1SG Randy Jr. Taylor, U.S. Army (2002-2023)

My favorite photo from my military service is the picture taken in 2006 of my Battalion, 1-18 Infantry Vanguards in flight to Kuwait where we would spend a short transitional period enroute to Baghdad Iraq. For some of us in this image this is a second deployment in theater to include myself and you can see the confidence of youth in my face during this air movement. Leading up to this image was a series of movements, baggage carries, weapons draw and close postured accountability while chain smoking with my Platoon. I am seen with a snack in my mouth towards the front. I can remember the smell of the jet fuel, the sounds, feel of being on the C130 and the excitement of going back to Iraq to do my trade as an Infantryman. This whole situation just felt so simple and familiar to me.

In this picture you can see SGT Gonzalez in the bottom left, one of my peer Squad Leader’s perceivably in deep thought. On SGT Gonzalez’s left you can see SGT Lee with glasses who was also a peer Squad Leader staring into the camera as this picture is taken. Further to the Left SGT Rice and to his left SSG Orthman another one of my peer Squad Leader’s also staring into the camera as it was taken. Behind me is SPC Mattice my HMWWV gunner/ dismount presenting a middle finger to the camera as it was taken. I believe behind SPC Mattice is SPC Weaver another one of my Platoon’s Driver/HMMWV Gunners.

I remember staring up at the aircraft’s ceiling and walls of its wide cylindrical body observing all the exposed avionics, wiring harness, instruments and warning indicators all while questioning the airworthiness of an aircraft that appears incomplete in construction. I trusted the crew chief with his headset who appeared in the front left access compartment periodically throughout the flight. I remember the consistent loud hum of the engines that carrier my unit and all our gear which can be seen in the picture all secured with cargo nets and rachet straps on back ramp. My M4 cleaned and ready for work in between my legs. I choose to take my IBA off for this flight and set aside in the aisle to my right knowing from my previous experience in the Middle East that I would enjoy every opportunity to not have to wear it given the often-steamy weather to come.

This picture, although does not capture everyone in my Battalion holds a bit of emotional connection as I know that at the time of this picture everyone was alive and well. The units future redeployment flights back to home station 15 months later was short 22 Vanguards on the manifest who would not depart theater with the rest of us. I really wish I would have taken more pictures of everyone during this time, but they are captured in my memories. This picture was me before I had depression and PTSD.

Read the Military Memories of our Runner-Ups.