Red Bull Article

The Crotteau TeamBy: Sgt. Frank Vaughn on: Tue July 28, 2009 04:02 pm CDT (124 Reads) ..
Sgt. Maj. David Crotteau, currently serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the senior enlisted leader of supply and services for Multi-National Division-South and 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, has what he calls “a little piece of home” in Iraq. His daughter, Pfc. Jacki Crotteau, an intelligence specialist, is also serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 34th Inf. Div. at Contingency Operating Base Sgt. Maj. David Crotteau, currently serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the senior enlisted leader of supply and services for Multi-National Division-South and 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, has what he calls “a little piece of home” in Iraq.
His daughter, Pfc. Jacki Crotteau, an intelligence specialist, is also serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 34th Inf. Div. at Contingency Operating Base Basra.

The two spend as much time together as they can when not working. They eat breakfast and dinner together almost daily and go to Sunday church services together weekly.

Jacki, a former editor-in-chief of The St. Francis Crier, her high school newspaper, credits her military service to two things: an impulsive decision on her part and the influence of relationships developed with other Guardsmen as a result of her dad’s 30-year career in the military.

“Guard is family,” said David. “The people I have served with for many years are like aunts and uncles to Jacki. I tried to talk her into joining the Air Force, but the Army was all she knew.”

As for the impulse of her decision to join the Army, Jacki said she had to do something. “I didn’t want to go to college right away. I figured the military would give me experiences that college couldn’t.” One of the things Jacki has experienced here in Iraq is the need to work harder to establish her own identity. She said having her dad here, especially given his rank, kind of casts a shadow that she works hard to step out of. Her hard work has paid off. “I considered myself a people-person before the military,” Jacki said. “But I find it much easier to talk to people now.”

Still, Jacki said she wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. “It’s a good starter deployment,” she said. “I feel privileged because I have a hands-on experience being deployed with my dad.”

David said the deployment has strengthened the bond he has with his daughter. “Our family is used to me being gone, but Jacki more closely identifies with the sacrifices I’ve had to make in my military career,” he added.

This deployment hasn’t been easy on everyone, however. Susan, David’s wife and Jacki’s mother, has a house all to herself now, something she’s not used to.

“I have four children,” David said. “Two are grown and out on their own, Jacki’s here with me, and I have a son in basic (combat) training right now.”

“Mom is doing her part too now because the whole house is empty,” Jacki added. “My brother’s in basic, we’re here and she’s all by herself.”

Jacki said her mother had one thing to say about her and David being here together. “I’m really jealous!”

Davis and Jack

(some names have been changed to protect identity)

Since I was little, I remember anxiously awaiting spring. I couldn't wait until the first real Saturday of the season... when I could wake up extra early and jam into the car with other eager family members. The passengers were the spotters, impatiently scanning the road for a beacon of hope as the driver would also scan, but less fervently.

When someone finally saw our beacon of hope, a neon sign proudly proclaiming "GARAGE SALE!" they would yell "Turn here! Turn here!" We would do a sort of drive by... see what there was to offer. And of course, we would almost always stop. Do not judge a sale by it's appearance, I was raised to believe. A treasure was always waiting to be found.

And still, although the methods in Iraq are slightly different, the tradition continues here in glorious Basrah. Maybe we'll be driving along in the car, when suddenly, Cheryl spots a chair. DAVE STOP! And alas, there is the finely constructed chair, which will later be used for viewing movies... or rather sleeping through them. At that same "sale" I was also blessed to find my night stand. With a bit of dust off, my little find is now fully stocked with snacks and entertainment... all within an arm's reach of my bed.

But the best find, for me, as of yet, was actually spotted by my dad. While my room had a chair (acquired from the tent I used to stay in...I'm hoping I can smuggle it home somehow) and my nightstand and even a foot locker (it came with the room), it lacked any drawers to put my precious few possessions into.

I cannot tell you how I obtained the Rubbermaid drawers, but I can tell you how two individuals, named Davis and Jack, obtained the aforementioned drawers. Davis showed Jack theses drawers that were on a large overhang that was about 10 feet from the ground. Davis and Jack searched for a ladder, but to their dismay, they found none. So, Davis decided to stack some paper boxes and with the help of what appeared to be (of course I wasn't there, but so I was told) some super kind of Spiderman powers, Davis climbed up onto the ledge. This was shocking to Jack, because she... he... had never seen Davis climb like that. Davis got the set of drawers and dropped it down to Jack and climbed back down just as nimbly as he had climbed up. Then Davis and Jack left the building, but Davis realized that Jack didn't have her... his... umm..."special defense mechanism" on her... him... and so Davis darted back inside before Jack could remember where she... he... had left it. And Davis came back and said that he couldn't find it. That's when Jack realized that Davis's running had been in vain... because Jack hadn't left it in the building.

Apparently, Davis and Jack are also quite the little garage salers,apparently =]

I hope you guys are doing well. It's 2:30 A.M. on Tuesday morning here.Last night I went to choir practice. It went pretty well... I guess next Sunday I'm doing a very small solo. I tried to explain that I haven't done this stuff since I was in 10th grade... but it seems they have selective hearing. So, wish me luck on that. It isn't a big deal... but I will probably still be nervous.