A Soldier's Journey: Michael Mundell
From Army training to Kuwait to Iraq, one fallen American serviceman chronicled his ventures electronically.
In the spring of 2006, Army Maj. Michael Mundell prepared to head off for training before his deployment to Iraq, where he helped train an Iraqi Army battalion. The following are unedited excerpts from his e-mails to family and friends from the last year of his life.
Heading Out for Training
03/25/06 11:06 AM
Hi everyone!
I am leaving Ft. Bragg (thank goodness) on Tuesday or Wednesday and heading to, of all places, Ft. Knox. I will stay there for a week or less, doing some "Cultural Awareness Training" and then some digital battlefield software training. After this, I am headed for Ft. Hood, Texas, to draw equipment and weapons. I have been assigned to a "Mobile Transition Team", meaning I will be living with and training an Iraqi Army Battalion, along with three other Americans. After a few days at Ft. Hood, I will be sent to Kuwait to do some more training ... and then to Tadji, Iraq. From Tadji, we will be dispersed to various units across the country. I dont know where exactly I will be. I am happy with the assignment—it sounds like a lot of fun and excitement.
Mike
Getting Back Into Shape
05/03/06 8:07 AM
Dear friends and family,
I finally met my team on Monday and they seem to be really great guys. ... All together, there are three majors, three captains, and three sergeants on the team. Hopefully, we will come home with all nine of us.
I finally got some specifics as to my assignment. We will be advising (not training, there is a difference) the 3d Battalion of the 1st Brigade, of the 1st Division, Iraqi Army. They are stationed in Fallujah and operate in the area between Fallujah and Ramadi (east, towards Baghdad). Should be very interesting, as this is right smack in the middle of the "Sunni Triangle" area. I am not sure what that means, other than we will be busy boys. I just cant wait—I have had ENOUGH training—time to get to business.
I am well and continue to get this old, old body back in shape—PT three times a week will do that.
Love to all, Mike
'Banshee Battalion'
5/20/06 11:00 AM
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