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News

Veterans share military, life experiences with students

Friendship, travel opportunities enhanced members' time in service

by CHIGO OKERE
The Daily Cougar

Combat veterans from several military branches gave UH Air Force ROTC cadets a glimpse of life in the armed forces at a talk Wednesday.

Members of the panel were unanimous in their positive description of the professional relationships the military provides for service members. 

"You have to think about (your service) positively. This is a great job and there are great people. You have an opportunity to understand your unit and troops and fight as a team," Army Capt. Dale Marrou said.

Lt. Jason Smith said he also enjoyed the military lifestyle and the friendships that go along with it. 

"Comradeship is usually what people miss when they leave the military. It's not the typical nine-to-five, and you are surrounded by people with the same belief system," he said. "I'm going to stay (in the military) until they kick me out. In fact, when I'm old I will still be serving as perhaps one of those guys who still answers the phones."

Lt. j.g. Dakata Brodie of the U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force Cadet Ryan Tamez also discussed their personal backgrounds and gave perspective on military training, as well as education and the various combat roles they experienced in their careers.

Panel members were involved in military assignments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan, Kosovo, Bosnia and Germany, as well as domestic service such as Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. 

Marrou, who served in Iraq as a scout platoon leader, said he faced an enormous need to understand Iraqi culture. 

"We had to adapt to the way (the insurgents) fight. You have to know what (Iraqis') habits and customs are. If you do they will work with you," he said. 

Speakers also told of their personal backgrounds and how they came to be a part of the military. 

For Smith, a native Texan and Coast Guard member who has also served in the Army, the opportunity to travel around the world is one of main reasons he enjoys his service. 

"I came from a small town and culture, so, for me, joining gave me an opportunity to see things and see the world," Smith said. Brodie, who is from New Jersey, was very much into the "party scene" prior to joining the Air Force, he said, and remembered going to a friend in the Air Force who was "always professional, who wore this nice uniform, and who seemed to do what he really wanted to do." This friend proved to be crucial in his decision to join the service.

Also present at the event was its facilitator, Col. Philip Bossert Jr., a University professor of aerospace studies and commander of the Air Force ROTC Detachment 003.

More information on the Air Force ROTC is available at www.uh.edu/afrotc/.

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