The Bond Beyond the Uniform, Volume 2

By Joshua R. Sosa, US Army Combat Veteran It doesn’t matter what you do or where you go, a veteran can spot a Brother or Sister in Arms a mile away as well as a “shammer” or fake with ease. It is just in our blood. It’s part of our DNA. But so is the bond we develop in and out of that uniform. We are drawn together regardless of branch of service or combat campaign; we’re connected. However, there is something about those who serve together that changes the dynamic of the bond. The true Band of Brothers that kicks in. Almost like that sibling that you love and also hate, but no one better mess with them or else they have to answer to you! That’s something that I can try to explain, but unless you lived it, you will never understand it.

2006 Ft. Polk LA: I am assigned to 7^th Chemical Company BIDS, which is a “non-deployable unit.” Our mission was to serve as a Biological Integrated Detection Unit that could deploy within the United States and detect chemical agents that could be harmful to humans. However, we were not the common BIDS unit that the Army was used to. In fact, most units did not even recognize us as true chemical units because of the extensive training in other areas that our unit focused on. We were masters at our craft, but also focused on being subject matter experts in other situations that we would find in combat. We were skilled and proficient in our warrior tasks and drills. Our command team ensured that we were the best in what we did, but could compete against anybody else in the Army in their field as well.

Through our training, we were forced to become not just a team but a strong family. No matter if we were a team, squad, or platoon, we were 7th Chemical Company, and we lived by the name of Dragon Soldiers and the motto of NO SLACK! We were the best at what we did, and we knew it. We were not arrogant or cocky, but we were confident that we knew our stuff and that we could confront any mission.

So fast forward to 2007, and our unit was hand-selected to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Although details were not clear to everyone in the beginning, there was no question that our soldiers and leaders were prepared to take on any mission that was given to us. So as a single unit, we were attached to a battalion that had already been in country for a while. Our mission was very different from what we were used to as chemical soldiers, but that was not going to stop our leadership from not only making sure that we did our job, but we did it better than everybody else. We trained immediately as we stepped into a different world than we were used to, and we became that much closer to each other. Although we were attached to this other unit, we were our own entity. Shortly thereafter, that battalion left, and another battalion fell in on us. However, they were not at the caliber that we were trained to conduct our missions. Again, we were not arrogant or cocky, but we were good at what we did, even though this was not our true job in the military. We were mixed of not just chemical soldiers, but different MOSs as well as having a large number of females in our ranks. The one thing that was for sure was that we did not see gender, color, or religion in our ranks; we saw green and saw a family.

After a year, many missions completed, and many miles traveled, thank God we all came home together. And even though many of us separated and moved on, whether it was completing our time in the military, or moving on to different installations, or jobs, one thing is for sure: whenever we would reconnect, we were right back where we left off. Now, as combat veterans, there's always a unit that you remember, both good and bad, and the situations and memories that will last a lifetime. You find those people that you're connected to, and you and they become so connected and close that no matter how long you are apart, you go right to the spot where you last saw each other. They laughed with you, they cried with you, they were with you in your good and bad times, but you got through it together! These are true battle buddies. Now every deployment is different, and every unit is different. But there's always that one that sticks out. For me, it was 7th Chem.

As mentioned before, we trained hard, but we were good. Our command leadership team was tough, but they saw the vision of where we were going way before it even happened, and also the potential of each one of us Even before we did. They truly cared about each and every one of us who stood in the ranks of this unit. That same type of leadership trickled down to the platoon, squad, and even team level. This type of love for one another became so apparent that teammates would check on each other before and after a mission just to ensure that they were OK and that their missions went well. They didn't have to, but it was just who we were. We were a family. Now move on throughout the years, and some have passed away, and others have gone away from the army, but through the help of social media, we've stayed connected. A phone call or an occasional meeting, and the smiles come back, the sound of laughter and old stories are in the air, and in that moment, we are right back where we left each other. In 2027, we will be celebrating our 20^th-year reunion back where it all started in Fort Polk, LA.

To anyone who knows the army, this place is the armpit of the army. However, to us, this was home. Honestly and truly, I could not wait to leave there when I was still wearing the uniform. About two years ago, I decided to take a trip down memory lane and drive over there from Texas. I went back to my old unit, stood where we would have formations in the morning, drove down to the motor pool, rolled around in the combatives pit, and even visited my old house. It took me back to some really good times with some amazing people. To see and hear how they have grown not only as soldiers, but as dads and moms, as husbands and wives, and as people is amazing to see. Even though we were so different, we were brought together under a common mission, and in the process, we gained so much more than just a friendship. Now I would like to say that we were all close and we're all happy together, but the reality is that it's not the truth. However, at the end of the day, we are still family, and although we might not always like each other, the love we have for our unit and those that stood beside us while away from our own families made us family.

I could go on and on about this unit, but those who read this article and wore the uniform know exactly what I'm talking about. When we think about the people who made an impact, we don't just remember names; we remember who they were in that time of our lives. So here's to you, Vector 6, Vector 7, Vector 5, Puma, Viper, Boaz, and Droz, Juice, Shepherd, Policky, PorkChop, Cochise, Crazy Horse, and everyone else of the mighty 7^th. You made it all worthwhile back then and set the standard very high for any other. May God bless you all, and may you always remember that anything you do in life, that you do it to the highest standard, and you continue to live by the motto that is never heard anymore since the rolling of our colors. No Slack!

I'll see you in 2027. Lucky 7 standing by.

Mission First, PEOPLE ALWAYS!

One Team, One FIGHT, ONE FAMILY!

Very Respectfully,

Joshua R. Sosa

US Army Combat Veteran