Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Patrick Clayton [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo Gorrell said many of the Iraqi people he met were thankful for the help he and the Army provided their villages. [Click to enlarge]

"When I was in high school, after Sept. 11, I knew I wanted to do my part. After that, I was pretty much hooked," Gorrell said.

With his family and friends behind him, he enlisted in the airborne division of the Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather who joined the infantry during the Korean War. Gorrell fought in the infantry as well. Before going into active duty in January 2004, he came to Texas A&M, joined the Corps of Cadets and began his freshman year.

Gorrell chose the Army because he felt it had the most opportunities - such as training schools, ideal infantry jobs and the chance to get out and dirty.

The experience

"I basically lost my entire squad when I was down there. It taught me things like not to take little things for granted or sweat the small stuff," he said. "It made me a better person. It was a fulfilling experience."

He had little time to make phone calls and use the Internet, which he did about once a week while he was in Iraq. He also received care packages - DVDs, books and a blow-up sheep as a joke.

In Iraq, Gorrell lived in a 12-man squad tent, and stayed in Iraqi citizens' homes when on missions. Gorrell said they did not have much time to eat in the Chow Hall, because they usually ate meals-ready-to-eat, or MREs. Sometimes they didn't have time to eat at all.

He said he was worried about what he would find in Iraq because he had never been over there and had no idea what to expect, but he was surprised by how urbanized some areas were.

"They do have some urbanized cities, it is not all broken down over there like I expected, they have TV's and video games," he said. "I saw some nice stuff I didn't think I would see."

He said he does not regret joining the Army, and the experience has taught him about himself.

Gorrell said during his 15 months in Iraq, he learned more about himself than ever before. The best thing about the experience was waking up knowing he was doing something for a higher purpose, and making a difference for the Iraqi people.

"The press advertises the bad stuff, and don't get me wrong, there is lots of violence, but many of the Iraqis are welcoming and thankful for our help," he said."There is still hard work to do over there, and if we pull out now, all the guys who have lost their lives have lost them in vain. A lot of people who are not informed just state their opinions because that is what their friends think."

The brotherhood

He said the movie that describes war the best would be "Saving Private Ryan" because it is about the brotherhood of the guys.

Gorrell said while his unit was clearing a factory that was supposed to have improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, inside but turned out to be a mannequin factory.

"It was dark and we thought they were all people. We threw a flashbang and told them all to get down," he said. "When nobody got down we knew something was up, and when we realized it was mannequin factory we put on the wigs and chased each other around."

After 72 hours without sleep, everything began to seem funny, but he said it was those funny incidents that kept the unit going.

The uniform

Veterans wear different uniforms than other Cadet companies to represent the time they have served in war.

"We wear all of our military décor," Gorrell said. "The only thing from the Corps we wear is the Corps rank and our Corps brass. We want to be able to stand out so people can ask us question and advice and know that we have served."

The blue cord on Gorrell's shoulder is his infantry cord, important because it represents his time in the infantry.

His most important piece of décor is his U.S. Army Rangers badge. The Rangers badge is earned after completing Rangers school, a difficult and rigorous process, and the hardest thing Gorrell said he has ever done. The Rangers are elite members of the infantry, who are capable of conducting direct action operations.

Another piece of insignia that is important to Gorrell is his Combat Infantry Badge. It is a small blue badge given to those who have been involved and trained in direct or indirect fire.

Words of advice

Gorrell said joining the military is a decision he is proud of and he recommends it to those unsure of their future.

"I would say if anyone is clueless and didn't know what they want to do with their life, it is a great opportunity," he said. "In a world where the economy is so unstable, it is a guaranteed job. Everyone has something they can do, even if it is just a jumpstart for a future career."

The military was a beginning for Gorrell, who went in as a private first class and came out a sergeant. He plans to return after graduation and commission as a second lieutenant for the infantry or special operations forces.

Life after war

Gorrell, 23, is back at A&M and on track to graduate in May 2011.

At A&M, Gorrell's unit in the Corps of Cadets, Delta Company, is a day outfit, which participates in runs and physical training, formations, football games and extracurricular activities like the Rudders Rangers.

Members of the veterans unit help teach other companies what they've learned in the military with the training techniques, teaching tactics, combatives, battle drills and military science.

They also live off campus because they find college life manageable.

"Many of us have kids or are married," he said. "We have time commitments, jobs and responsibilities. We've also been out on our own for a while so it makes for an easier transition."

Gorrell works at Independence Harley-Davidson as a hydro technician. Motorcycles are among his favorite hobbies, as well as tattoos, working out and having fun.

He still keeps in touch with a few buddies from his unit at Fort Bragg.

"I'll give three of them a call about once a month," he said. "They survived a really bad day for my unit. They are still healing, so I like to give them a call to make sure they are doing OK."

In a four-day series beginning today and ending Friday, The Battalion will focus on Iraq war veterans who are or were students at Texas A&M University.

Wednesday
Spc. Brittany Hanly
Story by katy ralston

Thursday
Staff Sgt. Brandon Cox
Story by teri ruland

Friday
2nd Lt. Pete Burks
Story by steve humeniuk

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