By Carole Robinson • Senior Staff Writer, Williamson Herald
Aubrey Williams was carrying on a family tradition when she decided to join the military.
Her grandfather was a World War II veteran and her father career military.
He met her Korean mother while stationed in Korea. Until she was 10-years old, Aubrey traveled the world with her family.
After she graduated from high school in Bloomington, Indiana in 2003 she went to West Point Military Academy. Aubrey majored in French and graduated in 2007.
“As part of the deal, I was commissioned as an officer - 2nd Lieutenant,” Aubrey said.
Her first duty station was Fort Stewart in Georgia with the 3rd Infantry Division working in the personnel office, “moving people in and out, keeping track of them and making sure everybody got home.”
She also maintained the casualty records, postal operations, performance evaluations and promotions.
In 2008, after three months at Fort Stewart, Aubrey was deployed for a “few months” to Iraq where she was promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
She was assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division as Brigade assistant to the personnel officer in Ar Ramadi.
At that station she managed the return home of 4,000 soldiers, a trip that included a bus, a helicopter, at least two planes and a war zone.
The biggest problem was the weather, Aubrey said.
Dust storms or heavy rains that cause delays have a ripple affect and result in very disappointed families.
“It was very much like herding cats,” she added. “Although it may seem its just all logistics, a container can’t walk away.”
Aubrey’s second deployment came in December 2009 - a full year in Baghdad. Her first station was FOB [Forward Operation Base] Falcon.
“At that time we were transitioning from Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn,” she said. “It was more advise and assist - training Iraqi police and army to take over.”
When FOB Falcon was transferred to the Iraqis she moved to Victory Base Complex and continued moving people, with public affairs added to the workload. She took photos and wrote articles for the base newsletter.
“To write some of the stories, I went on missions, visited trade schools for women and visited some of Saddam Hussein’s palaces,” she said. “I got to see some pretty and some interesting things while I was there.”
The weather in Ar Ramadi was different from the weather in Baghdad, Aubrey explained.
“In Ramadi it rained so much your boot would stick in the mud and come off your foot,” she said.
In Bagdad, summer with body armor was very hot, she said.
“The bathroom facilities were porto-potties. Nothing like a plastic seat when the temperature is 100 or more degrees.”
"We lived in everything from concrete barracks to container units and in-transit tents with bunk beds.I learned to be mobile and not carry much stuff. We lived mostly out of a backpack," she said. "I learned how little stuff we really need.”
Although there were frequent mortar and rocket attacks on the base, Aubrey said she felt safe, “but my heart pounded when I left base. [Off base] It was unpredictable, especially when people come up to you. On base you’re surrounded by people you trust, but [off base] you never know what will happen on any given day.”
There was time for fun. USO events, horseshoe tournaments, video games, flag football or workout.
“With the Internet we could Skype with the family,” she said. “[During World War II] My grandfather wrote letters to my grandmother. When she Skyped with me she couldn’t get over it.”
Holidays brought “huge feasts” with plenty of decorations in the dining facility.
“Our military is truly a band of brothers. We would do anything for each other. What I miss most is how close we became. I don't think anyone else would expect a co-worker would jump in front of a bullet for them. When you eat three meals a day; work 12-hours a day with the same people there is a bond."
Aubrey was promoted to captain and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal while in Baghdad.
During her time in the military, Aubrey learned “how resilient I can be when facing stressful situations.”
Aubrey came to Franklin two and a half years ago to work as a Shopper Marketing Manager at Mars Petcare.
“I love Williamson County,” she said. “I feel like I get to give back to the community.”
She does that by participating in service programs through the American Legion Post 22, the Daughters of the American Revolution Sarah Polk Chapter and the Heritage Foundation.
