Classroom to Combat Zone, 2004, by David Snook

From MemoryArchive

Who: David L. Snook 
What: mobilization for Operation Iraqi Freedom
When: Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2005
Where: Kuwait (Camp Virginia and Camp Udari)

November 13, 2003 was a fateful day in my life. I was nearing the end of a 32 yr. teaching career (high school history teacher). I was also into year 35 of what would become a 38 yr. military career (Marine Corps Reserve and National Guard). I had served in an artillery battery and an infantry company, but never in combat. At age 57, I was now the Iowa National Guard Military Historian and a Warrant Officer. I truly believed that I was in a nondeployable slot. However, my admin MOS turned out to be in short supply, and I received the surprising notice of my mobilization on November 13. I'll never forget the day, since I had just come home from the hospital where my mother had died a few hours earlier. Obviously, this was a life changing moment. I was overwhelmed but was comforted through prayer and a growing feeling that this new chapter in my life was somehow something that was meant to be. I eventually commanded a detachment of soldiers, young men and women, some from Iowa and some from California. We did inprocessing and outprocessing for troops coming to Iraq and going home. We were stationed in northern Kuwait. Our battalion also had casualty liaison teams at two bases in Iraq, Talil and Balad. I was fortunate. I did not experience actual combat. The yearlong deployment was both an endurance contest in an unbelievably harsh environment and an exercise in team building and mutual support. All of our soldiers came home safely. I saw many interesting places and had some unforgetable experiences. The most memorable experience being a reunion with my older son who at the time was a captain in the 101st Airborne Division. You never know where life will take you. You just need to trust in God and make the most of your experiences.