I’m Sgt. Benjamin J. Staton, Jr., Desert Shield/Desert Storm combat veteran of the US Army.

I enlisted in 1989 as a Telephone Switching Systems Operator — Signal Corps — and had my Basic Training as a PVT E-1 at Ft. Jackson, SC, followed by AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at Ft. Gordon, GA. I got to my permanent duty station at Ft. Stewart, GA, where I was assigned to HHC 1St BDE 24th Infantry Division, Mechanized, and attached to B Co. 24Th Signal BN. In 1990, tensions escalated in the area of Kuwait calling for a deployment of troops (myself included). We deployed, together with all our equipment, to Saudi Arabia, near the border of Saudia Arabia and Iraq, where we were situated when the air war started, during which time I was promoted from PFC to SP4. Later, when the ground war started, we transitioned to Iraq, near Basra, after suffering some artillery shelling and a few outright battles with the Iraqi republican guard forces.

After the war, I left active duty and entered the IRR (Inactive Ready Reserves), where I was promoted to Sgt. E-5. Nothing further military of note before I was discharged in 1997.

I currently live in Coastal NC and volunteer for a local charity that helps people in need. I am writing some articles here that my voice might be heard, for what it’s worth. My tone is civil, as should yours be if you choose to post comments here. It’s OK to disagree civilly and remain friendly.

Benjamin Staton
Coastal NC