It has been 10 years, since I returned from my one year reserve assignment where I was stationed in Baghdad, Iraq. I have told many of you the story, but for some who have become clients afterwards I will share it again.
In January 2008, I received a phone call from my commander in the navy reserves that I was to report to Iraq in April. Fortunately, I had a couple of weeks to prepare myself. I spent as much time with the family as I could before shipping off for Norfolk, VA to get my desert uniforms and shots. From there I was sent to Fort Jackson, SC to receive basic combat training: qualifying in rifle/pistol, learning first aid, communications, convoy operations, and busting down doors to clear a building.
There were about 100 Navy reservists being trained by army drill instructors at that time — fortunately, the instructors did not treat us like the new 18-year old recruits who were nearby. After training, I flew to Camp Virginia in Kuwait and continued desert training with close order small arms handling and more convoy operations. At that point we were split off into our assigned groups, and I hopped onto a C130 to Baghdad to begin my one year assignment in the Green Zone.
I belonged to General Petraeus’ staff’. Our grand strategy was to get the Iraqi national government and military fully functional so the US personnel could ultimately leave. I worked at one of Saddam’s palaces (Presidential Palace) in the heart of Baghdad along the Tigris River. We were shelled very frequently with 107mm rockets fired from outside the Green Zone. It was nerve racking at first, but I got used to it. Several of my assignments included agriculture programs (specifically chicken farming), monitoring Iraqi government spending in Sadr City, and working for the US Treasury in facilitating money flow between the national and provincial governments. In May 2009, I finally returned home.
I don’t regret going to Iraq, and realize the US involvement is a controversial subject. I kept a diary while I was mobilized, recording the many situations I experienced. At the time they seemed challenging, but looking back now I realize really made me a better person. It’s difficult to describe what it was like to be in Iraq since its society and culture are so foreign to life in the United States. My assignment was very luxurious compared to many colleagues that had to live in tents in the desert or in more dangerous areas.
I now face a new challenge as a parent. Seeing my son go off to his first real world assignment as a US Marine working in Marine Security Detail at an embassy in Africa. Being this is a newsletter that has potentially broad distribution, I will keep information to this level. However, I welcome you to discuss allowable details when we meet for a review. I want to thank any clients who are veterans or are involved with any dangerous work in the community: fire, police, paramedics, etc. We are truly blessed as a country to have people step up to work not necessarily for pay but to serve their country and communities.
~ Richard A. Balch, MBA, CFP®, CLU®, RICP®, LACP