The relief does eventually come, and along with it success. Every mission complete with limbs and fellow soldiers in tact is a small celebration and one step closer to home. You’re an American soldier, one of the most terrifying and comforting sites in the world (a fact you take great pride in), but at the moment none of that matters any longer for you are just exhausted and in desperate need of sleep. Missions stacked up on top of each other, and before you knew it, you had been up for nearly two days straight. It has just been another day in Iraq

In October 2003, my unit received word it was being activated for a year long tour in Iraq. I had schooling to complete before going, and I ended up joining my unit six weeks after they hit the ground in May of 2004. Not every day was like the one I described above, some were better and some far worse. For me, getting out of bed each day was a challenge and it took the constant reminder of the importance of the military mission in Iraq and the knowledge that each day was bringing me closer to home.

My jobs in Iraq varied over time. I ran a few different combat platoons and held a staff job as well for a very short period of time. People often ask, "What was it like?" and "Do you have to go back?" It is difficult to describe with words the emotions and challenges that you faced each new day. This conflict has been compared, more frequently each day it seems, to Vietnam. But the differences are too numerous to mention. One significant difference is the support given to soldiers. 

It was a great comfort to me to know that I had the support of my work place, my family and friends. To hear the constant confirmation of the value of liberating the Iraq people and establishing a foothold in a very scary part of the world was as necessary as air.

The opinions and attitudes of those at home were incredibly important to me. I can’t say that enough because as criticism of the conflict in Iraq mounts, the soldier is the one that has to bear the brunt of swayed public perceptions and shifts in government policy. The best support a business can provide, is keeping a job for soldiers while they are away.

The challenge to industries like property management is how to absorb the loss of key personnel, at times repeatedly. Since 9/11, I have spent more than two years on Active Duty, on two different missions and at school. The key to successfully dealing with this issue starts with the identifying those personnel who are in the military and understanding what the company policy is for military leaves of absence. A military activation can happen very fast, and that is not the time to find out that your soldier will drop from payroll after two months. If there is a potential conflict between the soldier’s needs and the company’s policies, there are military offices that can help

In Washington State, the Washington State Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is there to help. Questions regarding state and federal laws as well conflict resolution can be directed to them at:
Camp Murray, Building #33
Tacoma, WA 98430-5000
(253) 512-8468
Bryon.Burges@wa.ngb.army.mil

During my last deployments, I was gone from work for eighteen months. It was one of the longest and most difficult times of my life, but I thanked God daily for the support of Steadfast Companies and the staff at The Commons. There was never a hint of doubt in mind that I would be returning to work and that the job would be there when I got back. I would like to make special note of the efforts of Gary Martindale and Brian Dahl in their support of my long absence. Brian Dahl stepped in on an interim basis of four months and ended up staying to support the company throughout my deployment. He has since moved on to become a Project Manager for Steadfast.