Ask Sergeant Drew: Celebrations

Staff Sergeant Drew Koch, Iraq Correspondent

Staff Sergeant Drew Koch shares his views about current happenings in the Middle East. Everything said in this article is of his own opinion and not to be confused with the official standing of the U.S. Army. This week’s question: What kinds of things are celebrated and how do the soldiers celebrate?

I am currently sitting at a western base on my way back to the unit as I have been at home seeing my family and enjoying my mid-tour leave.  It was wonderful to be home for the 15 days!

 As for your question, what do we celebrate and how do we celebrate; it is a rather simple answer.  When you imagine my guys, picture a frat from any college movie that you might have seen.  Now add to the exploits, a more stringent right of passage, much specified training and a general attitude of invincibility.  My guys are all a fun and exciting bunch to say the least!

 We celebrate everything that you would.  Holidays, birthdays, birth of a child and promotions are the most common.  In general we celebrate them in our own special ways.              We obviously cannot make a cake to celebrate a birthday, so instead it is generally celebrated with a dog pile. The birth of a child equals a barbeque where the new father has to buy the steaks. Holidays are handled with whatever decorations we get in care packages and there is always a holiday meal in the chow hall.  

Every group is different and much of what we do is steeped in tradition.  Maybe not “Army Tradition” but tradition for our specific group.  What happens to the new guys happened to the old guys and will happen to the next set of new guys we receive.  It is done out of jest, and is a simple thing that usually builds stronger bonds amongst the men.  

I hope that this effectively answers your question.  I look forward to the next.