I was born and raised in Dodge City Kansas. I lived in Dodge City until I was 19 years of age and took the advice of my uncle Danny Baird and join the military. Expecting to see the world and fighting all battles that the world endured. Well, I was wrong it was a living nightmare at the beginning but I soon developed the patients and trust of the military through fighting tooth and nail of the military ways of standards. However, I did get through Basic Training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training). I was then off to Germany (Deutschland) expecting to eat bratwurst and bier rocks at the local McDonald’s, man was I in for a cultural shock. It was nothing like this, actually people from the states compare Germany as some parts in Michigan. Well, I would not know, I never been to Michigan.

While in the military I deployed from Germany to two different regions. I was first deployed into the Kosovo region with Kfor2B. Those who are in the military understand what Kfor2B is. Kosovo was pretty much a regulated paradise with lots of freedom to do what we want and when we want. Once I redeployed back to Germany, I decided that I would marry a girl that I met prior to leaving to Kosovo. Once, I got back from Kosovo I asked my present wife Michaela Burnett to marry me and of course she said yes! This was in march time frame. After we were married we decided to have a child and his name was Anthony. He was born in May 17th of 2001. See other discussion about the process of Anthony.

September 11 th happened and within a month the military told us that we will be deploying to Iraq within the next year. We all thought they were just blowing steam off, however it was the complete truth. We were in the cargo plane deploying to Iraq in mid February early March. Once, we arrived in Kuwait it was already hot. It felt like you left the oven on and stuck your head into the oven and left it on! It was a diiferent heat and a very dry heat that sucked the air out your body. I knew then that this was not going to be another Kosovo episode and we were in for the long haul.

While in Iraq I became close friends with God, Jamie Minnigan, and Jake McMunn. Without these three, i would definitely not be here talking about this story. Jake McMunn was pretty much my battle buddy, (which means, he watches my back at all times and I watch his!). I think the only thing that separated us was using the bathroom and taking showers. Other than that we ate together and we slept next to each other while in Iraq. Every Convoy we went on we were always in the same truck and always made sure that we had each other covered. Through 30 days of out of the month we were on 23 to 25 Convoy’s every month and we were attack 90 percent of the time. There were times where the fire fights were very strong and loud and you did not know what was going to be the aftermath. The only thing you did is what you were trained upon all fear and anxiety was outside the window and you concentrated solely upon your job and what you were there fore. You did not think twice about firing and you did not think twice about running through blockades, you just did it and got out alive!

I thank God every day that I had the opportunity to fight for my country and honor the land that I am from regardless of the political social views about why we went to war. I came out okay and had only minor damage compared to the soldiers that lost limbs and the ones that died in the name of our country. I am grateful for what I did and I am also very proud!!!! This is why I took the opportunity and left the military service in December of 2003. I had lots of time to think while I was downrange in Iraq and I knew that I did not want this lifestyle and it is not fit if you are married and you have a child. At this time I wanted to be a person that could make difference in this world and be looked up to by other companions and leaders. I decided that if I am leaving the military I must do something to compensate for the leaving the military so I started School with the University Of Maryland College University. I started in college in January of 2004. I completed my Associates degree in Computer Studies in October of 2004. I continued and completed my Bachelors degree in Information Systems Management with Assurance Track in October of 2006. I am currently in the Masters degree program and will be completed with my degree in Management Information Systems in November of 2007. Yes, you may think that i have completed my degree extremely quick and of course I have but, I was dedicated and had no employment in the way while doing this. I had 5 to 7 classes at one time every semester. I knew that I needed to be finished prior to my ID card expiration date, which is September of 2007. Well, it will be completed through online classes and I have achieved the goal that I have always dream of doing.

Thanks

Brad Burnett

REPRESENTATION: Bstudios, Sours-Allee 7A, Dienheim