Published Sunday, December 21, 2008
Guardsman volunteers for duty in Afghanistan
The Times-Herald
(Editor's note: This is the sixth in a special series highlighting soldiers with Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in summer 2009. Georgia National Guard's Bravo Company Second Battalion is based in Newnan at the Jackson-Pless National Guard Armory and consists of men and women from around this region of the state.)
One's age has little to do with his or her bravery. Just ask one of the youngest, if not the youngest, member of the Georgia National Guard's Bravo Company Second Battalion.
Peachtree City's Private First Class Adam Suwinski is 18 years old, and he's already learned a possible outcome of war serving on the honor guard that participates in military funerals. Still, when duty called, he voluntarily agreed to deploy to Afghanistan in 2009.
Suwinski was born in Newnan and grew up in Peachtree City. He graduated from McIntosh High School and joined the Army National Guard in May 2007.
"It was just something I really wanted to do," said Suwinski. "I wanted more pride."
He went to basic training planning to go to North Georgia College to commission as an ROTC infantry officer. Instead, he was given the option of joining his teammates in Afghanistan, and he decided he wanted to "help out."
Suwinski lives with his parents and 15-year-old sister. He admits he "sprung the decision" on his family and got mixed reviews. "They're supportive, but worried. They know it's what I want to do."
His sister, on the other hand, is having a hard time with the news and is in denial about his deployment.
"The biggest fear I have is for my family," said Suwinski. "My sister would be really sad if I died. This may sound odd, but I'd rather me go than a father or a husband or something. But, I think we'll do fine over there."
Suwinski also has a unique perspective on their mission in Afghanistan.
"I respect the people over there -- even the terrorists who are doing wrong -- they are people like me fighting for what they believe in," he said. "I want to help rebuild the homes that we're destroying. This is not just about fighting or killing, we're rebuilding a country and making it better for its people."
If he gets time off before his first deployment, he plans to visit relatives in Buffalo, NY.
During his tour, he says he'll miss the convenience of American communications, but that he already lives "a pretty rugged lifestyle."
"I'll miss my family, but I can live without electronics," he said.
Suwinski will be serving alongside his best friend, and they each plan to pack a sense of humor. In their downtime, they will parody songs and make music videos for a good laugh. He's also packing a camera to snap reminders of the culture so he can share the experience with his family back home.
Here is a spotlight on two more soldiers who are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan:
* Private First Class Andrew Pitman's life is about to change dramatically. His first child -- a daughter -- is due any day now, and he's facing his first tour of duty next year.
Pitman, 19, is originally from Arkansas and has lived in LaGrange since 1999. He joined the Army National Guard in 2007 because he admittedly "didn't know what else to do." Now, he's glad he did. "It feels great to be in the National Guard," said Pitman. "For me, it's a lifestyle -- something I like to do."
Still, when he told his wife about his orders to deploy, she was understandably "a little bit upset, because this is our first child and we're still newlyweds. But, she said she was proud of me and that she understands."
Pitman says he isn't bothered by the thought of war, he's only bothered about leaving his family.
"I won't be able to spend that first little time with my girl -- nothing else really bothers me about this," said Pitman.
Before he leaves, he'll spend time with some in-laws from California and some of his family from Indiana.
When he gets to Afghanistan, besides his family, he says he'll miss sleep the most. For fun, he's hoping to be bring his guitar and "torture the other guys."
"Any chance I get I'll scribble stuff on paper and send it home to my family," said Pitman. He also plans to call as often as possible to check in with his girls.
He's proud to be serving in Afghanistan because he wants the people to be able to "take care of themselves."
* Squad Leader Michael Johnson, 34, lives in Greenville, Ga., and is from Valdosta. He's been in the National Guard for 11 years.
"I joined because I wanted to do something I'd never done before, like jump out of airplanes," said Johnson, who also values the camaraderie.
Johnson is newly divorced and has two children -- a 9-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter. When he fought the Taliban in Iraq as a gunner in 2003 he remembers the toll that year-long tour had on his kids. Johnson said his son had a hard time sleeping and his daughter had to readjust to having him around because she initially didn't recognize him.
Needless to say, breaking the news of a second deployment wasn't easy. "The news didn't go very well, especially because of the divorce," said Johnson. But, he says his kids are well-supported and his father, who's prior military, will help out a lot.
His children aside, Johnson says he's excited about going. This time he will act as a unit leader. "I just want to do a good job and keep my soldiers safe," he said. Having deployed once before won't give him much of an advantage, said Johnson, because "every place is different."
"Everybody will basically be in the same boat. It's a different culture in Afghanistan and a different environment."
Johnson says he'll miss football and concerts while abroad, and when he returns he hopes to purchase an English Bulldog.
"I feel really good [about the mission]," he said. "I think Afghanistan will be a great opportunity because it's a challenge. The culture's so different. I'm really looking forward to working with the Afghan National Army to help them stand on their own and establish freedoms. This will be a milestone in my career and my life."