Son
Follows Father's Footsteps In Lethal Warrior Battalion
by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Neysa
Canfield August 1, 2018
Like many infantrymen, he conducts route clearance, provides
security, and acts as part of the quick reaction force.
Assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment
“Lethal Warriors,” 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Pfc. Trenton Kreuger is unlike many of his peers as his
last name was already part of the Lethal Warriors Battalion’s
history, even before his arrival to the unit.
Pfc. Trenton Kreuger, an infantryman assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd
Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,
4th Infantry Division, poses for photo in Kandahar, Afghanistan,
June 1, 2018. Kreuger is in the same battalion and brigade his
father, former Sgt. Michael Kreuger, once served and deployed with
eight years ago. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
-----------------------------------------------------------
“My father [Michael Krueger] was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th
Infantry Regiment as an infantryman,” said the Wheeling, West
Virginia native. “Being in the same battalion as my father feels
like it has a deep meaning; it honestly feels like I was destined to
be assigned (to this unit).”
“The (2nd Bn., 12th Inf. Reg.)
can only be described as top notch,” said Michael, who spent his
entire six years of service as a Lethal Warrior. “It’s pretty
surreal to know that my son is now a Lethal Warrior, but I couldn’t
be prouder as a father to know he is in a great unit.”
During
his time with the battalion, Michael served one tour to Iraq in 2005
and one to Afghanistan in 2010 as a sergeant and squad leader.
Both father and son serving in Afghanistan is testament that a
generation has passed since the NATO mission started here in 2001.
While Michael said he remembers assisting in the development of
infrastructure and providing a leadership role during engagements
with the Afghanistan National Army, the country has changed
significantly in the past generation. The World Bank reports that
since 2010 Afghan’s access to drinking water has increased from 46
percent to 65 percent, life expectancy has increased from an average
of 60 to 63 years, and literacy has grown from 31 percent to 38
percent.
Now eight years later, Kreuger is witnessing a
slightly different Afghanistan than his father.
As part of
Train Advise and Assist Command-South, which is composed of Soldiers
from the 40th Infantry Division, California National Guard and 2nd
IBCT, 4th Inf. Div., Kreuger’s battalion is part of the “assist”
portion of counter-terrorism operations.
“Before I got here,
I imagined Afghanistan as a very poor country,” said Kreuger.
“(However) I have seen a lot of nice and clean looking universities
and (living quarters).”
Aside from the country’s economic
change, the ANA has also experienced growth since Michael’s tour.
In early 2010, the ANA was composed of approximately 130,000
soldiers, which has now expanded to almost 195,000.
“We are
here to help train and assist the ANA in order to help the country
of Afghanistan keep their people safe and get full control of
country,” said Kreuger. “I love my job and a lot of my motivation
comes from wanting to continue making my Family proud.”
Although Kreuger has just started his military career, he said he
plans to reenlist, attain the rank of sergeant, and eventually
attend the U.S Army Ranger School.
“My plan is to do
everything I can to be as good of a Soldier [as] my father was,”
said Kreuger. “I don’t believe in quitting because my dad and
(grandfather) were infantrymen and I want to show them what their
son and grandson is capable of doing.”
U.S. Army Gifts |
U.S. Army |
U.S. Department
of Defense
|
|