Smith, William, SGT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I had just finished my junior year of High School whenI enlisted in the United States Army as part of the Delayed Entry Program on 25 JUN 1988 at the New Haven, CT Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).My decision to join the Army was rooted in my strong sense of duty to my country. At any early age I was captivated by the history of our Nation particularly, its military history from the Revolutionary War to, at the time, the beginnings of the end of the Cold War. Family members, on both sides, had served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. I never had the privilege to hear the stories from my family members about their experiences during there time in service but deep down I had a sense of the pride and honor they must have felt in defending the Nation in times of peace and war. Today, upon reflection, it was my love of country, my sense of obligation to continue my family's role in service to the United States and my duty to give back for the freedom we often times take for granted that most influenced my decision to join the Army.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I served in on Active Duty for exactly three years from 22 JUN 1989 - 22 JUN 1992. I had served for three years and during that time had deployed during the Gulf War of 1991 - Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Upon return to the World I had a series of missteps, high risk drinking that resulting in a DUI. Upon reflection, I think that was a result of post traumatic stress and my attempt to self medicated. I was fortunate that during the war I did not have to discharge my weapon but my role as an Intel Analyst in a Field Artillery unit that fired approximately 2600+ rounds destroying Iraqi lives and equipment took its toll. The 100 ground war also a stress both physically and mental. Following the DUI I decided at that time to take advantage of the Army's downsizing and requested an early out. I had also decided that it was time for me to follow another path and pursue my college degree. I received and honorable discharge from active duty.

Soon after being discharged from active duty I enlisted in the Army Reserve and served for an additional five years and received an honorable discharge in DEC 1997. During this time I attempted to find my direction by attending University first at Kansas State University (KSU) in Manhattan, KS where I attended from AUG 1994 - DEC 1996. I jump around several major and was not performing to my best ability. I then transferred to Washburn University where I found my passion and completed my Bachelor of Social Work in AUG 2000. In May 2003 I completed my Master of Science in Management at Baker University.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
The invasion of Kuwait by Iraq on 2 AUG 1990 which lead to a line being drawn in the sand, Operation Desert Shield. I deployed with my unit, HHB 1/5 Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) in December of 1990 to Saudi Arabia. We spent the next several months

Desert Storm

in the desert training and preparing for the ground war. On 17 JAN 1991 Operation Desert Storm commenced with an air campaign that would last for several weeks. G-Day was 24 FEB 1991 at 0400 (local). The next approximately 100 hours were the most intense hours of my life. I was fortunate not to have to have fired my weapon but I had a hand in the approximate 2,600+ shells that the Battery's in my unit fired downrange destroying Iraq lives and equipment. This experience changed my life forever. It was why I enlisted in the Army in the first place - to defend freedom, to defeat tyranny, and to serve my country in times of peace and war. Leading up to G-Day was stressful not knowing what lie ahead - we didn't know if the Iraqi's would stand their ground and fight, would they employ chemical weapons, how long was the battle to oust Iraq out of Kuwait going to last and what would be the toll. All indications were that we were up agains a formidable enemy. One that was battle hardened after an 8 year war with Iran. During the lead up to the ground war we could see and hear the bombings from the air campaign, we could hear the Iraqis taunting us in the distance and sending mortars over - none that came close to our physical location. Following the start of the ground campaign we moved fast, set up the TOC multiple times to coordinate fire missions, found ourselves set up in a mine field, could see the orange glow in the night sky of the multiple oil well fires that eventually we were in the thick of. Smoke so dark and heavy it was difficult to see and breath. To say that Desert Shield and Storm were life-changing is an understatement.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I was stationed at Ft. Dix, NJ for Basic Training (JUN 89 - AUG 89), Ft. Huachuca, AZ for Advanced Individual Training (SEP 89 - JAN 90), and finally at Ft. Riley, KS as my permanent duty station (JAN 90 - JUN 92). It is difficult to select one

After class at Ft Huachuca

where I have the fondest memories or my least favorite because each one was different. I will say that I have great memories of my AIT class at Ft. Huachuca. The training was intense but the connections outside of class were awesome. I remember a few nights sitting outside talking, smoking, and singing. At the time the drinking age on Post was 18. Our weekends were free so most Friday nights started out at the Pub which was located behind the barracks. Beer, smoking, pool, non chow hall food and good times. We would then make are way to the E-Club. More drinking, smoking, dancing, and general shenanigans. We were also permitted to stay off base on the weekends so a group of use would get a hotel room and cram as many people into one one as we could. I made so many friends during my time at Ft. Huachuca but sadly the majority of those connections were lost after we all graduate from AIT and PCSed. This was before the age of the internet and social media. It amazes me in todays age of social media (or maybe not since we were in Intel) that I am unable to find many of the friends I made during my entire time in the Army. What I would give to reunite with them all.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
There are two significant memories that have impacted me most. The first is successfully completing Basic Training. Within a week of graduating High School in JUN 89 I was on my way to Basic Training at Ft Dix, NJ. What a shock! Here my physical and psychological development accomplishments were

Basic Training Graduation Day

challenged and new competencies were developed. I accomplished things in Basic Training that I never imagined I would be able to. This continues to have an impact on me because I know that I am capable of accomplishing event the most challenging of tasks. Basic Training is an experience I will never forget and something I will always be proud of accomplishing.

The second significant memory is my participation during the Gulf War. This was a difficult time for my family and many families across the country who had a family member serving. I knew my responsibility as a soldier and received much support from home - from family and strangers alike. My unit arrived in Saudi Arabia on 28 DEC 1990. During my time in the desert I was in three countries Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait. During the 100 hours of ground conflict, the constant moving, sound of artillery rounds being fired, distant explosions, the sight of thousands of POWs walking to the rear, the pressure of providing accurate intel to my command, and witnessing the destruction that man can inflict had its toll on me. I survived the war with a strong sense of discipline, responsibility, and desire to change the world. I will forever hold these memories with me and they have impacted my life ever since.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?

Basic Training at Ft. Dix Summer 1989

I received my first Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement on 24 AUG 1989 for outstanding achievement on the End-of-Cycle Test (Soldier Stakes). "You distinguished yourself by attaining a perfect score. Your achievement reflects great credit upon yourself, your unit, and the United States Army". From a small kid that had just graduated high school, had never fired a weapon, had never been an over achiever this was a huge accomplishment and one that motivated me to continue to be the best I could be.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
After I left active duty in in June 1992, I worked in retail for about a year before I started my college education. I first attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas from 1994 until 1997 when I transferred to Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. I graduated from Washburn with a Bachelors of Social Work in August 2000. I then was offered a job as a health educator at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas and started in that position in June of 2000. I completed my Master of Science in Management from Baker University at their Overland Park, Kansas campus in May of 2003. I was offered a position at the University of Missouri Kansas City and started there in January of 2007 as a public health educator. In 2013 I relocated to Oxnard, California and embarked on a career change accepting a position with Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services where I have been employed since. I've been a Supervisory Immigration Services Officer since April of 2019.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a lifetime member of the Army Historical Foundation and a founding sponsor of the National Museum of the U.S. Army at For Belvior, Virginia. I was unable to attend the opening ceremony of the museum in November 2020 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It is my hope to be able to visit the museum in the near future.

I am a lifetime member of the Society of the Big Red One (non-active), the Veterans of Foreign Wars (non-active), VII Corpse Desert Storm Veterans Association.