A Soldier's story: SSG Jarvis Bass, forward observer HHS/2-20 FA , 4th Infantry Division in OIF

FA Journal, March-June, 2004

Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jarvis M. Bass from Durham North Carolina, is a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 13F Fire Support Specialist who served as a Forward Observer on the Fire Support Team (FIST) supporting C Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry (C/1-10 Cav) in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), He was deployed to Iraq from April 2003 until December 2003 when he returned stateside to attend the Basic NCO Course (BNCOC). He is part of Headquarters, Headquarters and Service (HHS) Battery of the 2d Battalion, 20th Field Artillery (2-20 FA), the 4th Infantry Division's divisional multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS)/target acquisition (TA) battalion. He is 26 years old, is married and has a daughter, and is working on a computer science degree. The 4th Division considers him a Soldier Hero of OIF. This is his story.

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When we first arrived in Iraq, we did what we were trained to do as a FIST with the division's Cav squadron. We led the way and secured occupation sites for the division during combat operations. I was very proud to be there, and the Iraqis were happy to have us there.

After the President declared major combat operations over [1 May 2003], we settled in the Kurdish city of Khanaqin. It's northeast of Baghdad near the border with Iran. My FIST team was sent to the border where we conducted reconnaissance operations and shot DPICM [dual-purpose improved conventional munitions], HE [high-explosive munitions] and M825 Smoke as shows-of-force for the Iranians.

We enjoyed Khanaqin. We helped the city establish a police force and set up a border patrol. We also conducted joint patrols with the PUK [Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, or Peshmerga]. Outbursts of violence in Khanaqin was rare.

In August, we moved south with C/1-10 Cav to Camp Caldwell near Ba'qubah. We conducted mounted patrols and reconnaissance operations around the camp. Then we received orders to police illegals entering the country from Iran. There were hundreds of Iranians crossing into Iraq on pilgrimages to Karbala. My troop policed a long section of the border and, later, received help from other troops in the squadron until the border patrol was large enough to patrol its own border.

That was one of the hardest things we had to do--establish a police force when we weren't police-qualified ... establish a border patrol when we weren't border patrol-qualified. We trained the Iraqis on any of our Soldier skills that applied. Some Soldiers had previous police experience and some had a little knowledge of border patrol operations, so we put those guys in charge and helped them train.

The first time I heard that one of the Soldiers in my unit was killed, it was like a reality check, like "it really can happen." It made me put my guard up even more on dismounted patrols and in convoys, looking to the left and right, making sure my finger was near the trigger and looking out for my Soldiers and the Soldiers around me.

By the time I got back to Fort Hood. I had learned how to be a better Soldier, a better person. In Iraq, I had a lot of time to think, on guard duty and other times, about things I would change--everything from my time management of day-to-day activities to taking training more seriously. Soldiers tend to take going to the field or the NTC [National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California] for granted. Given the atmosphere in Iraq. I don't think I'll ever take training for granted again. When we train, we need to train.

The training we received at Fort Hood before deploying was outstanding. But, I'd like to learn more about infantry tactics and procedures, close air support [CAS] and naval gunfire. 13Fs need to know how to bring in all fires for the ground force, whenever the force needs them.

I'd advise other Soldiers going to Iraq to ask plenty of questions, find out as much as they can, especially if they are married. They must prepare their families, prepare themselves.

I'd also tell them to get into the right frame of mind. That means going in focused on their mission.

Discipline is important. It was so hot in Iraq that Soldiers wanted to take off their gear, even their body armor. We would go out on patrols in that gear at 0700, and when we returned around 0900, our entire uniforms would be drenched with sweat. We all had to stay hydrated--but we also had to wear the body armor to protect us from small arms fire.

Soldiers have to have the discipline to stay hydrated and in the right uniform, even when they are miserable.