From executive suite to slums of Baghdad

[Yrys]

MONDAY Part 1: From executive suite to slums of Baghdad /  Tom’s journal: Called back to Army — ‘no joke’

TUESDAY  Part 2: Training turns into ‘hurry up and wait’ / Tom’s journal: Getting ready for a ‘very dangerous job’

WEDNESDAY Part 3: Venturing ‘outside the wire’ in Baghdad / Tom’s journal: ‘ThunderCat6’ gets his bearings

THURSDAY  Part 4: In the end, it all comes back to garbage / Tom’s journal: Shot while ‘minding my own business’

FRIDAY  Part 5: Officer’s philanthropic spirit survives  / Tom’s journal: Charitable work continues in Baghdad


Part 1: From executive suite to slums of Baghdad
Reactivated Army reservist starts charity to help impoverished Iraqi kids

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19441074/

When the Army reached back into Deierlein's life in October 2005, he was well past his eight-year service obligation to the military. A senior-level advertising executive, he lived in a trendy Manhattan apartment and had a share house in the Hamptons. He was engaged to marry a beautiful airline pilot. He owned a tuxedo and wore it often. He hadn’t worn an Army uniform in 12 years.

Call-up orders arrived in his mailbox anyway. When he balked, an Army official told him he could be jailed if he didn’t report for training. Then, a few days before Deierlein was set to ship out, another Army official called to say that his military obligations had, in fact, already been met, that he owed the military nothing. He didn’t have to report for duty after all.

He went anyway.

 

[Yrys]

TUESDAY  Part 2: Training turns into ‘hurry up and wait’ / Tom’s journal: Getting ready for a ‘very dangerous job’

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19441087/

Reactivated ready reservists say preparation was minimal for huge task

In July 2005, the U.S. Department of Defense changed a longstanding policy governing how and when officers in the Individual Ready Reserve can be called up.

Prior to the change, whether they realized it or not, officers remained officers for life unless they formally resigned their commissions. Many officers in the Individual Ready Reserve have insisted they were unaware of that requirement; they thought their military obligations ended after eight years. Army officials contend that the resignation requirement was well known among officers.

The Defense Department unveiled its new policy on July 16, 2005, after aggrieved officers who were ordered to Iraq sued the Army on the grounds that their military commitments had ended years earlier. “The biggest risks I will face are what you hear about on the news, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), roadside bombs, suicide bombers and snipers taking pot shots. I try not to worry about those things...”

The policy shift was significant. It meant that instead of having to take the initiative to resign, officers had to take action to stay in the military past the eight-year mark.  This put officers in the same position as the rank and file.

 

[Yrys]

WEDNESDAY Part 3: Venturing ‘outside the wire’ in Baghdad / Tom’s journal: ‘ThunderCat6’ gets his bearings

Frustrations abound, but Deierlein’s unit finds a way to make a difference

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19441091/

THURSDAY  Part 4: In the end, it all comes back to garbage / Tom’s journal: Shot while ‘minding my own business’

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19441097/