By 2nd Lt. Tyler Wade
440 Signal Battalion
Now that the war is over and we are trying to restore order to Iraq I hear my soldiers recalling our movement from Kuwait to Iraq. Some Soldiers find themselves questioning if they were really the heroes that mom and dad though they were. I feel this stems from the fact that our Signal soldiers played a support role and were rarely in direct action against enemy forces. I want to remind them that their efforts were critical during combat operations and are just as important during our transformation efforts now. Soldiers remember the convoys going so smoothlywith maybe a flat tire here or an emergency bathroom break therein which case they questioned if what they did was really as courageous as what American watching the news at home though. What some soldiers failed to realize is that maybe things went smoothly because we were constantly training for this type of situation.
It's amazing how much of the training came flooding back as the day of movement approached. Back in Kuwait while we were waiting on word to move out, I came out and found my V3 section SGT training his soldiers on how to react to a near ambush if they were forced to stop. He was stressing the little things that could have meant life or death. Details such as checking your gear to prevent anything that could snag you or keep you from exiting your vehicle were quickly taped up or modified. Doing this would help a soldier exit the vehicle in a more expedient manner. That kind of training and attention to detail is what made the convoys so successful. It was and is our junior leaders that went the extra mile to instill mission accomplishment and safety that enabled the soldiers to develop confidence. It gave our soldiers the self-reliance they needed to deal with any situation.
All of our soldiers need to be proud of themselves and realize that they did something that few Americans could do. They braved uncertainty and made it across a dangerous stretch of Iraq where many others did not. A few days before we left Kuwait, the media told the story of the maintenance company that had taken a wrong turn and had been split up. Despite hearing about this fierce fight and the casualties that ensued, our soldiers were still undeterred from hopping in to their vehicles and beginning a mission filled with many unanswered questions. That said a great deal about our soldiers' mettle and remained a true testament of their character. It took great courage to do what we were asked to do. By braving the unknown, soldiers showed courage that most American would never get the opportunity to do. For that you are all heroes; and your leaders are proud of you.
