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Willis soldier home in time for 4th
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| Staff Sgt. First Class Clint Robinson sits at home with his two of his children, Madison, 18 months, and Dalton, 6. |
Conroe Courier
By Elliott Cochran
When a Willis resident and father of three left this country . just under a year ago for his first tour of duty in Iraq, he had no idea what to expect. But U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clint Robinson recently returned home with a greater appreciation of American culture.
Robinson was deployed to Iraq to help train the Iraqi military police force so that country can eventually achieve self-reliance. At the same time, adapting to a foreign culture was one of the most challenging tasks of his life, Robinson said.
Robinson was one of 15 members of his 180-person unit – the 302nd Military Police Company – who received The Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service. Training the Iraqi police presented a special challenge, as the Iraqis were apprehensive of their American tutors.
“I’d heard stories that these guys were so hard to train, and when I went over there, I saw that the stories were true,” he said. “We taught until we were blue in the face, but by the end of the day, they wanted to do it their way.”
Robinson said his unit started in Balad for police transition training, but due to a desperate need for officers in the city of Mosul – one of Iraq’s largest cities and know for its strong Al Qaeda presence – his unit made a 12-hour drive to the city in order to take initiative and complete their mission.
Robinson said his unit’s effort to develop a self-sustained police force received mixed reviews from the inhabitants of Mosul.
“For the most part, it was pretty good. We’d go into the markets and some people would not look at you, but others wanted to shake your hand,” he said. “Shukran means ‘Thank you,’ and hearing that was a great feeling.”
After completing training sessions with the Iraqis, Robinson said he is confident that country’s government can now stand on its own without an American military presence.
On the trip back to the U.S., Robinson and his unit were flown to Camp Shelby in Mississippi, where he literally kissed the ground upon landing on American soil. He was bused back to Texas, where he was reunited with his family a few days later.
Robinson said coming home to his children, Logan, 13; Dalton, 6, and Madison, 18 months, and wife, Heather, was a moving experience.
“Not seeing your kids grow up is one of the toughest things you can do; not necessarily being killed but not being able to see my kids grow up and my daughter not knowing who I am,” he said. “I’m so glad to be back.”
Robinson said he is adjusting back to life in Texas, and his duty to his country made him truly appreciate American culture and the opportunities available in the United States.
“Being over there really makes you appreciate the finer things; the stuff you take for granted like T.V., McDonald’s or taking a ride in your car,” he said. “It’s a special feeling to wake up and see your family in the morning.”
Robinson was deployed to Iraq to help train the Iraqi military police force so that country can eventually achieve self-reliance. At the same time, adapting to a foreign culture was one of the most challenging tasks of his life, Robinson said.
Robinson was one of 15 members of his 180-person unit – the 302nd Military Police Company – who received The Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service. Training the Iraqi police presented a special challenge, as the Iraqis were apprehensive of their American tutors.
“I’d heard stories that these guys were so hard to train, and when I went over there, I saw that the stories were true,” he said. “We taught until we were blue in the face, but by the end of the day, they wanted to do it their way.”
Robinson said his unit started in Balad for police transition training, but due to a desperate need for officers in the city of Mosul – one of Iraq’s largest cities and know for its strong Al Qaeda presence – his unit made a 12-hour drive to the city in order to take initiative and complete their mission.
Robinson said his unit’s effort to develop a self-sustained police force received mixed reviews from the inhabitants of Mosul.
“For the most part, it was pretty good. We’d go into the markets and some people would not look at you, but others wanted to shake your hand,” he said. “Shukran means ‘Thank you,’ and hearing that was a great feeling.”
After completing training sessions with the Iraqis, Robinson said he is confident that country’s government can now stand on its own without an American military presence.
On the trip back to the U.S., Robinson and his unit were flown to Camp Shelby in Mississippi, where he literally kissed the ground upon landing on American soil. He was bused back to Texas, where he was reunited with his family a few days later.
Robinson said coming home to his children, Logan, 13; Dalton, 6, and Madison, 18 months, and wife, Heather, was a moving experience.
“Not seeing your kids grow up is one of the toughest things you can do; not necessarily being killed but not being able to see my kids grow up and my daughter not knowing who I am,” he said. “I’m so glad to be back.”
Robinson said he is adjusting back to life in Texas, and his duty to his country made him truly appreciate American culture and the opportunities available in the United States.
“Being over there really makes you appreciate the finer things; the stuff you take for granted like T.V., McDonald’s or taking a ride in your car,” he said. “It’s a special feeling to wake up and see your family in the morning.”
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Reader Comments
Whiskyecho wrote on Jul 4, 2009 6:39 AM:
" I'm sorry that you were required to "go" but thanks and welcome home..
(15 Bronze Stars awarded to a training outfit - for meritorious service - hmmmmm) "
(15 Bronze Stars awarded to a training outfit - for meritorious service - hmmmmm) "
drivermom wrote on Jul 4, 2009 8:25 AM:
" Job well done! Thank you for your service! May the Lord continue to bless you and your family! "
CherokeeToo wrote on Jul 4, 2009 8:58 AM:
" Sounds as tho the 15 Bronze stars were well deserved!! It can't be easy teaching a population that already has been hardwired. Bless your patience and perserverence 302nd Military Police Company!!! Most of all welcome home!! Happy Independence Day~!!! "
Montgomerymama wrote on Jul 4, 2009 9:05 AM:
" Welcome home brave soldier and thank you so much for your service to our country!!! Thank you for keeping us safe here at home. Your family must be very proud of you and I hope your boys grow up to be real men like you. God bless you and your family. "
mrs. do gooder wrote on Jul 4, 2009 10:45 AM:
" Good job. We hope you get to stay home for a while. "
mdonn76405 wrote on Jul 4, 2009 11:10 AM:
" Hey Clint,
You coming back to the 302nd? All your stuff is still behind your desk. "
You coming back to the 302nd? All your stuff is still behind your desk. "
mdonn76405 wrote on Jul 4, 2009 11:19 AM:
" And Welcome home. I'm glad everyone in our unit made it. I'm sad about the LT who didn't. See you in Huntsville. "
Ugotme wrote on Jul 4, 2009 12:20 PM:
" Looks like two happy guys in that picture. Welcome home Clint. "
Skeeter2 wrote on Jul 4, 2009 1:37 PM:
" You can sure tell that's dad! Your kids favor you a lot!!! Welcome home!! "
ckmckee wrote on Jul 4, 2009 7:30 PM:
" Welcome home Clint! Thank you for your service to our country. Bless you and your family! "
kadence wrote on Jul 5, 2009 7:46 AM:
" i'd like to join with everyone else here, in welcoming home a HERO!! welcome home clint!!! "
pwillis8425@aol.com wrote on Jul 5, 2009 10:02 PM:
" Welcome Home Clint
Thanks for what you did for our Country....My son is a Marine.... I pray everyday for All our Troops that are Deployed....And God Bless you and your Family....
Thank You... "
Thanks for what you did for our Country....My son is a Marine.... I pray everyday for All our Troops that are Deployed....And God Bless you and your Family....
Thank You... "
StevenP wrote on Jul 4, 2009 12:02 AM: