Best wishes to NMI reservists

I want to wish the best for E Company, 442d on their Annual Training in Hawaii. Good luck and Godspeed! Furthermore, due to the recent announcement of alert for possible deployment into combat operations, I’d like to extend my wish for safety and calm along with many blessings for them and their family members as they prepare to face the realities of war.

As a company commander with over 200 soldiers here in Baghdad, Iraq, I know how difficult these times are for the leaders, soldiers, and family members. Prayers and a lot of support from the community pay huge dividends. And being from the CNMI myself, I know how much of that support and prayers the unit gets. So, kudos to the people of the CNMI for supporting the effort.

My advice for the unit (E Company) is to ensure that the leadership does everything possible to take every opportunity of the training they are en route for. Let the soldiers understand that combat environment is sometimes so austere that it takes the effort of every leader and soldier to contribute. By having such mindset during training, soldiers will overcome the difficulties of actual combat. Moreover, basic warfighting skills trained to standard save lives on the battlefield. Therefore, focus on this really hard. I also advice that maintenance of equipment is taken seriously. A few of my soldiers can attest that because they have taken very good care of their equipment, their lives were spared.

Lastly, every family member must never be forgotten. I experienced all this about this time last year when I was alerted that my company was going, and I was to command the unit in combat. Preparations such as weeks of field exercises, and a National Training Center rotation, culminating with railhead operations, and all kinds of readiness process we endured are paying huge dividends today. We are six months into our deployment, and are still tough, disciplined, and focused.

Finally, because I know the company commander, Capt. Franklin Babauta, personally as a close friend, I am very confident that he and his unit are more than prepared for the worst. I am very proud of him and his troops. So, Ko’, take care, good luck, tell the troopers to stay low, but keep their heads up high. Serve well, and perhaps I’ll get to see you here in the sands and deserts of Iraq.

Capt. Lawrence F. Camacho
Delta Company Commander
15th Forward Support Battalion
1st Cavalry Division