Photo By Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown | Master Sgt. Finn Carlton, special advisor to the command team, and Maj. Jefferey...... read more read more
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By Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown
4th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 10th Mountain Division (L)
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Twenty-year high school reunions usually provide opportunities to reunite with old friends, catch up on life's changes and laugh at gravity's cruel sense of humor; not to pack your duffle bags and go off to war together.
More than 20 years removed from being high school classmates, Maj. Jeffrey Smith, brigade civil affairs officer-in-charge, and Master Sgt. Finn Carlton, special advisor to the brigade command team, are serving side-by-side with the "Patriots" of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light). They attended Sam Houston High School in Moss Bluff, La. - Smith graduated in 1985 and Carlton graduated in 1983.
Smith reunited with Carlton last September at Fort Polk, La. They couldn't believe they were in the same unit preparing to deploy together to Iraq, he said.
"Moss Bluff is a small community back in the states where, during our time, everyone knew one another," explained Smith. "We don't just support our neighbors in a time of need; we support each other every day, regardless of the situation. Our goals were to always support the 'American way of life,' not knowing what God had in store for us."
Both Soldiers said they requested assignment to Fort Polk to be closer to home.
"Although the food is great, the reason to go home was for the people," commented Carlton. "Louisiana remains the only place we believe a person can go where everyone is your neighbor."
Smith works to build capabilities with Iraqi government representatives in the political districts of east Baghdad – Rusafa, Karadah and 9 Nissan – to support the Patriot Brigade's mission.
"The goal is to fill the gaps by first reducing, then removing instability, and causes of instability fueling the insurgency," said Smith.
Carlton works side-by-side with the command group and travels to just about every area within the Patriot Brigade's operating environment to support the mission.
"As one of the senior non-commissioned officers in the brigade, I set the example and give Soldiers direction and guidance," said Carlton. "My method of attack is a common-sense approach to mission accomplishment.
Serving in the same brigade has allowed them to bond as if they were brothers.
"Having the privilege of the acquaintance of Finn from back home has been good, because we share the same values and beliefs that gave us direction," stated Smith.
Upon redeployment, Carlton wants to retire and work in Louisiana.
"I plan to continue serving our nation, just in a different field due to retirement," said Carlton.
Smith is preparing to redeploy in a few weeks but hopes he will secure an Active Guard Reserve position in the Louisiana Army National Guard. "I want to continue serving in the Army by serving the great state of Louisiana," said Smith.
| Date Taken: | 06.20.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2008 06:04 |
| Story ID: | 20671 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 326 |
| Downloads: | 284 |
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