STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of SSG Eastman Jerry, U.S. Army (1974-1986)

I had always wanted to be in the military ever since I was a child. I was sure I wanted to join the US Marines and studied them while growing up. However, that was not to be the case, as my cousin, who is nine years older than I and was one of my primary babysitters growing up, went into the Marine Corps, became a sniper, and was in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Upon his return, he basically threatened me that if I even got close to a marine recruiter or office, he would personally “kick my butt.”

Fortunately, I was in JROTC at El Paso, TX, and the 3d Armor Cavalry Regiment was reassigned to Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX, in 1972. They offered any JROTC cadet an opportunity to take the MOS test for any field, and IF the cadet passed it, the cadet could enter the US Army as a Specialist 4 rather than PFC. I took the test for Armor Crewman and passed, thus allowing me the opportunity, for one year from the test date, to enter the Army as a Spec 4. I did and enlisted in January 1974.

Needless to say, this was NOT received well by several of the Drill Sergeants, as I was not a prior service individual and wearing Spec 4 rank. This went so far as the Brigade SGM. When I met with him, explained my reason for being a Spec 4, and showed him my enlistment orders awarding me Specialist 4, he stated there would be no controversy about my rank, and finance would pay me the pay grade entitled, and it was settled.

Except for some Drill Sergeants, which was understandable, as most had obtained their rank from being in Vietnam, I did what I could to be the best soldier. I was awarded the Spirit of America Honor Medal, presented by Waynesville, MO. To this date, when I entered the MP Corp and was assigned to MP duty, the Battalion SGM inquired what the medal was and why I was not wearing it in my dress green uniform.

Further research revealed that the award is awarded to United States Army trainees who have had no prior military service and no assignment to a unit other than a Reserve (UFA) or training unit. Upon completion of basic training or one station unit training, it is awarded to no more than one trainee out of the graduating group at each training center or unit.

The medallion is provided by the Citizens Committee for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, Inc. It was accepted for use in basic training or one-station unit training at training divisions as an award for the display of outstanding leadership qualities, best expressing the American spirit. Honor, Initiative, Loyalty, and a high example to comrades in arms

The American Spirit Honor Medal will not be worn on the uniform. I never received the medal, but I did get a nice letter from the City of Waynesville congratulating me on the award.

I made several MOS changes while in the Army. My first goal was to become a 76Y supply specialist, but mainly to become a Small Arms Repairman for A Company 1/68th Armor in Baumholder, FRG. I attended Small Arms Repair in Velseck, FRG, for my training. On return, I was the unit armorer and still did Tank training, especially gunnery.

I was made the unit Supply Sgt when he rotated back to the States. At the time, my company commander decided I knew enough about supply, although I had never been to training, and that he wouldn’t allow the first Sgt to request another supply Sgt. I must have done a good job, as our unit was selected for a Department of the Army IG inspection, and my supply and arms room made 100%. This is one of the reasons I was awarded an Army Commendation Medal upon my transfer back to the States.

I had planned on ETSing after my first four years, but the policy for MP selection changed, and I reenlisted to become an MP.

I enjoyed being an MP, first being assigned to a platoon as a garrison MP. I learned about civilian law enforcement, as the military assimilates state law in cases not covered by UCMJ and MPs use in combat. As I entered the MP Corps as a SGT, E5, I had to learn quickly what the troops below me already knew from being MPs for a few years. I had an outstanding Platoon Sgt who trained me well, and the individuals in my squad and company respected me. I then moved over to Property Officer for the MP garrison. This consisted of a lost and found type of job, but also entailed removing unsightly vehicles, abandoned vehicles, and impounding them to assist in cleaning up the post. It entailed coordinating with transportation to obtain a wrecker and driver and putting notices out on suspected abandoned vehicles. So, it entailed an attempt to locate the persons who lost an item, return it, if possible, and properly dispose of items not claimed.

I had been in the Army for over 11 years and told myself if I completed 10 years, another 10 wouldn’t be difficult, but the Army made that decision for me. I was Department of the Army selected for recruiter, and there was no way around it. I was advised to either go do the training, become a recruiter, or bar myself from reenlistment. This was a very difficult decision to make; however, after speaking with several individuals who had been recruiters, I decided to ETS, enlisting in the USAR.

While assigned to H Company, 2/3d ACR, it was decided that the Regiment, as a whole, would go on Reforger to Germany. Previously, only the Command Staff and the Headquarters troop had gone. As an advance party member, I was selected to go with the Headquarters section to prepare our vehicles in storage at Miesau Army Depot near Kaiserslautern, FRG.

When we arrived, we set up a tent city and started getting the vehicles out of “mothballs.” It was an exciting event, as we were assigned to M60A1 tanks and working and getting ready for M48A2 tanks. Although they are similar in some aspects, there were things different and missing. We were able to prepare all vehicles for movement and were told the Regiment would be railroading the vehicles and training in the northern section of Germany.

At this time, it was still a British-assigned area. When we began and were doing training exercises in some of the towns, it was amusing to see German people come out and study what was happening. Apparently, they were not informed about the US Army and Marines conducting training in their area, and they had not seen US military units since World War II.

We also did our live-fire exercises on German ranges with German Armor. The Reforger lasted about 31 days, and I was fortunate to be on the advance party returning to the US. It was an experience that I will never forget and enjoyed immensely. It was what I had joined the military to do: prepare and be ready to respond if required.

While assigned to A Company, 1/68th Armor out of Baumholder, FRG, we went on a field exercise to our fighting positions near the Fulda Gap. We railed our vehicles to the area and were advised that although we were not in our “actual” fighting positions, we were close enough.

We arrived just before May 1st, 1977. Apparently, Intelligence had revealed they were expecting a possible move by the East Germans and Russians, as May 1st is one of their special holidays. We had been issued a full complement of tank rounds and ammo for our small arms before the move. With binoculars, I was able to see the East German guards on the walls and towers on the East German side. We remained on the exercise for about a week until it was determined all was safe, and we returned to Baumholder. The event was a very nervous one, for sure.

As a Military Police officer nearing the end of my last enlistment, I was fortunate to be assigned to a Joint Drug Taskforce on the Texas/Mexican border at Fort Bliss/El Paso, TX, working with Army CI. There were about 5 MPs assigned to the Task Force, and I was appointed as the NCOIC of the unit under the supervision of a CID agent. I worked alongside other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Although we were under strict orders, we could not assist in the operation unless a military connection could be established. In almost all cases, a military connection could be developed, went on drug raids, performed surveillance, and made drug buys from dealers all over the El Paso area, including Fort Bliss. Your unit was the first to buy “black tar” Heroin in the El Paso area. We were advised that the “counter-surveillance” was so intense that our informant and handler had to enter the bar without backup, as it was closed.

We could only be about 3 or 4 blocks within the area. We were told that the bar where our informant and handler were going into was one of the worst in El Paso for drugs and contraband. We were told the bar had been raided several times in the past by other narcotic agents, and when the lights were turned up, drugs, guns, and contraband covered the floor. Of course, no one admitted to owning any of it, so no arrest was made.

Our unit did such an excellent job of dealing with illegal drugs and the contraband on Ft. Bliss with the other federal and local agencies that I was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for my part.

My fondest memories of duty were when I was stationed in Baumholder, FRG, A Co, 1/68th Armor, 8th Infantry Division. For anyone having been assigned there, I am sure they are saying, “WHAT?”

My reason for stating this is that I had fun and an enjoyable time in Germany. My son was born in a military hospital in Landstuhl, FRG. Overall, the experience was eye-opening and life-changing. I can honestly say that it was the best three years of my life. Although there were times I wished I weren’t there, overall, it was fun.

As I stated earlier, I went over as an Armor crewman and was able to pick up a secondary MOS as a then-76Y Supply. As the Supply Sergeant, I had to do a lot of on-the-job training; it was a great challenge. As the Supply sergeant, I was also the Sanitation NCO, being allowed to learn about sanitation and purifying water in the field.

I was trained in the first type of secure radio transmission. The Commo Sgt and I were both trained on how to secure our radios so that they would be able to “talk in the clear,” meaning codes wouldn’t have to be used, but you could talk in plain language. If you did not have the encrypted devices provided by HQ, all you would hear would be static. Also, if, for some reason, your unit lost the ability to “talk in the Clear,” you could reprogram your radio without the device. This was the first time it had been tried in the field while on an exercise. I had an outstanding company commander who looked after not only the unit as a whole but also his soldiers in general. The officers and NCOs of the unit were a group of quality individuals, taking after the commanding officer and assisting their soldiers as they could.

My least favorite time was when I was compassionately reassigned to Fort Bliss when my father passed away. The unit didn’t know what to do with me, and it was a terrible time.

I entered the Army when I was 19, at the beginning of the end of Vietnam. I was a kid, new to the real world, and did not know what I wanted to do and how to accomplish it. In my first duty assignment, I was assigned to the platoon Sgt tank, which meant I was in charge when the platoon Sgt wasn’t in the vehicle. Some of the men had no rank or were just a PFC. I was a Spec 4 just out of basic training, AIT, and M551 Sheridan school.

I had to learn quickly how to convince them I was knowledgeable enough to lead and guide them, although I wasn’t as old as they were. The knowledge I gained while in Army JROTC certainly played a big part and helped me become a leader. I must have done an excellent job because my Platoon sergeant put me in for sergeant, E5, and I passed the board with only two years of active duty time. I was also allowed to attend and complete the 3rd Cavalry Primary Leadership Course.

When I went to FRG, I was a Sergeant after only being in the service for two years, and I gained more experience and life lessons from being in a foreign country and dealing with different cultures and lifestyles. Many of my encounters or reasons are in other segments of these questions. I certainly believe if it had not been for the US Army and the training and experience I gained from it and those I served with, I would be dead or in jail.

While being an MP, I learned to deal with different people, cultures, lifestyles, and civilian attitudes. Each day was a new challenge I was given. I learned and grew from these. The knowledge I gained from this experience assisted me and helped me to go on and become a Deputy US Marshal. If it had not been for the MP training, experience, and those I worked with, I am not sure I’d have been able to be selected for Deputy Marshal.

I received an Army Commendation Medal for my accomplishments in Germany as the supply Sgt, even though I was never formally trained. I was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for being 100% on my reenlistment as a Retention NCO.

Lastly, I was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for supervising the MPs on the Joint Drug Task Force and the accomplishments the unit achieved.

The Army Commendation Medal I received while stationed in Germany was probably the most meaningful achievement I received.

That and a “special” award, a Solingen knife engraved with our names/rank engraved on one side and “Distinguished Russian Killer” engraved on the other, given to the highest qualified tank crew in A Co, 1/68th Armor Battalion. Our company commander bought the knives and had them engraved for the top crewman. Our crew beat out the other tank crews during gunnery that year.

Our commander was a hard-charging individual who did not like Russians and boasted that his tank crew was the best. He created the “special knife” presentation, and he knew he and his crew would receive it. It was an honor to be able to receive this award, as I was also working as the unit’s small arms repairman at the time. His crew was continually working together, whereas our tank crew was composed of individuals from other sections and didn’t train daily with each other on the tank. It just went to show that we were all trained and prepared to do our jobs, whatever they may be.

The Army Commendation Medal was significant because my next company commander trusted and believed that I could be a suitable replacement for his supply Sgt. He stood by me when the Battalion S4 wasn’t pleased with the company’s achievements in supply. He indeed showed me I was the person he thought, and the award proved it to me.

SFC Varellie was my platoon sergeant and tank commander in H Company, 2/3d ACR. When I was initially assigned to H Company, I was assigned to the Platoon Sgt tank as his gunner. That meant whenever the Platoon Sgt wasn’t in his tank, I was responsible for ensuring the vehicle was maintained and operational. I had just entered the Army and completed my required training, but as a Specialist 4 with no prior service. SFC Varellie saw my potential and encouraged me to do better and develop my leadership skills and training. He was the one who put me in for Sgt, E5, and assisted in my ability to become a Sgt in only two years of service.

Cpt. Elder, when I was in Armor, was an Irishman who cared for his troops but accomplished the mission. Cpt. Elder was a soldier’s officer. He understood his troop’s needs and worked well with his 1SGT and NCOs in the garrison and the field. He was fair but strict when required. He allowed me to become the unit armorer, and then, when the company’s supply sergeant was transferred, he had the faith and trust that I could move into the position as an E5 (Sgt) and do the job of a Supply Sgt with no formal training and in a higher-ranked slot.

With SFC Varellie and Cpt Elder’s confidence, faith, and trust in my untold abilities, I was able to go far in my military career. Although I didn’t think it was an honor when I was selected by the Department of the Army to become a US Army Recruiter, I now realize that the US Army also saw something in me that could benefit the Army and me. I’m not sorry about missing that opportunity, but I look back on it as another example of my abilities. I do wonder at times where it would have led me if I had become a recruiter.

When I was the Supply Sgt for A Co, 1/68th Armor, I was also the Sanitation NCO. Now, many may not think this is a glorious or enjoyable job, which it wasn’t, but there was one incident that stands out as funny. At least now it does. Our tank company was on a field problem, and we had run out of water to drink.

To begin with, it is hard to believe that 17 tanks with two 5-gallon water cans were all empty. Cpt Elder remembered I was trained to make the water palatable, and we had just come upon a religious memorial with water coming from outside a mountain where it was standing. In his way, Cpt Elder said I could make the water coming from the mountain drinkable, and I had better make it palatable, or he’d court-martial me. I knew he was joking about the court-martial, but then again, it was Cpt Elder speaking.

I advised him I could and got an empty 5-gallon water can. I filled the can from the stream of water running down the mountain. I then added the required chemicals I had to make the water palatable and told Cpt Elder and others listening that we had to wait 30 minutes for the chemicals to work. After 30 minutes, I poured a canteen cup with the water I had prepared and offered it to the Cpt. He smiled and said something to the effect, no, you first. If you get sick or die, we know you don’t know what you’re doing, and I wasted time sending you to training.

I drank the water down, and it was fine. I was then ordered to fill all the company’s water cans and make them palatable. It wasn’t funny at the time, but as I look back on it, I can see the Captain’s little smile as he told me to drink it first. Not only did this prove to all that the water was good to drink, but it also proved to any doubters that I knew what I was doing.

Another incident I remember, although I was not a part of it, concerned A Co, 1/68th Armor, and the company commander. However, this time, it was with Cpt Magera (sp). He was a hard charger and enjoyed the Army. So much so that he would take smoke grenades and put CS gas pellets into them so that when the grenade went off, the heat would activate the CS pellets.

The Battalion did a command post exercise with all commanding officers and their staff. Cpt Magera decided he would “attack” the HQs command track and drop one of the smoke grenades in the track. At the time, he didn’t realize it was one of his “special” smoke/gas” grenades. So when he pulled the pin and dropped it inside, it exploded into smoke, and the CS was released. It just so happened that the Battalion Commander was in the track at the time. Needless to say, the exercise was terminated, and Cpt Magera was told never to use those or make those again.

Lastly, back to Cpt Elder, the company had made the upstairs attic into a bar, a recreation area, and served beer and chips for the soldiers after hours. Cpt Elder, being the good Irishman he was, partook of the libations on occasion, and when he did, soldiers would ask him for a three-day pass. This got to be a problem as soldiers were getting three day passes quite regularly.

In formation one morning, the 1st Sgt advised the company that Cpt Elder could not approve any three-day passes from the recreation area and that he, the 1st Sgt, would be the only one approving them. Top also stated he was tired of his Captain being used like that. Of course, the three-day passes from the commander were ended.

Upon leaving the military, I didn’t initially pursue my goal; however, I did become a Deputy U.S. Marshal and enjoyed that job. The knowledge and training I received while on active duty certainly played a big part in my being selected for the job and helped me perform it.

Although I ETS’d, I remained in the Active reserves, doing my two-week training at different units until I was assigned to Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA, as an Individual Mobilization Agumante (IMA), as their Operations Sgt. I carried hip pocket orders, which would require me to report to them if so ordered back on active duty. I made a good friend in the then Provost Marshal, Cpt Numer, and enjoyed every bit of that assignment until the post was closed and the MP company relocated.

As for my job after the military, I was a Federal Corrections officer at Federal Corrections Institute, Tucson, AZ, and then was hired as a Deputy US Marshal, stationed in N/TX, Dallas/Ft Worth offices.

Although this is not considered a “military” organization, I am now with Train A Dog, Save A Warrior (TADSAW). This program assists veterans who have medical conditions in overcoming them with the aid of a trained K9. A trainer works with the veteran and the K9, usually from an animal shelter, to become “battle buddies” and help the veteran return to civilian life and as much normalcy as possible.

To be accepted into the program, the veteran must fill out a request stating their issues. Then, the veteran is assigned to a trainer who will help the veteran and the K9. It is a win-win situation for both the veteran and a K9 who may not be able to find a home.

As I stated earlier, I entered the Army as a young 19-year-old kid, and if it had not been for the service and things I did while in, I probably would be in jail or dead now. Knowledge, training, trust, and camaraderie are things that no other business or organization has. The ability to learn, the opportunities to excel, and the chance of visiting places you may never ever see or be able to go to are just a few of the things that made my military experience special. My military experience certainly assisted me in dealing with prisoners and fugitives, which I handled while in the Marshal Service. Also, the ability to travel to other lands and places assisted me in learning about different cultures and people’s beliefs and understandings.

I certainly miss the camaraderie you have in the military and the opportunity to travel the world and learn about other people and cultures.

My advice to anyone joining the military now would be to make the most out of everything and every place you go. Being in “the big sandbox” may not seem like the best place, but strive to make it the best and come home safely. Learn everything you can and never turn down an opportunity to become better in your life and job. Learn about the people and cultures you have the opportunity to visit. Get all the training, education, and knowledge you can, as there truly isn’t anything that has those types of opportunities.

TWS has brought back good and bad memories, but it has helped me deal with things that I didn’t want to deal with or wanted to forget about in the past.

Although I haven’t found individuals I have served with in the past, TWS has given me the opportunity to relive things I did, places I went, and people I met along the way. It has helped me recall good and not-so-good times and made me think back on what could have been rather than drifting along in retirement.

I do regret and have had issues with the fact I spent 30 years in the US Army/Army Reserve and have 2 National Defense Service ribbons, but never had boots on the ground anywhere. I am coming to grips with the fact that others have gone and given their all, yet I was spared. I don’t understand it but thank the Lord I am alive to try and deal with it daily. Thank you all for everything you’ve provided me in the past and all you are doing now.