KALSU, Iraq, Jan. 8, 2007 — Living in a community lacking job opportunities creates challenges for the average family. Eventually, the choice to stay or to venture out of the area to improve the situation has to be made.
Spc. Terry Foster had to make that life-changing decision and chose to join the U.S. Army.
For the native of Chilliwack, British Columbia, the military was not a completely foreign idea.
Foster previously served as an infantryman with Canadian Special Forces for three years before giving it up to pursue other avenues of employment.
"I have quite a few jobs since leaving the Canadian military," he said. "Unfortunately, my wife, Jenny did not like living in the area we were in so we moved to another city."
Foster, Jenny and their son Nicholas packed up and moved to another area where he took on a job with the Corps of Commissioners of Canada. He dealt with immigration, detaining individuals to turn them over to the proper authorities. It didn't last long.
After seven months of different jobs, Foster decided that it was time for a change.
"I started the application (process) to join the Royal Canadian Mountain Police, which is the main governing police presence in Canada,"
said Foster. "It was really hard on my family, having to drive so far to see loved ones, so I decided not to join."
That is when Foster decided to leave Canada and join the U. S. Army.
Foster became a fuel supply specialist, and after completing basic training and airborne school he reported to Fort Richardson, Alaska. He considered himself lucky to get Alaska for a first duty station.
"It was a great thing for my family, that I was stationed at Fort Richardson," Foster said. "My wife's brother lives in Wasilla, Alaska, so that is less than 45 minutes away. We have a lot of good friends throughout the company and post and that makes our lives so much easier." |
