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CAMPUS

NU student recounts current experiences as soldier in Iraq

By Michael Nardini
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

NU student Sam Slater demonstrates the use of a .50 caliber gun atop a Humvee in Iraq.

In the continuing global war on terrorism, one Norwich University student currently serving in Iraq knows firsthand the dangers our military faces.

Sam Slater, class of 2006, is actively serving in Iraq.

Slater, a member of the Corps of Cadets, took part in activities such as Maroon and Gold Key and the Norwich paintball club. Slater was also an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.

In April of his freshman year, Slater and fellow rook, Ben Perez, decided to enlist into the Army National Guard field artillery. Both attended Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Sill, Okla. Slater set a goal to achieve a perfect PFT score of 300, which he did. He earned a 300 score and was also an honor graduate of BCT.

Slater continued on to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) where he completed his skills in the area of field artillery. Because of all the time spent training; Slater missed the fall semester of his sophomore year.

Thanksgiving weekend 2003, Slater was told to stand by for mobilization. On Jan. 22, 2003, Slater was sent to Fort Dix for 30 days to be cross-trained in the field of Military Police. At that time Slater was the only cadet activated for his duty in Iraq with the Vermont National Guard.

While in Fort Dix, Slater was asked to be the physical fitness trainer for the platoon. He also was assigned to train on a .50 caliber gun mounted on a Hummvee. He also was trained with an automatic mark 19 grenade launcher, which is intended to provide cover for the troops.

Currently in Iraq, Slater’s platoon provides security for convoys. Slater’s platoon has one of the most dangerous jobs, because convoys are easy and popular targets for terrorists to ambush and attack. Slater courageously is able to sit on top of a hummer and provide covering fire.

Currently stationed in Qatar, Slater was given a four-day leave. He was also asked to lead a platoon ruck march during the same time as his leave. He chose to stay and ruck up.

Since Jan. 22, 2003, when he was activated, Slater has not had a leave.

Editor’s Note: The following are exerpts from an e-mail Sam Slater sent to NU President Schneider on Sept. 11, 2004.

Cadet Samuel T. Slater
NU Class of 2006
Iraq

Dear President Schneider:

I want to thank all at Norwich for your wonderful support, letters and packages sent to me while I am serving as a Soldier in Iraq.

While this National Guard mobilization interrupted my studies at Norwich, I feel that I haven’t missed any time in learning, and gaining experiences which will make me a better member in the Corps when I return.

...In January of 2004, my National Guard unit was activated as Military Police and deployed to Iraq. Our mission over here mainly consists of convoy security, but also includes highway patrols, and humanitarian missions to local villages and schools in need of help.

When we first arrived over here it was nothing but training. We had to make sure we knew what we were doing, and I took up my job as a .50 cal/MK 19 machine gunner on a Humvee, stationed near Baghdad.

...You never know when you’re going to need that extra case of MRE’s, or extra case of water. You never know when those Night Vision Goggles are going to be necessary, or all that extra ammo. Bottom line is, you never know.

...If you don’t look out for each other, you could end up in a situation you don’t want to be in. Remember attention to detail, and help your buddies. In combat, no one does anything by himself. You rely on your fellow soldiers to get you through.

...In June 2004, the situation got really tough over here. We were running fuel trucks up to Latifiyah, Iraq, so that Baghdad wouldn’t lose power and have chaos. The insurgents were really beating down on us by this time. It got to where we wouldn’t say, “I wonder if we are going to get hit today?” We would say, “I wonder when we are going to get hit today.” on June 7th, 2004 a roadside Improvised Explosive Device took the life of my friend, Sergeant Jamie Allen Gray.

...So, to my fellow Cadets, Recruits, Alumni, or anybody willing to join the ranks of the Corps, remember what you have been taught. It may seem like just another silly game. It may seem like it has absolutely no relevance to accomplishing the mission. You need to constantly pay attention, and look for the lesson in what you are doing. Combat is intense, just like freshman year can be, at times. You need to keep your head up and nose out of the sand. Continue to drive on, be the best that you can be, and nothing shall stand in your way.

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