Cpt. James Riley, Norwich University class of 1995 and former member of the Corps of Cadets, stands outside the Kandahar International Airport in Kandahar Afghanistan holding a Norwich banner.

Editor's Note: The picture of Cpt. James Riley, was forwarded to The Norwich Guidon by his wife, Sharon (Deedy) Riley. Mrs. Riley sent the following letter in reply to Amanda Tracy, Norwich Guidon Managing Editor, who requested more information about the photograph, and Cpt. Riley's time in Afghanistan.

Amanda,

I’m glad you are going to use Jamie’s picture. He’ll be happy. James Riley NU/CC ’95, Captain, US Army. He is the Signal Officer for The 187th Infantry Regiment, “Rakkasan”, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) -Operation Enduring Freedom.

Jamie left for Kandahar on Jan. 6, and will be there for an undisclosed period of time. My GUESS is anywhere from six months to a year. He has been very busy over there. He works 18 hours a day and gets between four and six hours of sleep a night.

He is the Signal Officer for the Task Force and is responsible for all communications, to include the computers, telephone lines, and email. He had his first shower after 5 weeks and started to get ‘hot chow’ a couple of weeks ago. Their living conditions are primitive at best. They have no running water, they made their own restroom & shower facilities and the only electricity they have is from generators. Everything they need is flown in at night under the cover of darkness. Aside from all of that, he has been in amazingly good spirits, which is great!

We have been at Fort Campbell for over two years. He was first assigned to “Rakkasan” for over a year. I am a registered representative & agent with First Command Financial Planning. Prior to our assignment here, we were in Germany at the Combat Maneuver Training Center.

Yes, Jamie was a Drill Sgt. for Bravo Company.

Sharon (Deedy) Riley

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