A Phone Call from Iraq
Kylie Jacobsen
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
It is 12:20 in the morning and dusty. Very dusty. Doug Simon, professor of political science, who plans to be back in the States this summer, calls to talk about his experiences in Iraq as a Brigade Judge Advocate or JAG officer.
"You know, it's going to be a long nine months and it's going to be very busy," Simon said upon arriving in Iraq.
Simon serves on one of the busiest airports in the world as a military lawyer for Task Force 34, a combat aviation unit.
"Basically it's like living on an airport," Simon said. "No one can seem to get any sleep with F16s going off around the clock."
His official day of active military duty in Iraq was May 31, 2008 after his pre-deployment training began in July 2007.
"No one gets a day off but they get a reset day to watch movies, go to the gym - distractions," Simon said.
Since arriving in Iraq, Simon has gotten to experience some interesting outings such as visiting the Temple of Ur, the homeland of Abraham, where he got to stand under the oldest arch known to man.
"No pope has ever seen this holy land," Simon said.
When Simon does get back he plans to "relax, reunite with loved ones, have a small party, travel and teach a few online summer classes," Simon said. "I'm not going to do much else."
Simon is also anxious to get back into the classroom. He has intentions of beginning a Special Topics course in spring 2010 about the Iraq War and the policies and conflicts that started it. Being a military lawyer, Simon has "a pretty good understanding of international law."
"My job is to arm my students with information or to challenge their information," Simon said. "Choice is a wonderful thing."
From Southwest Minnesota State University, Simon has missed his championship-winning 3 on 3 basketball team, his 5 on 5 basketball team, flag football and racquet ball but, "first and foremost, the students."
To all of SMSU's graduating students, Simon says, "Congratulations on your 4,5 or 6 [years] of hard work to get to where you are today."
His only regret is not being able to be at the graduation.
Upon returning to SMSU, Simon hopes to see that, "All . . . changes begin with [the] premise that [the faculty] is here for the students," Simon said. "Our job is to teach the students and give them what they paid for; a quality education."
Before hanging up the phone, Simon added, "I have great pride for SMSU. I'm excited to get back to work."
"You know, it's going to be a long nine months and it's going to be very busy," Simon said upon arriving in Iraq.
Simon serves on one of the busiest airports in the world as a military lawyer for Task Force 34, a combat aviation unit.
"Basically it's like living on an airport," Simon said. "No one can seem to get any sleep with F16s going off around the clock."
His official day of active military duty in Iraq was May 31, 2008 after his pre-deployment training began in July 2007.
"No one gets a day off but they get a reset day to watch movies, go to the gym - distractions," Simon said.
Since arriving in Iraq, Simon has gotten to experience some interesting outings such as visiting the Temple of Ur, the homeland of Abraham, where he got to stand under the oldest arch known to man.
"No pope has ever seen this holy land," Simon said.
When Simon does get back he plans to "relax, reunite with loved ones, have a small party, travel and teach a few online summer classes," Simon said. "I'm not going to do much else."
Simon is also anxious to get back into the classroom. He has intentions of beginning a Special Topics course in spring 2010 about the Iraq War and the policies and conflicts that started it. Being a military lawyer, Simon has "a pretty good understanding of international law."
"My job is to arm my students with information or to challenge their information," Simon said. "Choice is a wonderful thing."
From Southwest Minnesota State University, Simon has missed his championship-winning 3 on 3 basketball team, his 5 on 5 basketball team, flag football and racquet ball but, "first and foremost, the students."
To all of SMSU's graduating students, Simon says, "Congratulations on your 4,5 or 6 [years] of hard work to get to where you are today."
His only regret is not being able to be at the graduation.
Upon returning to SMSU, Simon hopes to see that, "All . . . changes begin with [the] premise that [the faculty] is here for the students," Simon said. "Our job is to teach the students and give them what they paid for; a quality education."
Before hanging up the phone, Simon added, "I have great pride for SMSU. I'm excited to get back to work."
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Minneapolis Moving Companies
posted 8/17/09 @ 11:16 AM CST
Looks like he will be bringing back a lot of things to talk about in his special topics classes. It'll be a good addition to the class curriculum.
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