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Story and Photo by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
MOSUL, Iraq (17 Feb. 06) -- When an individual senses their life might be at stand still, a decision has to be made to jump-start a new career.
For Pfc. James Horris from Baltimore, Md., the decision was easy, join the U.S. Army.
“A year ago I was a bus boy in a restaurant in Little Italy, going nowhere, so I decided to join the Army and chose to be an infantryman,” Horris said.
Today, Horris is a Soldier with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, currently supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom at Forward Operating Base Courage, Mosul, Iraq.
Back home in Baltimore, Horris knew exactly what his schedule would be, with very little change. However, here at FOB Courage, he gets up before dawn, and is out patrolling the streets of Mosul, at times, for many hours.
“No day is ever the same, everyday we do something different, usually two to three missions a day,” said Horris. “We do more before 9 a.m. than what I did for an entire day back at home.”
The 172nd arrived in Iraq in August 2005 while Horris was still attending advanced individual training. He caught up with the 172nd in November 2005 and was assigned as a Stryker vehicle driver.
“Horris is doing a great job as one of our drivers, he’s very reliable and is quick to learn new tasks,” said 1st Lt. Devin Hammond, platoon leader, Co. A, 2nd Bn, 1st Inf. Rgt.
Horris is responsible for getting Soldiers to and from FOB Courage safely, not an easy task considering the risks of improvised explosive devices and insurgent activity in the area.
“Our Stryker has had one direct hit from an IED, but Horris remained calm and was able to remain calm and follow directions,” said Spc. Nicholas Ericson, team member, Co. A, 2nd Bn, 1st Inf. Rgt.
Horris is an important member of this Stryker brigade combat team, his fellow Soldiers rely on his driving skills for their battle safety. Back home in Baltimore, he only had to rely on himself. His life is no longer at a stand still. He has lots of excitement here in Mosul.