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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Army Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
1SG Travis S Elliston US Army (1993-Present)
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY?
When I was growing up as a kid, GI Joe the cartoon was playing on TV. SGT Rock of the comic books was out. Awesome action and war movies such as Platoon, Rambo, Heartbreak Ridge, Tour of Duty, Predator, Sniper and others were on TV and at the movie theaters.  All of these products influenced me at some extent to be a Soldier. From that point on, I read every book I could on war history while at school. I joined the Boy Scouts of America because I new that they would teach me good morals, field craft and leadership. I thought these were important to being a man. Turns out later that I was right. But the main driving force for me was that my dad, uncle, aunt, grandpa and great grandpa had served in the military. Under their stories I really strive to join the Army. So while in High School, I joined the Army Reserves for six months to gain experience and then graduated half a year early to switch over to Active Army. I suppose the great lord had something to do with me choosing this way of life.
WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?
I've had a very interesting career path that has led me down various trails to be a well rounded infantryman. I have served in different positions from rifleman, SAW gunner, M-60 machine gunner, team Leader and squad Leader in a mechanized unit to learning Soviet Tactics while serving as a  member of the OPFOR at the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, CA . I've also served as a Airborne Infantry Fire Team Leader and Squad Leader in a line platoon that deployed to Kosovo. I also served as a Scout, later Sniper and Weapons Squad Leader in the 82nd ABN at Ft. Bragg, NC. I have also had the privilege to have served as a Drill Sergeant and later a Senior Drill Sergeant at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO training America's finest. After completing my "trail" time as a Drill Sergeant, I served as a Company First Sergeant for a Basic Training Company for twelve months. I later served as a BDE HHC First Sergeant for another twelve months as a Sergeant First Class. It was both a challenging and rewarding time for me. Once I received orders for Ft. Polk, La I deployed to Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division in a Heavy Weapons Company. After completion of my tour of duty, I returned to the states and was selected to be a First Sergeant of a Infantry Company, that is currently deployed to Afghanistan.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF SO, COULD YOU DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANT TO YOU?
My first combat operation was Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo) where I performed duties as Mayor in the towns of Silovo, Vrbovac, and Grncar which resulted in a safe and secure environment. My squad and I conducted over 210 combat patrols while securing the Kosovo villages and church's of Vrbovac, Grncar,  and Mitrovika. We found a lot of weapon Cache's to include a major crew served weapon. While I was there, I was recognized for my leadership in Kosovo by the Senator of Montana, Conrad Burns. My Second combat operation was Operation Iraqi Freedom during The Surge. My heavy weapons platoon masterfully built the Joint Security Station Oubaidy and developed the base defense plan that resulted in more than 20 enemy killed during a week long attack on the JSS. My platoon was also selected as the battalion Time Sensitive Target Platoon; resulting in the capture of eight Jayish al-Mahidi insurgents. We also conducted over 110 combat patrols, 42 raids in 34 dys in Karadah District Baghdad as part of a counter VBIED task force; which greatly reduced the VBIED threat in the units OE. The heavy weapons platoon and I also led the security in more than 10 resupply operations on the most deadly roads in Baghdad where we had to expertly managed CCP operations for three separate IED strikes. While conducting combat patrols around Route Batwings we skillfully reacted to contact during two complex ambushes killing one triggerman. On other missions, we flawlessly secured and extracted a Navy Seal Team under heavy fire in Shawra UmJidr AO on two different occasions. During this same time period of service I was hand selected by the MND-B Commander to serve on MNFRC board at Camp Bucca.
Over all, I am proud of the Soldiers I have served with and the accomplishments they and I have made to better the citizens of Kosovo and Iraq.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
I have two great memories that stand out. First, I was honored while serving in Kosovo by the town people of Vrbovac. They named an establishment after my home state and me. That was one of my proudest moments.
The second memory that stands out, is when I lost my good friend SFC Hurst during "The Surge" in Iraq. I still miss and think about him on a regular basis.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The Ranger Tab is my most meaningful award. I am the first in my family to have earned one. I also know that having earned one put me in a select group of people for whom I have the utmost respect for.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I've always told my Soldiers that they can learn great things from their leaders, such as taking good leadership techniques and traits from the people they liked and placing it into their kit bag, discarding the traits and techniques they don't like. Once the Soldier has been mentored and coached  by enough leaders, they will develop their own character and leadership styles. Because of this belief, I have had several mentors who helped me throughout my career. I will name just a few that have stood out and have had such a great impact on me. I don't think I could single out one from the other as being the best.
Reflecting on the first great mentor to cross my path would have to be the Company First Sergeant of my first unit, 1SG Bernadine Larson. 1SG Larson once served in the Ranger Regiment. He taught me how to take care of Soldiers, how to motivate them, to be "down to earth", and that First Sergeants, should always be there for the Soldiers. It was an honor to have him pin my ranger tab on.
During this same period of time I had an awesome Platoon Sergeant by the name of SFC Ronald Turner who used to be a Sniper Instructor and later would be the NCOIC the prestigious Army Sniper School at Fort Benning, GA. He taught me a lot about basic Soldier skills, how to stay motivated, to have high standards and how to delegate authority to accomplish multiple tasks. I learned from him that you can't do everything and meet deadlines by yourself. "Team Work" is the key to success.
While I was stationed at Fort Bragg, I had a full blooded Native American Platoon Sergeant by the name of SFC Johnson Apache. Yes, he was from the Apache Nation and also a life time member of the 82nd Airborne Division. He taught me how to be harder than wood pecker lips in a petrified forest. I also learned a lot about small unit tactics and that when you use the five principles of patrolling and follow the commander's intent, you will never go wrong.
Then there was SFC Isaac Ragusa the Scout Platoon Sergeant who used to be in Long Range Surveillance Units his whole career and a Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course Instructor before becoming a Scout PSG. He was great to be around. He taught me to help others, to share knowledge and not to horde it. He gave me a wonderful edge on understanding Recon and Sniper tactics, techniques, and practices. In addition, I learned from him that you can "work and play hard" while at the same time, still be a professional.
While at Fort Leonard Wood, MO I had a great Battalion Command Sergeant Major by the name of CSM Keith Dragnett who taught me a number of things. One, to always keep the faith. Two, that Soldiers do not always do what you expect them to do, but what you inspect them to do and that accountability is response-ability. Three, not to get bent over the axail on stuff you can't control.
Currently I am still learning from some great Senior Non-Commissioned Officers. One is teaching me that tough love is important for the safety of Soldiers. Another great noncom is teaching me that when you have systems in place, the internal workings of a unit are operating at its finest.
I count myself very fortunate and thankful to have so many great mentors, teachers and coaches throughout my career. I can only hope that I can instill these lessons learned into my subordinates.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
My unit and I were sent to Mitorovica, Kosovo. The French were having some trouble holding down their sector. We were sent to assist the French and to be the main effort for a Cordon and Search of the City. Part of our uniform SOP was that we had  to have our name stenciled onto our helmet band.
Well, we were busy searching houses and businesses for weapon and explosive cache's. When all of a sudden, we get surrounded by a herd of news reporters that were from different news agencies from around the world. This one reporter asks one of our sergeants what he thinks about this mission and his name. Well this Non-Commissioned Officer who doesn't like to be in the news, tells the reporter his thoughts and that his name is John Holmes. The reporter writes all this information down.
About two weeks later, all of us Soldiers are huddled around a newspaper reading about the mission into the City of Mitrovica. Wouldn't you know it? There is the story about our local Non-Commissioned Officer Hero, John Holmes (the porno star). Clearly the reporter didn't read the NCOs helmet band. Otherwise he would have known that this informant wasn't the infamous Mr. John Holmes.
We all got a kick out of that reporter getting suckered.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB?
I am currently still serving as an Infantryman in the position as a Company First Sergeant. While I am not busy at work with the military I am normally under a horse doing some horseshoeing. I went to the Texas Horseshoeing School when I was younger and have enjoyed the work ever since.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
 I am a member of the 82nd Airborne Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Americal Legion, Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, Mason and various other associations. I can remember as a kid my grandfather was a three war veteran and a very active member of the VFW. I couldn't wait until I could be a member of the VFW. Right after my first deployment in 1999, my grandfather took me down to the VFW and bought me a beer and paid for my membership. I was one happy camper that night.
HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
The Army has taught me a great deal about how to fight, survive, and to sustain against all odds. To use the three M's of leadership. Which are in this order: The MISSION always comes first, that the MEN are next to being taken care of, and to take care of the needs of MYSELF only after the first two M's have been met.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?
From what I have observed throughout the years, Soldiers are like good or bad combat knives. From the beginning Soldiers are forged from their parents. They teach morals, ethics, and give them an education. Next Soldiers go to Basic Combat Training and Advance Individual Training. This is where Drill Sergeants  pound the Soldier into the shape of a knife. Then Soldiers report to their first unit where they receive "on the job training". Soldiers are then mentored by team and squad leaders who sharpen their individual and collective skills. This is when the knife becomes a finished blade. One of two things might happen to the knife. One, the blade breaks from self neglect, weak temperament, or bad leadership. Two, if it a good sharp knife, it gets used over and over, until it's completely dull. Once that happens, it's up to the Soldier's metal to see if they can be self sharpened. If they can't keep sharp, the knife will be discarded and replaced by another knife.
The point of the story is to stay sharp, be a strong blade and stick to all tasks at hand.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU MAINTAIN A BOND WITH YOUR SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
TWS has been a great link to long lost friends and fellow Soldiers. It has been great to stay connected with them. It has also helped me to tell my story; That I am proud to have served my country, for being a veteran and to have shared a brotherhood with fellow warriors.
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All of these products influenced me at some extent to be a Soldier. From that point on, I read every book I could on war history while at school. I joined the Boy Scouts of America because I new that they would teach me good morals, field craft and leadership. I thought these were important to being a man. Turns out later that I was right. But the main driving force for me was that my dad, uncle, aunt, grandpa and great grandpa had served in the military. Under their stories I really strive to join the Army. So while in High School, I joined the Army Reserves for six months to gain experience and then graduated half a year early to switch over to Active Army. I suppose the great lord had something to do with me choosing this way of life.
member of the OPFOR at the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, CA . I've also served as a Airborne Infantry Fire Team Leader and Squad Leader in a line platoon that deployed to Kosovo. I also served as a Scout, later Sniper and Weapons Squad Leader in the 82nd ABN at Ft. Bragg, NC. I have also had the privilege to have served as a Drill Sergeant and later a Senior Drill Sergeant at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO training America's finest. After completing my "trail" time as a Drill Sergeant, I served as a Company First Sergeant for a Basic Training Company for twelve months. I later served as a BDE HHC First Sergeant for another twelve months as a Sergeant First Class. It was both a challenging and rewarding time for me. Once I received orders for Ft. Polk, La I deployed to Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division in a Heavy Weapons Company. After completion of my tour of duty, I returned to the states and was selected to be a First Sergeant of a Infantry Company, that is currently deployed to Afghanistan.
and Mitrovika. We found a lot of weapon Cache's to include a major crew served weapon. While I was there, I was recognized for my leadership in Kosovo by the Senator of Montana, Conrad Burns. My Second combat operation was Operation Iraqi Freedom during The Surge. My heavy weapons platoon masterfully built the Joint Security Station Oubaidy and developed the base defense plan that resulted in more than 20 enemy killed during a week long attack on the JSS. My platoon was also selected as the battalion Time Sensitive Target Platoon; resulting in the capture of eight Jayish al-Mahidi insurgents. We also conducted over 110 combat patrols, 42 raids in 34 dys in Karadah District Baghdad as part of a counter VBIED task force; which greatly reduced the VBIED threat in the units OE. The heavy weapons platoon and I also led the security in more than 10 resupply operations on the most deadly roads in Baghdad where we had to expertly managed CCP operations for three separate IED strikes. While conducting combat patrols around Route Batwings we skillfully reacted to contact during two complex ambushes killing one triggerman. On other missions, we flawlessly secured and extracted a Navy Seal Team under heavy fire in Shawra UmJidr AO on two different occasions. During this same time period of service I was hand selected by the MND-B Commander to serve on MNFRC board at Camp Bucca. 
by enough leaders, they will develop their own character and leadership styles. Because of this belief, I have had several mentors who helped me throughout my career. I will name just a few that have stood out and have had such a great impact on me. I don't think I could single out one from the other as being the best.
to have our name stenciled onto our helmet band. 
pound the Soldier into the shape of a knife. Then Soldiers report to their first unit where they receive "on the job training". Soldiers are then mentored by team and squad leaders who sharpen their individual and collective skills. This is when the knife becomes a finished blade. One of two things might happen to the knife. One, the blade breaks from self neglect, weak temperament, or bad leadership. Two, if it a good sharp knife, it gets used over and over, until it's completely dull. Once that happens, it's up to the Soldier's metal to see if they can be self sharpened. If they can't keep sharp, the knife will be discarded and replaced by another knife.
