Photo By Spc. Ryan Stroud | Capt. Paul Curry, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 25th Infantry Division,...... read more read more
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By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
BAQUBAH, Iraq - He was a successful attorney in his home state of New Jersey, holding a partnership that had him working 16-hour days during his busy workweek. But at the age of 30, the attorney felt he was missing something.
A supporter of the war in Iraq, the flourishing attorney decided to do the unthinkable – quit his practice to join the U.S. Army as a cavalry scout.
Today, and now at the age of 33, this former cavalry scout has once again jumped back into the whirling world of law, this time as the Legal System's judge advocate and operations judge advocate in support of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, who is stationed in Baqubah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006-2008.
But the change has not been easy for Capt. Paul Curry, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 25th Infantry Division. Just over nine months ago, he was a specialist, one rank below the non-commissioned officer, preparing for deployment to Iraq. He now is a part of the proud group of officers who run the "Grey Wolf" Brigade.
"I supported the war since its onset," Curry said. "I felt that a lot of people in my neighborhood in New Jersey didn't feel the same. I supported it and felt it was my responsibility to serve."
"I enlisted as a 19D, cavalry scout, and was reassigned into the training room, a job I didn't really enjoy," said Curry while discussing his reasons for becoming an officer.
"My colonel and sergeant major presented me with the opportunity, since I was already an attorney, to put in an application for (Judge Advocate General)," he continued. "Three months later, I was picked up for JAG and in October, I left for commissioning."
From an outsider's perspective, Curry progressed through his new rank quickly.
"I was given first lieutenant rank, but I progressed no faster than anyone else in my class," Curry stated. "(We all) got our rank within three or four days in July."
Curry said he was often asked why he wasn't an officer when, in his previous job, he was an attorney. For Curry, he needed to take some time to look deep inside to find the right decision for his future. Once deciding, he said it took a while to get used to.
"People told me it would be better to be an officer... but I have found that you have just as many bosses, senior as an officer, just as you do enlisted," he said. "But it feels like you're changing teams, (though) your basic military bearing stays the same. The biggest difficulty I've had is convincing myself up here," as he pointed to his head.
"When you've spent your entire military career as a junior enlisted, and I see a group of junior enlisted together, I expect that I should be there with them," he said. "I have to remind myself, that's not who I'm with anymore. That's the biggest hurdle."
"For the first couple of weeks after I had pinned on my rank, I would see a first sergeant, sergeant first class, walk by and snap a salute," Curry joked, "and I would quickly go into panic mode to find out who they were saluting and ready my explanation for why I hadn't."
"(Others saluting me) caught me off-guard for a while," he continued. "It was a good feeling but also an embarrassing feeling. I wasn't used to it; it took some time to get comfortable with."
While he has since overcome his shyness towards salutes being directed to him, Curry says he enjoyed his time as an enlisted Soldier but now looks forward to his future as a leader.
"Definitely one of the best decisions I've ever made," he said about joining the Army and becoming an officer. "This is certainly more fulfilling. When I was in my practice, I didn't identify myself with my job. Out here, you really live your job a lot more and I simply find that fulfilling."
"I was working 16-hour days at home and struggled to find time to go to the gym," Curry said with a smile. "(After joining the Army), I was paid to workout all day. It was a great time.
"But if had to choose whether to stay an officer or be enlisted, I would stay an officer because I hadn't completed the job yet," he said.
"When I left being a 19D, I feel that I was a very good shot and a good scout," continued Curry. "I don't feel as accomplished yet at this job. I still have more to accomplish and I won't be finished until I feel I have done that."
Curry does have advice to those who are thinking about "switching sides" from enlisted to officer.
"Find out internally what you want to do with the Army," he said. "The Army gives you so many opportunities... whether it is to stay enlisted or become an officer, check into the different (Military Occupation Specialties) or different posts.
"But if someone is unhappy being enlisted, becoming an officer is not always the answer," Curry warns. "You shouldn't make your decision (to become an officer) on money or on perceived respect. Find out what you really want to do, and do it."
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 08.08.2007 11:00 |
| Story ID: | 11693 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 285 |
| Downloads: | 172 |
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