Courtesy Photo | Spc. Anthony Calhoun (left), 10th Mountain Division Defense Enrollment Eligibility...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Amber Emery
Multi-National Division-Central
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Sometimes the things we don't plan work out the best. A prime example is Spc. Anthony Calhoun's career in the Army. He didn't plan to enlist in the Army, but once he did, he realized it was his calling - from infantryman to administrative specialist. Calhoun has had a large spectrum of experiences throughout his time in the Army.
"Honestly, I don't know why I joined. I was just watching TV, and it looked fun —jumping out of helicopters," said Calhoun, 10th Mountain Division Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System operator and New Orleans native. "I have always been infatuated with tanks and helicopters and things like that. I guess it was just in my blood; it was kind of like a childhood dream to try it out."
Calhoun enlisted in 1999 and served the next six years with 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. He took part in numerous deployments, including a nearly two-year span during the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"At the time, the length of the deployment didn't bother me. The people you are around make a big difference," said Calhoun. "You adopt each other as family ... your military family is actually closer; it's weird, but we would all die for each other. I got used to the field time; that's all we ever did was train, so I was prepared for it."
When asked what his favorite job position was, he said, without hesitation, when he moved from team leader to squad leader right before advancing to kick off OIF.
"I got to lead Soldiers in combat. I feel I am a natural born leader. Some people you have to teach to lead, but I feel it is one of my best assets to lead," said Calhoun. "I am a take-charge type of person."
Calhoun had a two year break in service from 2005 through 2007, during which he spent time with his three kids and family, but says he re-enlisted because he loved what he was doing.
"My three children: Destiny, 11; Tyreik, 10; and Trayvion, 8, think it is just one of the most wonderful jobs in the world. 'Daddy was fighting bad people, and daddy was in Iraq,'" he said.
Since his return to active duty, Calhoun left the front lines to take his current position with 10th Mtn. Div. His work includes providing identification cards, retirement packets, supervising finance, assisting with some awards and completing personnel actions for Soldiers in the division.
"Being with 10th Mtn. is a whole different ball game for me because I am used to the mechanized world," he said. "So it is totally different. You have to be more professional here than anything, especially with the job I have. Being on line is totally different than being in a division element. It is like going from day to night."
Comparing Iraq's current state of affairs to his previous deployment, Calhoun feels the improvements occurring throughout the battle space prove coalition forces are doing something right.
"I have been outside the wire twice since I have been here," he said. "Seeing what it was from when I was here before to seeing it now, it is really amazing."
Calhoun's future plans include pursuing his promotion to sergeant and eventually putting in a packet to become a warrant officer in the aviation field.
"I have done everything else I've wanted to do so far," he said. "I have been in the Bradley's. I have shot a tank. I have been around all kinds of artillery on the ground. So the one thing left to do that I haven't done is to fly a [helicopter]."
| Date Taken: | 11.24.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.24.2008 05:04 |
| Story ID: | 26703 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 154 |
| Downloads: | 129 |
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