FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Soldiers are often recognized for displaying their talents through field training exercises, physical training tests, and missions. Three Fort Drum Soldiers are distinguishing themselves by demonstrating skills of a different magnitude -- dancing, singing and rapping -- during this year's Soldier Show.
On Feb. 18, Spc. Glenn Grainger, Pfc. De'Andre Fletcher and Pfc. Christopher Roman hung up their combat boots and picked up a new routine -- one that might be the start each man needs to pursue his future dreams of performing professionally.
While growing up, all Roman wanted to do was rap. When he stepped foot onto Army territory, his dream didn't fade. During his downtime, the 20-year-old is found rapping in his barracks room, performing for anyone who stops by. Roman, an aviation operations specialist, serves with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.
Fletcher also serves with the aviation brigade, as a water treatment specialist with 277th Aviation Support Battalion.
Since Fletcher and Roman were on 10th CAB's rear detachment when the Soldier Show came to Fort Drum last year, they were enlisted to help set up the stage for the event.
"I came to the show, and I watched it. I was just blown away by the talent we have in the Army. It inspired me (to audition)," said 22-year-old Fletcher.
Fletcher also is known for putting on a show, but his spot is outside his barracks building, dancing to the tune of the hip-hop song in his heart.
"I love to dance, and I do it everywhere I go," he said.
Grainger's interest in auditioning was sparked when a friend in the show encouraged him to watch a performance. Although he was skeptical of what sort of musical talent the Army had to offer, 25-year-old Grainger attended a show.
"I was blown away. The show was amazing. When I got the chance to do a live audition, I put my heart out there and things worked themselves out," he said.
Grainger, a dancer, serves as a supply specialist with 91st Military Police Battalion, 543rd MP Company.
On May 29, the Soldiers celebrated their seventh performance on home turf -- a show they deemed as being close to perfection.
They got to that "right" point in the show by enduring 12-hour rehearsals, seven days per week for two months.
The Soldiers noted that the schedule they follow on the tour is sometimes more grueling than their regular military schedule.
"When we were going through training, we would start around 8 in the morning and wouldn't leave until about 9:30 at night," Grainger explained. "They were definitely long hours, but we kept driving on, which is the main part of being a Soldier. We just take our mission at hand and try our best to complete it."
Although they are fortunate to not be in a combat zone, Roman noted they still pay the price of not being able to see their Families and friends for a year.
Each Soldier will get to see his Family at some point during the tour because of the locations the cast and crew will visit.
Roman's mother surprised him while the Soldiers were in New York City the day before they performed at Fort Drum.
Grainger was able to see his Family during the tour's next stop to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., on Friday. Fletcher will see his Family Members in August when the tour heads to Fort Irwin, Calif.
But being away didn't stop the Soldiers' noncommissioned officers from calling to check up on them.
"We're still part of the 10th Mountain Division (LI), and we will always be," Roman said.
When Fletcher and Roman return at the end of the year, they will have a few months to acclimate back to Fort Drum life before deploying with their brigade in the spring.
"It might be a stressful situation at times, but my motto has always been 'there's no such thing as an ordinary moment,'" Grainger said. "Here we have a lot of … crazy moments that we'll never get to relive. It's tiring, but it's fun -- the short amount of time we get to live as superstars.
The others agree that their passion for performance makes it worth stepping out of their comfort zone for the sake of the show.
"When we started this process, we thought we were just going to come in as dancers, but when we got to rehearsals we had to learn how to dance, sing and act -- all of it is all one spectrum," Fletcher explained. "The singers (who) came in as singers and didn't know anything about dance had to learn about dance."
Roman expected to only rap, while Fletcher and Grainger were hoping to show off their dance skills. The Soldiers noted that helped them discovered more about themselves.
"I had to go out of my comfort zone and learn a little bit of dancing. I still have two left feet, but now I'm aware I have a right foot -- I'm just not using it," Roman joked.
The crew received choreography instruction from Amy Lynn Miles, who recently toured with Ricky Martin as a backup dancer.
"We got a professional side of the dance aspect. A lot of the Soldiers got pretty good," he added.
"I'm learning a lot about myself in the entertainment aspect," Fletcher noted.
Although Grainger is more of a hip-hop style dancer, during the show he performs a contemporary dance.
"Probably after this I'll take contemporary-style classes, because it's really relaxing," he noted.
But Grainger's self-discovery goes deeper, providing him a more positive outlook on life -- and himself.
"I met a lot of good people (in the Soldier Show) who really changed my life and motivated me to do bigger and better things," he said. "The people that I'm around are so gifted and talented that it just makes me want to be better."
He references the first time he was asked to sign a program, noting he was shocked that someone wanted his autograph.
"(This experience) is something I'll never forget," Grainger explained. "It's just one of those moments in time you have to sit back and just go along with the ride."
The Soldiers will leave the show with not only a new Family and stronger performance skills, but with a better knowledge of the technical aspects involved with putting on a show.
Although they are considered cast members, everyone helps construct and deconstruct the stage at each installation.
"I pay a lot more homage to the technicians because we, as performers, get to see what they go through before the show," Fletcher said.
Roman noted that although he appreciates the hard work of erecting the stage, he will not miss that aspect of the show. He said he will miss a myriad of things, from the audience's reaction to the show, to the friends he's made, to performing almost every day.
Grainger agreed.
"Being able to look out into the crowd when we're on our last number -- in our dress blues -- and we get to see everybody stand (while) cheering and clapping … are things we don't get to see on a regular (basis) being a Soldier," he said.
Each man said he believes the experience ultimately will strengthen him as a Soldier and as an individual.
"All I want to do is inspire and help out others who didn't have the chances that I've had, by helping them accomplish their goals," Fletcher said. "This is a blessing for me. The people I have met here have changed my life physically, emotionally and spiritually, and have made me a better person."
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