Photo By Sgt. Marcus Gable | Capt. Mark Battjes, commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd...... read more read more
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By Pfc. Benjamin Gable
7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAGHDAD, Iraq – For one leader, a daunting task is at hand. Both his personal and professional experiences will play a critical role in accomplishing the mission. The long and arduous days of another deployment have begun. Multiple missions each day are not uncommon. Dealing with the needs of Iraqis on a daily basis - customary. Ensuring his Soldiers' safety - vital.
Capt. Mark Battjes, commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, arrived at Joint Security Station Bonsai just a few weeks ago. With 14 months of hard work ahead, and after a daylong mission, he sits at his desk, in front of layers of paperwork, and tosses on his University of Southern California Trojans cap. For Battjes, there is still much work to be done.
Leadership skills and camaraderie will be in high demand as Company B continues its efforts in this war on terrorism. Their mission demands they spend a large amount of time interacting with locals.
The "Bayonets," as Battjes' company is known, perform missions like ridding the community of insurgents, searching for weapons and home made explosives and working with local area councilmen to make improvements to the community. They are fighting the war on many levels, and Battjes understands this is a battle that must be won.
"I don't want to win. I have to win," said the Parker, Colo., native.
Battjes grew up the son of an Army officer. His father served four years as an engineer officer in the late 1960s and early '70s in Germany, and provided him with an early model of what he wanted for himself.
"He's always been an example for me," Battjes said. "That's the kind of man I always want to be."
After graduating from USC, Battjes decided to follow his father's footsteps and attend Ranger school. The 37-day course he attended in the winter of 1999 was instrumental in developing his leadership skills. He knew it would benefit him as a new leader in the United States Army.
"The main thing I got out of Ranger school was you can do everything right all the time," he said.
Training and experience has prepared Battjes for this - his third deployment to Iraq. The first two saw Battjes serving in Najaf and in Baghdad, on the east side of the Tigris River. Battjes is now commanding his troops from JSS Bonsai, in the southern portion of the city.
You can find Battjes in the streets these days. He and his Soldiers patrol six areas that comprise the Jumia neighborhood. Company B is working hand-in-hand with their Iraqi army partners to clear the neighborhood of terrorist activities and bring security to the locals. As a leader, Battjes said as the IA gains valuable experience and his Soldiers will become more encouraged in the daily fight.
"We will find motivation in the improvements the IA makes as they become better at controlling the sector on their own," he said.
True leader values are being passed down to the Soldiers under Battjes' command.
According to Pfc. Beau Tadlock, and infantryman with Company B from Portland, Ore., Battjes is in the streets clearing houses and searching for weapons caches daily.
"He's a guy who leads from the front, and that's something we all pick up on," Tadlock said.
The Soldiers of Company B have many missions ahead of them during this deployment. Battjes says he will draw motivation from his experiences and from his own men.
"The Bayonets are the best you can find," he said. "They are all an inspiration to me, from the Soldiers to the first sergeant."
For Battjes, relying on his experience and his troops will help bring a bright future to this country and bring his Soldiers home safe and sound.
| Date Taken: | 07.23.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 07.23.2007 08:01 |
| Story ID: | 11408 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 198 |
| Downloads: | 142 |
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