Army Staff Sergeant John Behrends spoke to Club members about his experiences in Iraq and his current assignment as a recruiter. Behrends has been in the military over twenty years and has numerous combat experiences in Iraq. He has performed as a Battle Captain calling in fire power from ground and air. While not involved in active battle Behrends explained he helped deliver water, paint schools, and monitor the sale of propane for the local people. He noted several locals came to him to show him scars of torture and express hate toward the deposed Iraqi dictator. One of most challenging tasks, Behrends explained, is to retrain the Iraqi soldier to the US military standards.

Behrends stated that only 16% of our population is qualified to be in the military and the military needs more personnel than the current size. Behrends and seven other recruiters are working in a 5800 square mile area of this region to discuss the educational and skill learning opportunities in the military with young men and women. Behrends noted that many high school graduates can not do long hand math which limits their qualification for military service and makes his task a challenge.