April 2004

Volunteering for Service in Iraq

Editor's note: WSBA members have a long and distinguished history of international service and activism. When Anthony Weeks offered us an account of his service on reconstruction projects in Iraq, we felt his story gave a different, hands-on account the national media doesn't always provide.

by D. Anthony Weeks

I recently returned from successfully completing a 120-day tour in support of the 4th Infantry Division (ID) operating out of one of Saddam's major palace complexes, renamed Camp Iron Horse, located in the City of Tikrit, Iraq. Our area of responsibility included the Iraqi provinces of Salah Ad Din, At Tamim, and Diyala — an area otherwise known as the Sunni Triangle. I was responsible for managing the activities of six Iraqi engineers to ensure the adequate and accurate preparation of civil works engineering assessments. My office was located with the 4th ID Engineer on Camp Iron Horse, while the Iraqi engineers were provided an office adjacent to the Civil and Military Information Center (CMIC) in downtown Tikrit. Assignments, briefings, site visits, staffing, and logistics were managed accordingly. Although I did travel throughout northern Iraq, I normally accompanied the Iraqi engineers on site visits only when U.S. Military escorts were available. Those of you who have decided to volunteer for service or are considering volunteering for service in southwest Asia may find the following observations to be of value.

1. By far the most important thing you can do to prepare for your tour is to honestly identify and understand why you have elected to volunteer. About half the people I met told me that they did it for the money and about half told me they wanted the experience. If you are going for either of those purposes you will not be disappointed. You will be reasonably well paid and you will have the experience of a lifetime. Regardless of why you volunteered, at some point in time during your tour you will ask yourself, "What am I doing here?" Knowing and focusing on the answer will help you survive the tough times. If you can't answer that question honestly before you leave, you will probably find it difficult to answer it once you arrive. The experience, at least initially, is overwhelming. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you understand why you volunteered and be prepared to defend your decision. Uttering the words "I didn't expect it would be like this" will not be well received.

2. You must be willing and prepared to accept responsibility for your own well-being. You will be living in a strange and hostile environment. Take care of yourself and cope with your needs, both emotional and physical. There are no "tour managers" whose responsibility it is to make sure you are having an enjoyable time. That said, I never met more people willing to help each other and sacrifice for another's comfort than I met while serving with the 4th ID. Perhaps it is because everyone wants to be on his or her best behavior, just in case. Nevertheless, everyday acts of kindness and compassion are a common occurrence and common virtue. It is a humbling experience. Thus, be prepared to meet or exceed the following standard of performance: "Complete your assigned tasks in sufficient time to assist others in completing theirs." That standard was not only routinely met, but often exceeded. The quality of the people you will meet, both Iraqi and American, is truly exceptional.

3. Do your job as well as you are capable. If you fail to perform, the mosaic created by our collective efforts will suffer and could fail. If you have been selected for deployment, you are considered a talented employee, capable of accomplishing your job in a professional manner in a hostile environment with little or no supervision, management, or review. Keep that in mind and stay focused on your job. At the same time, understand that your co-workers were also selected because of their observed talents under similar criteria. Recognize that there are usually several ways to approach and solve problems, and refrain from criticizing the approaches taken by others. Keep an open mind, accept the judgments of others (within reason), and be willing to act collectively.

4. With spring, summer, and fall temperatures well in excess of 100 degrees, mere movement from one locale to another while wearing and carrying heavy equipment (including your luggage) can be very physically demanding. The work environment too is demanding and requires mental alertness, if for no other reason than your own safety. Ultimately, it is a matter of strength and stamina. To give you an idea of what to expect, pack your bags for a four-month trip and carry them around the block without letting any of your bags out of your sight. Do it again, only add a sea bag full of military-issued items. You have just experienced moving to an aircraft for departure and from that aircraft upon arrival. Remember, there are no baggage handlers or conveyor belts, and you may or may not be offered a ride out to your aircraft. So do yourself a favor and start getting in physical shape before you leave — or pack very light.

5. Upon arrival at your duty station, you may find yourself living in a luxury hotel with a private bath or sleeping on a cot in a room with 20 to 50 people. There may or may not be indoor bathroom facilities, and they could be co-ed. You may occasionally have to sleep on the floor or even on the ground under a canvas shelter-half. You may dine exclusively on MREs and water, or you may have access to quality restaurants. Regardless of your living and dining accommodations, keep one thing in mind — the quality of the life-support facilities has nothing to do with your job, title, grade, or years of service. When it comes to life-support facilities, one size does in fact fit all. Be prepared to become one with the world. Some of you may find this a humbling experience. Realize that everyone you meet, like you, is aware and has accepted that he or she may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice. You will find solace in sharing bread with them.

6. The experience will likely change your outlook on life. Upon your return, you may appear standoffish and unapproachable. Try to explain to friends, family, and co-workers that you are processing a lot of information. Not only are you trying to fit what you have just experienced into a wholly different environment; you will be playing catch-up with past relationships. It can become very frustrating. At times you may become angry when you observe those who did not volunteer demand that you immediately address and maintain their comfort levels. I suggest that you isolate yourself as much as possible, confide in someone you trust, and generally try to sort things out. I have no idea how long this portion of the experience lasts, as I am still working through it myself. I have had to realize that others have made sacrifices resulting from my deployment and are seeking relief from those added responsibilities. You will be torn between deploying again (escape) and trying to cope with everyone's demands. I try to think of these demands as part of my deployment sacrifices and consider the reasons I initially volunteered.

I have come full circle. All things considered, I found the experience very worthwhile, and I am certain that it will contribute to further growth. I learned a great deal about others and myself, and have a new appreciation for the complexity of our times. I made what I believe will be lifelong friends and look forward to someday reuniting with them, as unlikely as that may be. It is a bittersweet experience. Please feel free to call me at 509-527-7708 or e-mail me at david.a.weeks@usace.army.mil if you would like to discuss any specifics.

Best of luck — stay safe — enjoy!

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D. Anthony Weeks is an attorney with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Walla Walla.

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