Although the Iraq war requires a great deal of sacrifice for all those serving, college students in particular can pay a heavy toll for enlisting and being called up for service in Iraq.
Often unexpectedly called up in the midst of a semester’s heavy coursework and classes, students have to juggle pulling out of school and preparing to go abroad amidst the emotional toll weighing on their family, themselves and their friends.
Twenty-one-year-old Jay Thorwald was called up for the army reserves right before Thanksgiving last year, forcing him to finish up classes early at the University of Wisconsin-Rock County and take finals before he was shipped off to Iraq. Thorwald, who is stationed nearby Falluja, where a number of uprisings recently took place, calls home once a week to keep in touch with his family.
“When he calls, he doesn’t like to discuss anything negative,” his mother, Jane Thorwald, said. “For his own comfort, he isn’t on the phone to talk about it … he’s on the phone to touch base with me.”
Thorwald does, however, send e-mails home detailing life on the convoy. Family and friends indicate despite the hardship of being at war, the 21-year-old soldier remains optimistic about both serving in Iraq and the good the United States is doing in the country.
“He’s got a real good attitude. He appreciates his own country more. He’s growing as a person,” his mother said. “It’s not like oh boy this is fun. There is hardship … but to him, it’s all about the big picture.”
Hoping to return sometime in the next year, Thorwald is planning to enroll at UW.
Some college students in Iraq, however, are not as optimistic about returning to school when they come back home. Aaron Schutte, 25, who is currently serving in the Wisconsin National Guard’s 32nd Military Police Company, is planning on pulling out of UW-Oshkosh and enrolling in the Fox Valley Technical College, changing his major from criminal justice to go into construction.
His girlfriend Ashley Gherke, a UW sophomore, indicated Schutte, who has been called up for active duty since shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, did not feel going back to school after his long absence was a feasible option. A 120-day-long extension of the 32nd brigade over the summer months confirmed this for Schutte, who will miss his brother’s wedding, where he was to be best man, as he serves for the extended tour.
“We have been banking on this date for six months,” Gherke said, adding her frustration, and that of her boyfriend, is building as his return date continues to remain indefinite.
“What else are we supposed to think except that [the army] lies? If they can’t give us an honest answer than don’t give us an answer at all,” she said. “He’s happy and honored to serve, but he wants a small amount of respect in return. I think the army is not giving that.”
Despite the struggle and continued disappointments, Gherke indicated her relationship with Schutte is stronger than ever.
“It’s hard. But I also know when he gets home we’ll be able to get through anything,” she said.
