21 and deployed: no alcohol? no problem!

Approximately 235 Soldiers in Task Force 34 turned twenty-one while mobilized in Task Force 34th’s 08-10 rotation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

“I didn’t really think much of it”, said SPC Thomas Eccles, Headquarters Support Company, 834th Aviation Support Battalion Flight Medic.  “Except that I wouldn’t experience the ritualistic 21st birthday drinking night. I guess that works out, because that would have been a horrible morning for me afterwards.”

Specialist Eccles turned 21 in Oct. 2008. Other Soldiers have the same outlook as SPC Eccles, and some have a different opinion, such as SPC Tiara Winn, Headquarters Company, Task Force 34 Human Resources Specialist, who turned 21 in Nov. 2008.

“The thought of turning 21 in Iraq made me not a happy camper.  I thought that it would suck for the fact that I would not be able to spend it at home with family and friends.  I had so many plans of what I wanted to do for my big 21st,” SPC Winn said.  “Plus, for the obvious reason, I was not going to be able to have any alcohol!” 

Last month, PFC Ryan Ronning, HHC 34th CAB Intel Analyst, turned 21.

“Honestly, all I thought was I guess I won’t be having a party and I won’t be drinking any alcohol,” PFC Ronning said.

PFC Erin Goehring, HSC 834th ASB Supply Specialist, is trying to make the best of the situation.

“It’s actually kind of cool, because my brother turned 21 in Iraq too,” PFC Goehring said.

In a sense, turning 21 in Iraq can be a good thing to Soldiers.  They don’t have the option to complete the “21 Run,” drinking 21 shots on your 21st birthday.  However, it can also be bad. Some Soldiers will feel the need to catch up for lost time, which can be very dangerous. One-fourth of all leading deaths in the United States are due to alcohol abuse, such as binge drinking, daily use and underage drinking, according to Psychology Today’s June 6, 2008 issue. 

There are many things that you can do to celebrate your 21st birthday that do not involve the notorious 21 Run. For some TF 34 Soldiers in Iraq, they celebrated by drinking near-beer or near-champagne, eating pizza and having a party or going to the massage parlor on the east-side of Joint Base Balad. So here is to Task Force 34th’s young Soldiers turning 21 in Iraq, we raise our glasses to you and toast, wishing you a wonderful, safe and happy birthday!

By PFC Jamie Eccles, HHC Task Force 34
1 Mar 2009