Beginning his career in April 2001, Sgt. Jason Boschi, operations NCO, Company A, 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment, attached to the 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, deployed from 2002-2003 in support of Operation Desert Spring, conducting force protection in Kuwait, eventually heading north at the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"Then it was a war," said the Williamsport, Pa., native. "We pushed into the country and did what we had to do."
Working in field artillery operations at that time, Boschi said he also conducted missions with various units in Iraq.
As a fire direction specialist, he supported infantry and armor units by directing artillery and rockets in combat using fire direction systems and radios.
Now, with the U.S. and ISF working together in the advise, train and assist role, Boschi does not need to use his fire direction skills as part of TF Devil's mission.
Instead, his expertise is being utilized as the operations and training room NCO for his company, where he fights a more personable fight for his fellow Soldiers.
"As the operations NCO, he deals with the paperwork for the unit and works with the battalion human resources section to take care of administrative tasks such as awards and various packets," said Cpt. Jason Lang, executive officer, Company A, 1st Bn., 94th FA Reg.
Lang, a native of Fort Collins, Colo., said Boschi has been flexible in his new job and takes care of what needs to be done for the Soldiers in his unit.
"A lot of people don't see my job as important because I don't go outside the wire," said Boschi. "But I make sure the Soldiers can concentrate on their mission without worrying about if their records are up-to-date or if their legal needs and paperwork is taken care of."
Although his mission has drastically changed over the past 10 years from combat to support, Boschi enjoys the opportunity to contribute to Operation New Dawn.
"It seems ironic and fitting to be here for the last chapter," he said. "It's like reading the first chapter of a book and then skipping everything in the middle to get to the end," said Boschi, referring to his being part of OIF I and then returning to support the conclusion of OND.
"From what I've heard about our mission here, the situation in Iraq is a lot better than it was when I was first here," continued Boschi, "and our Soldiers are doing a great job training the ISF so they will be able to take over once we're gone."
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