Maj. Babauta to arrive for R&R

By SSG Fabian Indalecio
Special to the Saipan Tribune

Maj. Franklin R. Babauta, who is Company Commander of the Echo Company, will arrive this week for a 14-day break from his tour of duty in Iraq.

His wife, Celina, said the short vacation is a standard rest-and-recreation break during mid-tour. He will be going back to Iraq soon after.

When asked how she feels, Celina said: “It’s mixed, knowing that it’s a short period only and knowing he’s going back. We are, of course, grateful that we get to see him mid-tour. We will take advantage of this time to spend quality time with him.”

Celina said she and their family are planning a big celebration because of Babauta’s recent promotion, and to observe occasions that he had missed such as birthdays and anniversaries.

Babauta was promoted from captain to the rank of major in the U.S. Army effective June 8.

Celina said that her husband’s one-year tour of duty in Iraq will end in February 2006.

Babauta is serving in Iraq as Company Commander for Echo Company (Easy Company) 100th Battalion 442D Infantry. Babauta is a native of Saipan from San Roque Village. He graduated from Marianas High School in 1986. After high school, he attended the University of Guam and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Guam. He joined the Army Reserve in 1991 and served as the Platoon Leader for 3rd Platoon, Echo Company, 442D (Separate) Infantry Battalion.

Babauta served numerous positions in the Company and at Battalion Staff position. He served as platoon leader and company executive officer for Echo Company. In 1999, he served as the Support Platoon Leader for the 100th Battalion. In June of 1999, he was appointed as the Company Commander for Echo Company when he was still a 1st Lieutenant. He got promoted to captain in 2000 and continued to serve the command until 2001. In 2001, he was one of the Staff Officers for the Battalion in Hawaii. In late 2002, he was appointed for his second command time as Company Commander for Echo— a rare privilege for officers to serve a second time around.

Babauta took his Company to the Joint Readiness Training Center in 2003 as the Red Force Commander, training with the 25th Infantry Division before the unit was deployed to the Middle East. The unit had an outstanding participation and was selected to represent the Pacific Reserve Exercise in Australia. In July 2003, Echo Company conducted a joint forces exercise with the Australian Army. The members enjoyed their training and accomplished all their missions.

When asked how he feels about his promotion, Babauta said, “I’m very happy to be promoted. I felt a little bit different, with more responsibility. I will continue to focus on my job and start planning for the future of the Army Reserve training areas after the unit gets back home.

“My wife Celina and our four children—William, Francine, Kolina, and Franklin Junior—are waiting for me to come home and enjoy my promotion with them. My father, Jesus, and my siblings are also planning for my arrival.

“I would also like to say a big thank you to the two other important persons in my life, my godparents, Nick and Hilaria Santos in Hawaii, for praying for me everyday.”