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CAMP STRIKER, Iraq (July 18, 2008) - Army Sgt. Jason Ruckman had
a desire to be part of something that would make a difference. Six
years ago, he joined the Army to whet his appetite for adventure,
and he has never looked back.
"Since I was in middle school, I've always wanted to wear a
uniform; I thought they were cool-looking," the Orlando, Fla.,
native said.
It helped to have a family military history that dated back to
World War I, in which his great-grandfather fought. Ruckman's
grandfather served in World War II, and his father in Vietnam.
"They always seemed kind of proud about it, so I wanted to do
something right for my family," he said. "This was the best thing I
could think of."
A 2002 graduate of William R. Boone High School in Orlando,
Ruckman joined the Army later that year. He graduated advanced
individual training in 2003 as a signal support systems
specialist.
Now, "I've got the uniform covered; it's fun to put on. I wanted
to do 'hooah,' high-speed stuff," he said. "(The recruiter) told me
my (job) would put me alongside some sort of a commander, running
around with a radio doing high-speed stuff. ... That never
happened."
Well, it happened; just a little later than he expected.
Ruckman served as his battalion commander's radio-telephone
operator during his first deployment to Iraq in 2005. His
recruiter's promise came to fruition as he traveled with his
commander around the battlefield. He said he felt more at home out
there than working communications issues on the base.
"I like going out on missions and being in the thick of things.
I felt more like I was serving a purpose if I were outside the
wire," said the 26-year-old, who is now assigned to Headquarters
and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division.
He said he doesn't look down upon those whose jobs don't require
them to leave the operating base. "Every (job) in the Army is vital
in some way, shape or form, [but] I feel like I have more of a
purpose outside the wire than inside the wire.
"I don't feel like my full potential will be utilized by staying
on the [base]," he added.
Staying put is not something Ruckman has to worry about these
days. As a brigade commander's driver, he travels the roads of Iraq
on an almost-daily basis. He doesn't take that lightly.
With two Purple Hearts under his belt, Ruckman knows well the
potential dangers of duty in a combat zone. He reluctantly
recounted the circumstances surrounding his injuries.
The first, in December 2003, was a result of a suicide car
bomber in Tal Afar. The would-be assassin attempted to breach the
entry control point of the battalion's compound with 1,000 pounds
of explosives in his vehicle. No one was killed, but 67 were
injured.
"It was a real mess," Ruckman remembered, shaking his head as
though willing the memory to go away. He walked away with wounds to
the face and hands from shards of flying glass.
His second Purple Heart came after an improvised explosive
device detonated at a city council building north of Beiji in
October 2005. This time he had shrapnel wounds and a broken
hand.
Ruckman said the fact that things could have been much worse
doesn't escape him. "I'm thankful (things) turned out the way they
did," he said. "It's kind of tough to talk about the Purple Hearts
because I look at some guys ... whose physical appearance and
capabilities have been impaired for the rest of their lives, and I
just got a few scars on me.
"So I don't like to make a big deal about it because there are
those who got Purple Hearts ... whose lives were changed and
affected by it a lot more than mine."
He said his close calls have given him a definite respect for
the dangers Soldiers face. He said he's not afraid to face those
dangers head-on in the course of performing his duty, but some fear
is healthy.
"If you're not fearful in some way, ... I think there's
something wrong," he said matter-of-factly. "I think a little dose
of fear or nervousness is normal. I go out knowing that I have to
[go out], and I can see the bigger picture."
The "bigger picture" as far as Ruckman is concerned is making
sure elements of the command group get where they need to go safely
and without incident. This deployment has been relatively
uneventful for the adventure seeker, and that's okay with him.
Uncertain as to whether he'll go for a fourth deployment to Iraq
or look for a job as an instructor, Ruckman said he's leaving his
options open right now. "I'm not sure what's next; there are so
many possibilities out there," he said. "I really enjoy teaching
younger Soldiers how to tap into their full capabilities, to watch
them rise up and become leaders."
With a family bursting at its seams with pride, Ruckman said he
has a wonderful support system on which he can depend. "My dad ...
is really proud of what I do; my sister loves it, she is both proud
and petrified," he said with a laugh. "She shows me off ... when I
go home. I'm like one of her heroes because
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