Curtiss says soldiers prepared for Iraq

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard

State Rep. Charles Curtiss talks with 278th National Guard Capt. Jim Reed during his recent trip to Camp Shelby, Miss. Soldiers with the 278th are expected to be transferred to California before eventual deployment to Iraq. (Photo provided)

As a former Marine, state Rep. Charles Curtiss knows a few things about military training.

After making a recent trip to Camp Shelby, Miss., Curtiss had nothing but glowing remarks about our National Guard soldiers and the training they are receiving.

“The comfort level for me is a lot better than before the trip,” said Curtiss. “I was very impressed with the training our troops are receiving and the equipment that has been issued.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the great attitude our troops have about their mission and their ability to accomplish that mission. They feel they are ready for the job and feel they can do the job.”

Curtiss was among 28 members of the Tennessee General Assembly who made the trip to Camp Shelby to visit with soldiers from the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, of which Warren County’s National Guard unit is a part.

Soldiers are currently involved in various aspects of military training in both a field environment and in garrison operations, which are operations from a fortified place such as a command post.

Legislators began their tour with briefings from Camp Shelby and Tennessee National Guard officials. The lawmakers then had the opportunity to visit with soldiers.

“It gave our troops the opportunity to tell us if something was going on out of the ordinary,” said Curtiss, who indicated he talked to soldiers from all over the state and about four or five from Warren County. “It was a chance to reassure us that they are receiving the proper training.”

National Guardsmen are training for eventual deployment to Iraq, which is scheduled to take place in December. Although there has been no official announcement as to where the 278th will be stationed in Iraq, The Associated Press reported last week the regiment is headed to the hostile territory of Tikrit and portions of the Sunni Triangle.

“The most important thing we can do for our troops is to keep them in our prayers and support their families while they are deployed,” said Curtiss. “I used to think you couldn’t fight a war without the Marines, but now you can say that about the National Guard. They are the backbone of the whole military.”

The 278th is composed of units from about 30 armories, including those in McMinnville, Cleveland, Athens and Sweetwater. The 278th has been authorized to take 3,895 soldiers to Iraq.