I wasn't in Kuwait with my unit, the 11th Armored Calvary. Fresh out of basic training-fort Lennardwood Missouri, advanced infantry training-shipping out of fort Hood. We were still back in Fulda, Germany. Up in the Air Base.
Shoulder fired surface-to-air missile. I was a "Stinger," crew member. Walking into the base it seemed quite empty. Quick to the dentist, every one's in Kuwait. We've got to get you boxed up, and shipped, hurry up and wait!
Phuck! But just then it was over like that. Looks like I got the lucky straw. The guys were coming back. People were messed up. Fresh out of that oil field. Doesn't do you good living in a neighborhood, with new neighbors like that.
To Frankfurt and a shrink. I suppose something snapped along the way. But then I guess you'd think it might given the state... and the mood. I suppose I already had PTSD, undiagnosed from my past. Compound trauma but got through it-like only a Survivor can.
Well the doctor looked me square in the eye said, "Son... You need to NOT be in the army." I didn't know it then but he knew. He was a top quality professional. He could see clearly, the wrecked train.
I suppose the quickest note bringing the story to date, is that it did not end their. Fifteen years later, I'm back stateside, Surviving Healthcare.
Richard C Rusch
Pvt US Army 1992
11th Armored Cavalry
Air Defense Artillary
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The Blackhorse Regiment deployed an aviation task force on 10 April 1991 to Turkey for operation Provide Comfort, an operation to support the Kurdish relief effort. One month later, the three maneuver squadrons (1st, 2d and 3d) along with the regiments support squadron, deployed to Kuwait for Operation Positive Force, an operation to secure Kuwait so it could rebuild from the war. By October, the Regiment had completed its missions in Turkey and Kuwait and returned to Fulda. As the need for US Forces in Europe decreased, the Blackhorse Regiment was inactivated in a ceremony on 15 March 1994.
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