Photo By Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson | Petty Officer 1st Class Clenzo Kitchen (left), a Crockett, Texas, native, and an...... read more read more
By Sgt. Jason Thompson
Multi-National Division-Baghdad Public Affairs Office
BAGHDAD – When one thinks of a Navy deployment, many Soldiers might imagine the cramped confines of a large, yet often crowded, naval vessel such as a submarine or aircraft carrier.
Their deployment usually consists of months on end sailing the high seas, hundreds of miles away from anything except more water.
But, a rare opportunity to experience a vastly different deployment presents itself as a small percentage of Sailors are able to trade in their "sea legs" for combat boots and desert sun and volunteer for a deployment to Iraq serving alongside their brothers in arms from the Army.
Petty Officer 1st Class Clenzo Kitchen, a Crockett, Texas, native, and an aviation electronics technician, took advantage of one such opportunity and is now currently serving as the electronic warfare officer for Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
"This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to come over here and help support the war on the ground," said Kitchen.
While serving as the battalion's EWO, Kitchen is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of all electronic countermeasure devices installed on more than 175 vehicles.
"Petty Officer Kitchen is on top of his job," said Sgt. Alvin Swayzer, a Saginaw, Mich., native, and truck commander with Company D, DSTB, 4th Inf. Div. "It definitely gives us a piece of mind when he is out here every day before we roll out of the gate just to make sure that our trucks are above the standards."
Above and beyond Kitchen showing up in the mornings to inspect every piece of equipment, he is always available at any time of day or night if any of the team members notice a discrepancy with their equipment while on a mission, said Swayzer.
Kitchen's schedule can often become busy when he has multiple teams leave for different missions around the same time, but he said he draws from his Navy experience and training as a non-commissioned officer and takes pride in his work while working whatever hours needed to accomplish his mission above all.
"Serving as an NCO in the Navy is no different than serving as a non-commissioned officer in the Army," said Kitchen, a 12-year veteran of the Navy. "We may have different ways to describe the role of an NCO, but the responsibilities are the same across the board – accomplish the mission and take care of our Sailors or Soldiers.
"That's one of the great things of the U.S. military as a whole is that every branch of service is structured the same. Everyone exits boot camp as a Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman, and from the beginning, the NCOs in everyone's chain of command help mentor the young warriors into great leaders."
At the end of the day, Kitchen said he finds enjoyment in the fact that he is helping others complete their job and that he is doing his part to make sure his "heroes" are able to return home safe.
"My job is not always the most exciting job in the military," said Kitchen, "but I believe this is one of the most rewarding positions I've been in throughout my entire career in the Navy.
"When I am able to see the Soldiers who are on the road every day, and I am able to see them return to their rooms safely at night to relax, I know that I have done my job. My greatest sense of accomplishment is knowing that I am doing my part to keep their vehicles as safe as can be so they can effectively accomplish their mission, then I know I have done my part, and that's all I need to know."
Kitchen said after his time in Iraq is finished he will happily reflect on his time spent with Soldiers of the 4th Inf. Div.
"I already have my 4th Inf. Div. patch, mini-football, and four sets of [Army combat uniforms] that I plan to store away in a display case at home when I'm finished with this deployment," said Kitchen. "I want to always remember my experiences here with all my Army brothers."
"These Soldiers are my true heroes. These 18- and 19-year-old men and women are joining the Army directly out of high school and volunteering to fight and protect their country. They sacrifice so much at such a young age, and it is an honor to be here working side-by-side with my heroes."
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2008 04:44 |
| Story ID: | 22305 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 358 |
| Downloads: | 289 |
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