Robert Richmond:
CLASS OF 2000
Warren County Vocational & Technical High SchoolClass of 2000
Washington, NJ
Robert's Story
Life
It's Funny, I am now going back and looking at what I wrote years ago and I laugh.
I have spent the last decade in the military. I only keep in touch with one person from class sometimes. I come home to New Jersey once or twice a year and see that alot has changed, but never see anyone I knew.
Many wouldn't even recognize me anymore. I am no longer a scrawny twig of a kid. A person who's rib cage could be seen along with his six pack abs. The long hair is gone, though it is missed, and the gotee is clean shaven. I hate to shave and on the long weekends I can go with out shaving I do, Much to the displeasure of my wife.
I have shrunk a inch since I left home. A side effect of heavy Rucksacks, Fast Rope sliding, Airborne Jumps, and just general wear and tear on my body. I no longer have any peirceings, but I did substitute tattoo's for them.
I used to try and stick out, or draw attention to myself while in school. Now I try to deflect it, or re-direct it to something else. While I still strive to stand out, I ensure that those with me are recognised for there contributions to the mission.
Military
I have done many things in the military. Been many places, met alot of people, and created a network of friends, peers, mentors that I have drawn as much knowledge about life as I can. I learn something new everyday, and use it to better myself, My soldiers and the job around me.
I graduated from Highschool in June of 2000. I left for the military in Augest of 2000. I attended basic training and Infantry Training at Fort Benning GA. I graduated from there in November of 2000 and spent the next 2 months on a hold status.
I attended and graduated airborne school. Febuary 11th of 2001 and went to Ranger Indoctrination Program right after. I spent the next 2 months in RIP and eventually having to withdraw from the program due to a shoulder injury. At the time I was saddened by this, but it was better for my future in the long run.
My First assignment was with Charlie Company 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment. Stationed at Fort Campbell Kentucky, Home of the Screaming Eagles, The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assualt) . I started out as a M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon)Gunner. I soon distinguished myself in the platoon and was moved to the M240B Machinegun.
On Sept 11th 2001, I was just getting my Omlette and hashbrown in the chow hall, when I saw the second plane hit the WTC. It did not dawn on me until a hour later that this event would change my life forever. That day we had our bags packed and Desert Uniforms on. Gear stowed and container packed. The 502nd was ready to be anywhere in the world in 72hours. At midnight Sept 12th we were told to stand down, that another unit was going in our spot. I was both relieved and angered that I would not be going. They had attacked my country, so close to my home, and forever changed my skyline. I wanted retribution. I never got it, not there atleast.
For the next year we trained and got ready for what we thought would be our turn in Afgahnistan. I attended Combat Lifesaver Training, Javelin Training.
Being right down the street from a Special Forces unit had its perks. These guys love to train people. Every oppurtunity we got, we would go out to the ranges with these guys and learn.
In December of 2002 we were told we would be invading Iraq. We began preparing for that. I eventually told my Parents in January...Expand for more
that I was going to war. They were not happy. This was my job, I joined the Army to be a soldier, now I would go and do that job. I was confident in myself and my soldiers. I had a great bunch of guys that I called my family, My platoon. Men from all walks of life, all area's of the country, all religious backrounds. We had trained together, bleed together, froze our asses of in the back 40 together. We spooned for warmth and clowned as much as possible. We were hated becuase we had soldiers that would always get arrested on the weekend for drinking. Hated for everytime we were ever OPFOR, and provided a "enemy force" that fought to hard. But we were loved becuase when it came time to do our job 2nd Plt "Death Dealers" excelled in every task given.
On March 28th the Death Dealers, air assualted in the pre-dawn cold of Northern Kuwait into Iraq.
March 31st, Three days after landing in a Small village known as An Najaf, 25 soldiers of C 1/502nd were on the tip of the spear with Armoured United of 3rd Infantry Division.
By the end of April, we had seen towns and cities. Bases and Farms. Hospitals and Cremetories.
With the end to Major Ground fighting being declared, and a Victory in Iraq being praised. The Death Dealers had been to such places as: Kufa, An Najaf, Al Hillah, Karbala, Baghdad, Haditha.
By the end of June, we were in Mosul. There we lived in a Sugar Factory across from the airfield. We conducted Patrols, raids, and Gaurd.
We stayed there, though sometimes we would send platoons and companies else where for short periods. Mosul had become our home away from home.
On sept 11th 2003 I re-enlisted to stay in the Army. I left my Platoon, my family, my band of brothers. It was sad, but my life took me elsewhere.
I left Iraq, December of 2003 and by Feb of 2004 was in Hawaii. I was assigned to a unit that had not been to a major war since Vietnam. I was shocked at the differnce between my old unit and this one.
While majoritry of my unit was already deployed to Iraq, I had 6 months of down time, since I just came from Iraq. During this time I offered my eperience in combat and Iraq to help train those going over. This set me apart from other individuals that were there teaching as, I had already seen and delt with what most of these people would eventually have to go through.
In July of 2004 I stepped for back on Iraqi soil. I was assigned this time to HHC 2nd Brigade Combat Team 25Th Infantry Divison. I was asigned to the Brigade Commanders PSD (Personnel Security Detail) as seen in the picture above. I also worked in the Brigade TOC from occasion as a RTO.
In Feb of 2005 I returned back to hawaii and relaxed. I met my future wife in May of 2005. She was a fellow soldier.
I Have remained with Brigade, and have served in many differnt capacities, from Driver, to RTO, to Operations Assistant.
I was Married Feb 12th 2006, and Crystal and I had our Son in Nov 2007. 3 weeks later I left again for Iraq.
I have served here as a RTO and then a CPOF operator. This time was very relaxed for me and I have used it to my advantage. I have lost alot of weight that I had gained, and got myself back into better shape then I had allowed myself to get.
I will be leaving here soon, and going home to my wife and son. I will be heading back to Georgia to Ft. Stewart.
What the Military has in store for me I do not know, But I plan to get the Most out of it.
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