In continuing with our “View of a Veteran - Freedom is Not Free” series we had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Andres Gil.
Name: Andres Gil
Birth Date: August 4, 1974
Hometown: West Seneca, New York
Current Town: Brewster, New York
Branch of Service: United States Army
Rank: Major
The Beginning
Why did you join? I first enlisted in the Army in January of 1994 as an Infantry Soldier. I joined at the age of 19 as I wanted to be part of something meaningful and defend our Great Nation as so many others have done throughout history. I found this as a noble calling. I separated from the military and earned my Bachelors of Arts from the State University of New York at Buffalo and thereafter earned a Law Degree from Albany Law School. Following Law School, I began working at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office but still felt an obligation to fight our enemies and serve our Nation following the attacks of September 11, 2001. So I applied for and obtained a Commission in the Army Reserve. Thereafter, I deployed three times in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Why did you pick the service branch you joined? When I was in High School I came close to enlisting in the Marine Corps on a delayed entry program. I started to do more research and learned about the great things that Army Infantry does and was sold! I was never really interested in the Navy. Once I learned about the U.S.S. Indianapolis there was no way that I could join the Navy. Army Infantry was the way to go! Since joining though I have had four military occupations. I commissioned as a Judge Advocate and later resigned my commission and re-commissioned Military Police and now I am a Civil Affairs Officer. It has been quite a ride, but great experiences!
Do you recall your first days in service? I will never forget my first days in the Army. An excited teenager who thought I knew everything. Quickly I learned! On the first full day of initial entry training in the Army at Sand Hill, Fort Benning, Georgia where I was thinking what is going on as a Drill Sergeant threw a metal garbage can across the bay and began yelling and screaming at 0430 in the morning. After about two hours of calisthenics, I was still kicking strong and ready to fill the shoes of my predecessors. Years later, initial training as an Officer was like attending a country club compared to enlisted infantry training. These experiences provided me with a well-rounded leadership style respected by my peers and subordinates.
Experiences
Which war(s) did you serve in (WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf)? I served in the Global War on Terrorism. I deployed to Iraq in 2009-2010 with the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion. Afghanistan 2011-2012 with the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion. East Africa 2016-2017 with the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion.
Iraq
Where exactly did you go? In Iraq, our area of operation was Baghdad Province. My primary mission was working in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and Provincial Reconstruction Team to facilitate Rule of Law efforts and re-integrate civilians internally displaced because of sectarian violence.
Do you remember arriving and what it was like? In my job, we interact with civilians, Host Nation Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations, and other civilian agencies. The resilience and culture of the people is something that always stuck with me. No matter how bad of a day it was, people would go about their day and live the life that God gave them. It is always hard seeing the effects of war erase the innocence of children.
What was your job/assignment? I coordinated military efforts to facilitate the resettlement of internally displaced persons and led a personal security detachment to move State Department and Provincial Reconstruction Team Officials to monitor the Camps and provide atmospherics on resettlement, reintegration and reconciliation efforts.
Tell me about a couple of your most memorable experiences. I have a lot of memories and experiences. I think the best one for this audience is leading my first patrol outside the wire. My gunner in our third truck missed the test fire pit and nearly struck an abandoned guard tower. We were driving out of the gate after it lowered and as the first truck approached, the gate went back up and the front end of the MRAP went up in the air. When my PLT Sergeant and I found out what happened we were pissed and executed some corrective training!
Afghanistan
Where exactly did you go? I led a Civil Affairs Team attached to 3-509 PIR GERONIMO in southern Paktya Province in Eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border. Our Company Headquarters was located in Khost Province and we had Civil Affairs Teams working throughout both Provinces.
Do you remember arriving and what it was like? We arrived on the ground in early December just after Thanksgiving. Southern Paktya Province is a plateau at 7200 feet above sea level surrounded by mountain ranges. Being from Northern New York attached to a Unit from Alaska we thought we were ready for the cold. Boy was it cold that winter. I will never forget seeing the kid with blue feet because he didn’t have boots and had to walk through the snow. On one patrol we exited an outpost and couldn’t see more than 15 feet in front of each other as there were ice crystals in the air. It was an amazing site and freezing cold. The summer months were much more forgiving with temperatures into the 70s, but that is the fighting season. So, with the heat also came a significant increase in enemy engagements.
What was your job/assignment? Our Team’s job was to facilitate essential services and civil capacity for the Afghan people in this rural area. We tried to facilitate a full-time judge and prosecutor to come to the district from Gardez, but every time a government official would try and come there they were killed or harassed by insurgents. We also worked with the local Afghan Police to conduct village outreach and outreach at local schools. We completed a few small projects improving the roads in the area but were consistently engaged by the enemy.
Tell me about a couple of your most memorable experiences. I have a lot of memories, some good and some bad. I have to say a good one is helping the local hospital with a delivery of humanitarian supplies to help the people caught in the middle of the war. It is the little things like coats and shoes in the middle of winter that build friendships with the local people. Those are important wins for us to try and make sense out of all the chaos and sorrow.
East Africa
Where exactly did you go? I commanded a Civil Affairs Company assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. Our Headquarters was stationed in Djibouti and we had Civil Affairs Teams working throughout East Africa. In my position, I was able to travel regularly and spend time commanding my Teams.
Do you remember arriving and what it was like? We arrived in late July and it was hot! It was hotter than Iraq! Africa is such a huge continent. You cannot grasp the size of it until you are there. The landscape changes drastically from dessert to plains to rain forests. Djibouti was like being in Casablanca. There are so many international partners located there it is amazing. My Teams ate regularly on the economy and the food was pretty good. The cost of living is expensive and poor people are really poor. For instance, the city has many nice homes comparable to a Mediterranean State, but when you drive 20 minutes outside of the city people live in huts on barren land.
What was your job/assignment? I commanded a Civil Affairs Company working Humanitarian Operations, Civil Information Management, Populace Resource Control and Nation Assistance. We helped people and their governments to provide essential services and security to mitigate vulnerabilities exploited by insurgents.
Tell me about a couple of your most memorable experiences. My most memorable experience was being so proud of my Soldiers who completed a joint training exercise with French Forces earning the French Dessert Commando Scorpion Badge! I was truly blessed to have such a great group of men and women to command! They did amazing things under extraordinary circumstances. On one occasion one of our Teams witnessed a fatal motor vehicle crash. They stopped assessed the situation and provided life-sustaining medical aid while other Team members-controlled traffic and coordinated with local emergency services. My First Sergeant and I were very proud of our Soldiers' response and were able to obtain the Army Commendation Medal for their dedication to others.
- Bronze Star
- Meritorious Service Medal (x2)
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Achievement Medal (x2)
- Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (x3)
- National Defense Service Medal (x2)
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Armed Forces Service Medal
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
- Army Overseas Service Ribbon (x3)
- Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon
- NATO ISAF Medal
- Combat Action Badge
- Meritorious Unit Citation
How did you get them? Blood, sweat and tears! The crazy thing about medals is like whatever. It is great when you truly earn something, but most Soldiers don't go chasing medals and recognition. We do our job, take care of our battle buddies and lead by example. We do our job and we do it well because we care for others.
Life
What was life like in the service? I am still in the Army Reserve and are actually writing this during a drill weekend. The culture is the conditions set by leaders. God, Country, Family! These are three things that are at our core and the roots of our values. Being a Civil Affairs Officer and/or Soldier in the Army Reserve is a tough job. We are often mobilized and sent overseas. It is hard to balance raising a family being a father, a husband, and still have a civilian job and career to pursue. Many people are under the assumption that being in the Army Reserve is a commitment of one weekend a month and two weeks a year. That was the advertisement in the 1990s, but like every commercial, you have to read the fine print! The bottom line is that since the Global War on Terrorism began we have mobilized a lot of Army Reserve Soldiers and there is no end in sight during this period of sustained conflict. The bottom line is that the world is a scary place and there are some evil people out there that wish us harm. It is imperative that we continue this fight to preserve our way of life and provide security to those who cannot protect themselves. I am a strong believer in the principles that our Nation was founded on. Those certain inalienable rights are rights of all humans. It is upon us to do God's work and protect the unprotected.
How did you stay in touch with your family? Each deployment was different with different technology. When I was in Basic Training in 1994 we were allowed to call home once a week on a pay phone! LOL! In Iraq, we could use moral calls and I called home maybe twice a week. When I was in Afghanistan it would be two to three weeks in between telephone calls home. It was all about the OPTEMPO of the mission. We were really busy in Afghanistan and Iraq. Given my position and location in Africa, I was able to communicate with my wife and kids regularly but always once the mission was accomplished.
Where did you travel while in the service? I have traveled all over the Continental United States. I've been in many airports and cities throughout the world, yet my favorite one has always been flying into LaGuardia and seeing my wife and boys, Mark and Matthew, at the gate waiting for me! My military career has been a journey and an experience for my entire family. My wife Alejandra and I met in Law School and started dating shortly after starting in the Bronx District Attorney's Office. I attended my Officer Basic Course while she was pregnant with our oldest son Mark and was gone for some five months. Then I completed an overseas assignment in Germany the following year in April of 2009. In May of 2009 we were married and a month later I was on a plane to Iraq, leaving my wife with a full-time job and a one-year-old son. 10 months after I returned from Iraq, Matthew, our second son was born and three months later I was training to deploy to Afghanistan. Now I left her at home with two young boys! Military spouses do not get nearly enough recognition for all of the hard work that they do!
What did you think of officers or fellow soldiers? There are good leaders and bad leaders, it is just the nature of humanity. I think we all have a moral compass and must follow it. It is the true test of integrity. We can learn things from observing successes and mistakes. The key is to look at the larger picture and being self-aware. I take great pride and joy in mentoring subordinates. Soldiers who want to learn and are eager to learn are inspiring. They inspire me and challenge me to do better and be a better leader. One of my former Brigade Commanders was really big on a coach, mentor and teach. I was inspired by his Command Philosophy and excelled under his and my Battalion Commander's leadership. Yellers and screamers are generally what is seen on TV and in the movies. In reality, that type of leadership is toxic and does not inspire Soldiers to learn, remain motivated and ready to seek higher levels of responsibility.
After Service
Do you recall the day your service ended? Returning from each deployment is different. The excitement of coming home and being with family is awesome, the thought that I don't have a mission anymore is scary. I think the easiest transition was the first one and it has gotten harder with each deployment. The excitement of coming home wears off and the fear of the unknown rises. I think that it is important to take time with family and re-integrate slowly. I definitely hug my wife and kids more today!
What did you do in the days and weeks afterward? After this last transition, I wanted to be close to home and spend more time with my wife and raise our boys. I decided to start my own Law Practice in Brewster so that I can be close to home and involved in raising my boys. Thanks to a friend at the VFW, we have been able to get our boys involved in Cub Scouts and other local activities.
Did you work or go back to school? Work
Did you make any close friendships while in the service? Many
Did you continue any of those relationships? I think I will always remain in contact with the Soldiers I have served in combat with. They can call at 3:00 in the morning and I will pick up the phone and be there! They are my brothers and sisters in arms.
VFW Post 672 Service,
Why did you join the post? To be close to people who experienced similar circumstances, assist older Veterans, and advocate on behalf of less fortunate Veterans.
How has it helped you? Yes
Have you ever or do you hold a position for the post? I was a Trustee and was recently elected Junior Vice Commander
What is your favorite event/activity in the post that you participate in and why? I like the Memorial Day Ceremonies. It is a somber day and one to pay tribute to our Brothers and Sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice!
Later Years
What did you go on to do as a career after the war? I am a lawyer and am have started a local law practice in Brewster, where I am looking to employ my knowledge of estate planning and wills, advocating for veterans and representing those charged with DWI and Vehicle and Traffic Law offenses.
How did your service and experiences affect your life? Absolutely they affected me. I think I am a better man, a better father, and a better husband because of the military. I am thankful that I made it home and will always advocate for Veterans. There is a bond and friendship that is unexplainable. I am grateful for the help that Veterans have provided me and my family through deployments and transitions.
Is there anything you would like to add that we have not covered in this interview? Thank you!
View of a Veteran - Freedom is Not Free is a series of articles that will feature a different veteran. This project is run in conjunction with Brewster VFW Post 672 and Brewster HamletHub. You are invited to thank a veteran for their service by commenting on any of the articles.
Past articles:
View of a Veteran - Freedom is Not Free- Interview with Mr. Robert Rottkamp
View of a Veteran - Freedom is Not Free. All about the Brewster VFW Post 672