Father and daughter deploy with 192nd MP Bn.

Photo By Lt. Col. Deanna Bague | Senior leaders at Biggs Army Airfield, bid farewell to Guardsmen from the 192nd Military Police Battalion.  

FORT BLISS, UNITED STATES

07.16.2009

Story by Maj. Deanna Bague 

Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office

FORT BLISS, Texas - Sgt. 1st Class Brian Young and his 19-year-old daughter, Samantha, a private first class, deployed to Iraq July 16 with about 170 Soldiers from the 192nd Military Police Battalion.

"It's a mixed feeling," said Young. "It's nice to be able to go with her because I'll know what's going on day to day with her, but at the same time like any parent I really don't want her to go on the move ... at the same time, it's something we can share that not a lot of other parents and their kids can share."

Samantha said deploying with her father is exciting, although it took some time for the thought to sink in. Most of her friends are not in the military, Samantha said, therefore they found it strange that she was deploying with her dad.

"It didn't really hit me," said Samantha. "I was like, 'Oh cool, I get to go on a deployment right after high school.' [My friends] said, 'Why are you doing this?'"

Samantha said she has learned how to be more disciplined, and more importantly she has realized the true value of freedom.

"I have to work for my freedom," Samantha said. "Whenever I'm training and we get that one free day, it's like, yes freedom!"

Samantha admitted she gets irritated when her friends take freedom for granted.

"[My friends] don't know what I'm going through day by day," said Samantha.

Young's military occupational specialty is military police, while Samantha's is supply. Young said both he and Samantha underwent rigorous training here during their mobilization phase. They were separated for most of the training with the exception of the warrior training tasks. On one occasion during a convoy live-fire exercise, Young said he still recalls his feelings as he heard the simulated gunfire.

"She was in the vehicle behind me up in the turret, she was the gunner [and] I was the commander of the lead vehicle," said Young. "Every time you hear the weapons firing behind you, you know that's your kid right there that's doing all the engagements."

This is Young's fifth deployment and his wife has learned how to cope, he said.

"My wife's been through this numerous times — just [with] me," said Young. "This [deployment], with [Samantha] going she's a lot more apprehensive, but at the same time she's a little more relaxed knowing that I'm there with her."

• Date Taken: 07.16.2009
• Date Posted: 07.23.2009 13:21
• Story ID: 36719
• Location: FORT BLISS, US