Something that will most likely not make it to the Washington Post!
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Civil Affairs Soldiers Making a Difference One Project at a Time

by Sgt. Mark Bell, 372nd MPAD

BAHGDAD, Iraq – He’s opened the canals that supply water to farmers across
southern Baghdad, provided a medical clinic to an isolated community, and given
new schoolbooks to young Iraqi children, but more importantly he is giving his
soldiers the chance to make a difference for the Iraqi people.

Col. John Huntley, Albany, N.Y., 414th Civil Affairs Battalion commander, a
21-year Army veteran and the New York state veterinarian, said being a soldier
in Iraq is the best place to make a difference in the world today.

“We are working in a way to help the Iraqi people here, and at the same time
working for the best interest of Iraqi people and coalition forces,” he said.

Although Huntley commands the small unit of 17 soldiers from Utica, N.Y., he
said his soldiers deserve all the credit for a big difference. Although small,
Huntley said the civil affairs teams around Iraq is where the small war on
terrorism is going to be won.

Huntley said the civil affairs soldiers are the interface between civil and
military operations. He said civil affairs teams help with rebuilding Iraq by
assisting the different levels of governments to rebuilding themselves.

“In the aftermath, what we are working on is civil administration,” he said.
“Everything you associate with the normal function of a municipal government we
are trying to restore and build in Iraq.”

Huntley said his team is keying in on governments, “The ability for Iraqis to
build themselves,” he said. “That’s how coalition forces are going to exit Iraq
when they can go and take over themselves.”

Huntley said working with the neighborhood, district and city level
administration is the key element that will allow the Iraqi people to move to a
better Iraq.

“They need to have the ability to build those structures,” he said. “That will
carry them into the future with a new Iraq that will interact with the
international community.”

Huntley’s said his biggest gift to the Iraqi people is education.

“It gives you a fresh perspective in life,” he said about educating the Iraqi
people. “It’s one of the few things that keeps you engaged on a daily basis and
as you get older you keep learning to keep from getting stale. Everyday is an
adventure. You are always learning something new.”

Huntley said his teams have the opportunity to help a lot of people here. With
school projects filling his calendar, Huntley said seeing the end result of a
lot of hard work is the ultimate gift given to him and his soldiers.

“You can see it in the children’s faces,” he said. “They truly appreciate the
restoration we have done. The teachers are happy with the upgrade with
facilities.”

Huntley said restoring schools is a good way to demonstrate to Iraqi people that
coalition forces are trying to improve the quality of life for the average
Iraqi.

Whether he is cutting the ribbon on a new school, putting the final touches of
paint on a medical clinic or turning the crank to release fresh water to the
desert croplands, Huntley said changes won’t happen overnight.

“The American people need to realize we are not here for the short term,” he
said. “Right now, especially in the environment we are in, we need to worry
about our long-term goals.”

He said he thinks the stability of the operation is the future of Iraq.

“This is where the long-term success will be made,” he said pointing to his list
of upcoming projects. “What our team is doing is demonstrating the successes
that will generate popular support and our enemies are after the same popular
support, and I think we are taking that ground away from them.”

Although a high-ranking officer, Huntley said his soldiers are the drive behind
his success as a battalion commander.

“I couldn’t do it without my soldiers,” he said. “I am just the commander, they
are like my children. It amazes me what they have accomplished in such a short
period of time.”

Huntley said he couldn’t be more proud of his youngest and brightest soldiers.

“I’ve got specialists and sergeants with a tremendous responsibility,” he said.
“Everyone really has stepped up to the plate and done a great deal to make these
projects successful.”

More importantly, Huntley said his soldiers are proud of the work they have
done.

“They enjoy working with the people here, and I think this is definitely
something they’ll be proud of for rest of their lives,” he said.

Together, Huntley and his small band of soldiers who working nonstop behind the
scenes and without the high-profile media coverage are making a difference – one
small project at a time.

“I have something to return home to be really happy about,” he said. “The whole
experience has taught me that I really have enjoyed working with the Iraqi
people. They genuinely want what is best for their children, and I hope I have
helped them achieved their goal.”
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John
On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD

JohnH wrote:

Something that will most likely not make it to the Washington Post!
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Civil Affairs Soldiers Making a Difference One Project at a Time


Because it is pure military propaganda. No wonder your view of the world
is so tilted.


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