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From College to War: A Student Athlete's Deployment to Iraq
The chapter follows a student athlete's transition from college life and football commitments to being selected for deployment to Iraq as a combat engineer in a National Guard unit, highlighting the challenges faced in balancing civilian and military duties. It recounts the emotional farewells with teammates, the acclimation process in Kuwait, and the intense experiences of combat situations in Iraq, including the complex decision-making processes in engaging with potential threats. The speaker reflects on the implications of being trained for combat while facing restrictions on applying their skills effectively in a constantly changing and intense environment.