Wounded Soldier Reaffirms Commitment to Fight

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq (Army News Service, June 18, 2007) - Soldiers reenlist in the Army everyday, but for one Soldier with the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, reenlisting was an experience far from ordinary.

Pfc. Daniel Weber, cavalry scout, 2nd Platoon, Troop B, 1-9 Cav., reenlisted June 13 only hours after being injured in an IED attack in Mosul.

"I planned on reenlisting that day for a while," Pfc. Weber said. "Why should I let something like this change my mind'"

Pfc. Weber's company commander, Capt. Bradley Nelson, was in a convoy heading to Forward Operating Base Marez when Pfc. Weber hitched a ride to reenlist.

"We were riding along just fine when we heard over the radio that Delta Troop was in some trouble, so we decided to turn around and help them out because we had a medic with us," Pfc. Weber said.

When the convoy turned, an IED detonated beside Pfc. Weber's vehicle. The concussion of the blast rattled through the vehicle, blowing Pfc. Weber out of the vehicle.

"I thought I was dead. I slid on the concrete for at least 20 meters," he said. "I couldn't feel my legs, but I realized I had to stand up and get back to my truck for cover."

Pfc. Weber ran over to his commander and helped him back into the vehicle, then recovered his driver's weapon.

"The blast forced my door open all the way, trapping the driver in the vehicle," Pfc. Weber said. "As I helped him fix the door I could feel my sleeve stick to my arm and that's when I knew I was hurt."

The convoy regrouped and rushed to an Iraqi military base nearby, where Pfc. Weber was seen by Navy doctors.

"The docs thought my arm was broken but they weren't sure, so they cleaned me up and rushed me over to the Iraqi troop medical center for an X-ray," he said. The X-ray came back negative.

After Pfc. Weber received his X-ray results, Capt. Nelson told him that he could be on a flight to FOB Marez if he still wanted to reenlist.

After a short helicopter ride, he landed and reenlisted on the landing pad. Pfc. Weber's family might have mixed emotions about what happened, but they all share pride for him and what he is doing.

"My two brothers are in the military and both of them are extremely proud that I decided to reenlist," said Pfc. Weber. "My wife and mother were shocked and worried, but in the end, they are also very proud of me."

Pfc. Weber chose to reenlist for several reasons. "My wife is going to school, so I wanted to stay in to help support her," he said. "I also did it because I love my job and I love all the outstanding support I get from everyone."

Pfc. Weber reenlisted for six years receiving a $10,000 bonus and duty stabilization at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.

(Pfc. Bradley J. Clark writes for the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs.)