Civil Affairs Soldier leads his troops through Iraq

MOSUL, IRAQ

10.05.2004

Courtesy Story

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MOSUL, Iraq- When he came to Iraq in March 2003, Master Sgt. Bill McGuckin didn't know what to expect. Following the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) north to Mosul after the liberation of Iraq, this civil affairs Soldier jumped into the task of sorting through the remains of Saddam Hussein's tumultuous reign to begin the process of rebuilding a nation.

"The civil affairs Soldiers have done a lot here for the local people," he said. "I've seen many improvements during my time in Iraq."

McGuckin is an Abington, Pa., native and member of the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army Reserve unit from Norristown, Pa. During his 20 months in northern Iraq, he demonstrated to those around him the qualities of an outstanding leader as he worked to improve the lives of the Iraqi people.

McGuckin's qualifications as a medic led him to be deployed with the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army Reserve unit from Little Rock, Ark., leaving his unit, the 416th, behind in Norristown. He left his civilian jobs in Pennsylvania- working for a family mechanical engineering business and as a paramedic- not knowing just how much he would use those skills in the year to come. After crossing into Iraq, the 431st stopped in Baghdad where McGuckin worked with the Public Health Team to assess the region's healthcare equipment and facilities. The unit stayed a month in Baghdad before continuing their journey to Mosul, the third largest city in Iraq. McGuckin arrived in Mosul to find the city in disrepair, damaged from years of neglect and recent fighting to liberate the country. He was put in charge of the Public Works Team and faced the daunting task of restoring water and power to a city of almost two million people. "Our main focus at the beginning was to immediately get the water and power back on and to get the people back to work," he said.

Using the skills he acquired in the engineering business, McGuckin tackled a project to repair the Mosul Dam, a vital source of electricity for the local people. This project was the first of many projects McGuckin was involved with to assist the people of Ninevah Province.

McGuckin served his tour of duty with the 431st and volunteered to extend his time in country to work with the 416th, the unit that replaced the 431st in Mosul. During his two weeks of leave in January with his wife, Joanne, and their children, Laim, Kerri and Kane, McGuckin was able to speak with Soldiers from the 416th as they were preparing to deploy at Fort Bragg, N.C. It was his first chance to meet many of the new Soldiers who had come into the unit while he was away, the Soldiers he would soon be leading when he returned to Mosul.

Back in Iraq, McGuckin was made the Detachment Sergeant for the 416th's General Support Detachment. He worked behind the scenes to organize missions for the civil affairs Soldiers and process project proposals that would bring aid to the people of Ninevah. He also accompanied his Soldiers on many of the missions they went on, traveling throughout the northern region of Iraq.

McGuckin's personality quickly put his Soldiers at ease and earned their respect. His Soldiers learned that they could trust their calm, yet determined leader to be fair and to get things done. "He taught me to take everything with a grain of salt," said Spc. Amanda Christensen, a Soldier in the General Support Detachment. "When something went wrong, he wouldn't panic." Though he is usually quiet, McGuckin relaxes around those he knows well and is known for his unique talents as a yo-yo pro and his ability to spin plastic chairs on his hand. Because of his easy-going personality, his Soldiers know that if they need help or need to talk to anyone, they will always find a willing listener in McGuckin. He says he tries to remind them that this situation is temporary and that it may be one of the best learning experiences they will have.

"You can tell that he really cares about his Soldiers," said Spc. Jeff Nantze, a Soldier with the General Support Detachment.Sgt. Khara Holland, another Soldier in the General Support Detachment, was promoted to sergeant while she was in Iraq. During her time here, she says McGuckin had a huge impact in teaching her how to be a non-commissioned officer.

"He's always in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing," she said.

McGuckin himself has had to learn a few things during his time in Iraq. Patience has been the most important.

"I've had to adjust to the time schedule of the Iraqis," he said. "I've also realized that if you want something, you have to lobby hard and work for it."

In October he will return to the U.S. and his life as a husband, a dad, and a part-time Soldier. After 21 years in the Army Reserves, McGuckin has no intentions of quitting just yet.

"My goal is to become a command sergeant major. I'll stay in the Army until I stop having fun or they kick me out," he said.

• Date Taken: 10.05.2004
• Date Posted: 10.05.2004 10:51
• Story ID: 466
• Location: MOSUL, IQ