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Local unit soldiers on, to serve nation

March 26, 2008 12:15 am

By RUSTY DENNEN

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait

What these Virginia National Guard soldiers have in common as the nation enters its fifth year of war in Iraq is that they've been deployed--either in combat or support roles--multiple times.

For the most part, it's voluntary, though some--not by choice--have had their duty extended by the Army.

Deployments over the past decade have included ongoing peace-keeping in the Balkans, Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-91, homeland-security missions after the 2001 terrorist attacks, and most recently, border patrol in Arizona and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Many Guard soldiers keep signing up for action that they can't get in civilian life, while others just want out.

Spc. Virgil Swartz of Rhoadesville in Orange County joined the Army in 1989, just in time for Desert Shield, and then Desert Storm, serving with the 82nd Airborne in 1990-91.

"I read in the paper that soldiers were getting overworked. I decided to join, and they said you can come over to Iraq," said Swartz.

"The action was hot, but it's what I wanted to do at the time," he said.

Now he's into his third deployment to the Middle East.

"I've definitely thought about staying in," he said, but there are other priorities in his life--his wife, Alena, and 2-year-old daughter, Alice Faye.

When he returns in a couple of months, "I need to stay home for my daughter."

And his job as a police officer in Fairfax County is waiting for him.

Spc. Adam Brownback, 24, of Stafford County, joined the National Guard for the college benefits and is anxious to get back to school. He's not interested in another deployment and is already "playing overtime" with the Guard.

He was supposed to have been out on Jan. 8, but his service was extended.

He's been attending Longwood University and wants to get a degree in business management. His girlfriend is a teacher in Spotsylvania County.

"This will mean another year for me to graduate and another year for her to wait until we can move on" with their lives, he said.

As National Guard and Reserves help take up the slack for active-duty military, more are doing multiple deployments.

Maj. Cotton Puryear, spokesman for Virginia National Guard, said soldiers get 60 to 90 days off once they return from a deployment.

At that point, there's a post-deployment health assessment. "OK, you've been home for 90 days. How are you feeling physically, mentally. Is there any help we can get for you?" Puryear explained.

Then they must have at least a year before another deployment--unless they volunteer. In that case, the chain of command has to approve it.

"We want to make sure that a soldier has thought everything through before he signs on" for another tour, Puryear said.

"Different guys have different motivations," he said. In the Middle East, "They want to have that experience to serve in a combat zone."

Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Wheeler is on his third deployment. He previously served in Operation Noble Eagle after the 2001 terrorist attacks, and a border-protection mission in Arizona in 2006.

Wheeler is attached to Fredericksburg Armory's Headquarters Company, whose mission is to keep troops in Iraq supplied.

Wheeler said of his deployments, only half joking: "I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. I think it's harder on the wife, but she understands why I'm here."

He talks to his wife, Patricia, every day. His children are grown.

A truck driver when he's not in the Guard, his main reason for going back on duty is simple.

"I come for the soldiers. I'm here for them--being part of that brotherhood."

One Guard soldier with multiple deployments under his belt said privately that his trip to Kuwait has been a "bad experience" that he blames on poor leadership.

"I can't wait to get out of here," he said. He declined to give his name because he still has several months to serve.

Other soldiers say they can't get enough.

Several who had not yet been to Iraq eagerly signed up when the Army offered 60-day extensions of their service to ride shotgun for convoys there.

Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Email: rdennen@freelancestar.com