Free Internet service provided to Rough Rider Soldiers

By Cpt. Kimberly Jennings, 27th BSB, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. PAOSeptember 2, 2008

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq -Captain Victor Egbon, had an idea, but he wasn't sure how possible it would be.

"I just wanted a place for Soldiers to come and use the internet for free; I believe we owe it to our Soldiers," said Egbon, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division from Houston, Texas.

"Some of them would like to continue their education, and some just maintain communications with loved ones back home."

Egbon and 1st Sgt. Marcus Morrison, the first sergeant for HHC, 27th BSB, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div., took the idea to Wallas Davis, regional director for SniperHill, the primary internet provider for Contingency Operating Base Adder. The two were concerned with the cost of their proposal.

"The meeting only lasted an hour," said Morrison, from San Antonio, Texas. "He (Wallace) told me everything he was going to do, and when I asked him how much it was going to cost the battalion, his reply was, 'Free-that is the least SniperHill can do for our Soldiers,'" Morrison explained.

So the Rough Rider Internet CafAfA was approved, and the only thing left to do was find computers and build the tables and privacy barriers.

Egbon authorized the use of ten brand new computer laptops for the project, and the HHC, 27th BSB operations and personal security detachment sections' Soldiers provided the hard work and materials needed to complete the room.

"Working on the internet cafAfA was my way of giving back to my fellow Soldiers," said Pfc. Kenton Macom, a native of Fredrick, Okla., and one of the HHC Soldiers responsible for painting the mural in the room. "It pleases me to be part of the team that helped set up a place where Soldiers can connect with their Families."

Specialist Kristy Scott, an administrative clerk assigned to HHC and a native of Augusta, Ga., is currently enrolled in on-line classes working on her master's degree. "Having the Internet CafAfA at the battalion headquarters will definitely be a plus in completing my educational goals during this deployment," explained Scott.

SniperHill is an internet service provider in the Middle East that provides dedicated bandwidth to each individual Soldier.

"We understand our customers and know they need competent support and timely service," said Davis. "Knowing our customers helps us deliver because we're there for them at important times."

"The Internet CafAfA will be a great morale booster for the Soldiers," said Spc. Julian Griffin, a native of Tempe, Fla. "I'd like to thank SniperHill for their support," he said.