"Winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people is one of the main things of this war." (Video Interview 14:38.2)

Eric James March

Eric March [2006] War: Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, 2001-present Branch: Army Unit: C Company, 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment Service Location: Auburn, California; Kuwait; Iraq Rank: Specialist Place of Birth: Roseville, CA

Eric March enlisted in the Army National Guard right out of high school, and his first day of training was September 11, 2001. His infantry unit was eventually assigned to Iraq, where he served as a gunner or driver on a patrol vehicle in Baghdad. His company suffered "quite a few casualties," though only one fatality, a well-loved sergeant for whom the unit set up a trust fund to pay for his daughter's education. March cites the brotherhood in his company, which allowed the men to talk freely about personal problems, to ease some of the stress of their deployment. After his release from the Guard, he decided to work as a civilian in their Sacramento headquarters, passing on the benefits of his experience to others.