The ultimate volunteer duty

SSGT Ted Fletscher

Ted Fletscher, 44, has been in the military for 18 years — 4 years in the Air Force, two years in the California National Guard, and 12 in the Oregon Army National Guard. Ted is a Staff Sergeant and serves as Readiness NCO with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion 186th Infantry at the Ashland Armory on East Main.

DT: How did you get involved with the military?

Ted: I'd always been interested in the military and I joined in 1985. I was in the Air Force for four years, the highlight being two one-year tours in Sicily. In 1991, during Desert Storm/Desert Shield, I joined the California National Guard. Though I never saw duty in Iraq, I did go to Los Angeles in 1992 during the riots.

DT: How long have you been with the 1-186th, and what role does it, and the National Guard in general, play in the military?

Ted: I moved to Southern Oregon in 1995, and signed up with the Oregon National Guard later that year.

In the different branches of the military, the National Guard is unique in that its chain of command is the Governor first and then the President. On a state level, our mission is to prepare for, and respond to, natural disasters and civil disturbances. On a federal level, our mission is to be prepared to defend the nation as the powers that be see fit.

DT: What are your duties, and what have been some of your most memorable experiences so far?

Ted: I supervise the day to day activities of the company's Supply Sergeant and Administrative Sergeant. I also manage and help soldiers with military and personal issues, and I help with the planning and write the training schedules for weekend drills.

In 2002 we were deployed for six-months to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Part of the treaty signed by Egypt and Israel in 1979 was for a Multi-National Force and Observers unit to observe and uphold the peace. At the time, we were only the second National Guard unit to do that tour. While there, I got to visit Cairo, the Pyramids, and Mt.Sinai.

The last time I was deployed was to New Orleans a few days after Hurricane Katrina hit. The flood waters were still receding when we arrived, and while we were there with the mission of providing security, we also participated in rescues. We were there for 21 days. Picture 95 degrees and 90-100% humidity. It was miserable. And seeing all the starving puppies — I was ready to adopt them all. And the city was devastated. But all the people we dealt with were fantastic.

DT: Could you be deployed to Iraq? And if you were, how would you feel about that?

Ted: The National Guard is on a five-year cycle, meaning it's possible to deploy every five years. I'm not sure where we are in that time frame, but yes, we can be deployed to Iraq. My feelings are, as long as I wear the uniform I go where they send me — we are all volunteers.

DT: What are your personal thoughts on the Iraq war?

Ted: In this uniform I have no personal thoughts.

I'm not at liberty to tell you my personal thoughts because I work for everyone. You, Democrats, Republicans, rich, poor, Muslims, Christians, etc. I can't have an opinion because it would alienate somebody somehow. Since we work for everybody, everybody is our boss. We give up our own personal ideas, and do what our country tells us to do ... what our superiors tell us to do.

DT: What about when a majority of the country is saying they want the war to end?

Ted: The politicians were voted in by the people. And I know some people will bring up what happened in WWII — but in this country we follow leaders, we don't follow tyrants. In our form of government we have checks and balances. It's got its flaws, but it's safe enough that we won't get another Mussolini or Hitler in charge. For example, the President can send the men to Iraq, but Congress could cut off money for the funding of it.

DT: What is your view of dissent?

Ted: I fully support an individual's legal rights to dissent and freedom of speech, but dissent does lower my morale.

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DT: There are people who'd say that the very reason they are voicing their dissent is because they care about the soldiers.

Ted: What I mean is that people like to be supported in their endeavors, and if they aren't, feelings can get hurt. But the public has, via the constitution, the right to dissent and exercise freedom of speech, and we are here to defend and protect your right to do both.

DT: Do you care to comment on the flag theft that occurred in Ashland recently?

Ted: Obviously the flag is an important symbol to me, and to our nation. On a purely technical level, it's theft of personal property. Yeah, it bothers me that someone would steal a national symbol, but to me it's more, "don't steal someone's stuff." Can't we get along and live courteously?

DT: What about the notion — whether accurate or not — that Ashland is uber-liberal? And, do you feel welcome and supported here?

Ted: I grew up in Santa Cruz. Ashlanders think they're liberal? Pshaw!

When I go into Albertsons in uniform, people are sometimes surprised, but they are always supportive. I was in the Christmas Parade after Thanksgiving with a group of young Marines and was surprised at the supportive response. I think people disagree with the politics of a situation, but we've learned from Vietnam that we still care for the soldiers.

DT: What, to you, defines patriotism?

Ted: Voting, paying your taxes, not having your hand out unnecessarily, helping people, standing on your own two feet as much as possible, being involved in your community, and serving if you can — and I don't just mean in the military.

DT: What do you see yourself doing in ten years?

Ted: Retired military, long hair with bald spot, hopefully working a job I enjoy, and spending time with my wife and our puppies.

Fletscher shows photos from his deployment to New Orleans in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Photo by Debi Smith | For the Tidings