Photo By Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang | Spc. Arthur P. Stubbs, who re-enlisted for six years while deployed with Headquarters...... read more read more
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – When a military service obligation ends, it is often a difficult choice for service members to extend their contract and chance further deployments or simply hang up the uniform, and resume life as a civilian.
Making the decision while deployed and missing the normal luxuries of life would seem to be even more difficult for most, but for a 46-year-old Louisiana Guardsman, currently serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, extending his contract was no obligation. It was a commitment to finish what he started almost 30 years ago.
Spc. Arthur P. Stubbs, a 14-year veteran, who volunteered to deploy with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), re-enlisted for six years in the Louisiana Army National Guard at a tactical operations center at Camp Liberty, Iraq, far away from his hometown of Pioneer, La.
"When I first joined the Guard in 1981, I planned to make a career of it, but ended up getting out," said Stubbs, who enlisted as a member of C Company, 528th Engineer Battalion in Oak Grove, La., at the age of 17.
He said he was self-employed using his military skills as an interior electrician and a heavy equipment operator, but knew there was something else missing.
"Work was slow, and I needed extra money. But more than that, I missed it. Being part of the military made me feel alive … You know how sometimes in life you find that nothing excites you, and you just feel like you're going nowhere … " said the soft-spoken Soldier as he tried to explain why he decided to re-join after hanging up his uniform 16 years ago. "Joining the Guard again gave me my life back."
Re-enlisting as a member of Detachment 2, 921st Engineer Company, 528th Engineer Battalion, the mobilization volunteer currently works as a security team member at an entry control point on the Victory Base Complex in Iraq with the Tiger Brigade's 199th Brigade Support Battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Company of Alexandria, La.
"I am glad he volunteered to deploy with us, and very happy to have him here," said Staff Sgt. Joseph T. Noe, a non-commissioned officer in charge of the security teams formed by the 199th BSB.
"We never have to worry about him. He is just one of those people who take initiative to do their job without being told to."
"He will do things without complaining, and is always the first one to show up every day for his shift. In fact, I wish I had 10 more Soldiers just like him," Noe said explaining Stubbs's work ethic.
Stubbs said he volunteered to deploy as an engineer prior to his current tour, but there was no open slot. "Deploying with an infantry brigade is much different than my training as an engineer, but I like it, and I am proud to serve my country."
"This time I am finishing what I started long ago. I am at least staying in until I hit the 20-year mark," he added.
The son of Joseph L. Stubbs, also of Pioneer, and Jimmie S. Gibson of Oak Grove, La., the recently titled combat veteran has two children, 23-year old Tekela S. Stubbs, and 15-year old Arthur P. Stubbs Jr.
Stubbs said he is scheduled to return home for his two-week rest and recuperation around the end of the month, and plans to spend his riding four-wheelers, and flying remote-controlled airplanes, and his new helicopter with his son.
Mobilized Jan. 5, Stubbs deployed with Louisiana's Tiger Brigade to conduct force protection throughout the multi-national coalition to set the conditions for the responsible reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq.
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2010 05:52 |
| Story ID: | 49343 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 250 |
| Downloads: | 175 |
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