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OTHER SERVICES VOICES: MARINES NAVY AIR FORCE ARMY COAST GUARD POLICE
An up close and personal interview with U.S. Army Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member: LTC Roger Gaines US Army (Ret) (1982-2009) WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY? I grew up in the military, as my father spent three tours in Vietnam and we moved many times across the country and around the world. As the oldest of twelve children I was working from the age of 12. My father spent most of his career as a Military Policeman, I thought about it until they offered me a $5,000 sign on bonus for joining the Infantry. I tried to do the military as my last option since I lived with it all my life. I dropped out of school due to the gangs and drugs in High School in the 70's. Years later I earned my GED and tried taking college courses at night. I joined after years of trying to go to college and working full time. I could not see myself pumping gas at 40. Once I saw what was happening under the Reagan administration, I decided to take a look again. They wanted to give a lot back then in 1982 and offered me any duty station. I picked Berlin because in the Cold War it was the closest thing to a hot spot. They gave me the rank of PFC for having some college education and attending the Veteran Education Assistance Program (VEAP) for $20,000.00 for college when I got out. At Fort Benning, Georgia there was shouting and running everywhere. I had one Drill Sergeant tried to stare into my eyes and make me flinch, but he could not. It was killing him. Hell, I grew up that way. BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH? I loved the Infantry. Team work is a must for survival. I saw guys like LTC Linwood E. Burney as my first Battalion Commander. Everyone called him Darth Vader - he is mentioned in the book 'Hamburger Hill'. He taught me what an Infantry Leader needed to be, knowing your Soldiers and their equipment. I enrolled in ROTC just to have something on the side, a plan B. During my last year, my PMS talked me into going Active Duty. I told him only if I was given a Regular Army commission and Infantry as my branch of choice. Five months later, I was given what I had asked for. During my Infantry Basic course I tore my left ACL during a night infiltration course. I sat at home the next day to let the swelling go down. I returned that Monday with a leg brace under my trousers to finish out my last two field tasks. Then I went to the Troop clinic and found out I could not be in Infantry any more. I was devastated, but I was still determined to stay in. At first I fought it, but in the end I accepted that my career in the Infantry was over. I had my surgery and did everything I was told to do to ensure a good recovery. I did some research on what I could do so I put in for three choices: Signal (I played with computers in college), Military Intelligence (just sexy) and Ordnance (I wanted to blow stuff up). I managed to survive the medical board twice and they gave me Signal. I immediately went back to the doctor to remove my P3 profile, which he did, based upon me telling him I was not going to do any Infantry stuff (I fibbed). I left for Fort Gordon on August 3rd, 1990 as Kuwait had just been invaded. I tried to get into the 82d, but they deployed already. One night my TAC officer called me up and said you are now heading for the 3/325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy. As a Signal Officer I still jumped out of planes, ruck marched and ran the Venice Marathon to boot. Hooah, it has been a great ride ever since! DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF SO, COULD YOU DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANT TO YOU? My first combat operation was in Northern Iraq for Operation Provide Comfort (1991) under LTC John Abizaid (Retired CENTCOM Commander) bringing order to the region and to stop the killing of the Kurds by the Iraqi Army. They had planned a combat jump in a valley just North of Dohuk. That was canceled when the Intel folks told the planners that it was a huge mine field. The coalition units were losing a Soldier each week, mostly due to the mines planted everywhere. We lost one Soldier and several wounded during our time there. In 2002, I was one of the lead Signal planner for the entire logistics support for OIF. We transformed the log community into the 21st century of automation and tactical networks within one year prior to March 2003. (Fought to establish the Internet cafes that everyone enjoys today over there and the VSAT for the Logistics community). In late March 2003, I flew up north on a flight with CH-47s from the 159th Aviation unit. These just came back from landing 3d ID guys onto Saddam International Airport (SIAP) and we were going into opening Balad 50 miles north of Bagdad. A wild ride with these air jockeys. They had a coffee maker sitting on the internal fuel tank and six M-60 machine guns ready for action. We had a small red truck speed to a stop just south of Tallil and open up with an AK-47 and the other looked like he had an RPG, the guys took them out from the sides of two CH-47s with machine gun fire. It just tore then up. We were swinging all over the place and these guys still made the kill. We landed at Tallil to refuel and head to SIAP. The road north was a bumper to bumper with vehicles. We saw burning Iraqi tanks all along MSR Tampa from the firepower of 3d ID. We landed and there was one airliner still smoking, refueled and took off again. BALAD had not been cleared yet until 20 minutes out. I thought in May, as we all did, the war was over and someone else would be coming in order to clean up the mess. The return timeline kept getting extended as time grew on until they ruled that it will be the inglorious 365-day boot on the ground. One trip to the Mosul airport in May we drove through Tikrit and some guy stuck a pistol into our vehicle and fired several shots. Lucky for us no one was hit and lucky for him he disappeared into a crowd. There would be many more time on the road that you wish you could have tagged the guy shooting at you. The summer of 2003. I called it the summer of love. The bad guys tried shooting at us with AK-47s and multiple RPGs perfecting their shooting skills as the summer worn on until they had their hands on the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). I had thought stepping on a land mine before was bad, but it was going to be catastrophic, now with the advent of the IED. Someone should have seen this coming. We saw the Iraqis raiding the Iraqi Army ammo dumps and no one thought about stopping them. Then they hung wires and grenades from over passes. One time this kid stuck his hand out as I passed by him and before I realized it, the kid exploded just behind us. Everyday on the road was high adventure. At the end of June my boss gave me a gift telling me I will now PCS to the 1st Armored Division. So I took a flight back to Germany for my leave. I left Iraq and entered through the Ramstein Airbase (Germany) terminal to meet my wife. I returned to Balad, gathered my gear and took a CH-47 flight down to LSA Dogwood for the next year. My 365 days boots on the ground clock started over again. My time there was filled with rockets, mortars and anything else they could sling at us. Even after sending a 155mm battery to conduct counter-fire, it still did not help and more Soldiers were wounded. Finally in December 2003, the Division decided that it was too dangerous to keep LSA Dogwood open, so we moved to Bagdad. I thought life would be more relaxed, NOT! The first night in our new location, we had the Apaches shooting rockets and machine guns over our heads at night. One day I was outside early in the morning smoking a cigar and I heard the sound I was too familiar with, round being dropped into an 81mm tube. They were just outside the wall next to us targeting the main support Battalion area - six Soldiers wounded that morning. On April 9th, 2004 all hell broke loose. I got up on the roof to see the fuel tankers of the convoy SSG Maupin was in getting hit. There was not much we could do from our location but radio assistance for them. It looked like a massive war was coming at us. At 1400 hours our Commander told us we are here for an extended duration and our rations are going to be reduced due to the attacks on the main supply routes. To make matters worse the Special Forces unit beside us decided to clear old Iraqi Army housing out of the way for better field of fire. The Iraqi laborers started a fire that exploded cluster bombs laying among the building and this cause the fire which spread to all over the Bagdad International airport complex. Then the fire came over the walls into our FOB catching the dining tents, internet café and gym on fire. It took us two days to knock out all the fires. Finally on July 15th 2004 we redeployed to Kuwait. WHICH, OF THE DUTY STATIONS OR LOCATIONS YOU WERE ASSIGNED OR DEPLOYED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? My first duty station was with the Berlin Brigade, Germany. It was always called a unique assignment. The point of the spear of the Cold War, as some would say. The city was a place to travel in and around the sights. Never enough time to see everything, but one tries. Every time we left the local training area through the city in our vehicles, the people on the streets came alive. Waving at us and making everyone feel like we just liberated the city. A feeling and a memory now that still is with me today. Fort Sherman, Panama, the home to the Jungle Warfare School. Totally awesome. I was a involved in the closing down of the training in accordance with the 1977 treaty. We had great times from jumping out over the canal into the Gatun drop zone to kayaking up to the Chagres river. "The jungle is neutral" as the saying goes and it will wear you out. I've seen guys run out the jungle screaming. It is a true loss for the Army to not relocate the school. For those of us it was the experience of camaraderie and training in a very tough environment that will be with you for life. FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT? December 12, 1985, will be a day in my life I will never forget. We were deploying to Egypt for a six month peacekeeping tour. I was on Main Body Two. As I was on the bus on the way to catch the Arrow Air Flight 1285, I took probably the last known photo of the plane before it finally crashed. The exterior was streaked with oil and other fluids. The interior of the plane was bad, flooring worn down to the metal with the molding coming off above the windows, restroom leaking and the coffee maker not working. It took the whole length of the runway to make it into the air. When it did - everyone cheered. When we landed around 1230 AM in Ganders, I noticed the flight crew coming out with bottles of Jack Daniels and I told the guys around me we are going to fly high tonight. We landed in Cologne, West Germany for only 45 minutes before taking off for Cairo. We landed at 0530 AM and the Platoon Sergeant was asking if anyone had a knife, of course no one was suppose to have a knife anyway, but the cargo door was stuck. We had only one lone Egyptian Soldier guarding our plane. We drove from Cairo to the South Camp location at the Southern end of the Sinai Peninsula. Once we entered the gym the Battalion XO came and told us our airplane crashed taking off from Ganders killing all 248 on board. My chances would have been very high being on that plane, three guys who PCS'd just after I did were on that flight. Almost all the casualties were married because they wanted the married guys to get home first. The primary staff were all on the plane as was the CSM who was due to retire the following week. These memories will be with me for life. WERE ANY OF THE MEDALS OR AWARDS YOU RECEIVED FOR VALOR? IF YES, COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW THIS WAS EARNED? My first Bronze Star for the planning and execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom I (OIF). I spent the entire year of 2002 planning the automation logistics for the invasion. I managed to have satellites repositioned and loads of new technology (RFID devices, ITV, INMARSATs, BCS3, Iridium Satphones) for units to track equipment. The Army's VSAT which is now standard, was the project we implemented. OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY? The Expert Infantry Badge (EIB) in Berlin, Germany (1983). I practiced and studied a long time to make sure I was a first time go. I was so excited when I passed. When I finished, the Master Sergeant placed the award on my chest, then he punched it. I had a bruise for a week on my chest. WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY? No one in particular, but as you grow in the military you take away many good attributes of great leaders around you. I had many great and wonderful Soldiers, NCOs and Officers who taught me along the way. Trust me - everyone will give you feedback if you allow them and if you are willing to listen. SFC Roy Brown taught us all valuable lessons. He allowed me the opportunity to go to the Company and Battalion Soldier of the Month boards. His basic rules were that we kept all problems internal to the Platoon and learn from our own mistakes. CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH? There were many over the years. One time particular stands out. While stationed in Berlin, Germany back in 1983 Ken Crabtree (also on TWS) was in my Squad. We were on a training exercise in the woods outside of Berlin. He lit a heat tab and the fumes burned his eyes. He stomped on the heat tab and walked away, leaving a fire trail behind him. All I could remember was him rubbing his eyes and the footprints of burning leaves behind him. WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB? I retired on 30 Sep 2009 and shortly afterwards joined Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). I enjoy working in the high tech defense industry and being with a well known company with great benefits. As an AUSA Unit Guardian this allows me to be with an Active Duty Unit. I've been able to assist Soldiers by sharing my experiences and knowledge. WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS? I'm a member of AUSA, VFW, DAV, 1st Armored Division and a few others. All of these organizations lobby for our benefits and give us a sense of belonging to the heritage of something more than just ourselves. HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER? The military today teaches you to multi-task and be proactive in executing your personal and professional life after getting out. I learned very quickly the art of juggling those glass balls! The Army also teaches you moral and physical courage. My example was when I was a Squad Leader, we just finished a live fire ambush in Yakima, Washington and I gathered my Squad to help put out a range fire before it hit the ammo point. We only had our e-tools to use. The wind change direction and I was caught in the a huge fireball in front of me. I knew I could not out run it going up hill, so I rolled back into the fire and out to a dry space. I got very lucky with only third degree burns to my hands and face. This made my guys and everyone else call me John Wayne after that. Crazy as it sounds they gave me an Army Achievement medal for it. I was trying to do what was right with what available resources. It cost me my slot to Airborne school due to being on medical leave and my long recovery, but made up for this later in life. After that, pain is just weakness leaving the body as my Army buddy would tell me during recovery. If someone 27 years ago had asked me if I would have accomplished a good Army career I would have said no. Or even been told I would have ended up a Lieutenant Colonel in the Signal Corps as well, I would not have believed them. I've learned it is from a concerted effort to excel that gets you where you want to go in life. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING? Be aggressive and go for being the best. The sky is unlimited in what you can obtain in life. If you had asked me as a PFC standing at the back of the formation in 1982, where would I be in 20 years, I would have said anywhere but where I ended up. So I feel it is only how you approach life and the challenges you give yourself. I ran marathons, participated in triathlons and always had a great time doing it. IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU MAINTAIN A BOND WITH YOUR SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH? I joined in 2009 and did not realize the potential it had until I retired. I see this beyond a military myspace or facebook, - it is more professional and does not have the unethical baggage that are on all the other sites. I see it if someone comes on to this site as a fake, someone will rat him out and the Army is too small for liars. I have found three guys from my very first Platoon and did not know how they turned out, but 25 plus years can surprise you. Besides, I was wondering what to do with 27 years worth of photos - TWS is the place. Maybe my piece of history will help useful to someone, somewhere and sometime in the future. Hey, this is great stuff, sign me up for another.	LTC Roger Gaines View LTC Roger Gaines's Reflections Shadow Box on TWS Read Other Interviews in the TWS Voices Archive
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