Photo By Sgt. David Hodge | Pfc. Latasha Kennedy, an aviation operations specialist assigned as an orderly room...... read more read more
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By Spc. David Hodge
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Her alarm sounds for only a second before the day begins and she rushes off, beginning her service to her country, unit and fellow Soldiers.
It's 5 a.m.
This is the first step toward completing her daily duties of assisting the command by helping to keep her unit organized and by processing all administrative matters for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
Pfc. Latasha Kennedy, 25, is the orderly room clerk for HHD, 1st BCT, which operates from Forward Operating Base Falcon and is located in the Rashid District of Iraq's capital. Kennedy works in a supporting role within the walls of the FOB to contribute to the Raider Brigade's mission of providing a safe and secure environment for the citizens of the Rashid District.
Even though she is more than 7,000 miles away from home, carries an M-16 rifle and occasionally has to take cover from indirect fire, Kennedy's work day while deployed is much like that of garrison back at Fort Hood, Texas.
After she awakens and conducts personal hygiene, she dons the trademark gray, moisture-wicking shirt, black shorts, and bright neon-orange physical training vest that Soldiers wear for physical training.
Five days a week, Kennedy runs to improve her cardiovascular endurance.
"Running is important to me because, unlike weight training, it works out the entire body," said the native of Jacksonville, N.C.
Kennedy enjoys listening to rhythm and blues music after her exercise session as she gets dressed for work.
On her way to the workplace, she stops by the brigade's support battalion to pick up daily reports and information that pertains to the company.
"I pick up the daily distribution because it keeps the commander and I informed with what is going on for the day," Kennedy said.
After arriving at the office no later than 9 a.m., she sits at her desk and begins to check her e-mail for anything requiring immediate attention.
Kennedy attended advanced individual training to become an aviation operations specialist and was originally assigned to the Air Defense, Air Management and Brigade Aviation Element sections within the 1st BCT.
After a year working in the section, a position within the HHD Orderly Room became available.
When the orderly room needed a replacement, Kennedy volunteered to take the job, and the company's leadership has been grateful ever since, said Capt. Daniel Hoffman, a North Glenn, Colo., native, executive officer, HHD, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B.
Kennedy has worked in the orderly room for about six months and has made her mark in the company as a professional Soldier.
She has those qualities that are very hard to find in privates in the Army, said Hoffman.
"Kennedy is the type of Soldier that learns new systems quickly," Hoffman said. "She took over the orderly room as we deployed without missing a beat."
Kennedy said the new job was a welcome challenge and she was excited about the vast opportunities.
"The different job was challenging at first," Kennedy said, "but once I learned what to do, it became very easy."
Kennedy's duties involve typing memorandums for the company commander, ensuring personnel status reports and sensitive item reports are completed every day, and occasionally taking the lead at first sergeant meetings when the company's top enlisted leader is otherwise engaged in the morning.
"What impresses me the most is that she takes the initiative to get things done," Hoffman said. "She constantly keeps the command informed of everything that comes across her desk."
What remains of Kennedy's day is spent running errands and making sure that all aspects of the office are in tiptop shape. This includes maintaining all personnel files, awards, promotion packets and leave forms for approximately 210 Soldiers in the company. She makes sure that all necessary paperwork gets turned in at both the battalion and brigade level, said Hoffman.
"Without Kennedy, the orderly room would not function anywhere near as efficiently as it does now," Hoffman said. "All of the things she does make her a very valuable asset to the Renegade Orderly Room."
Kennedy intends to reenlist for station of choice in June but is unsure whether or not she will make the military a career. She plans on finishing college and following in her mother's footsteps of becoming a nurse.
She said she enjoys attending church on Sundays and exchanging e-mails with her parents, family and four siblings.
Kennedy also makes it a point to regularly call Edward, her husband of six years, who is a former Marine.
"Other than my husband, I miss sleeping in my own bed and driving my car," said Kennedy, who is adjusting to her first deployment since joining the Army in 2006.
At the end of the day, it is back to her room where Kennedy reflects upon the day's events and ponders what tomorrow's calendar will bring.
"Then the day starts all over again," Kennedy said with a smile.
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2008 15:06 |
| Story ID: | 19002 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 784 |
| Downloads: | 306 |
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