thedrifter
09-17-07, 08:30 AM
War Story: CPT James Hedger
Jill Hanks
12 News
Sept. 14, 2007 09:39 AM
Captain James Hedger loves his job. "I love leading Marines, I love being with Marines," Hedger says.
Hedger, an active duty Marine Officer, is the instructor/inspector for the Reserve Bulk Fuel Company C, at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Phoenix. He says much of his time his spent at a computer, as he works to make sure the reserve units have the training, funds, and logistics they need to be ready at all times for activation, mobilization, and deployment.
One of his toughest tasks takes him out of the office and into the homes of Marine families, to notify them their loved one has been killed in Iraq.
As difficult as that can be, Hedger says," You'd be surprised at what you can do when you don't really have a choice." He says that notification is a very important job and "a really amazing experience."
Notifying families about Marine Casualties
Hedger has served two tours of duty in Iraq, the first spanned 2004 and 2005. His most recent return was March 2007. Both have given him "the opportunity to learn and grow as a person."
The Marine Captain sometimes found himself in unfamiliar territory, taking directions from teenaged troops.
The young Marines impressed Hedger and gained his respect. "Talk about nerves of steel, these marines that do this day in and day out, it's pretty amazing," he says.
During his second tour, Hedger's marines were tasked with route clearance, which means their job was to find and clear roadside bombs, known as IEDs, improvised explosive devices.
Hedger says the route clearance missions offered a rare chance for the Marines to actually see the difference they were making.
Ellie
Jill Hanks
12 News
Sept. 14, 2007 09:39 AM
Captain James Hedger loves his job. "I love leading Marines, I love being with Marines," Hedger says.
Hedger, an active duty Marine Officer, is the instructor/inspector for the Reserve Bulk Fuel Company C, at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center in Phoenix. He says much of his time his spent at a computer, as he works to make sure the reserve units have the training, funds, and logistics they need to be ready at all times for activation, mobilization, and deployment.
One of his toughest tasks takes him out of the office and into the homes of Marine families, to notify them their loved one has been killed in Iraq.
As difficult as that can be, Hedger says," You'd be surprised at what you can do when you don't really have a choice." He says that notification is a very important job and "a really amazing experience."
Notifying families about Marine Casualties
Hedger has served two tours of duty in Iraq, the first spanned 2004 and 2005. His most recent return was March 2007. Both have given him "the opportunity to learn and grow as a person."
The Marine Captain sometimes found himself in unfamiliar territory, taking directions from teenaged troops.
The young Marines impressed Hedger and gained his respect. "Talk about nerves of steel, these marines that do this day in and day out, it's pretty amazing," he says.
During his second tour, Hedger's marines were tasked with route clearance, which means their job was to find and clear roadside bombs, known as IEDs, improvised explosive devices.
Hedger says the route clearance missions offered a rare chance for the Marines to actually see the difference they were making.
Ellie