Stryker Brigade News

For the Scotts, deployment is no stranger. In fact, if it weren’t for a deployment to Kosovo in 2003, the two never would have met. They redeployed to Wurzburg, where they married in August. Six months after the Scotts said “I do,” they were on their way to Iraq.

“We’ve spent the majority of our married lives deployed together,” said David, the Chief Ward Master at the CSH

“You get to know how the other is at work and home because when you’re deployed, it’s all the same thing. We are very fortunate compared to those who are deployed apart. We get to see each other on a daily basis. We know what each other’s day is like and what each other is going through, so we didn’t have the traumatic good-byes and won’t have the readjustment period when we get back home,” said David.

The couple faces many challenges aside from their daily duties. Not only must they work through the same challenges that face most marriages, but they must battle the added stressors of being together in a combat zone.

“We can’t live together, which is hard because every night you say goodnight and then go your separate ways. There is no time where we get to live together as a couple,” said Dave. Although it is difficult, Dave says that he would much rather have his wife deployed with him.

The pair also has to be constantly aware of their military surroundings and perform their jobs as Soldiers.

“You’re never off work, you are always working. When you are at home, you have that time when you come home and can unwind and be a ‘civilian.’ Where you are here, you don’t have that option,” said Miriam, the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the CSH’s Dental Clinic. “You are always working and must uphold your military bearing. He outranks me, so I always address him as Master Sgt. Scott instead of Dave. I am always respectful of his rank, and it’s hard because we aren’t just husband and wife, we are also Soldiers.”

Upon returning to Germany, the Scotts face the possibility of being split up. Miriam currently has orders for a year in Korea while David does not yet have his orders. They look at their deployment as an opportunity to spend time together and grow as a couple.
Yolanda and Naamon Wright

Spc. Yolanda Wright is the postal clerk for the CSH and prides herself on her work, knowing that she is a vital link between the Soldiers in the 67th and their family and friends in the states. Her husband, Staff Sgt. Naamon Wright, although quiet and reserved, is responsible for keeping up the communications network in the CSH as the Communications Non-commissioned Officer.

Married for more than two years, the Wrights may never have met if it weren’t for the Scotts. Yolanda was Miriam’s roommate in Germany and after being asked on a date by Naamon, she was shy about taking him up on the offer.

“I was new to the unit and didn’t know much about Naamon. Miriam convinced me to go on at least one date with him, and now look at us,” said Yolanda.

Naamon proposed to Yolanda on Valentine’s Day, 2002, and months later, they were married in Denmark.

“I knew that when the unit was deploying, I had to go be with him,” said Yolanda. “This deployment with Naamon has been completely different than anything I have ever experienced.”

For Yolanda, having her husband by her side helps her to deal with the stressors of being deployed in a combat zone. Naamon, on the other hand, worries about Yolanda’s safety.

“This is my fourth deployment, and my first time being deployed with my significant other. What I am used to is going away, working hard and focusing only on my job. Here, I have to also concentrate on my wife. I worry about her well-being and safety,” said Naamon.

Once they return to Germany, the Wrights plan to spend some time traveling Europe before Naamon goes to Warrant Officer School.
Danielle and Rafael Sierra

The Sierras celebrated their second anniversary in October together in a combat zone. Some couples would see spending an anniversary in a combat zone as a drawback, but Sgt. Danielle and Staff Sgt. Rafael Sierra are enjoying the fact that this is the most time they’ve been able to spend in one place together.

Two weeks after their wedding Rafael was deployed to Kosovo. When he returned to his wife in Germany, she was preparing to deploy to the Republic of Georgia and three weeks upon her return to Germany, the two were headed to Iraq.

“It has been a definite plus having her here with me. The pros outweigh the cons,” said Rafael, the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Orthopedic Special Clinic at the CSH. “It’s great to have somebody here that you can actually talk to if you are having problems. A lot of the people here don’t have that opportunity.”

Because they have experienced what it is like to be apart and together during a deployment, the Sierras agree that serving side-by-side is much less strenuous.

“I know from being in Kosovo that it was much more difficult to be separated during deployment. Even if we are in a combat zone, it is so great to be here together,” said Rafael.

“Some units decide to separate spouses on purpose during a deployment for one reason or another. I think that makes things worse. Being together is more of a pro than it is a con,” said Danielle, a Licensed Practical Nurse in the CSH Intensive Care Unit.

The duo also agrees that being together has no negative effect on their ability to do their jobs in a professional, military manner.

“When it comes to work, you have to flip a switch from husband and wife to Soldier and Soldier. When you keep it professional, it’s not hard to get the job done,” said Rafael.

“We’ve always kept it professional because the Soldiers are looking to you to set an example to do the right thing. As long as you maintain that professionalism, everything will be ok,” added Danielle.

Rafael looks forward to reenlisting after they return to Germany and Danielle is eager to pursue her civilian nursing career after her enlistment is over and expand their family.

Michelle and Jamil Lawrence

Spc. Michelle and Spc. Jamil Lawrence have a history that dates back to their days in high school where Jamil would walk Michelle to class. Married three weeks after high school graduation, Michelle had plans to join the Army. Jamil says that he couldn’t bear the thought of his wife going through basic training while he stayed at home enjoying the “civilian lifestyle,” so together they joined the Army as Mental Health Specialists. After attending basic training and advanced individual training together, the couple was stationed in Germany and then deployed with the 67th to Iraq.

“I am calmer and focused when she is around me. If she was somewhere else, I would be worrying all the time. But when she is around me, I work better,” said Jamil.

“As long as I know he is safe, then I am okay. It has brought us closer together, being in the Army together. We know how to work together instead of bumping heads about things,” said Michelle.

The couple works in the Mental Health Clinic in the CSH and is looking forward to redeployment. Their contracts with the Army will be nearly over and they are motivated to move into a house they purchased in Norfolk, Va., where they both plan to attend college.

The commander of the CSH doesn’t see deploying couples together as a distraction to the mission. She views the couples’ dedication to the unit and each other as a bond that makes the 67th CSH that much stronger.

“The experience in Mosul with these four couples has been excellent from a commander’s viewpoint. There have been absolutely no problems,” said Col. P.K. Lillis-Hearne, 67th CSH commander.