Julia Hollenbeck
Article and All Photography: Copyright 1983; 1990; 2000; 2006
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Twenty-Two Years of Service
Dennis Raymond Musgraves enlisted in the United States Army before the end of his senior high school year, on the Delayed Entry Program which allowed him to remain home until the end of the summer. His induction into the military was complicated in that he had decided on a particular occupation, (military police), qualified with the scoring of his tests, but was quoted because he was one-half inch too short. Dennis was not deterred by this and decided to sign up for the Infantry.
Thoughts of Vietnam returned to memory. I worried that it could happen again, but said nothing to Dennis. It was probably obvious that I was not real thrilled with his decision anyway. The evening after his induction, we started talking about his enlistment into the infantry and I explained my concerns to him. His response was true to his nature. He got down on the floor and stretched out in front of my feet. With his body propped up on his elbows and forearms raised as if holding a rifle, he mimicked, "Ra Tat Tat Tat Tat Tat Tat Tat. You don't understand, Mom', he said. 'This is what it is all about." He rolled over as if in combat and shot his invisible rifle some more. One could not help but laugh at his antics, but deep inside, it never removed my fear.
On my birthday on September 8th, 1983, he left for his basic training at the United States Army Infantry Training Center in Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to Bravo Company in the 8th Battalion, of the 2nd Infantry Training Brigade. During his three month training, Dennis learned to conduct basic operations in weapons, land navigation, first aid, and patrolling techniques used in modern Infantry operations on the battle field. On December 9th of the same year, I arrived at Fort Benning to see his graduation ceremony. It turned out to be one of my most moving experiences as a mother. It was difficult to fight back the tears as I watched my son march past me: In a crisp uniform; his head straight and eyes front. As his mother, I could only stand by and watch; he belonged to the Army now. At the very moment he marched by me, I realized his enlistment was the right thing. I knew also that he would make a fine soldier. He received orders to report for duty the next day at the 7th Infantry Division (Light) in Fort Ord, California.
As a member of the 32nd Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division (Light) in Fort Ord, California, Dennis became a Automatic Rifleman, Team Leader and M60 Machine Gunner who was responsible for the employment and maintenance of the crew served system. During Dennis' first hitch, he had three deployments out of the United States. He attended Team Spirit '85 for the annual military exercise conducted between the United States Army and South Korean Army held in Seoul. (Due to an agreement between North and South Korea, this exercise is no longer performed.) The following year, he experienced training at the Jungle Operation Training Center (JOTC) in Panama, and attended Coronado California NSWTC in Mexico. In 1986 Dennis decided to take an Honorable Discharge at the end of his enlistment period and return home to Texas.
On returning to San Antonio he discovered that civilian life was not as advantageous as he had hoped. Texas was experiencing the peak of the oil crunch and work was scarce. Dennis decided to re-enlist and make the Army his career. On November 20th, 1986, Dennis was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he was an Automatic Rifleman and Rifle Team Leader for Alpha Company, 1st Battalion of the 187th Infantry Regiment. As a Sergeant Fire Team Leader for a three man rifle team, Dennis led and conducted independent and collective tasks with an Infantry Rifle Squad, Platoon, and Company. During the summer of 1987, as a member of the 101st Airborne Assault "Screaming Eagles", Dennis deployed for operations in Honduras for a month.
Dennis was transferred to Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska on December 10th of the same year and became a Staff Sergeant working with the specialized Light Foot Infantry in Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion of the 17th Infantry Regiment in the 6th Infantry Division. His assigned duties were to lead, train and conduct operations for a nine man Infantry Rifle Squad. Additionally, he led, trained, and conducted operations for a six man antitank Section. He deployed to Brimfrost 88 and to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in 1989 and 1990. On July 15th, 1989 he married Hannah M. Levine. In December, he brought Hannah home to Texas to share the holidays with his family and then returned to Alaska. This particular visit home was remarkable with what unfolded next in his career.
In March of 1990, the 6th Infantry Division from Fort Richardson replaced the 9th Infantry Division as one of four Army Divisions assigned to rotational Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) Duty. The other three that attended were the 82nd and 101st Airborne, and the 7th Infantry Division. Dennis boarded a C-141 and left on a 17-hour flight for the MFO mission in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula for a six month peace keeping tour headquartered at the U.S. Taskforce in Southcamp. The MFO began its Mission in April of 1982, with about 3,000 personal from a variety of military resources. Their mission was to keep the peace in the Middle East, from the Southern Israeli post city of Eilat, (down along the Gulf of Aqaba) to the Red Sea near Sharon El Sheikh, at the southern tip of the Peninsula. This Sinai duty ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for six straight months on 21-day cycles. Shortly after the 6th Infantry Division arrived, Desert Storm started. Dennis' unit was to be replaced in September but the replacement unit was sent to Saudi causing his assignment to be extended. He remained in the Sinai until the war ended and returned to Alaska on November 14th, 1990. Dennis was able to witness the life of other people in Egypt, Israel, and Saudi Arabia while there. He also had the opportunity to see Italy in route to the Sinai.
In 1991, Dennis deployed to Japan for a short period of time. In September, he was one of 631 soldiers at Fort Richardson who tested for the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB). He was among the 23 soldiers who successfully met the week long challenge and was awarded the prestigious badge.
On April 23rd, 1992, Dennis was assigned orders to the United States Army Training Center at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. For the next three years, he served as Drill Sergeant for Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion of the 13th Infantry Regiment and Echo Company, 2nd Battalion of the 28th Infantry Regiment. He completed 14 Training cycles, instructing and mentoring 60 soldiers each in eight week training cycles. Sadly, his time at Fort Jackson was marked by tragedy with the unexpected death of his best friend, SSG Mark Gibson, who was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
On July 20th, 1995, Dennis returned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky as an Operations Sergeant for the 101st Non-Commissioned Officers Course and Divisions Schools. His duties here included supervising and conducting activities in support of the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, and the Divisions Schools.
In October of 1997, Dennis accepted assignment at the Kearns Recruiting Station in Salt Lake City, Utah.
During a visit over the Christmas holiday in 1999, I realized that this particular job may well be the hardest one he has experienced.
He works long hours to achieve his goals for a monthly recruiting mission, and time with his family is limited.
None the less, his wife and children keep busy and remain proud of their hero.
As a Detailed Recruiter with Salt Lake City Company, Salt Lake City Battalion, in the 6th Recruiting Brigade, Sergeant Musgraves continues to influence qualified men and women to put on a pair of boots while he awaits orders for his next tour of duty.
Fort Douglas Military Museum, Salt Lake City, Utah
Rendezvous SLC Recruiting Battalion
"This newsletter is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army.
Contents of the Rendezvous are not necessarily official views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or the Salt Lake City Recruiting Battalion."
(On Page 9)
Two for One
By Rae Nola Smith
West Jordan RS couldn't have been happier when SFC Dennis R. Musgraves convinced two brothers they should join the Army.
He located Ben Rick's' name in the Leads Refinement List and gave him a call. Ben was at a crossroad in his life, he graduated from high school, his job at an ink-manufacturing company didn't pay too well, and his life wasn't very exciting. The call from SFC Musgraves would prove to have the answer.
When SFC Musgraves arrived at Ben's house he spoke about some of the Army opportunities for a few minutes. An unsuspected bonus for SFC Musgraves' visit was Marc, Ben's older brother, who was sitting in the background. When he told the brothers there was a Hummer outside and they could go for a ride it, that was all it took. They were out the door, in the Hummer, and ready to go.
After returning to the house SFC Musgraves proceeded to cover more Army opportunities, the Army College Fund, enlistment bonuses, adventure and training in the field of their choice. The information was sounding good to their parents, Elsje and Doug. Ben was silently formulating a plan…join the Army, choose an airborne MOS and then when his enlistment was over, use the money for college. It sounded like a good plan and so on 2 Nov 99 Ben enlisted for three years with SSG Troy Gillian of the West Jordan RS. His choice would be as a Cavalry Scout and he would have an enlistment bonus and the GI Bill for school.
Marc took a little longer and was still weighing his options. He had flown before and liked it and he couldn't forget that Ben got the job he wanted. On 8 Nov 99 Marc enlisted for three years as a parachute rigger with SFC Musgraves.
Thanks to the great salesmanship, the station netted two good soldiers who are proud to serve in the Army.
Meanwhile, SFC Musgraves is frantically going through the LRL again, convinced that he can find another two for one.
Note: The above story written about my son, rather reminded me of both my sons in the military.
I thought it fitting to include on this page. Thank you Rae Nola Smith and Rendezvous SLC Recruiting Battalion!
(Julia Hollenbeck)
SFC Musgraves recruiting assignment ended on November 20, 2000 and he left Salt Lake City Company as the Top Regular Army Recruiter for the year FY2000. He achieved Mission Box Year to Date at the end of FY2000 and his Gold Recruiting Badge with saphires. Leaving the West Jordan Recruiting Station was not an easy decision for him. "I am leaving behind a group of soldiers that I wish I could take with me. They all helped with my success!" He told me. Assigned to the 172nd Infantry Brigade, Fort Wainwright, Alaska on the 29th of November, he is now serving Bravo (B) Company (Bulldogs), 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment (Buffalos) 2nd Platoon (Rage), as Platoon Sergeant where he is in charge of three, nine-man rifle squads.
I found it interesting to learn that the man Dennis replaced, SSG Gerald Powless, who was on his way to Alaska when Dennis first arrived at West Jordan Recruiting Station, was right next door to him at C Company, 1-17th when he reached Fort Wainwright. Additionally, he met up with SFC Thurmond who he was stationed with at Fort Ord in California. Dennis told me, "Two things are true about the Army: Change is inevitable and the world is really a small place."
On 20 Feb 01, as a Platoon Sergeant, Dennis attended the Northern Warfare Training Center at a two-week Cold Weather Leader and Ski Trainer Course (CWLC) which included 126 hours of skiing and arctic survival training. His Platoon deployed in Mar 01 and participated in "Northern Edge 01". The three week exercise took place in the Yukon Training Area and at Fort Greely, Alaska. The annual event included all military branches and units from Hawaii and the lower 48 of the United States of America.
On 1 June 01 he was reassigned to the 1st Battalion 17th Infantry Regiment Staff where he serves as Liaison NCO in the S-3 Shop. The shop plans, coordinates, and tasks training resources for an Infantry Battalion. His primary duties in Garrison include managing the battalion ammunition account (allocating and balancing), processing request for training areas, and ranges the rifle companies used. Additionally, he writes Memorandums of Instruction (MOI's), for different events of the unit. (i.e., Battalion Range Week, Ceremonies, etc.) SFC Musgraves functions as a Battle NCO in the Tactical Operations Center (TOC), where his section acts as the nerve center for the Battalion Commander, when deployed in the field. Battle tracking and analyzing real time battle field information, from FM communications (Radio), to enable him to evaluate the current situation and make timely decisions about the battle. The TOC is also the location of where all future operations of the battalion are planned, and they produce the map graphics and operation orders.
Shortly after his reassignment, he deployed to Fort Hood Texas for two-weeks. The first week at the beginning of June, he attended a CPX (Computer Exercise), which was a mock battle on several computers, interfacing real time war games. The last week of June he went back to the field to practice "jumping the TOC", from one location to another, for a forthcoming deployment to NTC with the armor unit at Fort Hood.
SFC Musgraves attended the Anti-Terrorist/Force Protection course in Hawaii in July 2001. While attending the course, SFC Musgraves was assigned as the Battalion AT/FP representative, and given the responsibility of briefing the commander and soldiers, on Force Protection matters assigned to the unit. The Battalion Deployed to the California Desert in Aug 01 for 40 days, at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin California for another major war game.
Miles away from family is probably one of the most difficult things about life in the military, but the hours he shared with his family were quality time. On September 30, 2001, Dennis went to the Delta Clearwater Creek in Alaska for the catch of the day. Apparently, he did just that!
The New Year sent SFC Musgraves off to Japan for thirty-days for operation "Northwind 02". This annual deployment takes place on the northern island of Hokkaido with the Japanese Defense Force. The event allows both army's to experience sharing war fighting and cultural differences. Dennis visited several cities including Asahikawa and Kamifurano.
In between all of this, Dennis has found a sport he thoroughly enjoys… catching fish, much of which seems rather amazing, in the middle of the winter!
As his mother, I hope that he is not losing his mind, and does not catch a terrible cold. Personally, I would rather see him fishing for salmon. The ice is apparently three-feet thick, and a hole is drilled through the ice to reach the water. Actually, I find it pretty interesting, but have no interest in trying it. Maybe when the salmon run...?
Dennis spent most of the first half of 2003 finishing out his time in Alaska with local training events with his unit, and most weekends spent fishing and camping with family and friends.
He ended his tour of duty with the 172nd Infantry Brigade in August 2003, receiving orders for Fort Campbell, Kentucky prior to the summer. "Rendezvous with Destiny" is the motto of the
101st Screaming Eagles. This appeared to be fitting in with his plans and destiny of retirement in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Like that of his departure twenty years earlier, it was only appropriate his arrival coincided with his mothers 60th birthday, and his twenty-year anniversary in the Army. He was able to arrive a few days prior to the celebration of his mother's birthday.
Unbeknownst to him the "birthday party" planned was actually a "Homecoming" for him, which was planned months ahead anticipating his return with a hundred yellow ribbons decorating the backyard and the arrival of family, neighbors, and friends enjoying a
barbecue with live entertainment. The city of Clarksville is a neighbor to Fort Campbell, with only a few short miles separating the distance to the base from "home".
Upon Dennis' arrival at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he learned most of the 101st Air Assault Division was still deployed in Iraq for Operation Enduring Freedom. He was able to secure a position at the Post Replacement Company, which would allow him time to
complete his Associate Degree and plan for transition out of the Army. His duties at the replacement company consisted of signing personnel into the post; a twenty-four hour duty completed in shifts of either 48 or 60-hours. The position was nothing less
than a "career ender" for any combat arms specialty, but concentrating on completing his college degree before leaving the service and employment after the Army, were foremost in his decision making process of seeking out a position at the company.
The position at the replacement company would keep Dennis at Fort Campbell until his retirement, and I had moved to Clarksville two years before anticipating his retirement and being able to live nearby. Dennis purchased his first home about two and a
half months after arriving, and everything started to move toward life in the civilian sector, but it did not take long before Dennis realized that what he wanted to pursue after the Army wasn't going to be found in Clarksville. Consumed by an
overwhelming desire to return to Alaska, and chase a dream of becoming a fishing guide, while living in the last frontier, he made another decision.
The consequences of leaving family behind are minor in comparison to Dennis' decision of fulfilling his dream. What is important in life is to seek your most heartfelt adventure, to do your best, and to do your duty. Dennis earned the right to be free
and helped play a role in society in keeping our America free from harm. He would have the honor of serving 22-years with the United States Army and mark
the third generation in our family as having served the United States Military during wartime. His next "Rendezvous with Destiny" was to be in the state of Alaska where he met his wife. I believe he will realize it is not such a small world after all,
but in fact is a world to explore.
Sergeant Musgraves was not caught in Stop Loss or Stop Move and was allowed to retire because his unit did not receive deployment orders. His transitional leave date began on 15 October 2005 and he headed for Alaska with an official retirement date of 31 December 2005. "I was fortunate to be assigned to a unit that did not receive deployment orders for Iraq and will be able to retire." He said before leaving Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Over the year, the 101st Airborne Division was realigned and restructured into four independent brigades, or units of action. This structuring allowed the units to be self sufficient in combat and deployed as individual brigades without the need for divisional support. But all four brigades have or will have been deployed by the end of 2005. The Kalsu Replacement Company was realigned in July 2005 and now falls under the United States Army Garrison Command (USAG). USAG had not received deployment orders prior to the departure of Sergeant Musgraves and unlike other soldiers with approved retirement dates; many were caught in Stop Loss or Stop Move.
His time with the replacement company had been well spent as he completed his Associate Degree in General Studies with High Distinction in May 2005. He was glad that he could complete this because he had no VEAP or GI Bill to use upon retirement. As his mother, I am proud to know he graduated with a 3.6 GPA.
In July 2005, he sponsored "In Search of Lighthouses" for Wheel Me On and traveled to New York State. The Lighthouse Search began on Staten Island, New York, followed the Hudson River North, and along the Seaway Trail to Buffalo, New York. The search included 40 lighthouses. "The trip gave me insight on some of the obstacles that have to be overcome by people with disabilities when they travel, and how all of us can do more to make the country more accessible for them. I was also able to see first hand the determination in a person not allowing a "disability" to disable them. Special highlights included visiting both the Statue of Liberty and Niagara Falls with my Mom". Was one of many comments I overheard him say, leaving me to believe he truly now understood what disability was all about.
Soon after from returning on this Lighthouse Search, in August 2005 he achieved the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Royal Salmon Slam, after traveling another 1600 miles to New Brunswick, Canada, to the Mirimachi River to catch an Atlantic salmon, the last salmon species he needed. One of the Atlantic salmon caught and released was 36-inches long and submitted for entry in the North American Fishing Club (NAFC) 2005 Catch and Release contest.
It was a successful trip for Sergeant Musgraves, and with the Atlantic salmon in his net he accomplished catching, (or catching and releasing), each of the six different species of salmon he had sought between Alaska and Canada. He is now a member of the prestigious IGFA Royal Salmon Slam Club and will be honored in the 2006 IGFA International World Record Book under the Royal Slam Club section.
His trip north from Clarksville, Tennessee to New Brunswick, Canada took him through states in America he had not been to previously, including Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island, which were the final four he needed to complete a lifelong wish of traveling through all fifty states of the United States of America.
"I have had a great experience in the Army. I am grateful to have been allowed the opportunity to serve in the United States Military. Twenty-Two Army years in the Infantry has put some strain on my bones and aches in my joints. There is a difference in conventional age and Army age. I probably marched a thousand miles with 65 pounds on my back and ran a thousand more, and my body at times feels like I humped every steep mountain there is on the map. I can still hear the whispered words coming up from the rear of the single file formation, in the darkness of the cold night, when your back is burdened with more weight than you thought you could ever carry, blisters bursting inside your boots, body aches from all the miles you have already put on it during the tactical movement." My son said to me.
"Only 100 more meters'…It always ended up being a little more than that 100 meters. The Drill Sergeant at Infantry School had some memorable words for us as we returned from a five-mile "fun run". We were all making secondary movements in formation, wiping sweat from our foreheads and such as he belts out, "If it ain't bleeding don't wipe it". He continued, "Ya better start getting tough cause Infantry soldiers walk 'til their feet bleed,' He was right." He went on.
"I try to focus on the good times I had in the Army instead of the bad. I think you have to experience the bad times so the good times can be better appreciated. I have traveled to many places I would never have been able to see, met many interesting people, and gained a couple of lifetime friends. I met my wife, and have two wonderful children. They have faithfully stuck by my side in all the hardships, deployments, and duties that have separated us. Although I did not obtain all of my goals I set out to do in the Army, I always tried to "Be All You Can Be" and have no regrets."
As I watched Dennis leave my home on the morning of October 15th, 2005, I could not abstain from grabbing the camera and taking a series of photos. Afterall, there was no telling when I would see him again, and this was a moment I would remember for many years to come. I had only one thought in mind... and that was: How can any parent not be proud of a son such as this one? While I grieved at the thought of him moving thousands of miles away… the fact was he needed to fulfill his dream and the big fish simply were not in Clarksville, Tennessee, that he sought.
Julia Hollenbeck
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY! |
 |
SORRY MOM!
WE DIDN'T MEAN
TO GET DIRTY! |
1998
Just think, it was 15 years ago that I left for the Army!
Your birth has given life to three children whom have grown into men.
Without your birth, no grandchildren would have been born,
No happiness felt by a son that became a father.
You are always in my thoughts and you are needed in my future...
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!
Love from all of us...
Visit My Brothers Web Page!
Military graphic on this page courtesy of Chuck Stewart
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