Answering the call: Multimedia coverage of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Brigade

Wis. soldiers learn new routines

By BETH BURGER, Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. — The morning light began to shine through the headquarters' windows as soldiers returned from physical training.

Sgt. Danny Dye, a 28-year-old Nekoosa resident wearing black shorts and an Army gray T-shirt, headed to the bathroom with a razor.

"Are you done in there, so I can shave?" asked Sgt. Cory Desmith, 24, of Watertown.

Dye wasn't surprised by the question, "because I took so long," he said, as he wiped down his smooth face before sitting to look at inventory sheets.

By then, members of the Wisconsin-based 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment had established their routines. Or in many cases, their routines had been established for them.

Most days, they awoke at 4:30 a.m. and began by running one to three miles and doing a series of stretches and exercises.

People driving down Forrest and Lee avenues at Camp Shelby in the wee hours of the morning often catch glimpses of the soldiers - a row of silhouettes wearing reflector belts, traveling down the dark road.

On this particular morning, the soldiers only had a light stretching workout because they had a physical training test in two days. It's a test they take every six months.

That morning, the men checked e-mail on laptops in the office.

A stack of men's magazines, including Maxim, sat next to the unit's computer.

Wisconsin Rapids soldier Spc. Dustin Smith, already clad in his dress battle uniform, sat in a chair cleaning his rifle.

In a matter of minutes, the men were called outside to begin another day of training at the range, where village-based missions are simulated.

They climbed into a truck, handing their M-16s up to soldiers already inside and throwing in their bags.

Spc. Timothy Oleson of Wisconsin Rapids passes the time reading a book inside the barracks in Camp Shelby, Miss. Oleson is a member of the Wisconsin Rapids-based 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment to be deployed to Kuwait. Tom Loucks/Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers

At 7:20 a.m., the two trucks loaded with soldiers, equipment and boxes of sealed meals rolled out. The soldiers were set to begin another eight-hour period of training.

"I tell them to appreciate the green around here and the trees. It will be a long time before they see it again," said 1st Sgt. Lucian Lemak, 39, of Monroe. The soldiers are scheduled for a year deployment to Kuwait.

After training in the fields under a hot Southern sun with nearly 60 pounds of equipment, the soldiers returned to the post to eat and relax.

They lined up at the mess hall, signed in, and chose their dinners. Macaroni and cheese and lasagna were some of the selections.

"It's edible, but it's not home cooking," said Desmith, as he ate chicken, carrots and macaroni and cheese.

Spc. Max Holm, 22, of Greenwood said he missed the brats he normally eats in Wisconsin. He isn't completely sold on Southern grits.

After chow, soldiers paced with cell phones clutched to their ears as they called family, friends and loved ones.

"I usually call home every day," said Sgt. Kevin Lawton, 23, of Stevens Point, as he finished eating.

As the sun set at the camp, soldiers retired for the evening.

"If you peek your head in their barracks, there will be a deafening sound of snoring, creaking and other things in the night," Lemak said.