PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - U.S. Army South named Andrew Durbin as its Civilian Employee of the Quarter recently. It was an honor Durbin said that took him by surprise.
"I didn't even know I was nominated for it. I really just try to come to work every day and do my best," said Durbin.
Durbin is the Army South led Joint Task Force-Haiti Deputy Chief for networking and communication management (J6), part of the team responsible for the computers, phones, and other communication devices that help keep JTF-Haiti communicating.
Col. Paul English, U.S. Army South and JTF-Haiti J6, said he knew about the award when the nomination was forwarded by Durbin's supervisor at U.S. Army South for his endorsement.
"It's a pleasure working with him. He is a former 53 series officer and he understands the Deployable Joint Command and Control System. He's good with people and is a good fit for the joint task force."
Communications, said English, are how the commanders are able to see and coordinate with one another. In Haiti, the J6 is responsible for not only coordinating communications amongst like units such as U.S. Army South but also separate units and the sister services in a communications network stretching across Haiti and all the way back to San Antonio and up to Washington D.C. Still, Durbin says being deployed is where he feels most comfortable.
"This is my niche; as a former 53 series this is where I feel most at home, setting up deployed communications."
Durbin retired from the Army as a Major in 2008 after serving nearly 22 years. He initially enlisted as a Military Policeman, later becoming a commissioned MP Officer. He changed functional areas and retired as an Information Systems Management Officer, returning to U.S. Army South to work as a civilian. This is not his first time deploying to Haiti. He previously served in Haiti in 1992 as an MP.
Durbin recognizes how fortunate he is to be deployed. He was in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba getting ready for a deployment exercise when the earthquake struck. He volunteered to go to Haiti and was one of four persons chosen to deploy as the J6 advance party.
"I think I was lucky to get to go. I think almost everyone at Army South volunteered," he said.
For being named Civilian of the Quarter, Durbin received a copy of his award certificate; the original is waiting for him back in San Antonio as is a commander's coin from Maj. Gen. Simeon Trombitas, commanding general, JTF-Haiti.
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