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Father Promotes Stepson In Baghdad
(June 29, 2011) | 
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U.S. Army Maj. Dan Brue promotes his stepson, U.S. Army Spc. Richard Davis, from private first class to specialist, May 31, at Victory Base Complex. The father and son are both deployed to Baghdad. Photo by Sgt. TJ Moller |
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BAGHDAD, IRAQ (6/24/2011) – U.S. Army Spc. Richard Davis, satellite
operator/maintainer for the 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion from
Fort Hood, Texas, was promoted May 31, from private first class to
the rank of specialist like many young soldiers are while deployed
in Iraq. Unlike most deployed soldiers, Davis was promoted by his
stepfather, U.S. Army Maj. Dan Brue, advisor to the Iraqi Ministry
of Defense Director General of Communications for Iraq Training and
Advising Mission, MoD.
“I didn't know if he would be able to
make it, the date and time was up in the air for so long,” said
Davis. “It was a surprise to come to work that morning and he was in
our office.”
Having two soldiers from an Army family deployed
to Iraq at the same time is stressful for those still at home. |
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“My wife says that the deployment is twice as hard because we are both
over here,” Brue said. “But then again it's twice as easy because she
only has to deal with one period of separation.”
Brue said that
it is pure coincidence that he and his stepson are deployed in the same
general area.
Davis
serves at Victory Base Complex, while Brue serves at Forward Operating
Base Union III.
“It is nice to have family only 15 minutes away,”
Davis said.
Their family is truly an Army family. Besides the father
and son serving tours in Baghdad, wife and mother, Dana Brue, is a U.S.
Army civilian working as the Family Readiness Support Assistant for the
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy. Davis' stepsister
Courtney, 20, is currently participating in Army ROTC at the University
of Alabama – Birmingham. His sister Brianne, 19, is in the Future
Soldiers Training Program and his youngest sister Brooke, 11, has hopes
to be an Army veterinarian someday.
“I've always wanted to be a
soldier,” said Davis. “I didn't really want to go to college, so when my
parents said the military was a good choice I jumped for it.”
Before his senior year of high school in Okinawa, Davis was enlisted
into the Army.
“When I get back to Fort Hood I plan on
volunteering for Ranger School, it is something I really want to do,” he
said.
Davis also plans to become a warrant officer and fly in the
future.
Davis said, “I love being deployed, it's one of the few times
I can actually do my job.”
As a satellite operator/maintainer
Davis ensures that the communications equipment is properly maintained
and cleaned daily. When a piece of equipment goes down, it is his job to
get it up and running again.
Davis said that the satellites do
not like the sand, so there is always work to be done while in Iraq.
His enthusiasm about his work is obvious to his parents. “Over the
last two years in the Army, he has really matured,” Brue said. “We are
the most proud of the fact that he has turned out pretty good.”
Brue said that he thinks Davis will make a career in the Army.
“He is looking to re-enlist and if they can work it while I'm here I
will be right back over there,” Brue said. | |
By Army Spc. Crystal Hudson
United States Forces – Iraq, Deputy Commanding General (Advising and Training)
Copyright 2011
Provided
through DVIDS
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