2008 Woodie Awards
KCC experience provides base for soldier
Adam Spear
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Specialist Justin Tedford, a Kirkwood Community College student, is currently overseas in Iraq and has been serving his country for the past three months.
He said his duties in the Army include protecting the people and troops at his station, he said. Posted up in a tower, Tedford watches over everyone going in and out of the entrances to make sure there's nothing suspicious going on around the entrance and around the ground troops.
Tedford recounted a recent brush with danger. "I was working in the tower and had not been there more than one hour when I heard the Incoming Indirect Fire Alarm sound. Indirect fire is when you have gun mortars or a few rockets come into your base and there is no positive identification of where it is come from," he explained
"'Incoming' is what the voice says on the alarm. I hear this every day and nothing ever happens," said Tedford. "But that day I thought the same so I ignored this as usual. Then, all of a sudden a mortar hit and exploded about two football fields away. Then the second and third hit at the same time. In the end a total of five to six mortars hit in about 25 seconds. I had heard of no injuries so far."
"Incoming fire happens a lot but insurgents rarely ever hit things...but some times they do," he added.
Tedford said the courses he took at Kirkwood helped him get the position of an Administrative Specialist. That position involves providing technical guidance on administrative matters to other soldiers. He also proofreads correspondence for format and content, answers staff inquiries and advises soldiers on administrative and clerical matters.
After serving 10 months on duty in Iraq, Tedford said he plans on returning to Kirkwood to study photography and get his AA degree.
He said, "I will really be looking forward to coming back to Kirkwood and trying to finish up my degree. I am one year behind so I will have to play catch up," he said.
"I am also looking forward to seeing my family and especially all of my friends and just being able to relax," he added
Tedford's mother, Diane Tedford, said, " I'm very proud of Justin. Not everyone can or will do what he is doing."
Tedford commented, "What I miss the most is just being able to pick up a camera and being able to be creative and spend a large portion of my time in the darkroom there at school."
Tedford said his time at KCC has helped him meet new friends who now give him the support he needs while serving in Iraq.
Those who would like to help out or send their support, contact Tedford by e-mailing justintedford_photographer@yahoo.com .
He said his duties in the Army include protecting the people and troops at his station, he said. Posted up in a tower, Tedford watches over everyone going in and out of the entrances to make sure there's nothing suspicious going on around the entrance and around the ground troops.
Tedford recounted a recent brush with danger. "I was working in the tower and had not been there more than one hour when I heard the Incoming Indirect Fire Alarm sound. Indirect fire is when you have gun mortars or a few rockets come into your base and there is no positive identification of where it is come from," he explained
"'Incoming' is what the voice says on the alarm. I hear this every day and nothing ever happens," said Tedford. "But that day I thought the same so I ignored this as usual. Then, all of a sudden a mortar hit and exploded about two football fields away. Then the second and third hit at the same time. In the end a total of five to six mortars hit in about 25 seconds. I had heard of no injuries so far."
"Incoming fire happens a lot but insurgents rarely ever hit things...but some times they do," he added.
Tedford said the courses he took at Kirkwood helped him get the position of an Administrative Specialist. That position involves providing technical guidance on administrative matters to other soldiers. He also proofreads correspondence for format and content, answers staff inquiries and advises soldiers on administrative and clerical matters.
After serving 10 months on duty in Iraq, Tedford said he plans on returning to Kirkwood to study photography and get his AA degree.
He said, "I will really be looking forward to coming back to Kirkwood and trying to finish up my degree. I am one year behind so I will have to play catch up," he said.
"I am also looking forward to seeing my family and especially all of my friends and just being able to relax," he added
Tedford's mother, Diane Tedford, said, " I'm very proud of Justin. Not everyone can or will do what he is doing."
Tedford commented, "What I miss the most is just being able to pick up a camera and being able to be creative and spend a large portion of my time in the darkroom there at school."
Tedford said his time at KCC has helped him meet new friends who now give him the support he needs while serving in Iraq.
Those who would like to help out or send their support, contact Tedford by e-mailing justintedford_photographer@yahoo.com .
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