The Red Bulls

COB  ADDER, Iraq -- Imagine, if you will, being a father who served in the military for ten years, preparing to send your son to basic training, wishing you could go in his place.  A Soldier in 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division does not have to imagine this scenario, he has lived the scene first-hand.

Sgt. Billy Willingham, 121st Brigade Support Battalion, initially joined the Air Force in April 1982, after graduating high school in December 1981. 

His first duty assignment was Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., where he dreamed of flying, he said.  When he spoke to his retention counselor, they said it was not an option for him in the Air Force; however, the Army had a program called “High School to Flight School.” 

Willingham completed three years, four months, and eight days before receiving an early release from the Air Force to pursue his dream of flying.

After eighteen months, he was able to complete the process and successfully started Flight School as a Warrant Officer in April 1987.  His first assignment as a pilot of AH-64s Apaches was with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Fulda, Germany, where he was stationed for four years. 

He separated from the Army shortly I nthe early 90s, he said. 

Then, he started a quest to find “his home.” 

Willingham wanted to find purpose in his work and camaraderie with his peers.  For seventeen years he worked in retail management, never quite finding his home.

When his son approached him about joining the Army, Willingham was excited to share his lessons and experience  and encouraged his son to seek out the opportunities offered by a career in the military. 

He explained to his son how the nine or ten weeks of basic training was going to be a “pain in the butt;” however, afterwards, as long as his son was a team player, hard working, and accomplished his job the rest would be “a piece of cake.” 

He explained to his son how no one offers the medical benefits or retirement the military can.  Yet, his son did not choose to join.  Instead, he provided his father with his recruiter’s information and a way to pursue his own desire to return to the service, even at 44 years of age.

The elder Willingham met with a recruiter who explained how his ten years of prior service actually provided him a little leeway not afforded to others and worked with him on his options for enlistment.  The recruiter asked if he would like to go back in as a warrant, but Willingham told the recruiter to just “let me get in before they change their minds,” so he enlisted in the Army as an 88M – a motor transport operator, at the rank of specialist.

Since completing AIT, Willingham has only conducted eight missions as an 88M.  He has found, with his personal background and experience, that his leadership places him in positions of responsibility that challenge him to excel on a personal and professional level. 

He recounted his incoming interview with 121st  BSB Command Sgt. Maj. Sa’eed Mustafa, and how he committed to doing whatever he was tasked to do to the best of his ability.

At this time, Willingham is working at the Combined Division Operations Center with the 10th Iraqi Army Division. 

With some amount of surprise he reflected on his first days at the CDOC in Dhi Qar.

 “The original team sat on one side of the room with Iraqis on the other, there was very little to no interaction,” said Willingham.

He realized this was not the intent of the concept, nor was it within his nature to work with a group of men he knew nothing about. 

“I spent a good portion of time one afternoon, early on in my new assignment, with the interpreter, to introduce myself and learn a little bit about my counterparts,” he said.

Much to his amazement, as he concluded the last introduction and offered assistance whenever needed, the Iraqi Army major he was speaking with told him about an IED on a route frequently traveled by U.S. Forces.

Willingham acted decisively and asked the Iraqi major to obtain an exact grid coordinate and called higher headquarters to alert them of the roadside bomb.  

A patrol was dispatched, diffused the IED, and safely maneuvered the scheduled convoy through the area without mishap. 

Willingham’s simple outreach to an Iraqi counterpart resulted in actions that potentially saved lives.  The CDOC relies on close coordination between the 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division and the Iraqi’s they advise and assist in the 10th IA Division; Willingham is a living lynchpin to the mission’s success.

4th Brigade, 1st ADis proof of principle for the Advise and Assist Brigade mission.  With a shifted focus from combat operations to advising Iraqi Security Forces a significant emphasis is placed on strong relationships between the U.S. and ISF. Willingham personifies this goal, not only in his personal philosophy on life, but through his daily interaction and commitment to doing his job.  He has found his home; he has purpose in his work.

 “It feels as though I’m doing something worthwhile for self, family, and America,” Willingham said.

He is proud to say he plans to retire from the Army and who knows, it may be 20 or 25 years, only time will tell.