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by Sgt. Armando Monroig
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MUQDADIYAH, Iraq -- Serving in the military is something people usually do when they are younger. The typical recruit is in his late teens or early 20s.
But not every Soldier is typical.
Take Master Sgt. Jose Irizarry, an Army Reserve Soldier from Fort Devens, Mass.
Irizarry, a military intelligence analyst, is part of the 108th Training Division, headquartered in South Carolina, but in Iraq he is assigned to the Military Transition Team for the 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division.
Irizarry entered the Army Reserves when he was 33 years old. While going through basic training at that age might seem to some a challenge, the West Springfield, Mass., native will tell you he was mentally prepared for the arduous task.
"When I went into basic, I had made up my mind that I was not going to be competing with 19 and 20-year-old guys. I said to myself, 'I am going to set my own standards and I will go to the high standards that the Army set to my age,'" he said.
The Army veteran said it was his goal to do his best at his age and that's how he managed to make it through basic.
"I fulfilled all the requirements and met all the standards. I never tried to be a superhero," said Irizarry.
There were jokes cracked about his age, but for the most part he said he earned the respect of his peers.
"There was a drill sergeant who called me 'grandpa,'" said Irizarry of the term of endearment. Now, over 20 years later, he is a father of six, and really is a grandfather of three boys and three girls.
As if having twelve 'kids' is not enough, the 55-year-old Soldier worked with hundreds of kids for five years as a principal for Lincoln Elementary school in Springfield, Mass., before he was deployed.
According to federal law, when reservists redeploy, they are guaranteed a job in the similar capacity as the one they had before they deployed. Irizarry is anxious to pick up where he left off.
"I would love to go back and work at the same school. It was a very rewarding experience for me," said Irizarry.
The Manhattan-born, Puerto-Rican-raised Irizarry said there were different factors that motivated him to join the Army Reserves but family tradition was a big reason. His grandfather, uncles and father served.
"I really liked the slogan they had back then – 'The Citizen Soldier,' it caught my attention," said Irizarry. "I worked for the school system and I also wanted to contribute to the nation by being a Soldier."
Irizarry said his children were not too thrilled about his deployment but still support him.
"I love the Army Reserve," said the former military school instructor. "Many of my former students have been called up. Then it was my turn, and I said, 'yes.'"
This is Irizarry's first deployment. And after being in the Reserves for almost 23 years, he could have easily put in his retirement paperwork.
But he didn't.
"It was because of a sense of pride in my country and in my service," said Irizarry.
"The service can provide you with a lot of support and opportunity to grow. Being a Soldier is a career. It's all what you put into it and what you take out of it."
Thanks to the money he earned from being in the Reserves, Irizarry was able to complete his doctorate in education.
Although many may not consider being deployed a good thing, Irizarry said it is a blessing he is even here at all after his battle with prostate cancer in 2005.
That summer he had prostate cancer surgery and by November of that year, he passed his Army Physical Fitness Test.
"After I finished my PT (physical training) test, I looked up to the sky and thanked the Lord. For me, it was a major event," Irizarry said.
Now part of the military transition team, Irizarry said he has the opportunity to learn how the Iraqi Army operates, especially in the military intelligence field. And working with them is something he takes pride in.
"I'm able to help them make their intelligence field more accurate and help them come up with better plans for targeting meetings," said Irizarry.
Through it all, Irizarry maintains that his wife of 20 years, Aurie, has been a beacon of hope and pillar of strength.
"I am married to a lovely woman. She is my inspiration, my angel," said Irizarry.
Those who work with 'Grandpa' Irizarry take note of his professionalism and work ethic.
"He is extremely committed to his job as noncommissioned officer-in-charge for the intelligence training of the Iraqi Army," said Lt. Col Joseph Creekmore, commander of the military transition team.
Creekmore said Irizarry's background in education has been instrumental in training and instructing members of the Iraqi Army.
"He's a great team member who takes care of us. He's always the one who volunteers for a job if there is a conflict in the work schedules, first guy to say, 'I'll take that mission for you,'" added Creekmore.
"He's a well-seasoned Soldier who provides support with wisdom and experience which makes our team an all-around team," Creekmore said.
| Date Taken: | 12.28.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 12.28.2006 10:42 |
| Story ID: | 8697 |
| Location: | MUQDADIYA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 217 |
| Downloads: | 100 |
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