Personal Experience Paper My eyes explode open. The vehicle’s cabin is filled with a gray, dusty smoke. Something is wrong. What just happened? Muscle-memory kicks in. In combat situations, leadership and training, is essential to defining the life-saving steps for any situation. Be, Know, Do and the NCO Creed are the cornerstones for the successful noncommissioned officer.
“The Day”, Baghdad, Iraq General David Petraeus was the Commanding General, Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I). Petraeus was leading a military operations surge in Iraq. One of the goals was to counter Shia militia, especially in Baghdad. My team, Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA 5136), was tasked to target Shia militias in the Sadr City area of Baghdad. We …show more content…
Both gunners continue to swivel in the turrets. The streets were filled with pedestrians walking on the sidewalks and weaving between vehicles in the traffic jam. There were many vendors attempting to sell trinkets, clothing, and food. One minute passed, then another. We radio to the base station to give a quick situation report (SITREP). After what seemed to be 15 minutes and a total movement of 20 feet, the strangest occurrence happened. An albino, Iraqi boy, roughly nine-years-old, walked up the truck commander’s door and smiled. He continued to move from the passenger door to the driver’s side around the front of the truck. He stopped in front of the truck and pointed at us. The boy continued to walk over to my window. He waved at me, smiled, then ran away. CPT Tiffner turned to me and said,”I am not sure what just happened, but that may be a first.” I replied, “With the great karma that has been happen today, that was a spectacular beginning to the bad afternoon that seems to have …show more content…
The good karma had returned. Another turn, we are on North One, the main road. Once again, roads are clear. We pick up speed. Upcoming right turn onto D410 Street. Another quarter mile and the mission is complete. SSG Mike announces on the radio, “Remember, the ice cream gets off-loaded first.” The convoy turns right toward the Al Azimiyah bridge. It looked like traffic bottlenecked ahead at the bridge. Iraqi checkpoints always jam traffic. I wake up. My eyes explode open. The vehicle’s cabin is filled with a gray, dusty smoke. Something is wrong. What just happened? Muscle-memory kicks in. I survey the cabin. I didn’t see CPT Tiffner. I look at my lap. He is sliced in half and resting on my right leg. My vision is starting to clear up. I attempted to unbuckle. The radio systems are in my lap. “Dave!”, I yelled. I wanted to make sure Dave was operational and to check the commander. We needed to get off the X (ambush site). Dave slides down into the cabin. The gray mist was beginning to settle. I roared, “Check the Captain!” Dave grabbed Tiffner and rubbed his sternum. “Ben, Ben, Ben”, he screams, attempting to receive a response. Tiffner was gray and his body was missing just above his
“The Day”, Baghdad, Iraq General David Petraeus was the Commanding General, Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I). Petraeus was leading a military operations surge in Iraq. One of the goals was to counter Shia militia, especially in Baghdad. My team, Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA 5136), was tasked to target Shia militias in the Sadr City area of Baghdad. We …show more content…
Both gunners continue to swivel in the turrets. The streets were filled with pedestrians walking on the sidewalks and weaving between vehicles in the traffic jam. There were many vendors attempting to sell trinkets, clothing, and food. One minute passed, then another. We radio to the base station to give a quick situation report (SITREP). After what seemed to be 15 minutes and a total movement of 20 feet, the strangest occurrence happened. An albino, Iraqi boy, roughly nine-years-old, walked up the truck commander’s door and smiled. He continued to move from the passenger door to the driver’s side around the front of the truck. He stopped in front of the truck and pointed at us. The boy continued to walk over to my window. He waved at me, smiled, then ran away. CPT Tiffner turned to me and said,”I am not sure what just happened, but that may be a first.” I replied, “With the great karma that has been happen today, that was a spectacular beginning to the bad afternoon that seems to have …show more content…
The good karma had returned. Another turn, we are on North One, the main road. Once again, roads are clear. We pick up speed. Upcoming right turn onto D410 Street. Another quarter mile and the mission is complete. SSG Mike announces on the radio, “Remember, the ice cream gets off-loaded first.” The convoy turns right toward the Al Azimiyah bridge. It looked like traffic bottlenecked ahead at the bridge. Iraqi checkpoints always jam traffic. I wake up. My eyes explode open. The vehicle’s cabin is filled with a gray, dusty smoke. Something is wrong. What just happened? Muscle-memory kicks in. I survey the cabin. I didn’t see CPT Tiffner. I look at my lap. He is sliced in half and resting on my right leg. My vision is starting to clear up. I attempted to unbuckle. The radio systems are in my lap. “Dave!”, I yelled. I wanted to make sure Dave was operational and to check the commander. We needed to get off the X (ambush site). Dave slides down into the cabin. The gray mist was beginning to settle. I roared, “Check the Captain!” Dave grabbed Tiffner and rubbed his sternum. “Ben, Ben, Ben”, he screams, attempting to receive a response. Tiffner was gray and his body was missing just above his