PSS’ Barcinas called to serve in Iraq

Dandan Elementary School principal Jonas Barcinas is being called to join other CNMI reservists in an intensive training for deployment to Iraq next year.

Barcinas, an inactive Army Reserve, said he received the call for his deployment only last weekend. Today, he was informed that he would have to leave this Sunday.

“I’m told that my ticket would be ready by Sunday. Yes, I am willing to go. But really it came as a surprise to me. To be honest, I didn’t think I would be called in because everybody is gone. Besides, I’m in a different category of ‘inactive’ personnel,” he said in an interview at his school yesterday.

He said he felt so overwhelmed that he called the Hawaii Army Reserve to verify whether they got the right person.

“I’m told that it’s really me. So it’s fine. I have no objection,” he said. “But you know, it’s just so overwhelming because I’m leaving a post I’ve loved over the years. There are so many things that I need to put in order first here in school as well as personal matters.”

In view of this, he said he would be asking for a delay of about two weeks in his departure. He has asked the help of CNMI leaders like some lawmakers to petition for the delayed departure.

“As a principal, there’s just a massive responsibility I must take care of before leaving, such as the accreditation work,” he said.

Barcinas said school damage assessment and rehabilitation work is another pressing concern facing the school.

“I am hopeful that my situation would be looked at and my request for departure delay is favorably acted on,” he said.

Besides school responsibilities, Barcinas said he needs to attend to his personal financial obligations. “I have loans, big loans that must be taken cared of before I leave, otherwise I’d be penalized,” he said.

He said he has informed Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos and other Public School System officials about his deployment order.

“They understand my situation and they’re ready to help,” he said.

He said the commissioner has yet to decide on who will replace him as principal in Dandan.

Barcinas said that he has recommended one of his staff, Martha Kintol, as his successor. “It’s all up to the commissioner but I highly recommended her [Kintol],” he said, adding that Kintol is about to finish her master’s degree.

“I’ve interviewed her for vice principal position. I’ve sensed the qualities of a leader in her,” he said.

Meantime, Barcinas said he would certainly miss his school, friends, and relatives for the entire 18 months assignment overseas. “It’s a mixed emotion,” he said.

He said some of his immediate family members like his mom, Francisca, on Rota do not know yet about his deployment.

“I haven’t spoken with my mom yet. My sister cried when I told her,” he said.

Barcinas said that he is classified as IRR or individual ready reserve, which is different from the other Army Reserve members who left the CNMI last week.

“They are considered ‘active’ reserve. I’m not. That’s why I was surprised when they called me suddenly. I’m left behind [by the CNMI unit],” he said.

Barcinas said, though, that he would be joining the CNMI unit in Hawaii and Louisiana for a six-month training prior to the one-year deployment in Iraq in February next year.