Iron Soldier achieves U.S. citizenship in Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Wislet Genelus shortly before servicing route clearance vehicles at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq, July 13, 2008.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IRAQ

09.16.2008

Story by Pfc. Michael Schuch 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

By Pfc. Michael Schuch and Spc. Joshua Ramey
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – For Pfc. Wislet Genelus of Company B, 40th Engineer Battalion, the path to U.S. citizenship is finally complete – at the age of 40.

Born in Jean-Rabe, Haiti, Genelus has been on the front lines of political turmoil for 23 years.

Genelus' parents moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., shortly after he was born, while he spent the first 15 years of his life living with his aunt in Haiti.

"Growing up, I wasn't aware of what caused the turmoil that surrounded us, but the kids were only allowed to go to school and church," Genelus remembered. "The last five years I was there, I remember there were demonstrations all the time. People were trying to overthrow the dictatorship."

At age 15, Genelus moved with his parents, where he spent the next nine years finishing school in the U.S., while working as a taxi driver.

In 1993, Genelus was drawn back to Haiti by the memory of the friends and family he had grown up with. Upon his return, he worked with the Haitian national police for eight years.

"In 2003, while I was a police officer, that's when (the political situation) got really bad," explained Genelus. "The government began to crack down on all opposition. There was no justice, only government rule. You couldn't say what was on your mind and everyone was afraid. We were the police; the strong-arm of the dictator."

Genelus left Haiti shortly after the crackdown on resistance began - this time permanently.

"The crackdown began with us," he continued. "I couldn't handle that stuff. I had lived nine years in the United States, and I was expected to do things that were unbelievable."

Genelus joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as an engineer and was later assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

Genelus was assigned to the 40th Eng. Bn., where he began training for the route clearance missions he would be asked to perform.

In April, he deployed to the southeast Baghdad province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he performed nearly 100 missions in just the first five months.

"The work isn't really that much different than the police work (in Haiti)," Genelus remarked. "The Army is what I like to do; it's about providing security."

While stationed on Forward Operating Base Hammer, Genelus began to research the steps required to attain U.S. citizenship. After consulting his chain of command, Genelus used channels in the Army to apply for citizenship and was approved.

In early September, Genelus was officially proclaimed a U.S. citizen, pending a written test and receiving the Oath of Allegiance to the U.S., upon his return from Iraq.

Genelus is not alone in his attempts at U.S. citizenship while deployed to Iraq, as two fellow Soldiers from the 40th Eng. Bn. joined him in the quest. Pfc. Alvin Ramirez-Somarriba, of Miami, and Spc. Cauldric Dasent, from the U.S. Virgin Islands, are currently awaiting the results of their applications for citizenship.

• Date Taken: 09.16.2008
• Date Posted: 09.17.2008 04:40
• Story ID: 23748
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, IQ