‘Good to take down the bad guys,’ says local soldier|[04/07/07]

Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 7, 2007

Idle moments were few in Al-Anbar province, but that was OK with Bert Winschel – he wouldn’t have it any other way.

&#8220You were either sitting around waiting for a mission to pop up, or you’d be preparing for a mission,” he said.

Winschel, a lance corporal with the U.S. Marine Corps and a member of the 3rd Force Reconnaissance Unit, 4th Marine Division, based in Mobile, Ala., returned from duty in Iraq last month. He reflected on his experiences Thursday.

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Originally from Vicksburg, Winchel graduated from St. Aloysius High School in 2004 and enlisted right after graduation.

&#8220The Marines was something that I wanted to do. I love doing what I’m doing.”

Because of the sensitive nature of his job, he couldn’t share many details such as the location of his work or specific missions. But there is one thing he dreaded most.

&#8220Driving was my least favorite thing,” he said. On most missions, Winschel and his unit would normally travel by helicopter. But sometimes choppers were unavailable or the nature of the mission required the use of vehicles. Having seen, firsthand, the carnage that improvised explosive devices can cause, he sometimes feared the same fate as he traveled with his unit.

&#8220It’s not a good feeling,” he said.

Winschel did have a few lighter moments at Al-Asad Air Base about 100 miles west of Baghdad – shopping in the exchange and enjoying recreation facilities – but there was usually little time for entertainment.

While overseas, he also had contact with service members from other branches. He soon found that everyone’s war experience varied.

&#8220You see some people that weren’t handling it well,” while others did. My beds ranged from floor, to cot, to when I got lucky, a bed.”

Winschel’s specialty, reconnaissance work, often put him in life-threatening situations. He has come under hostile fire. But he chose to do what he does because he feels obligated to serve. &#8220It’s a little bit more action, a little bit more of an adrenaline rush,” than any other job. He respectfully disagrees with those who question the costs and sacrifices of the war.

&#8220I think everything we’re doing is absolutely necessary. It’s always good to take down the bad guys,” he said.

His family and parents have supported all his military endeavors, although he said news of his departure to Iraq was painful. &#8220It was hard to get my mom to stop crying,” he said.

To his knowledge, there was only one other person from Mississippi in his unit but, because of the nature of their work, everyone still knew each other well. &#8220You have to be able to trust them,” he said.

Winschel must return April 25 to Alabama for another month to complete administrative and training tasks. He will be released from active duty May 31 and will transition to reserve status.

After his service is complete, Winschel plans to attend the University of Southern Alabama to study nursing.

In the meantime, Winschel said he’s enjoying sleeping in. Over the next couple weeks, he plans to travel around the United States to visit friends and family, including a cousin at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.