Focus on the Boots
Written by Captain Heather Lee Guck, 135MPAD, 31D Public Affairs Officer
GCT 2010 Volume: 1 Issue: 2 (August)
The All-American Soldier
“I think all American boys at some point want to become a soldier,” said Sergeant 1st Class Garry P. White.
White, 30, an infantryman who’s currently serving with the 3rd Infantry Division in Northern Iraq, is an example soldier who played with G.I. Joes and was always destined to be G.I. Joe.
White joined the military in January of 2000 at the age of 20 and went off to basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. Ten years later, White stands as a rugged, blonde haired, blue-eyed, seasoned soldier and family man, who continues to serve his nation proudly.
White has the challenging job of being a personal security officer to the commanding general of Task Force Marne and 3rd ID, Major General Tony Cucolo, whom he commonly refers to as “the boss.” His job is to keep Cucolo safe at all times so that he may accomplish his mission.
Cucolo proudly said of White, “I’m blessed to have him as my personal security officer running my personal security detachment … when you look at him in all full combat gear you just see a lethal human weapons system. He’s 110 percent soldier…. the complete package, he’s a regular guy, he’s just a fine human being, a dedicated husband and father serving his country!”
White loves the dynamics of his current job. He can be in Baghdad escorting the boss to a high level meeting and then fly out to Diyala and see soldiers on a check point later in the day.
“Major General Cucolo is an outstanding man and officer . Everyday he’s giving us lessons he values our feedback which is good for us to provide that to him,” said White.
White’s additional duties encompass planning, coordinating missions, route recons, special projects—and in his ‘free time’ he takes online college courses. “It makes for some late nights and early mornings,” explained White.
White is on his fourth deployment. His first deployment was to Kosovo in 2002, and he hasn’t slowed down yet. His next two deployments were in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2004 and then again from 2006 to 2007. Now he is serving in Iraq from 2009 to 2010.
White agrees that his successful career and many accomplishments have been made possible due to the loving support of his wife, Linda. Linda, the lovely bride, met and fell in love with White shortly after meeting him while vacationing from Germany. Together they recently celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary.
White said of his wife, “I just love her, she’s a great woman. I take care of my mission [in Iraq] and she takes care of hers, home and the family. I don’t have to worry about anything.”
They have two wonderful children, a 7-year-old son, Trajan (named after the second greatest Roman Emperor) and a beautiful 11- month-old girl, Mia, who was only 2 months old when White deployed to Iraq. “I’ve missed a lot of their life,” said White with a sigh. Yet, when White is at home, he said he “keeps it real.”
“Family time is family time … I give them my undivided attention when I’m home. We take a lot of trips. I’m really dedicated to them,” said White with a reminiscing smile.
With family in mind, White continues to forge forward without entertaining any thoughts of ‘taking a knee’ anytime soon.
White’s near-term plans might be what many would consider being lifetime goals. Upon redeployment, White plans to complete his Bachelor of Science in business at Troy University; go to the six-week long Senior Leaders Course; after that, Ranger School for two months. Then after pinning on his Ranger tab, he will attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., and become another one of our nation’s outstanding officers.
“I want to make a bigger difference and be involved in the planning process, instead of just receiving the plan. I want to impact more lives,” said the confident White.
“Boy, we need to make him an officer. Unfortunately, the NCO ranks will lose a great NCO, but the officer ranks will gain a great officer,” said Cucolo.
There’s no doubt this Purple Heart and Army Commendation with Valor device recipient will do anything less than impact the lives of those soldiers around him.
“When a soldier gets out of basic training, you still have a lot to work with … you build them up, then you mold them, then you see them in a fire fight, and finally they cross over from a new soldier to that combat proven warrior,” said White when asked to explain one of the things he loves most about being a noncommissioned officer.
White knows all too well about being that new soldier who’s been transformed into a combat proven warrior. While on two separate Afghan missions, White took two 9 mm rounds to his chest plate and also experienced a blown-out knee from a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device that later resulted in a full knee replacement.
But when it’s all said and done, at the end of the day, White’s most honorable duty was when he had the privilege of conducting eight military funerals. He has been the firing squad noncommissioned officer in charge, United States flag folder, and pallbearer.
“Being able to provide that opportunity and pay your respects to the soldiers and their families is outstanding. It’s sad that I had to conduct eight military funerals, but it had to be done,” said White solemnly. “It’s so emotional … that’s your brother and sister … they served their country. They paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
“Sergeant 1st Class White is actually one of the finest NCOs I have ever worked with. He exemplifies what the modern day noncommissioned officer is supposed to be, and he’s the example of technical and tactical expertise. He’s an example for me,” said Captain Rick Turner, Major General Cucolo’s personal aide.
When White was asked, ‘What’s the one thing he would say to a classroom full of high school students considering whether or not they should join the military,’ his reply was, “What are you going to say to your grandkids when they look you in the eyes and ask you what your contribution was to the war on terrorism? You can just sit there and say nothing, or you can tell them that you honorably served this great nation, the United States of America.” ♦