In the midst of their operation, the two soldiers had the opportunity to speak with each other. To make small talk, Tate asked Winslow where he had gone to school. "Since he is an officer, I knew he had a college education," she says.

Winslow answered that he had attended college in the Midwest. Talking further, the two realized they were both Ball State alumni.

The two graduates discussed campus and hangouts, along with personal memories. "We could not believe that, out of 140,000 soldiers stationed on active duty in Iraq, we would meet another alumnus from BSU," says Winslow. Their military duties soon sent Tate and Winslow in different directions. Both continue to travel to and from Iraq to facilitate their civil affairs missions.

Tate, a 1975 graduate with a degree in physical education, had planned for a long time to join the military. "I come from a military family, with my father being a career Navy senior chief," she says. Serving as a career soldier herself, Tate has been in the Army for 20 years, 16 of those in the Reserves. She is based out of Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Tate's background and training, which includes six years as a drill sergeant and serving as a military policeman, helps her with everyday tasks while serving overseas. "I have utilized experiences in my civilian job [at home] here in Iraq with my military responsibilities," she says.

Since being activated in July 2004, Tate says her main responsibility is to maintain the safety of her soldiers. "I am assigned as supervisor of my unit's convoy security detail, escorting these convoys throughout the central region of Iraq. It is my responsibility to complete the missions and return my soldiers safely back to camp," she says.

At home in the States, Tate continues her role. "A great deal of my time in both careers [military and civilian] is spent mentoring younger soldiers and officers," she says. "Mentoring is a combination of teaching, counseling, listening, and giving instruction."

Tate is a Lieutenant with the New Jersey Department of Corrections with the Special Operations Group. The position includes supervising armor shops and firearm ranges, in addition to ordering and maintaining the department's weapons and munitions. She plans to stay in the Army for two years, after which she may teach at a Military Police Unit.

Although Tate enjoys her civilian work responsibilities, her strongest motivation comes from the desire to serve her country. "Since I had the opportunity to travel and see other parts of the world as a child, I realized how unique and great of a country the United States is," Tate says, "and anything I can do to give back is a privilege."

Captain Andrew G. Winslow

Winslow, a Medical Service Corps Officer with the 350th Medical Company based out of Charleston, South Carolina, agrees with Tate's outlook toward Operation Iraqi Freedom. "I am grateful for what we have in America and the freedoms [we have that] many around the world do not have," he says, acknowledging that he has a coveted responsibility to serve his country.

Winslow comes from a long military line. "My father was in the military, and all generations of my family going back to the Mayflower, have served in defense of America," he says. A 13-year veteran, Winslow was commissioned at Ball State in 1991 after receiving his bachelor's degree in exercise science. He then attended the University of Florida, where he received his master's degree in 1995.

While attending Ball State, Winslow spent two years on the men's swimming and diving team. Although he admits to barely making the team, he began to build the determination that has carried over into his current role. "Coach Bob Thomas helped those of us on the slower squad to continue to improve," says Winslow.

When he left the team his junior year to focus his energy on the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program, Winslow took with him the lessons he learned from his coach. "I have soldiers and employees who start out not being the best at what they do," he says. "However, given time, the appropriate tools, and motivation, they are now some of my best employees and soldiers."

Deployed in January 2004, Winslow routinely utilizes the valuable lessons he learned as platoon leader and company commander. "Leadership is by example and being a servant to those you lead," he says. "Both in my civilian job and military duty the principles are the same."

Winslow works in the Humanitarian Operations Center in Kuwait. "Our purpose is to facilitate movement of aid through Kuwait to Iraq and Afghanistan," he says, explaining that he helps coordinate Coalition Force distribution of medical supplies donated by U.S. citizens, hospitals, and charitable organizations to areas in need. Winslow also is responsible for the communication and coordination of healthcare in civil-military areas. "It is amazing how many people and organizations want to help support the troops," he says. "We tell the story of the U.S. soldier in Iraq and the many good things they are doing."

When not serving in Iraq, Winslow works at the Beaufort Memorial Hospital as director of the LifeFit Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Diabetes Care Center. Besides returning to his state-side hospital position, Winslow looks forward to spending time with his wife Rebekah and two sons, Joshua and Michael. "I am grateful for the sacrifices my family has made in my absence. My wife has had it more difficult than I in many respects, raising two little boys with no time off for recuperation," he says.

Although they have spent months away from their family, friends, and lives at home, both Tate and Winslow find their duties in support of the U.S. during Operation Iraqi Freedom as most fulfilling. Winslow summarizes: "As George Washington said, ‘When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen.' I am proud to be considered a ‘citizen soldier.' It is not easy for me, or my family, being in the Army Reserves at this time. I hope, as I do toward my father, that my sons look back and say their father served when called upon to make our country, and our world, a better place."

by Jaclyn Sharratt