Human resources unit makes historic deployment

Photo By Sgt. Wesley Landrum | Col. Lorraine Tyacke, the director for the 8th Human Resources Sustainment Center, gives a Soldier his combat patch during a ceremony, Oct. 13, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The unit, based out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, is currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

KUWAIT

12.02.2007

Courtesy Story

50th Public Affairs Detachment

Story and photo by
Staff Sgt. Anishka Calder
1st TSC Public Affairs

When Soldiers deploy to hostile areas, they are authorized to wear a combat patch for their unit assignment while deployed. The 8th Human Resources Sustainment Center out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, held a ceremony, Oct. 13, during which Soldiers in the unit had their combat patch placed on their right shoulder sleeve by Col. Lorraine Tyacke, the Director for the 8th HRSC.

The unit activated in September 2006 and was given a patch that was originally approved for the 8th Field Army Support Command during the Vietnam War. After the unit's activation, work went into assigning Soldiers to the new unit, in preparation for making history as the first HRSC to get deployed.

"We gave birth to our unit in September of last year. We had a handful of people and we did a lot of leg work trying to get the unit filled with the right rank, the right military occupational specialty and the right experience," said Sgt. Maj. Ben Cavazos, the 8th HRSC sergeant major. "Within a year we were ready to deploy."

Soldiers of the 8th HRSC were delighted at the opportunity to serve in the capacity to make a difference on the war on terrorism, and to receive a patch that signifies wartime service.

"This patch ceremony means a lot to me because this is my first deployment," said Pfc. Aaisha Shakir, a native of Charleston, S.C., and a human resource specialist from 8th HRSC. I have a combat patch now that says I actually did something significant, and it's the first, so it means a lot to me."

"This ceremony is extremely significant to me. This is my first deployment and my first combat patch. I'm very proud of it and I'm very proud of the people who I serve with," added Lt. Col. Brigitte Williams, the postal operations division chief for 8th HRSC. "I woke up this morning thinking about it, and I've been thinking about it all day long. I know days on down the road when I retire, that it will be something that I look back on."

Not every deployment comes with a patch ceremony. Even some of the Soldiers who were deployed before never had the opportunity to have their combat patch placed on their right shoulder sleeve by the unit commander.

"Out of three deployments, this is the first patching ceremony that I've been to. After my last deployment to Iraq and being in charge of casualty operations, I realized that this (the military) is really where I need to be and what I need to be doing," said Warrant Officer Billy Frittz, a human resources technician from 8th HRSC. "I love my job."

"I've been deployed to Panama, Somalia and during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, but this is my first time deploying with young Soldiers. It (the deployment) is different and very unique, and I am just happy that I am a part of it," said Cavazos, a native of Kaneohe, Hawaii.

The combat patch signifies wartime service; it is testament of the camaraderie and experience that these Soldiers share, and is an identifying factor for a specific time in history.

"Here is where you establish relationships that will last a lifetime. The combat patch is a way of saying 'I've been there, I've got the shirt and I'm wearing it,'" said Cavazos. "When you have someone who shares the same combat patch as you, it shows that you have gone through the same things. You have experienced some of the good days and some of the not so good days, and that is something that folks who have never joined the armed forces will never understand."

• Date Taken: 12.02.2007
• Date Posted: 12.02.2007 16:06
• Story ID: 14333
• Location: KW