by Meg Ewald Editor-in-Chief Several current or former New Mexico State University students will deploy to Iraq in March 2005 with the all-volunteer 126th Military Police Company of the New Mexico National Guard. Staff Sgt. Brett Bedinger of Portales graduated from NMSU with a degree in marketing. A member of the Guard for 14 years, Bedinger said he originally joined to help pay for college, "It grew on me," he said. "It just seemed like the right thing to do." "The Guard kept me out of trouble, he said. "I've met friends for life, some of the most honorable people I've known." After graduating, Bedinger moved back to Portales to join his family's real estate business. He said he and his wife are expecting their first child in March. Bedinger said he is anxious, fearful and proud to go to Iraq. "When we put the uniform on, politics go out the window," he said. Bedinger said he wants to make sure the soldiers that have already served in Iraq get to come home to their families. Kevin Wilkinson, an NMSU sophomore from Yuma, Ariz., majoring in electrical engineering, said he has been in the Guard for one and a half years. Wilkinson said he hopes to graduate after returning from Iraq. He said he plans to make a career out of military service and would like to become an officer. "The National Guard has allowed me to meet people of many different backgrounds," Wilkinson said. "It's given me a broader outlook on life." He said joining the Guard made him more responsible, and added that he is ready to see what things in Iraq are like. Ben Shockley, a junior from Farmington majoring in journalism, said he plans to serve in Iraq and then return to finish his degree. He has served for two years in the Guard. "I'm scared, excited," Shockley said. "Going to Iraq is going to be a good experience, and I'll come back with a different view of life. I feel like it's something I have to do. I have a purpose, and I'm trusting the Lord." Jeff Swanson, a sophomoremajoring in communications, said he joined the Guard because he got married and needed to take responsibility and make more money to support his family. He has served for two and a half years and said he did not expect to go to Iraq. "I'm excited, though," he said. "It will be totally new. I'll have to keep my mind clear and wait for what the Lord brings." Swanson said he and his wife, Ashlie, also majoring in communications at NMSU, would like to do missionary work overseas after they graduate. Swanson came to NMSU from Boulder, Colo. Both Shockley and Swanson are members of Campus Crusade for Christ. Richard Schlensig of Alamogordo received an associate's degree in pre-business from the Alamogordo Branch of NMSU in 2000 and said he plans to get a bachelor's degree in business or electrical engineering when he returns from Iraq. He has been with the Guard for four years and said he is proud to serve the United States and New Mexico. "The Guard taught me responsibility and how to take care of myself," Schlensig said. Ralph Fink, a graduate student in animal and range science from Lovell, Wyo., has served in the Guard for 12 years. He said he started in high school. Fink said he joined because his family has a history of military service and he needed a way to finance his education. Fink said he stayed with the Guard because of the people there. "Some of the best friends I'll ever have are from the Guard, friends that will be right there to help me when I need it," he said. "If it weren't for the people, we wouldn't be able to deal with the situations we're put in." "Our freedom is something worth fighting for," Fink said. "We go to protect our families and friends. I would feel worse if I stayed home and something happened to the person who had to take my place. It's my job." Other soldiers in the 126th MP Company with ties to NMSU or DABCC include Spc. Jarod Bryan, Ssg. Naomi Schantz, Spc. David Jenkins, Spc. William Kelly and Spc. Joseph Sanchez. The 126th MP Company left Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque Tuesday for Ft. Polk, La., where they will continue mobilizing and prepare to assume active Army status. The company will then head to Ft. Leonardwood, Mo., for extensive training. Lt. Darren Hooker, commander of the company's first platoon, said the training will teach the soldiers to effectively function together as a unit. The company will return to Ft. Polk in March for deployment to Iraq in the third phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The soldiers' tour of duty abroad lasts one year, and each soldier will receive mid-tour leave at some point in the tour. Sgt. 1st Class Theodore Skibyak, a Las Cruces native, said the 126th MP Company was created in November 2003. Skibyak said the company is the first and only military police National Guard unit in New Mexico and consists of about 177 soldiers.
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