By Sgt. Fred Minnick
MOSUL, Iraq -- After completing basic and advanced individual training, Pvt. Robert Sisk and Pvt. Ian Battan only stayed at their first duty station, Fort Lewis, Wash., for a brief stint before deploying to a combat zone thousands of miles away from their homes. Sisk, from Lancaster, Calif., and Battan, from Vancouver, Wash., are both in Mosul assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team).
The Stryker Brigade entered Iraq in December, while both Soldiers were still in basic training. Sisk crossed the Iraqi border in February and Battan entered Iraq in June. The two Soldiers said they felt trained and ready, but didn't know what to expect when they crossed the border.
"I'll admit, I was nervous," said Battan, 19, an assistant gunner. "On my first day of actual duty with my unit, I went on a combat mission where we raided a suspected terrorist's house."
Sisk, 20, said Iraq was a culture shock, but his fellow platoon members helped him quickly adapt to his new surroundings.
"Ever since I joined this unit, I've been welcomed and they have taught me how to be a better Soldier," Sisk said. "In a way, I'm really lucky because many Soldiers train for years for combat, and I'm getting the real-world experience on my first assignment."
Since their first day, Battan and Sisk have patrolled the streets of Mosul in 100-degree plus weather, conducted raids and operated traffic control points. They also work with the Iraqi National Guard soldiers.
"We are preparing the Iraqi national guard to take over when we leave, and even though I've only been here for a couple of weeks, I"d say the Iraqi national guard soldiers are doing a good job," Battan said. "Working with soldiers from another country is certainly new to me, but then again, I'm exposed to something new every day."
Sgt. 1st Class Brad Kelley, Battan's platoon sergeant, said they integrated Battan into the platoon as soon as possible.
"We have a tight-knit platoon and we wanted Battan to feel like a part of the team, because it's difficult being away from home for the first time," Kelley said.
For Sisk, his biggest challenge is being away from his grandparents, Christine and Harry Ralph, but said he overcomes homesickness by putting things into perspective.
"I really feel like I'm a part of history," Sisk said. "I hope I can look back 20 years from now and say I helped make Iraq what it is today."
| Date Taken: |
07.08.2004 |
| Date Posted: |
07.08.2004 11:59 |
| Story ID: |
99 |
| Location: |
MOSUL, IQ |
| Web Views: |
183 |
| Downloads: |
122 |
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