-duty Air Force, has deployed twice with the same unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The father of a six-year-old girl, recognizes the difficult nature of his chosen profession and that most people, including his family, do not understand one of the world's oldest occupations, he said.
"It's an ugly, ugly job and for the same reason I don't expect adults to understand it, I'm not going to try to explain it to a six-year old. If she's happy with the thought that daddy's catching bad guys then we'll leave it at that," said the eight-year Army veteran.
Epley started his Army career in 1996 and served until 2000 when he had to make a choice. He was up for reassignment and could not be guaranteed the same duty station as his pregnant wife. Therefore, he chose to forego a career in the Army in lieu of watching his daughter grow up, he said.
However, after the Global War On Terrorism began he found himself drawn to military service on a daily basis.
"Watching my wife put on the uniform every morning was just heart-wrenching – knowing my wife was doing her part (and) I wasn't doing mine," Epley said.
After reenlisting, Epley was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., with the 3rd SBCT. He deployed with the brigade, first, to Mosul, Iraq, and is now serving again Baghdad, he said.
Eight years into an indefinite stint with the Army, Epley said the only thing he fears is retelling the last moments of his fallen comrades to their loved ones.
Since his latest deployment, two Soldiers of Epley's platoon have been killed in action. In both instances, he was one of the first responders and did all he could to render aid on the battlefield, but to no avail.
Those deaths weigh heavy on Epley's mind, as well as his back. He now carries an elaborate medic's pack replete with a labeled pocket for each type of battlefield injury.
Despite the inherent danger of infantry missions, Epley tells jokes to keep the mood light-hearted and his troops loose in tense situations.
Even during the toughest times, Epley said he remembers things could always be worse.
He said he wouldn't do it over, even if he could. He can't explain that, either.