“He’s a studâ€
This story from Marine Corp News caught my eye yesterday.
Amtrac commander redefines role of combat leader
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Aug. 26, 2006) — Sgt. William D. Dycus didn’t write the book on what it takes to be an amphibious assault vehicle commander. He completely rewrote it.
Dycus, a 21-year-old from Vidor, Texas, is redefining what it means to be a combat leader. His performance in combat was impressive enough to earn him a combat meritorious promotion to his present rank from Regimental Combat Team 5. He’s a Marine respected by his peers and admired by his Marines because of the cool, calm demeanor he displays even in the hottest of action.
Dycus is assigned to D Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, RCT-5.
“He’s an aggressive vehicle commander who knows how to support the infantry on the ground,†said Capt. William E. O’Brien, the 36-year-old D Company commander from Moline, Ill. “He earns a huge amount of respect from his seniors. He’s calm and collected in stressful situations and tactically aggressive.â€
Dycus has a track record of combat success. He earned a selection as Marine of the Quarter for RCT-8 on his first tour to Iraq and was selected as Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for RCT-5 before being selected for his promotion.
“He’s a stud,†O’Brien said. “I’ve known him for almost two years and from the beginning he’s been a quiet kid with the fortitude to stand up.â€
…
Dycus has seen his fair share of stressful situations in Iraq. During this tour, he supported Marines pushing into new areas of operations near Habbaniyah. They were areas that had seen little or no U.S. forces and initially, Marines met stiff resistance.Dycus was guiding his Marines on a patrol supporting infantry in Habbaniyah. There was a sniper threat, so he ordered his Marines to ride low in their turrets to keep a low profile. It was then an insurgent sniper’s bullet crashed through the earpiece of his crewman’s helmet and ricocheted off his turret.
“The first couple minutes were insane,†Dycus recalled. “Once it was over, we laughed about it.â€
Read more about this up and coming leader here.
August 31st, 2006 at 8:43 pm
“He’s a stud,†O’Brien said.
NO KIDDING!!!
August 31st, 2006 at 9:46 pm
Yup!
September 1st, 2006 at 8:59 am
That was a close call! When you finally get to that point you can laugh–that is a good place to be.
All men in uniform are STUDS! Just walk by me and please push my jaw back up where it belongs, thank you.
September 1st, 2006 at 10:19 am
Laura, that’s sweet. Me, too. I think they are my second middle-aged crisis. My first one was at least a decade ago.
September 1st, 2006 at 10:55 am
Y’know, I almost titled this “Attention Church Ladies!”, but I was afraid to be that obvious. I knew some of you would appreciate this fine “young gun”
September 1st, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Who? *looks around* Surely you can’t mean us, GN! Remind me later to tell you about the ones I met yesterday:) LL wanted to know if they could be kidnapped and mailed. LOL
September 1st, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Could you all have finally corrupted Laura? This is a real occasion.
September 1st, 2006 at 3:56 pm
I thought the same thing, Karen. Laura has finally succumbed to The Dark Side (aka church ladies Gone Wild).
My thought early this morning when I saw his pic was mmmmm - mmmmmm a stud-muffin for breakfast
September 1st, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Sammy D where have you been? You were supposed to fill us in on the golf whatchamacallit for AS!
September 1st, 2006 at 5:56 pm
Oh sorry - it’s been a busy week. Well…. I sponsored 4 cutie-patooties from Fort Carson at the tournament and we all had a blast. It was really nice to meet a few more AnyS supporters, and we raised $4,200 for AnySoldier!!!
PLUS - and I STILL can’t believe this because honestly I’ve played golf about 4 times in my whole life - I won a prize for hitting the longest drive of all the females
September 1st, 2006 at 6:34 pm
WOO HOO SAMMY!! What an awesome day and congrats on the $$$$ and the prize. More importantly, congrats on spending the day with cuties;)
Hey Ladies…this is the big day for Cpt B:) By now, he should actually be pinned Major Pain. Or if you listen to Taco and go by Maj B and Maj B….I’ll just call ‘em Double Trouble!
September 1st, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Good going, Sammy!I am really proud of both Majors,even if they are Double Trouble. At least, we can call Taco, Taco or Major Taco. Maybe we can call him Major T.
September 3rd, 2006 at 11:11 am
GN - I sent you an email FYI on a SEAL you might want to post. Thks. Sammy D
September 5th, 2006 at 7:00 am
Don’t think I am really corrupted (hehe) as I usually stay on the straight & narrow but I am just so proud of our guys and they always can use recognition-yeah that’s they way I look at it. The guys have got to feel proud in the uniforms, especially those dress blues!