March 27, 2007

LIBERTY, Mo. - Jon Cooper knows what it's like to transition from solider to student. Cooper, a sophomore business administration major and member of the Jewell track and field team, is glad to be back at William Jewell after a year of serving his country in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Cooper participates in the 100-meter dash, 400-meter dash, and the long jump for William Jewell.

During his one-year tour of duty in the Army, Cooper worked as a Chinook helicopter mechanic and worked his way up the ranks to sergeant. Originally from Kansas City, Mo., he attended Park Hill High School. After his first year at Jewell, he decided to join the Army to help gain some financial assistance for school.

After enlisting, Cooper was sent to attend basic combat training, where he was taught all of the soldiering skills involved in combat. Cooper also received weapons training, primarily with the M-16, but trained on other weapons as well. "We did a lot of battle movement training, training on how to control a squad and a lot of first aid training," said Cooper.

Working as a helicopter mechanic, he was able to stay on base almost the entire time, so he did not have to deal with direct combat. But the proximity to hostilities remained unsettling. "I was extremely scared, but I had faith that I would make it home ok," Cooper said.

He also found some ways to pass the time and take his mind off the danger. While in Pakistan, Cooper and the other soldiers took advantage of a big field near their hanger to play a lot of different sports, including some heated football matches set against the rugged terrain. They had access to the internet in their rooms, and in some places they also had the availability of a limited version of cable television.

Although Cooper is glad to be back home, his memories of service overseas remain vivid. "I will always remember the bonds that you form with the guys you served with," he said. "You probably spend more time with these guys in a one-year period than you spend with a lot of your close friends over an entire relationship. You eat together, you work together, you play together, and a lot of times you sleep in the same room or building as most of the guys you work with."

It has been a year of adjustments for Cooper, but he is enjoying getting back into the rhythms of college life. "Certainly, I feel like a huge weight has been pulled off of my shoulders now that I get to see my family and friends again," said Cooper. "When you are over there, you realize some of the small things in life that you take for granted."