FORT SILL, Okla. (April 17, 2014) -- When discussing the hardest working men in history, a warrior and a farmer are sure to land atop the list.
Akin to one of his heroes growing up, George Washington, Maj. Joel Heinzeroth, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery executive officer, at Fort Sill can claim both professions with his 18-year Army career and lifetime of farm work with an added title of volunteer firefighter.
Washington once said, "I'd rather be on my farm than emperor of the world," and Heinzeroth couldn't agree more.
While stating the Army is his first and most important duty, Heinzeroth also finds great stress relief and enjoyment in owning land and raising animals. Along with his wife, Codi, and 5-year-old daughter, Emma Carol, they run a small family ranching operation which includes 30 head of cattle, along with donkeys, chickens and ducks near the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
The major has gained the reputation around his battalion as an officer who will take any amount of time to help a Soldier.
"Major Heinzeroth cares about the welfare and future of his Soldiers and subordinates, using his own life and career experiences to help us define the goals and paths of our own careers," said 1st Lt. James Greenawalt, battalion fire direction officer.
After being awarded an Army ROTC scholarship to Northwest Missouri State University in 1991, Heinzeroth joined the active-duty Army in November 1997. As a cadet, he spent one summer as part of the Army's Cadet Troop Leader Training in 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, the same battalion that he would later come back and serve as a battery commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom I.
"I never planned on staying in the Army for more than my initial four-year commitment, but just as the time was coming to get out, 9/11 happened, and I knew what I had to do," reflected Heinzeroth.
He first deployed to Iraq in 2003, attached to 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq, one of his three deployments so far in addition to serving a year in Korea. Amongst his favorite of assignments was being a battery commander for A Battery, 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, taking command of the battery while it was halfway through a deployment to Iraq, although he had just redeployed from Iraq himself just two months earlier.
Heinzeroth grew up working on his family's 2,000-acre farm in north central Iowa. It was named Heinzeroth Brothers, after his dad, Ervin, and two uncles, who ran the farm as a partnership. He was put to work as soon as he could walk. In the town he grew up in, it was common for students to be pulled out of class to help work, something his father would sometimes have no choice but to do.
Farming isn't a money making business, said the major. For him, it is a way to raise a family and a way to honor his father and brother, both of whom died in separate farming accidents.
"My dad was so excited to see me become an Army officer, and having him being proud of me was something that I had wanted forever," he said.
Sadly, his father would die less than a month after seeing his son pin on his second lieutenant rank. Following the death of his father, his mother sold her half of the farm to her brother-in-law who owned the other half. It is still operational.
Waking up before everyone else was acquired from growing up on a farm. As a young boy he woke up early to do his daily chores. This habit of "up before the sun" is still part of his daily routine. Upon waking up each day, he checks the farm with a spotlight, ensuring all is in order around his land, before the 30-minute drive to post.
Heinzeroth wants nothing more than for his daughter to be able to experience the life and its lessons he has had on the farm. Author Alice Waters once said, "Teaching kids how to feed themselves and how to live in a community responsibly is the center of an education." Heinzeroth holds true to this belief.
"Just like it instilled a hard work ethic in me at a young age, I hope it will for Emma," he said.
Emma already has five cows of her own.
The major's first priority remains taking care of his Soldiers and working to ensure the "Deep Attack" battalion continues its stride of excellence.
"He is a Soldier's Soldier," said Greenawalt. "He is always the first to volunteer to do the job himself first, ensuring that it is done correctly, leaving a lasting impression on the young Soldiers here who he inspires confidence and loyalty in."
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