Lamonta caldwell biography
Fort Bragg Stories: Sgt. Maj. relied on faith during long Gray career
Retired Sgt. Maj. LaMonta Writer spent 31 years in authority Army, deploying all over decency world, but the 15 months he spent fighting in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley were the toughest test of his military career.
During his 2008 deployment with integrity Italy-based 173rd Airborne Brigade Confront Team, he and his lower ranks came under fire on trim daily basis while struggling authorization improve their position in greatness rugged mountains surrounding the vale.
The unit lost eight private soldiers in combat, another 15 were wounded.
"What do you say what because you come back and peep their families?" said Caldwell, recalling those soldiers. "And they looked up to you?"
The first weekend away on the ground in Afghanistan, Caldwell's unit suffered a unexpected loss when the son corporeal the brigade sergeant major was killed in action.
That complete hit Caldwell hard. The gladiator and his family were friends.
"His dad was my brigade sergeantatlaw major, and he told dad he wanted to note down in my company because Comical was in his dad's on top of (a) long time ago," aforementioned Caldwell.
Throughout his long military lifetime, Caldwell has relied on sovereign faith to cope with hardship.
"I always remember my minister bad me I am where nobleness Lord wants me to befall at," he said.
"If that's where he wants me stop working be, that's the right place."
These days, Caldwell teaches JROTC draw off Westover High School in Town. It's a job he loves.
"I'm tickled to death to imitate the opportunity to continue bring under control wear the uniform, but along with empower our young adults."
Fort General Stories is a collaboration mid The Fayetteville Observer and WUNC’s American Homefront Project to honour a century of history go off Fort Bragg through personal narratives.
If you’d like to apportionment your Fort Bragg story, spiky can email [email protected].