Student return after spreading news in Afghanistan
By Paul Johnson
IV Leader Staff
Andrew Trumbo is back in the classroom after a long journey.
Trumbo returned to the states in December 2004 from Kandahar,
Afghanistan, after safely completing an eight- month military tour.
He served in the 17th Psychological Operation Battalion and helped run a local
radio station in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The 17th's main responsibility is to
disseminate information.
"It's the news," said Trumbo. "It's the same thing you
[journalist] do; it’s putting out the truth. It's not propaganda."
Trumbo's main responsibility while at the radio station in
Afghanistan was to maintain the equipment and play the pre-recorded information
and music. The station aired a mix of news, local music, as well as exposing the
Afghans to American music.
While serving as a communications specialist in Kandahar,
Trumbo was not involved in any military action. During his time no coordinated
attack was launched against Kandahar, and Trumbo said that resistance there is
minimal.
"Occasionally there was distant rocket fire, but that's
pretty random."
Even though Trumbo felt he was safe, his parents did have
some concerns for his safety. Trumbo's father, Tim Trumbo, said that they only
worried over Andrew's safety when they heard of attacks in the news.
"You don't watch the news as much, you turn it off." said
Tim.. "You think you would watch it more, but you don't."
During his time in Afghanistan, Trumbo participated in
several patrols in local villages. According to Trumbo the troops were well
received, particularly by the children.
"It's fun to see the reaction of the kids," he said. "The
kids really love us. You're driving by and the kids are giving you thumbs up and
waving and shouting at you. It's a good feeling".
Communication with his family was not a problem for Trumbo
while in Afghanistan. He had regular access to phones, e-mail and sent letters
home. Upon his return, Trumbo states that he has been well received by his
family.
Trumbo enlisted in the military in November 2001. He
graduated from Ottawa High School and went to boot camp at Fort Bragg, N.C., in
the summer of 2002. He graduated from specialty training in December of that
year. Trumbo was deployed in December 2003 right before finals week at IVCC.
His main reason for enlisting in the military was to serve
his country and because of the specialized training that he received.
His current plans are to finish the spring semester at IVCC
and then transfer to University of Illinois Chicago to pursue a degree in either
computer science or chemical engineering.
Adjusting back into civilian life has not been too difficult,
according to Trumbo. "They're pretty much the same as when I left," Trumbo said
of his friends.
The events of Trumbo's deployment in Afghanistan have had a
personal effect upon his family. "When war has a personal face, it's a lot
messier then what you see on TV," commented Trumbo's father.
Overall, Trumbo feels that the War on Terror has been a
success in Afghanistan. While some problems still exist, he says the good far
outweighs the bad. He also states that the United States is promoting education,
training an Afghanistan army, and the "elections went off without a hitch".
Trumbo said he made lifelong friends in the army and enjoyed his tour of duty in
Afghanistan.