In mid-2005 Sergeant (CPT) Kerry S. Kinney found himself selected to deploy as a short notice mobilization filler for a National Guard Engineer battalion deployed in Iraq. After an abbreviated ten day training period, CPT Kinney joined the 113th Engineer Battalion in Mosul, Iraq on 19 May 2005. CPT Kinney served as a combat medic Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) from May 2005 until his return to the United States in December 2005. In his narrative, CPT Kinney discusses the various types of engineer support missions his battalion conducted such as berming operations, convoy escort, unexploded ordnance (UXO) finding and improvised explosive device (IED) Bullet (UXO evacuation) missions. In his narrative, CPT Kinney notes the good command climate in the battalion, which resulted from the positive leadership examples from the battalion commander on down. Kinney notes the importance of high quality training done during Reserve Component (RC) weekend drills and Annual Training periods. CPT Kinney also recounts his story of supervising medical stabilization of two injured Soldiers following an IED strike on a bullet convoy. CPT Kinney relates a vignette which underscores the importance of understanding current Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) as used in theater. In closing, CPT Kinney notes the importance of setting positive leadership examples, versatility and tenacity in performing leadership roles.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited