By Sgt. Armando Monroig
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MUQDADIYAH, Iraq – For many Soldiers, a deployment can be a heavy burden to bear. Long hours, firefights and being away from loved ones are just some of the challenges faced by Soldiers in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Jerry McCloud and his Bradley Fighting Vehicle crew know this well and have decided that keeping things light is what will help them make it through their deployment.

McCloud and crew are assigned to Troop A, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Their job consists of route clearance, patrols and security operations, said the 38-year-old vehicle commander.

A reconnaissance mission Feb. 17, took them to the hills of nearby Hamrin, Iraq, marking their 109th mission since arriving in Diyala in October.

As the senior Soldier in the vehicle, McCloud said he is not only responsible for the safety of his Soldiers, but also making sure they cope with the day-to-day stress that comes with combat missions.

"It's stressful, but the less stress I inflict on them, the better they perform," said McCloud, from Tulsa, Okla.

To do that, McCloud keeps things lighthearted and playful. He jokes around with his crew. They sing songs from shows like Sesame Street and mimic the characters. His Soldiers call him daddy in jest, and he takes care of them as if they were his own kids.

"The more relaxed you are, the better you do your job," added McCloud, a 20-year Army veteran.

He said the Fort Hood, Texas crew eventually developed a good working relationship. But it wasn’t always the case.

“When we first got together, we were a terrible crew,” Sgt. John Richter, Bradley gunner, from Lynnville, Ind.

He said initially they had a hard time building cohesion and weren’t used to working together.

“After a while, you learn the rhythm or pattern of what the other people want and things fall into place,” he said.

“It takes time. You can’t just throw a crew together. It takes baby steps. How long have I been tortured by you all?” McCloud asked his Soldiers.

“About a year-and-a-half,” Richter said with a grin. He is on his second Iraq rotation. His first deployment was in 2004.

The crew agreed that going through combat on a daily basis together has helped them form a strong bond. They recalled the first time their Bradley Fighting Vehicle was hit by a road-side bomb only three weeks after arriving in Iraq.

It was the worst roadside bomb they had encountered, said McCloud, who is in Iraq a second time as well. His first time here was in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.

This Bradley crew has been hit by road-side bombs seven times.

They keep things lighthearted despite the dangerous missions because it’s what helps them stay alert and calm in stressful situations.

“You expect it. You’re prepared. But you laugh about it. You continue the mission and you expect it to happen again,” said McCloud.

The two experienced Soldiers, McCloud and Richter, do what they can to train Flanary, who is on his first deployment, and help improve his driving skills.

“I’ve learned to … maintain my distance, and to stay calm and not get too excited,” said Flanary.

“He’s come a long way,” said McCloud. “He’s a little hesitant to think on his own, but as long as he doesn’t run over any people or trucks – we’re good.”

Flanary and Richer attribute their “dad’s” leadership skills and good training to their improved performance.

McCloud has helped Richter become one of the best gunners in the squadron. Richter is one of only three Soldiers out of 40 in the squadron to get a perfect score in accomplishing 10 gunners tasks successfully.

Although McCloud likes to joke around, his Soldiers know that when it comes down to it, he’s all business.

“He gets down and dirty, leads by example, works right there beside us,” said Flanary. “That’s why I respect him. He’s a good listener and a good teacher.”

“He’s a mentor, a tutor. He has a great work ethic. The Army is running out of Soldiers like him. He stands up for us. That’s why I call him daddy,” said Richter smiling at his NCO.

“They’re a pain, but I have a good crew,” he said as he glared at his protégés.

“I’ve got a sense of pride for my crew,” said Richter. “Working with them makes my job easier. They help me laugh off the hardships of combat.”

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, 3BCT, 6-9th Cavalry, Iraq, Muqdadiyah